Matthew 24:40 Is the rapture secret?

TheDivineWatermark · Dec 15, 2024

^ @keepingthingsreal , Thank you for your response. I do understand it (though disagree somewhat), as I've had this conversation with another poster in the past.

I'm fairly sure we have much that we believe IN COMMON

... but as to what v.12 means...

here is where I differ (as to Daniel 7:12):

--see my Post #140 (different thread) and the quote I placed there... and note especially the part where he says "This is the meaning of verse 12." - https://christianchat.com/threads/c...-his-2030-return-of-jesus.209327/post-5023550

(that will save me some typing! Thanks!)

"The rest of the beasts" speaks of those who existed in history (not the future one, of course), i.e. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome [first aspect]... It isn't referring to the idea that they will have: "yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time" in the *future* / into the MK age. No.

[this ^ is my wording; not a quote from the LINK I shared, JFYI]

The phrase "[until] the TIMES of the Gentiles be fulfilled" Lk21:24c [concluding at His Second Coming to the earth, Rev11:2; "TRODDEN DOWN OF"] speaks to "Gentile domination over Israel" (think: Neb's dream / statue / image... with Neb as "head of gold") and is talking about these beasts [esp. the latter-most one, yet future to us]--Plz see the quote at that post I made at LINK above, for a good explanation regarding this (and feel free to ask me anything regarding this--I may not be able to respond right away though--Hope this helps you see my perspective

)

[for the readers (on a related Subject): The phrase "the TIMES of the Gentiles [be fulfilled]" (Lk21:24c [/Rev11:2--also Dan2:35]) being distinct from the phrase "the FULNESS of the Gentiles [be come in G1525]" in Rom11:25[,15]. Many tend to CONFLATE these two distinct things.]

TheDivineWatermark · Dec 15, 2024

^ P.S. Posts #126, 127 at that same LINK I just posted (same "page" as my Post #140 I'd linked) has further explanation as well.

Hope that helps you see my perspective.

TheDivineWatermark · Dec 15, 2024

keepingthingsreal said:

RIGHT!!

The only thing is, is that Jesus (in Matt24 and Luke 17 KJV Search Results for "taken" AND "left" ) was speaking about the time surrounding His Second Coming TO THE EARTH FOR the commencement of the earthly Millennial Kingdom age... (not "our Rapture [IN THE AIR]" Subject--THAT is not THESE "contexts");

For one thing, the "Left Behind" series (if memory serves) was [likely] using these "taken / left" verses to refer to "our Rapture" time-slot (which is "out of context"),

...OR the writers COULD have perhaps been using the verse in 1 Thess5:6 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1th/5/1/ss1/t_conc_1116006 (using the word "G3062 - loipos - translated "the rest / others" in some English translations), carrying the meaning (see under #2, below, in the bold):

[quoting]

Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

remaining, the rest
1. the rest of any number or class under consideration
2. with a certain distinction and contrast, the rest, who are not of a specific class or number
3. the rest of the things that remain

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
†λοιποί loipoí, loy-poy'; masculine plural of a derivative of G3007; remaining ones:—other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.

[end quoting from BLB]

...and...

[quoting from BibleHub, under same G3062 word]

"Usage: The Greek word "loipos" is used to denote what is left or remaining. It can refer to people, things, or time that are left over or still present after others have been accounted for or have departed. In the New Testament, it often signifies the "rest" or "others" in a group, highlighting a distinction between a subset and the whole."

[end quoting from BibleHub, under the heading "Strong's Lexicon"; bold and underline mine - https://biblehub.com/greek/3062.htm ]

... so in this case (if the writers of that series had THIS in mind), it would be a correct usage of the phrase.

