RAPTURE
By Al Thomas
All Bible quotations are from the King James Version.

INTRODUCTION:
At some time around nineteen ninety five, I estimated that I had read approximately fifty books about the pretribulation rapture. So, I thought, I should easily be able to open my Bible and find the verses (vss) that prove the rapture is sound doctrine. When I tried to do so, I failed. Which surprised me, but did not decrease my faith in the rapture. At that time I don't think I had ever heard or read anything that questioned the validity of the rapture.
Shortly after that, I was talking to a man about the great tribulation, I said, We don't have to worry about that.
He said, What do you mean?
I said, Because we will be raptured out.
To which he replied, I don't read it that way; I believe the Church will be here, on earth, during the great tribulation.
About that same time, I started listening to preachers on shortwave radio; many of whom preached that the Church would be purified by great tribulation. The following article is based primarily on the notes I took while listening to those preachers.

WHY THE CHURCH WILL GO THROUGH TRIBULATION:
Matthew 10:24 We are not above our Master; (25) it is enough to be like our master, we will be treated like he was (persecuted which is a form of tribulation)(26) Fear them not . . . . Fear results from trouble. Also, Luke 6:40 The disciple . . . shall be as his master. Jesus Christ went through some terrible tribulation.

TRIBULATION MUST NEEDS BE:
Matthew 18:6, But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (7) Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! [offend from Strong's Bible Concordance Greek word 4624 from 4625; to entrap, i.e. trip up or entice to sin, apostacy or displeasure . . . 4625 . . . snare (figureatively cause of displeasure or sin) . . . Matthew 18:7 . . . for it must needs be that offences come . . . . From the above definition we see that offences are forms of tribulation. This establishes the concept that trouble contributes to our development. For even Jesus Christ was made . . . perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 In fact, trouble is normal. Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. John 16:33 . . . In the world ye shall have tribulation . . . .

MATTHEW 24, MARK 13, LUKE 21 ALL DESCRIBE THE TRIBULATION, THE END OF THE WORLD, AND THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:
Matthew 24:3 . . . and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Implies that His coming is associated with the end of the world.)
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days . . . (30) . . . they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven . . . (31) . . . and they shall gather together his elect . . . The vss prior to these describe the events of the Great Tribulation. Mark 13:24 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.(27) And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Luke 21:25 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.

"SECRET RAPTURE":
Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. The previous vss show that the second coming of Christ will be unexpected by the unsaved.
Also, the word revealed as it is used at the end of vs (30) [see the above paragraph] implies a lack of secrecry. This word revealed becomes even more significant when we look at Luke 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. (35) Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (36) Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (37) And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. The word left, that is used in the vss (34)(35) and (36), is where the whole concept of "left behind" comes from. How could Jesus Christ be secretly rapturing believers while at the same time being revealed?
Those who preach the rapture claim it will be a secret coming to snatch away those who believe in it; in contradiction to the second coming of Christ which will be witnessed by the whole world.
Yet, Matthew 24:26 says, . . . behold, he is in the secret chambers believe it not. (27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Luke 17:23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. (24) For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. The previous vss state that the coming of the Son of man will be as obvious as a bolt of lightning. "Secret chambers" in Matthew 24:26 implies that those who say his return will be in secret are mistaken.
Furthermore, I Thessalonians 4:14 says, . . . them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (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 . . . . Shouting and blasting from the trump of God are things which oppose secrecy. Also, the afore mentioned trump of God is also mentioned in I Corinthians 15:51,52 where it says, 1Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (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.

LAST TRUMPET:
1Thessalonians 4:13 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. (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. (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. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Some of the preceding vss are possibly the most commonly cited to prove the rapture doctrine. Beside the lack of secrecy (the shout of the archangel, and and the trump of God don't sound very secret to me), that trump in vs 16 (see above) has another problem. It is the last trumpet which is also mentioned in Revelation 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. . . . (6) And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. . . . (10:6) And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever . . . that there should be time no longer: (7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished . . . .
Following are more vss concerning the last trumpet, and how it announces the second coming of Christ at the end of the great tribulation.
Mt. 24:29 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. (31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Rev. 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, (6) And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: (7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. . . . 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded (the seventh trumpet judgement); and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, (17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. (18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Now comes another witness to prove that the trump mentioned in I Thessalonians 4:16 is the last trumpet, which is fitting for the trump of God. Go to I Corinthians 15:22 . . . in Christ shall all be made alive. (24) Then cometh the end . . . (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 . . . that pesky trump.

