Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

Where does the Bible prophecy of 3 days of darkness?

Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

The gospel begins with a light shining in darkness. This is a pattern, we saw it in Genesis, we saw it in the gospels and we'll see it with those who are left behind after the rapture.

Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Everyone who has ever repented of sin is familiar with weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This guy came into the wedding feast without a wedding garment. We are to be clothed in righteousness. Jesus is our righteousness, but that has to become a covering to us. Paul tells us to put off the old man and to put on the new man. If you walk around covered in your "old man" then you are not wearing a wedding garment.

Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

As believers we are to be the Lord's witnesses. If you bury your talent you will be considered an unprofitable servant.

Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Compare this to being cast out into the outer darkness. This is when it is clear you are being crucified with Christ.

1. In God's law He says that if we do not obey Him He'll bring the seven plagues on us.

2. In Egypt there were ten plagues, but the first two the magicians could do as well, so there were only 8 that were clearly and unequivocally the plagues of God.

3. We are told repeatedly that the seven bowls in Revelation are the seven plagues of God.

So it is confusing: ten, eight or seven? Well the tenth plague or the 8th that was clearly God's wrath was the death of the firstborn. Prior to that plague we have seven plagues that were the wrath of God designed to cause us to repent.

Seven:

1. Lice upon animals and men.

2. Flies

3. Livestock dies

4. Boils -- first bowl is painful sores on men

5. Hail and fire

6. Locusts

7. 3 days of darkness

8. Death of the firstborn

Then in Revelation 16 we see these seven plagues:

2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Grievous sores

3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

Sea becomes blood and every living soul in the sea dies

4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

Rivers and fountains become blood.

5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

These plagues are a just recompense, you have to consider what you have done and then you will see that you are reaping what you have sown.

7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

At Noah's time the earth was cleansed with water, the next time we are told it will be with fire. In the law you wash some items with water, but those that are metal are to be cleansed with fire.

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

So yes, Revelation does tell us that darkness is one of the plagues. Jesus tells us that those who are not raptured will be thrust out into outer darkness.

11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

These plagues prepare the way for Armageddon, and the death of very many.

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

There is a lot of similarity between Revelation and the plagues of Egypt. We have water turned to blood, we have grievous sores and boils, we have a grievous darkness, and we have frogs.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

How can this be?

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

This is in the temple, right? Why is it that the priest is not marveling? Aren't all the devout Jews looking for the Messiah? This ceremony of Jesus being circumcised is supposed to be done on the 8th day by the priest. Many feel that the 8th day here is the day of Atonement. Regardless, what I find amazing is what is not said, never in this portion does it say the priests and Levites marveled.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

And this seems to be why, Jesus coming was going to bring in the fall of the phony religious leaders.

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Look at the contrast. You have those who went to seminary, wear special robes are are portrayed as the religious leaders. They seem oblivious to Jesus. Whereas you have these two devout people who have given their whole life to following the Lord and seeking Him in prayer. There are two different groups in the Temple, those with the appearance of piety and those with the reality.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Once again, "all that heard Him were astonished" and yet the religious leaders seem oblivious. I doubt they were truly ignorant of Him, instead they saw Him as a threat to their control, the same way all of Russia saw Bobby Fischer as a threat to their dominance in Chess.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

At the circumcision both Joseph and Mary marveled but now it is only Mary that keeps the sayings in her heart? By the time Jesus is twelve Joseph is no longer marveling? If you are not someone who is devout and loves the Lord and meditates on His word then soon Jesus and His way and His followers will seem not that important. Think of these ones who become impatient, they want change now, they want the church to be a political power broker, or they think numbers and money are the way to build the kingdom.

This is human history, everyone walking according to their own opinion and becoming offended with the cross of Christ. But here we are two thousand years later and every word Jesus has spoken is treasured like fine gold whereas all those impatient ones from 2,000 years ago have become dust in the wind that no one remembers.