____________

IOW, Jesus (in Matt24 and Luk17) was NOT speaking to "our Rapture" time-slot / Subject, but of the time-slot of His Second Coming TO THE EARTH (FOR the commencement of the promised and prophesied earthly MK age); Whereas the writers of the "Left Behind" series WERE using this "concept" to refer to the time of "our Rapture" instead (this would "fit" with the CONTEXT of 1Th5, where this "G3062" word is used, in v.6! [regarding the lost / unsaved who will NOT be taken in "our Rapture" like WE WILL be.])

But then again, like I mentioned in my Post #38 (I think it was), the writers of that series COULD HAVE (like many do) used the Matt24 / Luk17 "taken and left" passage OUT OF CONTEXT. I can't really speak to that because, even though I do own the series of books, I've not read them (and my memory is foggy regarding any DISCUSSIONS I've had with people who HAVE read the series, as to whether this was the case or not. So I don't know for sure. But back in the 70s, it was VERY COMMON for many people to read "rapture" INTO this context, which IS NOT THERE.

)

Hope this makes sense.

Basically, I AGREE WITH YOU... but just not as to the "application" of these two texts: Matt24, Luk17
--(I say they are "Second Coming TO THE EARTH" time-slot/ CONTEXTS, NOT "Rapture [IN THE AIR]" time-slot/CONTEXTS--and I explain MUCH of the reasonings, in my Post #38... though there is much more that could be said on that.)

Luke 17:27,29 says, "and destroyed [G622] them-ALL [G537]" (this occurs at the time of His Second Coming TO THE EARTH, FOR the promised and prophesied EARTHLY Millennial Kingdom age; It is NOT what takes place following "our Rapture [IN THE AIR]" [to the unsaved / unbelievers]... FOLLOWING "our Rapture" there will be MANY people who will be coming to faith in Christ, DURING / IN / WITHIN the Trib yrs [7 yrs] which follow "our Rapture"--This is one of the PURPOSES of the "seven year period"--SEE Hosea 5:14-6:3, for example, where v.15 says, "in their affliction, they WILL seek Me early / earnestly"; and likewise Micah 5:3's "UNTIL" [where that verse's "remnant [shall return]" corresponds with Rev12:17's "remnant"... IN the *future* TRIB yrs (7y)], in preparation for the promised and prophesied EARTHLY Millennial Kingdom age [1000y].)

Hope that helps you see my perspective.

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 12:25 AM

ewq1938 said:

BOTH of the above-mentioned words carry both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE meanings, *depending* on WHO is doing / authorizing the "taking" and "leaving".

In the case of the Matthew 24 and Luke 17 ("taken" and "left") passages, speaking of the time-slot surrounding His Second Coming TO THE EARTH (Rev19) FOR the commencement of the promised and prophesied EARTHLY Millennial Kingdom age (NOT "our Rapture [IN THE AIR]"), the ones "taken" (at THAT time-slot) are "taken-away IN JUDGMENT" (just as in Noah's day)--THIS is what Jesus is speaking to, in THESE contexts.

[see again Matt13:30, as to WHO will be DOING the taking (at THAT time-slot) and TO WHAT END / PURPOSE: "Collect ye FIRST the TARES..." (and as reminder, WE are NOT "the WHEAT" harvest!)]

ewq1938 said:

The question should be, "Who was taken IN THE FLOOD JUDGMENT" (not Noah and crew!!--Noah and crew were LEFT ['LEFT ALONE'--in your definitions list (i.e. NOT "judged")]--LEFT in their mortal bodies, to "[actively] FILL the earth" Gen9:1

--COMPARE with the *FUTURE* time-slot that Daniel 2:35c speaks to, where it says likewise, "and [actively] FILLED the whole earth" (i.e. the earthly MK age; Rev20:8c says, by its END-point, "the number of whom is as the sand of the sea," i.e. LOTS and LOTS of people!)

THIS is the comparison being used! (not the "OPPOSITE" you are suggesting)

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 12:44 AM

TheDivineWatermark said:

I forgot to ADD the info about the related word (shown above ^ [Strong's number in BLUE]), G3007:

[quoting]

[G3007 - leipō ] Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

to leave, leave behind, forsake, to be left behind
1. to lag, be inferior
2. to be destitute of, to lack
to be wanting, to fail

[end quoting from BLB; bold mine - https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3007/kjv/tr/0-1/ ]

____________

Just sayin'...

