Study Lesson 13
Biblical Rapture Timing Evidences – Part 2
Or
A Coming Departing From The Living God
Something To Consider:
In our last week’s study lesson we discussed four (4) biblical rapture timing evidences concerning a revealing of an end time entity or leader who will understand sinister schemes according to Daniel the prophet. We also discussed the confirming of a peace covenant in the Middle East which will initiate the last seven (7) years of man’s ruthless rule upon planet earth. We also mentioned the building of a new Jewish temple, yet to be built in Jerusalem.
And finally, Daniel 12.11 revealed the Antichrist entering that newly built Jewish temple and ceasing the daily sacrifices and offerings 3-1/2 years after the peace agreement has been established. In this lesson we will expose four (4) additional end time events for end time believers to be aware of.
End Time Event #5:
One of the most monumental end time revelations will be the eventual revealing of the Antichrist, or better referred to as the abomination of desolation spoken of by both Daniel in Daniel 9.27, 11.31, and 12.11, and by Jesus in Matthew 24.15. We have already looked into these Scriptures in the previous end time events spoken of thus far.
Therefore, we will examine 2 Thessalonians 2.1-4 as the apostle Paul sheds much needed inspired light upon the subject at hand. In verse 1 and 2 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 Paul instructed all who have ears to hear, by mentioning two end time events that follow two other end time events in biblical sequence.
Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, “Now brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the Day of Christ had come.” Paul’s concern is that there is no confusion, and that saints are not troubled by false messages or misleading messages by wicked men who do not understand biblical end time events. Paul is very clear in his 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 end time teaching!
He continued by stating, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day [the Day of Christ’s coming and His gathering of the saints spoken of in verse 1] will not come unless [two other events happen first] unless the falling away [departing from the faith] comes first, and the man of sin [Anti-Christ] is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God [yet to be built], showing himself that he is God.”
The revelation of the man of sin must take place before the gathering of God’s people at Christ’s second coming, according to Scripture. How is it then that the false teaching of a pre-tribulation rapture has caused so many to be led astray through its deception and its misleading message? How can so many be so deceived even in the midst of so much biblical evidence of Scripture revealing the timing of the end time event known recently as the rapture?
End Time Event #6:
Buried in Daniel chapter 11 beginning with verse 32 is end time information that to me is so fascinating and exciting considering the increase of Christian persecution that is and will continue until Christ gathers His elect saints to Himself. Daniel reports in verse 32, “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he [the Antichrist, the earthly representative of Satan] shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
Daniel continued in verse 33, by stating, “And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.”
Those who understand will teach others to understand. We will teach many Daniel declares! That warms my heart and encourages me as these days that have been prophesied are fast approaching. Will we be among those who understand or among those who aid in the death of those who understand? Our eternal destination is determined by our honest answer.
End Time Event #7
We are told in Daniel 9.27; “Then he [Antichrist or end time representative of Satan] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week [7 biblical years]; but in the middle of the week [3-1/2 years later] he [Antichrist] shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wings of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even unto the consummation [end], which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.”
These things are set in stone and must take place as predicted and as foretold in advance for our benefit and our fully understanding when we see them taking place. In other words, Scripture must be fulfilled! Therefore, let us not be deceived by the modern day unbiblical version of the so-called truth.
Daniel fine tunes his Daniel 9.27 prediction before closing his book in Daniel 12.11, by declaring as previously mentioned, “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety [1,290] days.”
Daniel then follows up in verse 12-13 as an encouraging admonition for those alive upon planet earth at that time, “Blessed is he [or she] who waits [endures], and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five [1,335] days. But you [Daniel] go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance [at the end time gathering of the saints] at the end of the days.” The angel Gabriel explicitly states these events are end time events! That is an important biblical truth.
Jesus verifies Daniel’s end time information as reliable when He makes known in Matthew 24.15 after warning all who have ears to hear to endure unto the end and thereby to be saved, by His declaring; “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him [or her] understand)”.
But so many do not understand because the truth of Jesus’ words and the biblical concept of the proper rapture perspective have been neglected by some, altered by many, and simply disregarded by most. How shameful and how deceitful! Therefore, we cannot explore the subject of the abomination of desolation without also examining Paul’s treatise on the subject written of in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.
Paul admonished all end time present tense believers in verse 3; “Let no one deceive you by any means [by false teaching, false prophecy, or false doctrine]; for that Day [second coming of Jesus and His gathering the saints both alive and dead in Him to Himself as declared in verse 1 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2] for that Day will not come unless the falling away [or departing from the faith probably due to the abomination of desolation] comes first, and the man of sin [Antichrist] is revealed, the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he [Antichrist] sits as God in the temple [yet to be built in Jerusalem], showing himself that he is God.” The abomination of desolation is a future event! We have all been warned.
End Time Event #8:
No one can be humanly assured of the sequence of these end time events and as mentioned earlier some of these events appear to overlap or happen simultaneously. The next end time event we wish to discuss is that which brings much sadness to my heart and mind as I attempt to approach the subject.
As mentioned in the previous end time event, Paul revealed a falling away which in the original language depicts a departing from the faith that is to take place in the future end times if it is not already being accomplished due to the false messages of comfort, safety, and peace that are penetrating Christendom, especially in America.
The cry from many if not most pulpits of this once great nation under God, is that of you’re OK, I’m OK, we’re all OK, and that simply is not biblical and therefore is not correct. If we are not attempting to endure unto the end, not desiring to continue in the Word of God, not abiding in Jesus, nor taking up our cross and following after the teachings and conditional commands of Jesus Himself as taught throughout the gospels and the seven letters to seven churches found in the book of Revelation, then we are not OK.
We will not reiterate the teachings of Paul from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 other than to draw attention to them by mentioning them. But Jesus in Matthew 24, after revealing end time events leading up to end time tribulation, such as wars, rumors of wars, nations rising up against nations, famines, pestilences, and the immense increase in worldwide earthquakes; Jesus declared beginning in verse 8, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” In other words there are more sorrows, more difficult times ahead as we approach the end times according to Jesus. But look up, for our redemption draws near!
But Jesus’ heart is to warn His people in advance who will be living on planet earth at this time, so He instructs those who are willing to understand in verses 9-14, by stating; “Then they will deliver you [end time believing occupant of planet earth] up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness [iniquity] will abound, the love of many [one time believers in Christ] will grow cold. But he [or she] who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel [the gospel of enduring to the end] will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.” Are we listening?
Jesus can be no more clear and precise in His end time warning of future end time events. Therefore, will we as true born again enduring to the end believers be an integral part of the promoting and advancing the gospel message of enduring to the end? Or will we be among the many who refuse to become among those who understand what it is the Spirit of God is saying to the churches?
We cannot become neutral in this end time decision of great importance. Jesus declared early on in His ministry in Matthew 12.30, “He [or she] who is not with Me is against Me, and he [or she] who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” The last thing anyone wants to be found guilty of in the end is having been against Christ whether knowingly or unknowingly.
In Closing:
The mystery writer of Hebrews chapter 3 beginning in verse 12 admonished New Testament believers in Jesus by instructing, “Beware, brethren [fellow believers], lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God [contrary to what the once saved always saved promoters proclaim]; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end [or endure to the end], while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice [Christ’s voice], do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’”
In the twinkling of a moment, when the last trumpet has sounded and Christ gives the order to gather His enduring to the end elect who are alive upon planet earth, the door of opportunity will be closed, as was the door to the ark in Noah’s day was closed by God from the inside. Will we be found holding steadfast to our faith to the end, or will we take part in the rebellion of the eternally lost? We have all been forewarned! Will we heed that warning?
According to Jesus 