SIDE NOTE: Strictly speaking, the rapture (whether secret or not) would be a second coming of Christ to the earth. So that, if he came again at the end of the world, the second coming would actually be the third coming.
SIDE NOTE: Rapture preachers argue that Christ's use of the analogy of himself as a thief (i.e. if the goodman of the house had known what time the thief would come; then he would not have suffered his goods to be spoiled . . . also the thief of Sardis) are references to the secret rapture. Otherwise, they say, the monumental events of the great tribulation would give away the timing of his return. Yet, even at that time, people would only know the approximate time; they still would not know the day and the hour.

Even more information can be gleaned by a study of the following vss:
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days . . . (30) . . . and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven . . . (31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the one end of heaven to the other.
In the above vss we have the great sound of a trumpet occurring at the end of tribulation, when the Lord returns in the clouds of heaven to gather together his elect . . . . That is all quite straight forward regarding the trump of God, and that it is not associated with some secret snatching away.
I think that the vss of Revelation 10:5-7 are a reinteration of this same prophecy for these reasons: (5) . . . the angel which I saw . . . (6) . . . sware . . . that there should be time no longer: (7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God shall be finished . . . .
Whereby, above in vs 7 the word voice is rendered from the Greek word, Strong'sBible Concordance 5456 . . . fo-nay' . . . a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial [emphasis mine]); by implication an address (for any purpose), saying or language:- noise, sound, voice. So that it could have been translated as an "artificial tone" which would produce a noise or sound instead of a "voice."
Yet, the real kicker comes when we look at vs 7 again and pick out the word sound, which was translated from the Strong's Bible Concordance Greek word 4537 . . . sal-pid'-zo . . . to trumpet, i.e. sound a blast (literally or figureatively) . . . . With the word "trumpet" used in the definition of the word sound we have strong evidence that this is the same seventh angel who announces the end elsewhere.
Revelation 11:15-18 appears to be yet another account of the seventh trumpet angel, and the events associated with the end of our present world order. Verse 15 reads: And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. So that we see the word sounded, here in vs 15, is the same Strong's Bible Concordance Greek word (4537) from which sound was translated back in Revelation 10:7. The remaining vss 16-18 describe events that occur at the end of great tribulation:
Revelation 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, (17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. (18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
This seventh trumpet angel seems to get numerous mentions; one might assume because of the importance of his mission. But this seventh angel who sounds the trump of God is never announcing a secret return of our Lord. Also, the frequent mention of the seventh trumpet angel serves to dispel the notion that the trumpet of I Thessalonians 4:16 is any other than the last trumpet. Additionally, please note that in vs 16 the expression 'voice' of the angel is very similar to 'voice' of the seventh angel in Revelation 10:7 (see five paragraphs above).

