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Luke 21, Jesus Taught When The Rapture Is Near!

Jesus tells us when to “Look up…for your redemption draweth nigh” in Luke 21 (KJV)

But first, three things to cover before we look at the 21st chapter of Luke…and what Jesus said.

  1. If you don’t believe in a Rapture, please find our position near the bottom of this article.*
  2. If you don’t think Jesus knows the time of the Rapture because of Mark 13:32 and what you have been taught about that verse, read this short article and the shorter follow up article at the bottom of it. And as you read them, consider this issue: limiting the Savior, Jesus Christ. Mark 13:32, "No One Except The Father Knows?"
  3. In preparing to follow Jesus’ voice in Luke 21 about the End, let’s remind ourselves of how perfect and glorious Jesus is as God in the flesh.
    1. Colossians 2:9, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
      1. In Christ dwells ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily. All.
      2. Christ is not limited in Colossians 2:9, but is equal in all the fullness.
    2. John 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
      1. vs. 13. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will guide us into ALL truth and show us things to come…how? “for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:”
      2. vs. 14. Jesus tells us what the Holy Spirit hears…the Holy Spirit will glorify Christ, receive from Christ and show it to us. Remember vs. 13 Jesus said ALL truth, just like Colossians 2:9, ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
      3. vs. 15. Jesus tells us again, ALL things that the Father has are mine (Jesus’). All, is well…ALL. Which is how Jesus can declare, “therefore said I, that he (the Holy Spirit) shall take of mine (which, according to Jesus, are ALL things that the Father has), and shall shew it unto you.”
      4. We clearly believe that we are being told in these three verses that God the Father, Son/Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, want us to know ALL of His future prophetic plans, AND the timing of them, so we can be better prepared with His truth to share His Salvation message.
      5. We believe, based on these and many other verses, Jesus wants us to know ALL things that He has revealed to us. We fully recognize from His Word, that He reveals things in His timing and increases knowledge in His timing, especially as we are approaching The End of Days. Daniel 12:4
    3. John 10:30 I and my Father are one. God the Father, Jesus Christ/God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are One in purpose/knowledge/wisdom/power/eternal nature, according to the Bible.
    4. John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. 2 The same (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him (Jesus); and without him (Jesus) was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him (Jesus) was life; and the life (Jesus) was the light of men. 5 And the light (Jesus) shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
      1. Can the Bible be any clearer about His/Jesus’ Deity being equal to God?
      2. vs. 3. ALL things were made by Jesus, and without Jesus, nothing was made. We as humans are limited by time. Jesus created time and is outside of the restrictions thereof. When Jesus says He is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8 & 11, 21:6 & 13)…He has already created everything throughout time…because HE IS NOT LIMITED! Which is how Jesus can tell us WHEN to, “Look up…for your redemption draweth nigh” and EVERYTHING else in the Bible, prophetic or not.
      3. Bible prophecy is defined as God’s ability to speak the future into existence…As the Alpha and Omega…everything has already happened for the Creator and Author. Only the World and Satan are constrained by time.
    5. What is the benefit of limiting/lessening THE Savior, Jesus Christ? Doing so seems to fulfill Acts 18:6 and 2 Timothy 2:25, and also seems to prevent the understanding of His prophetic Word. If we tell Jesus He doesn’t know…how can He tell US…what TO know?
    6. Lastly, if we are to believe Jesus doesn’t know the timing of the end but the Father only (especially after reading the quick articles mentioned above), then how is it possible for a limited knowledge Jesus, to teach the timing of the end in Chapter 21 of Luke?
  4. After reading the articles in the link, and the verses above, because of the Holy Spirit, we can have full confidence in the voice of Jesus as we follow Him now through Luke 21. Just like Jesus “paid it all” in suffering for our sins…Jesus also “knows it all” when it comes to the time of the Rapture. He truly is that infinitely perfect…as the Son of God.

Luke Chapter 21

The Widow’s Two Mites

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury (poverty) hath cast in all the living (everything) that she had.

  1. Chapter 21 starts with who and where we are as believers, and where we need to seek to be, as we learn from Jesus about the End.
  2. Consider Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me,” just like the poor widow did, giving everything she had (which goes far beyond money), and it is so important that we understand this…because Jesus pointed it out.
  3. John 16:13 The Holy Spirit will guide into all truth. We, therefore, must take up our cross daily (die to our bias/selfishness/pride), to see how the Holy Spirit will guide into all truth…and show us things to come!

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

  1. The temple in Jesus’ time was destroyed exactly as Jesus prophesied it would be. Everything He has prophesied about the End will also be fulfilled, exactly as He says. The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And He said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by (but the end will not come immediately).