...the authors of that book series COULD have had "this idea" in mind (I've not read the series, so I cannot say for certain WHICH passage of Scripture they actually based their plot / title on, lol; IF they had 1Th5:6's word in mind, that would be a more accurate use upon which to have based their title.

[per context, etc]; I don't know what their mindset was, however.

)

[for the readers of this thread: 1Th5:1-3 IS the CONTEXT of the ARRIVAL-point-in-time OF the earthly-located TIME-PERIOD called "the Day of the Lord," which ARRIVES at the INITIAL "birth PANG [SINGULAR]" (per vv.1-3, here), hailing back to what Jesus had already spoken of ABOUT "the beginning of birth PANGS" (which ARE the "SEALS" at the START of the 7-yr Trib!)--IOW, THAT is the ARRIVAL-point-in-time OF "the Day of the Lord" (Seal #1 / the INITIAL "birth PANG [SINGULAR]" OF "the beginning of birth PANGS [PLURAL]" which Jesus had specifically spoken of!)]

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 1:34 AM

ewq1938 said:

I have to agree with you on the above portion of your comment ^ ! Right!

Ezekiel 13 has ZERO to do with the Subject of "our Rapture / SNATCH [G726 - harpagēsometha ]" 1Th4:17 (aka "our episynagoges UNTO HIM" - 2Th2:1); which 1Th4:17 verse is in the CONTEXT of 1Th3:13 ("BEFORE [1715 [e] - emprosthen - "in the presence of"] the God and Father of us, in the COMING / parousia of the Lord of us Jesus, with all the saints of Him" (That is, ON UP FURTHER, from "the MEETING of the Lord IN THE AIR" location which precedes this/1Th3:13-location). - https://biblehub.com/greek/1715.htm

____________

This ^ corresponds with both the ideas conveyed in Rev5:9 (and its context), "hast redeemed US out-of EVERY..." (PRESENT UP THERE before the FIRST SEAL is unleased ["the DOTL" / TRIB aspect]), after having been PROMISED TO BE CLOTHED in "white himation" in chpt 3 ("the things WHICH ARE" section), as they are SHOWN "HAVING BEEN CLOTHED in white himation" (in Rev4:4--THAT promised FULFILLED!!) PRIOR TO the START of the "seven year period" which commences with the First SEAL;
AND [corresponds] with what Col3:4 says (about US / "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY") [which is what 1Th4:14c speaks to, where it says, "...THEM ALSO... will God bring with Him/Jesus" (i.e. At His RETURN to the earth, Rev19 time-slot)--Paul is explaining "how it is" that THEY [the DEAD IN Christ] will not be left out of this just because they've DIED prior to that point in the chronology / promise]

ewq1938 · Monday at 3:32 AM

TheDivineWatermark said:

No because that isn't the same Greek word used in the "one taken one left" parables. Being taken in the flood has nothing at all to do with being taken in the parable. The one taken is taken by Jesus and it is the rapture. LEFT means to be divorced and rejected and left to die and it is equivalent to the drowned people in the flood.

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 4:02 AM

^ @ewq1938 , "and TOOK them all AWAY" (where the "THEY" refers to the "and THEY KNEW NOT until..." which WASN'T NOAH! He *KNEW* well before the flood, and PREPARED [the ark]!) It is "THEY" (the ones being JUDGED) who "knew not until"

So in this passage (Matt24) the Greek word for "TOOK-AWAY" can have the following meaning:

-- "

*to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence

-- https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g142/kjv/tr/0-1/

(that is referring to the FLOOD JUDGMENT which "TOOK [THEM-all G537] AWAY [ ^ ]" (from LIFE on this earth, in the FLOOD JUDGMENT... or one could call that a "violent" death [i.e. a JUDGMENT]).

