WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? THE RAPTURE AND TRIBULATION

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? THE RAPTURE AND TRIBULATION

RAPTURE (the Biblical term is "caught up" or "translation") is a term used to describe the removal from the earth of all living people that have been born-again, as evidenced by their fruits. Just prior to the Tribulation coming about, the Rapture will take place. The number that will be raptured will be far fewer than most people might think. The Bible unmistakably portrays the raptured saints in heaven before the throne of God, prior to the Antichrist coming forth and the Tribulation beginning. The Scripture tells us, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be changed and be with Jesus in the air. 1 Cor 15:51,52-WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, IN A MOMENT IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP: FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND; 1 Thes 4:16,17-AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST, THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS. We may be asleep, immediately, we will be with Jesus. All the unbelievers, the lukewarm Christians, and those that did not obey the Gospel will be left to face the dreadful Tribulation. (For an in-depth study of the Rapture, click here.)

THE TRIBULATION is the worst time in history since man has been on the earth. Immediately following the Rapture, the man of sin (called the Antichrist) comes forth and assumes control of the EU. He can be expected to be very charismatic and brilliant. He confirms a treaty with Israel and others, which begins the Tribulation.

It is a 7 year period, but the Lord may have shortened the first 3 1/2 years in some way-ref Mk 13:20; Ro 9:28. We are not setting a date; however, we are now living in that generation in which this will happen. Hate, murder, thefts, rape, and every imaginable form of evil will abound. During this horrible period of God’s wrath, Russia, Iran, and other nations will come against Israel. The USA becomes involved. One-fourth of the world’s population will die. Many of the dead will be from the USA, as well as Russia. One-third of trees are burned up. All green grass is burned up. One-third of the sea will become blood. One-third of the creatures in the sea will die. One-third of the ships are destroyed. One-third of the waters become wormwood (or poisoned, or radioactive). Massive famines, increased earthquakes, and more diseases will happen as birth pangs of a woman. Those left alive will have opportunities to receive Jesus through the preaching of 144,000 male, virgin Jews; however, death by decapitation lies ahead for most that put their trust in Jesus, unless they renounce their faith. There will also be many false Christs and false prophets. A one-world, false religion that God calls MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH will increase. This religion has existed for hundreds of years and exists today. The nations of the world have become intoxicated with her false teachings. The temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt.

About 3½ years from the end of the Tribulation, the Antichrist (also called the beast) is killed with a wound in the head by a weapon, but his deadly wound will be healed. He will come back to life. He then declares himself to be God and moves into the temple in Jerusalem. A false prophet appears that will do great wonders. The sacrifices at the temple will be stopped. The abomination of desolation occurs. An image of the Antichrist will be set on a wing of the temple. Those that refuse to worship it will be beheaded. The elect born-again Jews now flee for their lives to a place where God will hide them and take care of them during the last three and a half years. Power is given to the Antichrist over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. All that dwell on the earth shall worship the Antichrist, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life. During these last three and a half years (called the Great Tribulation), world conditions will continue to worsen. A one-world system will exist. The Antichrist shall make war against the saints and will overcome them. People will be required to take the mark of the Antichrist or the number of his name (666) in or on their forehead or right hand. If they, refuse they cannot buy or sell.

Two prophets of God will appear. One of them is Elijah. Their ministry lasts 1260 days. They warn people not to take the mark or worship the image. There is no forgiveness from God afterward for those that do. They will go to the eternal lake of fire. These two witnesses have the power to shut up heaven so that it does not rain. They have the power to bring all kinds of plagues on the earth. Multitudes will be slain for the Word of God. Some type of locusts will sting men with a sting like a scorpion. It will be so bad that men will seek death and shall not find it. There will be terrible sores upon men. The rivers and fountains will become blood. Men will be scorched with great heat. Earthquakes and diseases continue to get worse and worse. Two hundred million troops will march to Israel from the east and cross the dried up Euphrates River. One-third more of the earth’s population will be killed. After the 1260 days, the two prophets of God will be killed. People will rejoice, but then after three and a half days, they will arise and ascend up to heaven as others watch. Great fear falls on those that see this. Men will be so terrified that their hearts will fail, as they consider what is about to happen. Multitudes will hide in the rocks and say, "FALL ON US AND HIDE US FROM...HIM (Jesus)…FOR THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH IS COME; AND WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?"-Rev 6:16,17.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days, the Battle of Armageddon explodes. It lasts one day. The kings and armies of the earth are gathered to make war against Jesus. Jesus Christ returns as the King of kings and Lord of lords with all His saints. If He had not returned exactly when He did, there should be no life left on earth. The Antichrist and false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire. Satan is chained for one thousand years, so he can deceive the nations no longer till the thousand years be fulfilled. Every force of nature is likely to be unleashed at once, including killer tornadoes, hurricanes, tidal waves, lightning encircling the earth, and the biggest earthquake in mankind’s history. The cities and the mountains of the world will crumble. The Bible tells that every island fled away. The mountains were not found. There is great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of 70 to l00 pounds. The earth will move out of its place. At the end of that one day, there are so few people left alive that a child could list them.

This may all sound like a fairy tale, but remember—from Israel’s rebirth to the Tribulation, there are about 365 prophecies. Incredibly, nearly all have now been fulfilled. In addition, there are over 10,000 prophecies in the Bible and every one up to this time has come true without a single exception. THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART THERE IS NO GOD-Ps 14:1.