  1. vs. 8 Jesus said, don’t be deceived! What are the deceptions?
    1. Many saying, I am Christ; and the time is near (both together).
    2. vs. 9 Jesus said, When you hear of wars and commotions, don’t be terrified, these must happen, but THE END is not coming immediately.
    3. To clarify…Jesus said at the end of vs 9, when those things happen, the rapture, which starts ‘The End’ will not be near.
    4. While we live in a world of 3 second attention spans, we must ask the reader to decide to do homework to learn the answer to the “when” question with certainty. The Timeline link will help, and has a video tutorial to accompany it. (Link below in '1. e.')

10 Then He said unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay (contradict) nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of (by) all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

  1. vss. 10 and 11 Jesus says what will be…BUT…BEFORE those things take place vss 12-19 take place. How does this make sense?
    1. The short answer is that this is how prophecy has been written in the Bible.
      1. For a more detailed explanation on the importance of how and why Jesus uses the term “before” in Luke 21:12…and how this is similar to how Jesus revealed Tribulation events to John in the book of Revelation…we expound on Jesus’ usage of the “before” at the very end of this article.**
    2. For instance, the creation in Genesis 1 is repeated without a clear timeline in Genesis 2.
    3. Revelation 4-11 is a timeline of what takes place from the viewpoint of being in heaven. Then, in Revelation 12-16 it starts over again from the viewpoint of being on earth. Both Revelation 4-11 and 12-16 are giving details about the same events, from different perspectives. We are talking meat and potatoes information here, not milk and cookies.
    4. We also know of only one other major figure in History who taught the same way.
    5. Please review our Timeline and accompanying video tutorial on our website to see how God chose to present Revelation. The Last Days, Timeline
  2. vss. 12-19 Jesus says what will be…but the question that must be answered is WHEN will vss 10-19 take place in the order given by Christ? For our 3 second friends and critics, vss 10-19 take place right after the rapture (vss 12-19, then vss 10-11 according to Jesus). For our friends and critics following the Holy Spirit’s guiding (John 16:13-15), click on the link above in ‘e’ and the accompanying video tutorial on the page, to see how the Holy Spirit will lead into all truth.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed (surrounded) with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto (into her). 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

  1. vss. 20-24 For our 3 second friends and critics, Jesus says what will happen during a 3½ year period of time, during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week, and just before the return of Christ (7th Trumpet, 7th Vial/Bowl, 3rd Woe). For those wanting the meat and potatoes version, click the Timeline link above.
  2. Here are fun facts to encourage our 3 second friends and critics to go through the Timeline article and video tutorial…As mentioned…prophecy writing skips around. The timing of a prophetic passage is determined by the details described within that passage. The timing is NOT to be assumed simply because one prophetic passage is next to other prophetic passages in the same chapter, or connected chapters. God does NOT always speak in the way we are used to hearing. Rather than adjust God’s words, we should instead, adjust how WE READ His prophetic words.
  3. We have already shown this with Jesus’ words in vs 12, “But before all these…” well, it just happened again. Here, vss 10-19 and 20-24 are not joined together in time. There is a significant gap between what Jesus described. How big is the gap? Is it days, months or years?
  4. Read the Timeline article to learn why it is over 3.5 years (meat and potatoes, not milk and cookies friends and critics). When we discuss the End Times prophecies, we know that a Timeline “map,” if you will, is critical to understanding how everything fits without having to dismiss some verses or find some miracle explanation for them.

The Coming of The Son of Man

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

The four verses above really require the reader to understand John 16:13-15. Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach the truth and show what is to come. Spoiler alert…the order of these verses fits perfectly with how prophecy is written. They do not follow how humans write stories/books/messages.

  1. vss. 25-27, Jesus describes for us, what will happen just before His return and then during His return with power and great glory. AMEN! These three vss are NOT talking about the Rapture! How can they when…
    1. Jesus comes as a thief to those not prepared at the Rapture. Conversely…
    2. When miraculous signs are taking place in the skies such as vss 25-27 talk about, Jesus can’t come as a thief then, the miraculous signs are fulfilling His Prophetic Word! The Timeline Chart gives more vss showing the differences and adding even more clarity.
  2. So, Christ’s return to earth has taken place. Jesus now sums it up with verse 28, which is the calling for us to know what to watch for related to the timing of the rapture (caught up)…that takes place before Luke 21:10, and after a period of time that follows Luke 21:7-9.
  3. Another Spoiler Alert…the Timeline article with video tutorial give the verses that take place between Luke 21:7-9 and Luke 21:10.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth (budding), ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 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. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

  1. vss. 29 and 30 Jesus uses an analogy that is clearly understood.
  2. vs. 31 Jesus just told us what we should not be deceived by, and then what to watch for demonstrating the rapture is near (How can Jesus not know what He is teaching?).
  3. vs. 32 UNDERSTAND that, from the timing of Luke 21:7-9, “the end is not yet” period, through the rapture events, and the events of Luke 21:10-27 (return of Christ to earth), ALL will happen within one (1) generation. Some mistakenly see vs. 32 teaching that the rapture would happen during the first generation of when Christ was on earth.
    1. There are four references to the length of a generation in the Bible.
    2. 40 years, wandered in the wilderness, Joshua 5:6
    3. 70-80 years, Psalm 90:10
    4. 100 years, Abraham Genesis 17:17
    5. 120 years, Genesis 6:3
  4. vs. 33 Jesus tells us that heaven and earth shall pass away: but His words shall never pass away. A statement that only our all-knowing Savior, God the Son, equal to God the Father, can truthfully make.

