THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH: PART THREE

To summarize, here are ten reasons why the Church will be removed by the Rapture prior to the Tribulation.

1. The Seventieth Week of Daniel refers to a judgment on Israel (Dan. 9:24). This period is described as the Wrath of God: Rev. 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 1 Thes. 1:9-10; 5:9; Zeph. 1:15, 18. The Church is "not appointed to wrath" (1 Thes. 1:9-10; 5:2-11).

2. Since the first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel's prophecy had to do with God's judgment on Israel, it is logical that the Seventieth Week also has to do with Israel, and not the church; the Church did not even exist when the first sixty-nine weeks occurred.

3. The Doctrine of Imminence states that no prophetic event need occur before the Rapture of the Church. In fact, if any event was necessary, then we would know that the Lord could not return yet; something would have to come first. However, we are told to anticipate His coming for the Church: (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:4; 1 Thes. 1:10; 1 Tim. 6:14; Jam. 5:8).

4. The work of the Restrainer (2 Th. 2:7-8) prevents Satan from beginning his diabolical work. It cannot be proven that the Restrainer is the Holy Spirit indwelling the Church, but God's people are the "salt" He uses to preserve the world from total decay (Matt. 5:13).

5. The message of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12 is to Israel. Their dress and ability to work miracles is typical of Old Testament prophets.

6. There is a difference between the messages to the Church at Philadelphia and to the Church at Laodicea. One, possessors of Christ, will be spared the wrath to come, while the other, professing Christians, will not be spared (Rev. 3:7-22).

7. The Lord’s dealing with Israel will begin at the end of the “times of the Gentiles.” In Luke 21:24, we are told that Israel's total control of Jerusalem is a key to when God will finish fulfilling Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27).

8. The 144,000 of Israel, sealed by God during the Tribulation, are saved, but are not described as being a part of the Church (Rev. 7:1-8; 14:1-5).

9. The chronology of the Book of Revelation speaks of the Church in chapters two and three, but not in chapters six through eighteen, which describe the events of the Tribulation.

10. The Church Age is described as the Age of GRACE. Because of Christ's finished work on the cross, He suffered the judgment we deserve. Thanks be to God!