The story that in 1832 a person claimed to have had a vision/dream on the rapture and that this was the first time it had been mentioned, is not factual. The following verses show that the catching away or “Rapturo” in the Latin and “Harpazo” in the Greek, are taught in scripture.
2 Thes 2:2-8 states that the falling away will occur first, but the man of lawlessness will not be revealed until the Restrainer is taken out of the way. The Restrainer is the Holy Spirit. We who are indwelt with the Holy Spirit can’t be here if He is taken, prior to the Anti-Christ being revealed. The Peace agreement is then signed later by the Anti-Christ. If we were still here when the peace agreement is signed, we would know who the anti-Christ would be. This is very specific in verses 7-8.
Daniel 9:24-27 speaks about the covenant between the anit-christ and Israel for one week. Each day represents one year (1day=1year), thus the one week covenant is seven(7) years. So, the idea of either a Mid-trib or post-trib rapture would be a problem, due to the fact we who are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, will be taken prior to anti-christ being revealed (2 Thes 2:1-12).
There is a separation (two stages) when Jesus is coming back. The first time we see Him isn’t when He steps foot on the earth, it’s when we are caught up in the clouds with Him; shown in 1 Thes 4:15-17 (esp. verse 17 on being taken up into the clouds to meet Christ). So, there is only one second coming and the Rapture portion isn’t it. The end of the seven-year tribulation is when Christ returns with His Bride (the believers or Church) and steps foot on the Mount of Olives in Israel (Zech 14).
We are told that we will be spared from “the day of Wrath”. This is spoken of sixteen times in both the old and new test of the Bible. Wrath can’t be referring to Hell because believers are already spared from there. Are we to believe that God will pour out His wrath on the earth and we as believers are supposed to go thru it, even though He said we would be spared? I’m not referring to the ones that get saved during the Tribulation.
On the coming of Jesus at the end of the tribulation, we will know when He is coming. The seven-year peace agreement will be the start of the clock. So, when we are told that no one knows the hour or the day, wouldn’t apply here. His taking of the church will be an unknown time and date, not His second coming.
There are two periods of time, one is the Tribulation and the other half is the Great Tribulation. There is also 30 minutes of silence in heaven in between these two periods (Rev 8:1).
When the argument about the 24 Thrones with the 24 elders around the Throne of God, making the statement that we believe there are only 24 raptured is silly. These are the leaders that God choses not the entire body. The argument isn’t solid and not well thought out.
Points to ponder are:
The two witnesses come and remain for 3 ½ years before the beast is allowed to kill them. They lie dead untouched for 3 ½ days. At that time, they are brought back to life and ascend in the presence of all. If they started their 3 ½ year witnessing to the world in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation, then there’s a problem. They would ascend after the battle of Armagedon was over and Jesus was victorious.
The abomination of desolation: The bible speaks about this happening in the middle of the seven-year peace agreement with Israel when the Beast sits in the Holy Place (Temple in Israel) and claims to be God. The Jewish people flee and run to Petra, Edom, Moab and Amond. If this was at the end of the Tribulation then again the problem is timing. The battle of Armagedon is being finished up by Jesus and the beast would be pre-occupied with that battle and not killing the jewish people (2 of 3 slayed) . The Bible says that these who make it to these places will be provided for and if it was at the end there would be no need.