The Importance of Watching

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (indulgences), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

  1. Jesus gives a stern warning in vs. 34. After all, Jesus just gave information necessary to know when the end is near, and warned us that being caught up in indulgences, drunkenness and cares of this life…indicates we have not been studying the signs Jesus told us about, and to watch for. The results? Possibly being caught unaware? We’ll explain this in “3c” below.
  2. Jesus warns us in vs. 35 that the events will be a snare for everyone on all the earth.
  3. Jesus warns us in vs. 36 to watch…watch what? Watch for the signs Jesus told us to watch for in Luke 21 and many other verses (Timeline Chart and video). Jesus tells us to pray always, that we may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and worthy to stand before the Son of man.
    1. First, the Gospel message of Salvation is the most important decision that a non-believer can make. The need to be born again through the blood of Christ, asking for the forgiveness of personal sins, and then following Christ daily, reading the Bible, praying for His will in our lives, praying for our family/Pastor/Government and Israel etc., going to church, getting in a Bible study small group, volunteering, donating of our first fruits, are all part of being Christ-like, and a path to being closer to Jesus.
    2. Jesus said, WATCH, PRAY that ye may be accounted worthy to escape…
      1. Jesus tells us what to watch for…
      2. Jesus tells us to Pray…indicates that Jesus is talking to Born-Again Believers, not the unsaved.
      3. Why should Christian’s pray, and for what? To be accounted WORTHY to ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
        1. Accounted worthy to escape?
          1. If a person is a Christian…and all Christian’s are raptured…how can we become worthy…to escape?
          2. Aren’t we worthy to escape, as Born-Again Christians already?
        2. This doesn’t make sense…unless…item ‘c.’ below.
    3. A controversial position we hold is a partial rapture position where only 50% of believers are raptured. There are several Biblical reasons with verses as to why they are not raptured, but the focus here will be that they are not adhering to Luke 21 and the Importance of Watching, and what to watch for! Remember the following…
      1. From the 10 Virgins parable (10 Virgins makes them all Christians), only half were prepared/taken.
      2. Two in bed, one taken, one left
      3. Two in the field, one taken, one left
      4. His truth gives us confidence in His plan…His truth will never instill fear in us. The more of HIS truth we know, the greater our peace, and our burden to share His Salvation message and prophetic truth with others, so they can be ready.

We know Jesus knows every detail…Lord Jesus, let this article through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-15), help your church get past the false message, “no one but God the Father knows.” Amen!

We know Jesus knows every detail…Jesus teaches in Luke 21…

  1. When the End is NOT Near
  2. When IT IS near…the result???
    1. Jesus never teaches “Imminence” or the “any moment rapture” or that from the days of Christ, we should always be ready and watch.
  3. No, Jesus teaches…
    1. What to watch for,
    2. When the end is not yet, and
    3. When to look up, for our redemption draweth nigh.
  4. Therefore, there is a much smaller window of time that Jesus says when to watch.
    1. If we ignore Jesus’ clear teachings, the results are that we remain lost…and don’t know…which brings fear into a Believers life. “Well, I’ll just do my best and see…”
    2. If we ignore Jesus’ clear teachings, then the end truly will come at any moment for those who ignore Jesus’ prophetic words.
    3. Ignoring Jesus’ teaching, causes us to believe a lie…which is… “I need to be ready at ALL times for the Rapture.” Friends and critics, Jesus never taught that lie.

We know the vss related to, “He comes like a thief in the night” etc., but can such verses contradict Luke 21 and what Jesus just taught us? While rhetorical…the answer is NO! WE need to align with God’s truth, and understand the meaning of, “He comes like a thief in the night.” Right? Right!

The extremely short version requires that we understand the History as to when the words were written…The “thief in the night” is part of the Jewish Culture and the Fall Festivals, and is directly related to how the High Priest would come like a thief to the other Priests…meaning…if the lower Priests were not ready for the arrival of the High Priest, because they were not watching at the right time…those Priests were cast out into the street with only their undergarments (meaning their clothes were taken from them like a thief). Systematic Eschatology, search “thief” found on pages 3, 34, 51 & 74. Link to the free book on our website: His Center Recommended Links

Remember our controversial partial rapture position???