WHERE LORD? (EAGLES):
In Luke 17:34-37, the first three vss (34-36) give examles of one person being taken whereas the other is left. The rapture teachers claim this refers to the pretribulation rapture. The repeated use of the word left is where they get their expression "left behind." The rapturists claim that those people are left behind alive because they did not believe in the pretribulation rapture doctrine, and they must endure great tribulation as punishment. When asked about the eagles in vs 37, they refer to the eagles in Isaiah 40:31.
Yet, when one considers Isaiah 40:31 in context with the vss that immediately precede it; then it becomes apparent that the vs in question has nothing to do with a secret rapture: Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I agree that those taken are taken up to be with the Lord, but I contend it occurs after--rather than before--great tribulation. As proof of the timing, let's look at the vss leading up to the vss in question:
Luke 17:24 . . . For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. (26) And as it was in the day of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (27) . . . and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot . . . (29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Once again, this is no secret [lightning shining across the sky is not secrative] (see above vs 24).
Consider Luke 17:37 (see two paragraphs below) and the word body which in the Strong's Bible Concordance is 4983; in the Greek it is so'-mah; from 4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figureatively . . . 4982 reads sode'-zo . . . to save, i.e. deliver or protect (lit. or fig.) . . . all of which implies the saints lifted up to meet the Lord in the clouds at his return. The other word of particular interest is eagles Strong's 105; remember this for it is the same as the eagle in the next vs we will consider.
A brief examination of Matthew 24 will reveal that it is another account of the same prophetic lecture that is related in Luke 17. So that Matthew 24:28 corresponds to Luke 17:37. There is a significant difference; whereas, Luke uses the word body 4983; Matthew uses the word carcass 4430. Strong'sBible Concordance Greek word 4430 . . . pto'-mah . . . a ruin, i.e. (specially) lifeless body (corps, carrion) . . . . So that Luke refers to living bodies and Matthew refers to dead bodies in association with the same incident. Which incident, itself, occurs after a description of various calamities.
Let us take a closer look at those eagles. Starting with Luke 17:36 . . . one shall be taken, and the other left. I underlined "taken" and the word "left" because by implication the next vs will refer to the one(s) who will be left "behind." (37) And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is thither will the eagles be gathered together.
By implication those "taken" are in the air with the Lord and the eagles (Luke 17:37); in contrast the corpses of those "left" are on the ground under the eagles. Before we examine the "eagles" in detail, lets take a look at another event that occurs at the same time--the wedding supper of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses . . . (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations . . . (17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun . . . saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God: (18) That ye may eat the flesh of Kings . . . captains . . . mighty men . . . horses . . . and theflesh of all men . . . (and so on) (21) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
The word "fowl" in Revelation 19:17,21 (see above) is translated from the Strong's Bible Concordance Greek word 3732 . . . or'-neh-on . . . a birdling . . . (NOTE = according to my dictionary a birdling could mean a bird who is a hireling or a small or little bird). Thus leaving open the possibility that a variety of birds could be employed to clean up the mess of dead bodies.
We have already been introduced to the "fowl" of Revelation 19. Which fowls will feast at the wedding supper of the Lamb. Now, let us take a closer look at the "eagles" of Matthew 24 and Luke 17; said eagles being, I am convinced, some of the same birds mentioned in Revelation 19. The "eagles" word in question has been translated from the Strong's Bible Concordance Greek word 105 . . . ah-et-os'; from the same as 109; an eagle (from its wind-like flight) . . . .
Notice that in parenthesis the definitions says "from its wind-like flight." Anyone who has watched eagles soar must have noticed how that eagles seem to float on the air with their wings extended--just as vultures and buzzards do. In fact, eagles are very closely related to vultures genetically.
In Leviticus 11:14 the word "vulture" is translated from the Strong's Bible Concordance Hebrew word 1676 . . . daw-aw' from 1675; the kite (from its rapid flight) . . . .
I mention this because it is another example of the name of a bird based on its method of flight. These "soaring birds" are called raptors; from which the word 'rapture' is derived.
Another example along the same line is Deuteronomy 14:13 where the word "vulture" was translated from the Strong's Bible Concordance Hebrew word 1772 . . . dah-yaw'; a primary root; to dart, i.e. fly rapidly . . . intensively from 1675 . . . daw-aw'; falcon (from its rapid flight) . . . .
Vultures in Job 14:13 was from the Strong's Bible Concordance Hebrew word 344 . . . ah-yaw'; perhaps from 337; the screamer, i.e. a hawk . . . . The name for this bird is based on its call or vocalization.
The point being as follows: The names which the ancients used to identify various bird species were ambiguous at best. Modern classification of species had yet to be invented; so that, two different observers might not use the same name to identify a certain species. Along these same lines, I will continue until the thrust of my point is exhausted--somewhat. The reader might do well to endure this tedium, as the vss in question (Matthew 24:28 Luke 17:37) are pivotal to my contention. Consider the "eagles" of Isaiah 40:31 Strong's Bible Concordance Hebrew word 5404 . . . neh'-sher; from an unused root meaning to lacerate; the eagle (or other large bird of prey) . . . . This word identifies the bird or birds in question not by modern science, but, instead, describes the method of feeding. Once again, buzzards and vultures both lacerate their food, and they both soar when they fly. In fact, the word vulture is derived from a Latin word which means "to tear."
Summation of WHERE LORD? (EAGLES):
The "eagles" in question are not symbolic, as the pretrib rapture preachers teach. Instead, they will be various species of birds, who will clean up the mess after the Lord Jesus Christ takes revenge upon his enemies. Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; (18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (19) And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (20) And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (21) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