The grammar itself does not allow for the meaning *you* are presenting.

The text itself states, "and THEY knew not *until* the flood came and took THEM-ALL[G537] away" (that's not referring to Noah & crew!)

The "flood JUDGMENT" is what "*TOOK-AWAY THEM-ALL" (not Noah and crew!)

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 4:11 AM

^ And the word for "LEFT" (in the Matt24 and Lk17 "taken" and "left" verses), can have a POSITIVE meaning, like "left alone / to let be" (i.e. NOT be "judged" [taken-away in violent "DEATH"] as the UNBELIEVERS are/were).

Noah and crew were "left" (in their natural bodies) to "[actively] FILL the earth" (Gen9:1); which is exactly WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE at the time of His Second Coming TO THE EARTH (Rev19)--the "believers" (existing on the earth at that time) IN THEIR NATURAL / MORTAL BODIES will be permitted ENTRANCE INTO the kingdom age (and Dan2:35c LIKEWISE will take place thereafter: "[actively] FILLED the whole earth"!!)

ewq1938 · Monday at 4:15 AM

TheDivineWatermark said:

^ @ewq1938 , "and TOOK them all AWAY" (where the "THEY" refers to the "and THEY KNEW NOT until..." which WASN'T NOAH! He *KNEW* well before the flood, and PREPARED [the ark]!) It is "THEY" (the ones being JUDGED) who "knew not until"

So in this passage (Matt24) the Greek word for "TOOK-AWAY" can have the following meaning:

-- "

*to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence

That's still the wrong Greek word.

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 4:26 AM

^ @ewq1938 , doesn't matter, the Greek word itself, used in that verse, CAN CARRY THIS MEANING:

*to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence

-- https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g142/kjv/tr/0-1/

(same idea as "overthrow" in some contexts--as in, this is a NEGATIVE thing [for "THEM"])

The "flood judgment" had a NEGATIVE effect / outcome on the UNbelievers (not Noah & crew)--"THEY" were taken-away IN A "violent" FLOOD-JUDGMENT, from life on this earth!

[IF this word did NOT carry this meaning at all, you might have a point. But IT DOES!]

____________

This is the same concept of how the coming of Christ can and is referred to by a cpl different Greek words for "coming"; or by how Paul uses A VARIETY of words to convey the idea/concept of our Rapture [not merely G726 used in 1Th4:17 ALONE]... It is important to understand "CONTEXT"

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 5:02 AM

^ In these two posts I am referring to the Greek word used in Matthew 24:39 in bold and enlarged-text below (in case you aren't trackin...):

--
Mat 24:39
And G2532 [they] knew G1097 not G3756 until G2193 the flood G2627 came, G2064 and G2532 took G142 ➔ them all G537 away G142 so G3779 shall G2071 ➔ also G2532 the coming G3952 of the Son G5207 of man G444 be. G2071

... which Greek word can carry the meaning (as I pointed out):

*to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence

-- https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g142/kjv/tr/0-1/

[which is WHAT the flood-judgment was! (for the "THEY" in this text / the ones being "judged" by means of it!)]

rrcn · Monday at 8:15 AM

TheDivineWatermark said:

One more step in the redemption of man:
Answering the Sadducees question (Matthew 22:23).
[Mat 22:29-32 KJV] 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

[1Jo 3:2 KJV] 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

[1Co 15:50-58 KJV] 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 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. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? 56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. 57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Psalm1 · Monday at 9:01 AM

rrcn said:

Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Why are there so many different opinions about the rapture. Here is a warning directly from Jesus. it sounds scary but in reality it is a comforting warning:

[Luk 21:8-19, 25-27 KJV] 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. 10 Then said he 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 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 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. ... 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.

This link has a pretty good study about the subject.