  • The “thief in the night” also helps explain the partial rapture that Jesus teaches.
  • In the Jewish Culture, the Priests knew the importance of being ready and the consequences of NOT being ready.
  • In the Church, we too must know the importance of being ready (starting with what Jesus tells us in Luke 21 and in the Timeline Chart), and the consequences of NOT being ready.
  • As mentioned, we read in the Bible that only 50% of Believers (the “overcoming” Believers) are raptured, because they were aware of what to watch for, not corrupted, not lost in the blinded Laodicean Church, but praying and watching, at the right time, as Jesus instructed, etc.
  • The 50% that are not raptured have a very important role during the End Times and afterwards, as they will be instrumental in fulfilling Scriptural prophecy before and during the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. Revelation 20:1-5, Ezekiel 37:26-28, Ezekiel 11:20 and Zechariah 14:8-11.

Could a limited Jesus who doesn’t know…teach the exact timing and the events of Luke 21, AND tell us WHEN to look up, for when these things happen, our redemption draweth nigh? Friends and critics…We are each accountable for our actions and statements. We KNOW Christ was/is/never will be limited, and we will kneel before Him believing such. Are our friends and critics excited about looking Jesus in the eyes and being accountable to HIM for the heart attitude of saying, “Jesus, YOU did not know!” which is the result of an error in each “Christian’s” understanding of God’s Word, that too many chose NOT to investigate?

Here is the short article again regarding Jesus not knowing, and at the end, an even shorter article for more clarity. After understanding Luke 21, who is willing to limit Jesus? If so, why? What do you gain? Mark 13:32, "No One Except The Father Knows?"

We have to make this point over and over…

Jesus is credited in John 1:1-3 as being the Creator of all things ("Without Him was not anything made that was made"). Jesus is the Speaker through all Old and New Testament prophecy. Also, God defines Bible prophecy not just as speaking about predicting the future; Bible prophecy is defined as God's ability to speak the future into existence. As the last part of Ezekiel 37:14 says, "then shall he know that I the Lord hath spoken it and performed it, saith the Lord." For God, prophecy is speaking (creating) the future into existence. (This is also a powerful underscoring of the truth that all prophecy must be fulfilled).

So, when so many people say that “Jesus does not know the day and hour,” Biblically speaking, they are not only lessening Jesus' knowledge…they are also lessening Jesus' ability as Creator. Again, according to God's definition, if anyone wishes to perform Bible prophecy, they must be able to speak it (prediction) AND perform it (creation). BOTH parts are essential for there to be a Bible prophecy. Obviously, only God can do this.

To say that “Jesus does not know the day and hour” actually subjects a person to multiple counts of wrongdoing in regard to the purity and truth of the Bible:

  1. It dismantles the perfect knowledge Jesus has as perfect, unlimited God (Colossians 2:9).
  2. It tears away at Jesus' unique ability to be the Creator of ALL things, including all prophetic things (John 1:1-3).
  3. It distorts the nature of Bible prophecy, by suggesting that prophecy only involves the KNOWLEDGE portion, and completely ignores the PERFORMANCE portion.
  4. Just like the Tower of Babel, this false perversion of what Bible prophecy is, allows mankind to think that they are closer to the level of Jesus, in terms of prophecy.
    1. Is prophecy nothing more than knowing about the future?
    2. No way…it is so much more! Because if we limit prophecy to only knowing about the future...then we ignore and disregard God's infinite and unique ability to speak the future into existence.
    3. What separates Jesus from us, in terms of prophecy, is not just the fact that He KNOWS the future as God; it's also the fact that Jesus is able to FULFILL those prophecies and make them happen!
    4. Any doctrine that brings Jesus' prophetic ability down toward our human level (i.e. Jesus doesn't know the day and hour) should automatically be seen as suspect, and wrong.
  5. It carries over into a hangover that causes us to miss the total beauty of our Gospel salvation. And our faith suffers as a result. Christians worry unnecessarily of losing their salvation.
    1. Our salvation is more than a prophetic promise that we will be in Heaven with God forever…because a mere promise can be modified, changed, or broken.
    2. When God promises through predictive prophecy that we will be saved by calling on Christ (note the predictive prophetic language: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved"), our salvation is more than just something that is promised to us as a statement of knowledge; our salvation is also brought into existence by the spiritual Creative act of Christ alone.
    3. Our eternal life is something Christ speaks into existence just like He has spoke into existence, the second crossing of the Red Sea into (as of 2017, future) historical existence (Isaiah 11:11-16).

The notion that Jesus does not know about the day and hour is a vicious, insidious injection of poison that seeks to tarnish and pervert the entire nature of Christ and the nature of our relationship to Him.