AT THE LAST DAY:
The following vss illustrate the timing of the resurrection, repeatedly, and in the words of Jesus Christ at the last supper: John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. . . (44) No man can come to me, except the father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. . . (54) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (That makes three times in one chapter--for emphasis[?]) John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha knew when the saints would be raised from their graves.
Before the Lord and his disciples left the upper room where the last supper had been eaten, Jesus prayed for his disciples. During that prayer our Lord made it clear that there would be no secret "rapture." John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. This word "evil" has been translated from a Greek word which in Strong's Bible Concordance is identified as 4190 . . . pon-ay-ros' . . . hurtful, i.e. evil (properly in effect or influence) . . . . Which I take to mean that He did not want them to become wicked due to the evil influences of this world.
Along the line of evil influences on the saints I present two examples: Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! The previous words "offences" and "offence" are both translated from the Strong's Bible Concordance Greek word 4625 . . . skan'-dal-on ("scandal") . . . a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively cause of displeasure or sin) . . . .
In John 17:15 (see two paragraphs above) Jesus states that he does not want his people to be taken out of the world; which is exactly what a pretrib rapture event would involve. So, how can the Son of God be against the rapture if the rapture is the will of the Father? Disharmony within the Godhead is impossible.

DISPENSATIONISM (THE SIN OF ESAU):
A dictionary defines dispensation as . . . 3. A system of rules for managing affairs; especially, a religious system; as, the Christian dispensation. That same dictionary defines "-ism" as . . . A suffix of certain nouns . . .3. Beliefs and practices; as in Protestantism, the beliefs of Protestants.
From these two definitions combined we see that dispensationism is the beliefs and practices of those who believe in the Christian dispensation.
Obviously, Christianity is a religious system with rules, beliefs, and practices. Yet, why call it "dispensationism" when it already has the more natural and logical name of "Christianity?" The extra name is to distinguish the Christian church from the race/nation/religion which the Old Testament refers to as Israel. (At this time, I will show that the names "Jacob" and "Israel" can be used synonymously [the same]: Genesis 32:27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. (28) And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.)
Most people who believe in and/or preach the pretrib rapture doctrine, by necessity, are dispensational. That is because there are vss in the Old Testament which indicate that Israel will endure great tribulation. Which created a problem: If Israel and the Church are the same entity, how can the Church be raptured out of the world before it (great tribulation) begins?

1) Proof that Jacob/Israel will go through great tribulation:
Jeremiah 30:4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. . . (7) Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to the same time: . . . Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpt in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand . . . (11) And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Amos 5:1 Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel. . . (4) For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: . . . (18) Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. . . (20) Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it. Zephaniah 1:12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees . . . (14) The great day of the LORD is near . . . (15) That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. II Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? . . . (6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. . . (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Well, an explanation had to be found; thus dispensationism was born. It severs the Church from its identity as the Israel of God; then claims that God is "dispensing" his oracles in three stages: 1. The Old Testament phase with Israel and the Jews. 2. The Christian era or--as some call it "the age of grace"--which allegedly lasts until the rapture. 3. The Jews take over as God's people--again--after all the Christians are evacuated.

