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There appears to be much confusion in this day and age concerning the ressurection of the saints, otherwise known as 'the rapture', and when it will happen. While many are aware of the Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib and Post-Trib theories of when the rapture will take place, few are aware that there is actually a 4th theory, called the 'Pre-Wrath' perspective which, in my mind, makes perfect sense both scripturally and logically. The following is a brief but basic rundown of what the Pre-Wrath Perspective. For those who like to learn, enjoy!
While the tribulation period does last for a span of 7 years, it will be divided into two 42 month periods. Many believe that there will be a very serious & bloody battle in the Middle East which result in a peace treaty being signed by Israel and the surrounding Muslim neighbors. It is this peace treaty which will be the start of the 7 years.
The first 3 1/2 years will be a time of peace but also a time of great religious confusion. The Apostle Paul teaches in 2 Thess. 2 that a great apostasy will occur that will result in many believers falling away from the faith. Much of this religious confusion will be due to the building of a 3rd Jewish temple on a shared Temple mount over run by Gentiles as predicted by John the Revelator in Revelation 11: 1-2. There will be great earthquakes and famines during this time. This will also be the time when God sends two 'witnesses' who will preach in the streets of Jerusalem warning the nation of it's wrong doing. I also believe that this will be the time in which the False Prophet begins to make a name for himself and will lay down the foundations for the one world religion which is to come.
After the 3rd Temple is built, at the midpoint of the 7 years, the Antichrist will assume control over the 3rd temple and declare himself as God. This is called the Abomination of Desolation. The Antichrist and his false prophet will then institute a form of one world government / currency which will be accompanied by a one world religion where all will be forced to worship the Antichrist and take his mark or die / starve. Many believers will face great persecution and martyrdom during this time. This will also be the time frame when the remnant 144,000 Jews will emerge and begin the evangelize the nation of Israel, proving that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and that the New Testament is true because of all of the prophecy which has been and is being fulfilled during this time.
The 3 1/2 years will climax when the Antichrist gathers his armies in the plains of Megiddo (Armegeddon) in preparation to completely wipe the rebellious nation of Israel off of the face of the earth only to be thwarted as Jesus himself returns in the clouds. It is at this point that the New Testament saints, both the dead and the living will be 'raptured' up to meet Jesus and the Old Testament saints who had already ascended into heaven with Jesus after the crucifixion (*see Matthew 27:50-54 for scriptural support of the prior ascension of the O.T. Saints). Jesus will then confront the Antichrist and overcome him not with conventional weapons but words of declaration as the bowls of God's wrath are poured out upon the earth to be followed by a renewed earth and the wedding supper of the Lamb which kicks off the Millennial reign of Christ on earth.
While the tribulation period does last for a span of 7 years, it will be divided into two 42 month periods. Many believe that there will be a very serious & bloody battle in the Middle East which result in a peace treaty being signed by Israel and the surrounding Muslim neighbors. It is this peace treaty which will be the start of the 7 years.
The first 3 1/2 years will be a time of peace but also a time of great religious confusion. The Apostle Paul teaches in 2 Thess. 2 that a great apostasy will occur that will result in many believers falling away from the faith. Much of this religious confusion will be due to the building of a 3rd Jewish temple on a shared Temple mount over run by Gentiles as predicted by John the Revelator in Revelation 11: 1-2. There will be great earthquakes and famines during this time. This will also be the time when God sends two 'witnesses' who will preach in the streets of Jerusalem warning the nation of it's wrong doing. I also believe that this will be the time in which the False Prophet begins to make a name for himself and will lay down the foundations for the one world religion which is to come.
After the 3rd Temple is built, at the midpoint of the 7 years, the Antichrist will assume control over the 3rd temple and declare himself as God. This is called the Abomination of Desolation. The Antichrist and his false prophet will then institute a form of one world government / currency which will be accompanied by a one world religion where all will be forced to worship the Antichrist and take his mark or die / starve. Many believers will face great persecution and martyrdom during this time. This will also be the time frame when the remnant 144,000 Jews will emerge and begin the evangelize the nation of Israel, proving that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and that the New Testament is true because of all of the prophecy which has been and is being fulfilled during this time.
The 3 1/2 years will climax when the Antichrist gathers his armies in the plains of Megiddo (Armegeddon) in preparation to completely wipe the rebellious nation of Israel off of the face of the earth only to be thwarted as Jesus himself returns in the clouds. It is at this point that the New Testament saints, both the dead and the living will be 'raptured' up to meet Jesus and the Old Testament saints who had already ascended into heaven with Jesus after the crucifixion (*see Matthew 27:50-54 for scriptural support of the prior ascension of the O.T. Saints). Jesus will then confront the Antichrist and overcome him not with conventional weapons but words of declaration as the bowls of God's wrath are poured out upon the earth to be followed by a renewed earth and the wedding supper of the Lamb which kicks off the Millennial reign of Christ on earth.
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