As thinking Christians, we would never support the mindless acceptance of potential terrorists into our Country without using our brains to evaluate who is coming in. Likewise, why do we allow this heresy to immigrate into our faith? Look, when I believe Jesus was ignorant of the day and hour, it subjects me to the above five charges of wrongdoing. Yes, God is gracious, and ultimately we as believers are no longer under condemnation, as Romans 8:1 says. Even so…WHY TEST HIM? At this moment, a decision for our friends and critics has come regarding Jesus. Will apathy or pride prevent the desire to research the information/articles that are presented here? The results of said apathy and pride, limit THE Savior, Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, we pray asking for the fulfillment of your purpose as defined in John 16:13-15. Amen!

ADDING to previous points on HOW prophecy is written; a perfect example from Jesus!

  1. In Luke 4:18-21 (vs 19), Jesus read from a prophecy in Isaiah 61:1-2 (vs 2a).
  2. Jesus read, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,” and stopped right there, NOT finishing the sentence in Isaiah 61:2.
    1. Then Jesus in Luke 4:21 regarding Luke 4:19 and Isaiah 61:2a says, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
    2. The second phrase in Isaiah 61:2b, “the day of vengeance of our God;” is not going to be fulfilled until the End. Thus, Jesus didn’t include 2b, otherwise He couldn’t say Luke 4:21.
    3. Jesus shows us right here that there can be a gap of even 2,000 years that separates the first phrase from the second phrase within a single prophetic sentence.
  3. This is why we point out that in order to understand the timing of a prophecy, we cannot assume anything from our normal guidelines of reading.
  4. We must focus on the details within the chapter, verse, sentence, or phrase, while making sure the usage of prophetic utterances DO NOT conflict with ALL other Scripture.
  5. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY we can learn HIS timing of His prophecies.
  6. The one example given above is very clear because Jesus openly shows us how this works, in a way we can all see.
  7. There are other prophecies in the Bible where this type of thing happens:
    1. There is at least 2,000 years between the time of fulfillment for Micah 5:2 and 5:3.
    2. There is a jump of 2,000 years within the single prophetic verse of Isaiah 11:4.
    3. Psalm 22:15-18 speaks of Jesus when He would be on the cross;
    4. Psalm 22:27-29 takes us to the End and on into the Millennium.
    5. Daniel 11 ends with a description of the Antichrist’s demise in verse 45;
    6. Daniel 12:1-2 takes us back to a time several years earlier (or even a millennium earlier), when the resurrection of the saints occurs.
      1. Just because Daniel chapter 12 follows chapter 11 in the text, does NOT necessarily mean that the time of fulfillment of Daniel 12’s prophecies are after the time of fulfillment in Daniel 11’s prophecies.
      2. In fact, the exact same thing happens between Revelation chapter 11 and chapter 12…even the numbers of the chapters are the same (as Daniel 11&12)!
  8. Therefore, when we point out that there is a jump of time between Luke 21:19 and Luke 21:20, for example, we are not proposing a nonsensical, radical way of reading prophecy.
    1. We are following a long-established principle in Bible prophecy, of determining the time of fulfillment of Bible prophecies according to the details in those prophecies…
    2. …and NOT simply on the basis of how we are used to reading narrative or historical material…
    3. …while NOT contradicting other parts of God’s Word.

*For those who don’t believe that a “Rapture” or “Catching Up” or “Caught Up” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and Revelation 12:5 will take place… 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and Revelation 12:5

The term where we get the English "rapture" IS in the Bible. It's the term "harpazo" in Greek and "rapio" in Latin. Paul said that we will be "caught up" (raptured) to meet Him IN THE AIR. Remember, at the time this was written, the air represented the first heaven. Jesus doesn't actually return to the ground or, as the angel in Acts 1 says, comes in like manner. At Jesus' second coming, He brings the Saints (us) with Him and comes to the Mt. of Olives. The second coming is quite different from Paul's description of being raptured in Corinthians.

Revelation 12, for us, is a key argument for the Rapture because of the detail of the "short time" that Satan has when the man child is caught up to heaven. Jesus was born 2,000 years ago. If we are going to argue that Satan had a “short time” left when Jesus was born 2,000 years ago, then there is very little in God’s word that we can be sure of. The “short time” detail regarding Satan, is one of the GREATEST indicators that Revelation 12, and the birth of the man child, is speaking about the Rapture/Catching Up/Caught Up…before the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 5:9 is significant, in that it shows Christians gathered in heaven just after Jesus (the Lamb) takes the End Time scroll from the hand of the Father, and just before the first seal of that End Time scroll is opened. In the King James Version, in 5:9, we read, "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed US to God by thy blood..." The redeemed say this just before the first seal is opened, so that the Tribulation can begin. THIS group in heaven sings the song of the redeemed, and identify these redeemed as “us” themselves! So in heaven, just before the Great Tribulation begins, there are believers from all over the world…already in heaven. This is clear prophetic and textual evidence of the Rapture happening before the Tribulation begins.