2) All of the tribes were represented in the promised land during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
The rapturists say that by the time of Christ's earthly ministry, only Jews had returned from the dispersion of the northern ten tribes and the Jews. An assertion that seems unlikely--at least that no representatives of the northern ten tribes would have returned--since it was a return to their home land.
The books of Nehemiah and Ezra follow the books of Kings and Chronicles because Kings and Chronicles relate the history leading up to the loss of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah; whereas, Nehemiah and Ezra describe the fulfillment of Ezekial 37 and many other prophecies heralding the return of the tribes. Though many or most individuals stayed in their new home lands, I am convinced that a remnant of every tribe returned to Palestine.
In order for the valley of dry bones prophecy to be fulfilled representatives from each of the twelve tribes would need to have returned to the promised land after the dispersion (exile). As proof I offer: Ezekial 37:11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel . . . . That word "whole" is from the Strong's Bible Concordance Hebrew word 3605 . . . kole; from 3634; properly the whole; hence all, any or every . . . . Later, in chapter 37 this concept is spelled out in detail starting with vs (16) Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions: . . . (17) And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. . . (19) say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Obviously all the tribes had to return in order to satisfy the Ezekial 37 prophesy. Remember, the Babylonian exile of the Jews only lasted for seventy years. The northern ten tribes had been in exile for more than two hundred years. Even at that, it was a short enough period of time, so most of the Israelites still knew their individual tribal identities, as well as their territorial origin. By modern times, 1948, only the Jews had a tribal identity of sorts because the Romans had exiled all of them in 70 a.d. (all of what was left of the tribes; the Jews always having been much more numerous than any of the other tribes).
So that, what sense does it make to say that only the Jews returned in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra, but all of the tribes returned in 1948? There is no proof that any Israelites, other than Jews, returned in 1948. Conversely, there is no way to identify members of the northern ten tribes; that is, assuming any of their descendants still exist as tribes at all.
Of course, the high priests and their helpers who took part in the temple services were all Levites; not jews. Also, along these lines (looking for proof that representatives of all the tribes were in Palestine during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ), the apostle Paul was a member of a tribe other than Judah: Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, seperated unto the gospel of God . . . (11:1) For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Beside the previously mentioned two tribes, consider Simeon whose territory was completely surrounded by Judah. Look at a map showing how Canaan/Palestine was divided among the twelve tribes; you will see that both Simeon and Benjamin were annexed by Judah. Without even going into the subject in depth, we have allready proven the presence of at least three non-Jewish tribes during the earthly ministry of Christ.

