The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

. The W's of the Rapture >>> What, Who, Where, When and  Why???  What is it ?  Who does it affect ? Where does the event occur? When does it happen ?  and... Why does it matter ?

 *******

WHAT is the "Rapture" theory?

A "theory" because it has not been proven yet- this is a future event.Eschatology (the study of end times) views differ as to the time frame that Jesus Christ will return to gather together his “saintly” ones. The book of Revelation symbolically depicts the  "tribulation" period(s) of the end times. The timing of "the Rapture" defines differing schools of rapture theory (i.e., pre-tribulation, mid-trib, or post tribulation). Another words, before horrible times on earth, in the middle of earth’s collapse, or after all mankind has endured God’s wrath. But, generally all “rapture" views have good people in heaven and bad people in eternal Hell! - Most people will say the Rapture “theory” is founded on the belief of Christians that in the “end times” (of the world), Jesus Christ will suddenly return and gather “saved” Christians out of the world...leaving behind “non-believers” to suffer terrible consequences, world disasters, global war,and a world controlled by Satan himself.   A pre-tribulation definition of "The Rapture" is typically given by "church-going folks" of today's traditional teachings. This anticipated ‘Rapture” event provides comfort for modern Christians in hoping to escape dreaded prophecy fulfillment of the book of Revelation. It seems a lot of church leaders don’t even attempt to teach, or even read Revelation -since they believe the events in Revelation will not pertain to them and they will be "raptured" to Heaven beforehand

.*******
What is “The Rapture”?
   These two videos on YouTube sum up the pre-trib rapture concept:  Are You Ready?     &     Rapture in a Church    If you have seen the "Left Behind" movie series,  Click Here for  Left Behind (The Rapture Song)  When asked about this "rapture", most Christians point to the Paul's writings of I Thessalonians- describing a "catching away" when Jesus Christ returns...16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (this will not  be a silent event (as some depict) and the return will be at a trump- but which of the 7 trumps depicted in Revelation?)17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.    ("clouds" because there will be many with Christ when he comes and the word "air " in Greek means "breath " not atmosphere!) Fact is, the subject of this chapter is actually "where are the dead" as stated in verse 13 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (If we believe Jesus arose, then we must believe those who have died are with him)15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. ("prevent " here means we cannot go before them which are already dead- for they are with Christ already!) Paul did however address the second coming of Jesus Christ in II Thessalonians Chapter 2 as follows: 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (now the subject is the coming)3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (don't be deceived- the coming is not until Satan is  revealed , therefore, Satan comes first!) 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,     ("after " Satan) 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.    (If you wish to "believe a lie" God will let you!)  When will a Rapture occur? I Corinthians Chapter 15 tells us that we will put on our "spiritual" body when Christ returns at the "last" or seventh thump- after events of the first six trumps have occurred.... 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Call it a "Rapture" if you wish, but Jesus Christ is coming and we will gather to him (at the Last Trump) -after satan's tribulation.What is satan's tribulation? What is the Great Tribulation? Are they different? Click Here.  Our Father wants you to follow His Word-not the traditions of man! Ezekiel Chapter 13 shows God's feelings about those who    "hunt the souls to make them fly" (Ezekiel 13) .19  And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?20  Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.  Do YOU know the sequence of events during the tribulation period(s) ?   Have YOU read?  Revelation gives us 7 seals as indicators of the coming antichrist. The most important 1st seal describes the rider of the first white horse coming as an imitation, the "instead of" or "anti" Christ. God does not want you to be deceived!Are you going to believe man's teachings or believe the words of Jesus? When asked about end times, Jesus begins with the warning "do not be deceived"  Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21           - find out the truth for yourself!  The Rapture “theory” may have it’s beginnings in the 1830’s (see Dave MacPherson's documentations),but even Jesus' disciples  were longing for a new beginning with Jesus as King!  Specifically told of the Messiah and his first coming in their scriptures, even religious leaders didn't recognize Jesus during his time on earth...   Will you - at his second coming???   It seems a lot of today's religious "church" leaders don’t even attempt to teach, or even read Revelation -since they believe the events in Revelation will not pertain to them and they will be "raptured" to Heaven beforehand. With our modern “rush-rush” drive through "give it to me NOW" (and "super-size it"), most church-goers would rather believe what their “church leaders” interpret scripture as ... rather than taking time to read God’s letter (the Bible) for themselves.  Sadly, many Christians (followers of Christ) are betting their eternal soul on a unfounded pre-trib rapture “theory”. Rather than a verse-by-verse Bible teaching, many of today's "churches" tell people what their "itching" ears want to hear. Pre-Trib followers need to head the Word as in II Timothy Chapter 4:  2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. If pre-trib "rapture" believers are wrong, some questions need to be considered:  Will God grant these “rapturians” immunity at his throne of judgment putting any mis-founded beliefs to their church leaders blame? Will our Father be happy with those who didn't’t take the time to seek Him through reading His Word for themselves?
Study to show yourselves approved! Revelation Chapter 13 describes satan's "anti" Christ or his imitator, "instead of" Christ roles: 11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.The Pre-tribulation Rapture teaching leads Christians into being deceived thinking satan is actually Christ. and God's Word states in Revelation:   8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  During man's  Tribulation, all will be deceived through satan's imitation of Jesus Christ and will not be ready for the true Christ's coming... 3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.(I Thessalonians 5)  Jesus taught  11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  . (Matthew 24)  ... Also  ... 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Don't believe traditions of man....Read what Jesus said about his coming in Matthew 24: 

Don't be deceived! Jesus Christ only comes AFTER satan's tribulation period....not to "rapture" people away before they are "tested" by satan  29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.   Also recorded in Mark 13 and Luke 21, Jesus tells of times of  tribulation   Before   his return:  24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13) and ... 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (Luke 21)  Our Father wants his children (followers) to put on the Gospel Armour to "Stand" against satan   ...not  "fly away"  10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6)

Don't let man's traditions of Pre-tribulation Rapture or anything else deceive you into following satan  thinking he is Jesus Christ ! Don't take any man's word on faith...put your faith in your Father... You alone will face God's judgment seat- not your Bible teacher....READ the Word for yourself ! Whenever Jesus Christ returns, be ready...be faithful...and watch!32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. And Remember to stick with God's Word - not any man who "adds to" or or "takes away" from the scriptures.As stated in Revelation 22,  changing the true Word of God is not a good thing...18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen God intends for you to READ his letter to you (the BIBLE) so you won't be deceived!  No matter when Christ returns, if you trully have a heart-filled love for our Father you'll be OK- so don't get anxious to "fly away"- God looks out for his own that love him!  Search for the truth in God's word.  For a Chapter-by-Chapter and Verse-by-Verse  Daily Bible Study from *Shepherd's Chapel  Click Here!  This site was developed to help drive you into God’s word for answers. Without relying on the teachings and the traditions of any particular church denomination etc.,  hopefully, you will come to the true knowledge of God’s word from the source-the Bible. Do not let a few out-of-context scriptures read on Sunday or church traditions influence your walk with our heavenly Father. He wrote his letter to you - have you read it? Here is My Story.  

 May God Bless you and yours,   nfaz

Note: References made are from from King James version, and Strong's Concordance for Hebrew and Greek definitions. *Note: LedBehind.com is not affiliated with any linked site, just providing  information. Copyright 2020. Led Behind.com. All rights reserved.