Almost all newer or modern Bibles have the word “them” in place of “us,” in Revelation 5:9. But the textual and scholarly evidence on this question is overwhelming. The correct reading of Revelation 5:9 is in the versions that have the word “us” in Revelation 5:9. J.A. Seiss, a very prominent and still-respected commentator from the 19th Century, wrote the following on page 139 of his book, The Apocalypse:

“They are not unfilled beings, but ransomed sinners; for they give honor to Christ for redeeming them—‘Thou redeemed US by thy blood.” Here is Seiss’ footnote on why the word “us” is used in Revelation 5:9:

“Some critics and expositors have rejected this (US), for the reason that it is omitted in the Codex Alexandrinus, and in the Ethiopic version; though the latter is not much more than a loose paraphrase. The Codex Sinaiticus, however, which was discovered in 1860, and which is of equal authority with the Codex Alexandrinus, contains it. The Codex Basilianus, in the Vatican, contains it. The Latin, Coptic or Memphitic, and Armenian, which are of great value, contain it. And so do all other MSS. and versions. And to discredit it, simply and only because it does not appear in that one single Codex of Alexandria, is most unreasonable and unjust to the weight of authority for its retention. Dr. Tregelles, on full examination, was firmly convinced of its right to a place in the text, before the Codex Sinaiticus appeared; and the presence of this (“us”) in that MS, ought to settle the question of its genuineness forever. The evidences from the context, also argue powerfully for a construction which necessarily embraces it, whether expressed or not: We regard it as indubitably genuine.”

Does the account of the Flood align with a rapture viewpoint? Let’s look. The rapture, often referred to as God graciously removing Overcomers from the trials/cleansing/judgements on the earth, is also seen in the account of the flood. Noah and his family were Overcomers graciously removed, as the Ark rose above the trial/cleansing. The Ark went up during the judgements, and then came back down to earth at the conclusion of the trial/cleansing. During the rapture, Overcomers are Caught Up, and then come back down to earth with Jesus at His Second Coming/Return of Christ after the trials/cleansing.

1 Corinthians 15:52 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.

  1. This is an accepted rapture verse.
  2. What is the definition of, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”?
    1. Most Churches definitions are “an instant” or a “flash of time” like the flash of a camera.
    2. Here is where an accurate definition takes away the “any moment” error as related to the rapture (though Jesus has already done that with His Word above, as well).
      1. Systematic Eschatology, pages 31-34, 48 “There is very convincing historical evidence that the, twinkling of an eye, was an idiom for an astronomical event.” Pg. 33 Link to the free book on our website: His Center Recommended Links 
      2. The Jewish day begins and ends, sunset to sunset.
      3. In the Jewish culture, the astronomical event, or idiom of “the twinkling of an eye” as defined through the Author’s Jewish resources in Systematic Eschatology in brevity, is this: The twinkling of an eye starts when the sun visually touches the horizon on sunset, lasting until it disappears behind the horizon. The twinkling of an eye on sun rise begins when the sun is first seen, and finishes when the bottom edge of the sun rises above the horizon. We will add the following:
        1. The time period ranges pending our location on the earth on any given day. The shortest time is 2 minutes near the equator. The further north or south of the equator, and the season, etc., will demonstrate longer and longer twinkling of an eye periods, even exceeding 10 minutes in some populated Cities. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php
        2. Knowing the angle of the sun related to your position on the earth, we can approximate the time in minutes using 2/cos (a), as long as you're not too near the poles. In the Arctic Circles, the twinkling of an eye can last over a day…or not at all.
  3. At the last trump: Systematic Eschatology page 32 “First off, 1 Corinthians was written in 52-53 A.D. and therefore, cannot be referring to any of the trumpets of Revelation, since Revelation would not be written for another 40 years. Even if you are a preterist, and date Revelation to late 62 A.D. it was still ten years later. It is highly improbable that “the last trump”, refers to anything in the gospels either, being that most date the Gospels at later than 50 A.D. In either case, Paul would not be able to put any issue to rest by referring to something not yet revealed.” Right? “We are left with one possibility. Since Paul does not define it, the trump mentioned, had to be a trump that all were familiar with, and is derived from other biblical or related sources.” This is covered in Systematic Eschatology with resources, mostly on pages 32-38. Though we recommend the book in its entirety. Link to the free book on our website: His Center Recommended Links
  4. We are told, ‘for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’
    1. A trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
    2. and we shall be changed.

The following prophetic vss. fill in more details.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 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. 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: 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.

  1. vs. 15 is prophetically written to those who WILL BE alive and remain. This vs. does NOT teach an “any moment” return of Christ during Paul’s day, the writer of 1 Thessalonians…we trust the Holy Spirit has helped to clear this up as shared several times in this article.
    1. This vs is saying that the dead in Christ will be raised first, just like 1 Cor. 15:52
  2. vs. 16 another confirmation of the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
  3. vs. 17 THEN, after those Christians that have died have their “bodies” miraculously put back together and raptured, or caught up to Him in the clouds…then the Overcomers, 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. AMEN!!!