3) Thus all Israel will be saved
One of the main tenets held by the rapturists is that all of the Jews (who will be left behind because they don't believe in Jesus Christ) will be saved during the great tribulation. The main scriptural evidence for this assertion is Zechariah 12:10 which reads as follows: (10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first born. The preceding vs is supposed to occur at the end of great tribulation. When the Jews who had been left behind by the rapture will see Jesus Christ at his second coming. When the Jews realize that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and that they were left behind because they didn't believe in the Savior or the rapture (according to the rapturists Christians who don't believe in the rapture will be left behind also).
The remaining vss of the chapter (Zechariah 12:11-14) seem to leave open the possibility of others being present at this mourning: (11) In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (12) And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; (13) The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; (14) All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. I am guessing the Nathan in vs 12 is probably the prophet associated with King David; in vs 13 Levi and Shimei a Levite leader associated with King David. These vss offer more proof of the presence of Levites; additionally, vs 14 leaves open the possibility of some other tribes (remember, the twelve tribes of Israel were originally families).
Zechariah 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. (2) Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. (3) And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (4) In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. (5) And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. (6) In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. (7) The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. (8) In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. (9) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (See Revelation Chapter 20.)
(For brevity I refer to rapture preachers as rapturists.) The rapturists claim the events of Zechariah 12:1-9 (see the preceding paragraph) occur at the end of the tribulation. I think it more likely they occur at the end of the millennial reign. At any rate, it is not written in stone that the events of vss 1-9 have to immediately precede the events of vss 10-14; even though, the King James translators have punctuated it that way. Be informed that the ancient Hebrew writers wrote in all capital letters; they did space between words, but did not double space at the ends of sentences, nor did they use any punctuation. All of those things have been supplied by others after the death of the original authors (the New Testament writers did not even space between words). Also, since it is a prophetic writing, there is no rule to force the Holy Ghost to always reveal oracles in chronological order.
Also, the rapturists claim the events of vss 10-14 (see three and four paragraphs above) occur after the rapture, and at the second coming of Christ--they don't count the rapture as a second coming; forasmuch, it is done in secret, they say. Additionally, they claim this Jewish mass conversion to Christianity occurs at the end because vss 11-14 refers to various Hebrew tribes. I have heard rapturists preach that during the tribulation, God will supernaturally draw the other tribes to modern-day Israel. (It would certainly have to be a miracle since the modern descendants of the northern ten tribes have no knowledge of their ancient national identity.)
Another vs that is often quoted by the dispensatiaonalists is Romans 11:26 which is put forth as further proof that Israel and the Church are seperate entities. Referring to the Jews, Paul wrote starting with Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. (24) For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? (25) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery . . . that blindness is happened in part to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so all Israel shall be saved . . . .
The above vss are the basis for the dispensationalist contention that at the end of great tribulation, when Jesus returns the second time, all the Jews extant will be saved. Because, they say, the Church will have been raptured; leaving only the Jews/Israel to fulfill: And so all Israel shall be saved . . . . Yet, I think that Romans 11:23-26 is saying, if they abide not still in unbelief they will be grafted back into their own olive tree. In other words, any person who is genetically descended from the racial tribe of Judah can regain his/her status as an Israelite through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God at any time.
Without giving any scriptural proof, I have heard it preached that during the great tribulation, the modern descendants of the lost tribes will be drawn to Palestine. Thus fulfilling the requirement that it be all Israel (Romans 11:26 [see two paragraphs above]). A technicality which, you will recall, they claim was not accomplished by the time of Christ's ministry, but is usually just ignored rather than explained away when critics point out that only supernatural intervention could assemble the lost tribes--assuming they still exist at all.
The Jews get the same deal that the rest of us do. Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid . . . (5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Zechariah 12:10 says, And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: . . . This same event is also described in Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh . . . (29) . . . in those days I will pour out my spirit. This event was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost descended upon the disciples like tongues of fire. Zechariah 12:10 continues . . . and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, . . . . This prophecy was fulfilled when the disciples, and others, looked upon the pierced body of the Lord on the cross--they mourned as disciples; being descendants of Israel (the twelve tribes).
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side . . . (35) And he that saw (emphasis mine) it bare record . . . (36) For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled . . . (37) And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they have pierced. Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh . . . (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days I will pour out my spirit.

4) Proof that the Church is Israel.
Romans 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (4) Who are Israelites . . . (5) Who are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came . . . (7) Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children . . . (8) That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (24) Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? (25) As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. (26) And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (27) Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved . . . Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer for Israel is, that they might be saved. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid . . . (23) And they also, if they shall abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (16) And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision, by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: . . . (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace . . . (19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham . . . (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith . . . (16) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ . . . (18) For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise . . . (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ's, then ye are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (11) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all . . . (25) But he that doeth wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (9) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (10) For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord . . . .
If you will look at a map of the world, you will see a drawing of the geographical territory called "Israel." Most of the people who live in political/territorial Israel call themselves Jews. Following are some definitions from the 2001 Webster's New World College Dictionary:
Star of David [[transl. <Heb magen david, lit., shield of David]] a six-pointed star formed of two, often interlaced, equilateral triangles: a symbol of Judaism and now of the State of Israel: as a mystic symbol in the Middle Ages, called Solomon's Seal
hexagram (hek'se gram') n. [[HEXA- + -GRAM]] 1 a six-pointed star formed by extending the sides of a regular hexagon, or by placing one equilateral triangle over another so that corresponding sides intersect: see STAR OF DAVID 2 in the I Ching, a pair of trigrams
hex (heks) adj. short for HEXAGONAL (sense 1) --n. short for HEXAGON
hexa- (hek'se) [[< Gr hex, SIX]] combining form six [hexagram]: also, before a vowel, hex-
hex (heks) n. [[PaGer hexe < Ger < OHG hagazussa, akin to OE hagtes: see HAG]] 1 [Dial.] a witch 2 a) a sign, spell, etc. believed to bring bad luck b) a jinx --vt. to cause to have bad luck; jinx
hag (hag) n. [[ME hagge, a witch, hag, contr. <OE haegtes < haga, hedge, akin to Ger hexe (OHG hagazussa): sense comparable to ON tunritha, lit., hedge rider, hence witch]] 1 [Obs.] a female demon or evil spirit 2 a witch; enchantress 3 an ugly, often vicious, old woman 4 HAGFISH
Here is what Jesus Christ has to say about this particular subject:
Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
I have sympathy for my King if he has resentment towards people who deny his divinity; especially, considering that their predecessors murdered him.

THE ACTUAL SIN OF ESAU AND HOW (OR WHY) THE RAPTURISTS ARE COMITTING THE SAME SIN:
Genesis 25:29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: (30) And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage . . . (31) And Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright . . . (33) . . . and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. (34) . . . thus Esau despised his birthright.
So, we see that as a result of Esau's sin of despising his birthright (see above Genesis 25:34); God hated Esau. Malachi 1:2 . . . was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, (3) And I hated Esau . . . Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
The reader is admonished to pay careful attention to the following vss: Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (17) For ye know that how afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
I have shown previously that the Church is, in fact, the Israel of God; therefore, baptized not only into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but, and also, into the commonwealth of the Israel of God. Thus becoming children of God the All Mighty; as well as, inheritors of the promises made to the patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As Christians we are the intended beneficiaries of the birthright which carnal Israel lost due to unbelief.
So, by denying the identity of the Church as the Israel of God , the dispensationalist rapturists are despising their birthright; just as Esau did.
Take note: Hebrews 12:16 (see three paragraphs above) classifies Esau with fornicators and profane persons. Later, when he tried to inherit the blessing he was rejected with no place for repentance (vs 17).

NOTE TO THE READER: The following points will hopefully serve as a conclusion to this study.

THE GREAT FALLING AWAY AND STRONG DELUSION:
Some preachers have referred to the pretribulation rapture doctrine as the great falling away. They may be right, at least in part; though, I think it probably involves more than one error. With the annual Christmas idol tree ritual being an even greater sin--though that involves another study (see my article "NO IDOLATRY"). Besides that, abortion is the number one cause of death.
II Thessalonians 2:3 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; . . . . This falling away is a direct result of the actions of God: II Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (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.
The Mighty God has dealt with his creatures as his perfect council deems fit: Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool . . . (2) For all those things hath mine hand made . . . . Jehovah asserts his ownership of the universe; therefore, his authority is absolute. At times our sensitivities are offended, but how can the puny mentalities of flesh bring the Holy One into condemnation? Or, still yet, how can the creature expect to judge the Creator? So that I accept as righteous that which I don't completely understand: Isaiah 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, (do you want to talk about scary? that is scary) and will bring their fears upon them: because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear . . . . So that, we see, God chose the delusions of those offenders.
This same principle of management is described by another prophet: Ezekial 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; because they are all estranged from me through their idols. (7) For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which seperateth himself from me . . . I the LORD will answer him by myself: (8) And I will set my face against that man . . . (9) And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet . . . . So, we see that the LORD deceives people because they will not listen, are estranged, or are idolaters.

BLESSED HOPE:
Some rapturists preachers refer to, or have referred to, the pretribulation rapture as "the blessed hope." In contrast, I think of "the blessed hope" as being salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

FINALLY:
I heard someone say, In order to find the pretribulation rapture in the Bible, you have to believe it is there before you start reading the Bible.