Amos 3:7, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7 further argues against the idea of an “any moment” Rapture. In Amos 3:7, God reveals that it is His long-established tradition, or method of operation, to reveal to the affected population what He is going to do prophetically before He does it. God always gives a warning or a heads up; a prophecy is never fulfilled completely out of the blue. To believe that the Rapture can happen at “any time,” and could possibly happen out-of-the-blue, with no connection to surrounding events and with no advance notice at all from God…such a view of the Rapture goes directly against the spirit of Amos 3:7. If we’re believing something that is in contradiction to a direct statement of Scripture…well, friends and critics, it’s not the Scripture that needs to change.

There are other verses and passages we believe bring out the Rapture as well. Consider these topics:

  1. Antichrist being "revealed,” who is the Antichrist? 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
  2. The "falling away" in the Church (this detail is meaningful, because during the persecution of the Great Tribulation, there will be no moral compromise among Christians; under the horrendous persecution of this period, you either are, or are not a follower of Christ...there will be no middle ground to "fall away" into). 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

**Jesus uses the term “before” in Luke 21:12 in at least two ways.

First, Jesus is saying that the persecution of believers will occur “before” the other events of the Tribulation are completed, in terms of chronological time. Second, Jesus is using “before” in the sense of saying that the persecution of believers will be at the forefront, or more important, than the other miraculous events and signs of the Tribulation.

  1. For example, we might say that someone is giving a speech “before” Congress, meaning that the speaker is in front of, or in a primary position, “before” Congress.
    1. Both tenses of the term “before” are being used in the one word “before” in Luke 21:12.
    2. In this we find a good example of how to properly determine the timing of different prophetic passages.
    3. We do not figure out the timing of prophetic passages by simply noting the order in which they are found in the text, as shown.
    4. We must understand the timing of different prophecies by looking at the details in the passages, comparing them to other related prophetic passages, and making sure nothing contradicts any other part of Scripture, as mentioned.
  2. It is also interesting that when Jesus revealed truth about the Tribulation to John in the book of Revelation (see Revelation chapters 6-7), Jesus used the same pattern that He used in Luke 21!
  3. When describing the Tribulation in Luke 21, Jesus begins by speaking of the great and miraculous events and signs that will happen throughout the Tribulation.
    1. Then He goes back to the beginning of the Tribulation, and describes the persecution of Tribulation saints.
  4. The same thing happens in Revelation 6. Jesus first describes great events and developments in the first eight verses (the first four seals).
    1. Then He begins a description of the persecution of Tribulation saints in Revelation 6:9, with the description of the fifth seal.
    2. At Revelation 6:9, Jesus goes back in time to the beginning of the Tribulation, and tells us about the persecution that will be happening “before” (in time) the completion of all the events described in Revelation 6:1-8.
    3. The pattern of Jesus’ description of the Tribulation in Revelation 6 is exactly the same as in His description of it in Luke 21!
  5. More fascinating is that Revelation 6-7, in its description of the Great Tribulation, also reflects the spirit of Jesus’ use of the word “before” (in terms of “importance”) in Luke 21.
    1. In both Luke 21 and Revelation 6-7, Jesus expresses the thought that for Him, the persecution of Tribulation saints is the most significant, or important aspect of the Tribulation, even more important than the other dramatic and miraculous events.
    2. When you count the number of verses used to describe what happens to the saints during the Tribulation (including the 144,000 sealed Jews in Israel), it is the same number of verses (17) as are used to describe all the other events of the Tribulation.
  6. “Both Luke 21 and Revelation 6-7 are a prophetic description of the Great Tribulation. As such, both passages contain material that was completely unknown and unknowable at our human level, before Jesus revealed it to us. The only “Entity” who knew this prophetic truth before it was given to us, was Jesus Himself.
  7. Both Luke 21 and Revelation 6-7 have the same miraculous fingerprints of authorship on them…and those fingerprints belong to the One who was fully God-in-the-flesh…Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God.
  8. Only God/Jesus the Christ, could perform and reveal to us the kind of prophetic truth we find in Luke 21 and in Revelation 6-7.
    1. In turn, Bible prophecy has a unique and miraculous capacity to glorify Jesus Christ.
    2. The more that true Bible prophecy is promoted, the more Jesus Christ will be glorified.
    3. Perhaps this is part of what Revelation 19:10 means when it declares, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
    4. When we go into Bible prophecy in a way that is pleasing to God, such a pursuit draws us CLOSER to our Lord…not further away.

We each have our Spiritual gifts. Romans 12:6-8, 1 Cor. 12:8–10, 1 Peter 4:11.

Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy, Word of wisdom, Word of knowledge, Faith, Gifts of healings, Miracles, Prophecy, Distinguishing between spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of tongues, Whoever speaks, Whoever renders service. So where are we going with this point? Stay with us briefly for the foundation, before the meat and potatoes.

  1. Read this short chapter of 1 Corinthians 12 in the NKJV as a refresher. 1 Corinthians 12
  2. Each gift is part of the BODY of Christ, equally important to the other part of the body!
    1. 1 Cor. 12:11 tells us, “But…the…Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
    2. Each of us has a Spiritual gift that is prominent in us, and given to us by the Holy Spirit as He wills.
  3. Understand 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 NKJV Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best/greater gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
    1. In 1 Corinthians 12, God tells the Church that the Holy Spirit gives each believer a prominent Spiritual gift.
    2. So, God gives each Christian the ability to bless others with their specific gift…logically, God also gives some, the ability to understand His prophetic Word, blessing others.
    3. Each Spiritual gift used for His Glory, helps the entire Body of Christ.
    4. Should any one gift be looked down upon as each blesses the Body of Christ? No!
  4. At HisCenter.com, the four of us have been given the gift of UNDERSTANDING Bible Prophecy. While Satan has beaten up Pastor’s and congregations with gross errors being taught in this area…do we throw the baby out with the bath water? No!
  5. Based on the text, Teachers/Pastors should seek council from those with the gift of understanding Prophecy, to help prevent errors in their teachings to the Church, thus glorifying Christ to the fullest!

Obviously we realize it is easy for anyone to claim the gift of understanding prophecy, and the first two questions you may be asking are:

‘Well, how do I know the people at His Center have the gift of understanding prophecy? If I need help understanding prophecy, how do I know it is people like His Center that I should be going to for assistance?’

Our answer to that question is this:

  1. Verify what we are saying, according to the standards called for by the word of God. We are not asking you to trust in us, or to trust in any special talent we have, or to trust in our credentials.
  2. We ask you to follow the guidelines and standards called for in the Bible…and then simply hold us to those standards. And, you don’t have to rely on us to do that for you. You can verify our teachings yourself, according to the standards God gave you to use.

Here are the open, public standards God has provided in His word, which should be used, to evaluate if we can truly assist you in understanding Bible prophecy:

  1. Is the content in our website and in our articles and videos true? (John 14:6)
  2. Is the end result of our statements, bringing the fullest glorification of Jesus, that is possible?
    1. In John 16:14, Jesus said this of God the Holy Spirit: “He shall glorify me.” One of the most widespread beliefs in the Church is that Jesus did not know the day and hour of His return, which we have covered several times now.
    2. The implication of this belief is that Jesus was less than perfect in His deity when He was on the earth. How does this belief benefit any believer in Christ…who died for our sins?
    3. We teach in agreement with Colossians 2:9, that Jesus’ deity was perfect when he was on the earth. That means Jesus knew the day and hour of His return.
      1. The only question you must ask yourself is this: Which idea most fully glorifies Jesus:
        1. The idea that His deity was less than perfect…
        2. Or the idea that Jesus’ deity was fully perfect?
      2. When you see His Center teach that Jesus was not ignorant of the day and hour of His return, do not evaluate our teaching based on what a majority of Christians believe. Evaluate our teaching based on whether it truly satisfies the standard, set by the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ should at all times be fully glorified. Then based on that, decide if you should include us as one of your resources with which you understand Bible prophecy.
  3. Do our teachings and videos agree with other relevant Scriptures on the topics we are covering?
    1. I Corinthians 2:13 says we should be “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” as we follow God.
    2. The word of God is to be included as part of those “spiritual things.”
    3. Any time we give our view of the word of God, what we say about a given passage should agree not just with that passage, but with other Scriptures that speak on that topic as well.
      1. Back to the example, when you hear us present the idea that Jesus knew the day and hour of his return…and that there is a perfectly acceptable and Biblical way to understand Mark 13:32, so that Jesus does not have to be ignorant of the day and hour…how does our viewpoint measure up to other relevant Scripture?
      2. Colossians 2:9 says that “all the fullness” of the Godhead was in Jesus, bodily.
      3. So which viewpoint best satisfies the standard of Colossians 2:9? The view that Jesus was ignorant of the day and hour…or the view that Jesus’ deity was perfect, and that He DID know the day and hour?
      4. Do not evaluate those views according to popular opinion. Do not evaluate those views by the credentials you have…or by the credentials we have.
      5. What does Colossians 2:9, and other relevant Scriptures, say? THAT is your standard, for deciding which way you will believe on this issue. We only ask that each of us humbly submit ourselves to the Biblical standard that we are all under…and pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and show us things to come (John 16:13-15).
  4. We know that there is a multitude of viewpoints and teachings in the world of Bible prophecy. All we ask is that you evaluate our viewpoints on prophecy according to the three solid Biblical criteria that God has given to all of us, the three criteria we just listed above. And then follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. That’s all we ask. And our door is always open to hear, to teach, to learn, to minister, and to be ministered to…to the glory of Christ.

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