Yes you left off that before the flood one will be taken and the other one will be left behind.
So yes Matthew 24 showcases two events.

he is coming after the tribulation which would be after the flood, just as Noah came back to Earth After the flood, or, you could say after the tribulation,
Then Jesus showcased Noah in the setting of Before the Flood.

that's when one is taken and the other one is left.
Matthew 24 must be read carefully or else there are tons of omissions

Psalm1 · Monday at 9:11 AM

TheDivineWatermark said:

That is impossible.
You are trying to force fit half of earths population as righteous before the flood.
Then your theory is that half the population, being righteous is killed in the flood, as they are left behind to die in the flood.

Before the flood, one taken, one left.
That dog will not hunt.
The no brainer most can not see is half of a group taken before the flood are the righteous in the rapture, with half the righteous left to die in the trib ( flood) by decapitation.

Jesus even establishes that concept in the next few sentences.
He says there are 10 virgins, which are safe Born Again Spirit-filled believers, and of those 10 Believers ,five are taken and the others are left.

That is two 50/50 examples, of righteous taken, side by side, illustrating one dynamic.

I wonder why the Holy Spirit gave two examples side by side out of two completely different stories? In other words it's almost impossible to miss the meaning

Psalm1 · Monday at 9:17 AM

Blain said:

The scriptures speak of the event many times Jesus spoke of it and all through out the nt it is spoken of but the timing of it wellthat everyone seems to be in disagreement on but the last rapture dream I had showed a clock counting down I couldn't read it but I felt a closeness urgant even kind of feeling I used to believe in the pretrib then pre wrath then post trib but now all I can say is to look up because your redemption draws nigh the clock is ticking

.all rapture verses are pretrib setting.
Buying, selling, normal life.
No brainer.

Psalm1 · Monday at 9:19 AM

j55 said:

The rapture is Jesus gathering the bride.
Jesus is not false, nor his bride.

Psalm1 · Monday at 9:26 AM

sawdust said:

Impossible.
Your theory has half earths population removed as wicked, and presuming the other half as righteous.
Outrageously impossible.
There never has been a time of half the population saved and half lost, and there never will be.

That theory of "wicked taken" is way way off.

Jesus even explained the "half taken" in mat 25.
Half the virgins taken.
The exact same ratio.
Half the virgins left.

That ONLY FITS the church.
Nothing else.

Psalm1 · Monday at 9:28 AM

p_rehbein said:

Regarding the OP Title:

The rapture will certainly NOT be a secret act.

All will know when that event occurs!

1 Corinthians, Chapter 15:

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52In 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.

53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

On this day, time on earth will be no more. This is the END of time for mankind here. All that remains is the Judgement where the wheat and chaff will be separated for all eternity.

Every single rapture verse is normal life setting.

Why do people try and make it opposite?

TheDivineWatermark · Monday at 10:03 AM

Psalm1 said:

In many past posts I've explained why I do not believe the "10 Virgins [plural]" NOR the "5 Virgins [plural]" represent US / "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY" (whom He ALONE will be "MARRYING" / to whom ALONE pertains "THE MARRIAGE");

--I've pointed out how Matthew 24:42-51's PARALLEL passage is Luke 12:36-37,38,40,42-44,45-48 which passage states clearly: "when he will RETURN FROM the wedding" (i.e. He will "RETURN" as an ALREADY-WED Bridegroom [WITH US], NOT to "MARRY" the "wise / BLESSED servants" of this Luke 12 [and Matt24 PARALLEL] CONTEXT, though they will indeed be "believers" also (having come to faith in Christ FOLLOWING "our Rapture"--the "BLESSED" ones are saved, I mean).
They will exist on the earth at the time of His Second Coming TO THE EARTH, and be present THERE when He "RETURNS" to the earth, [they] never having *lifted off* the earth [as WE WILL be];

--I've pointed out how the "10 Virgins [plural]" (or even the "5 Virgins [plural]") are the BRIDESMAIDS... just like we read of in Psalm 45 (esp. see v.14 with this PLURAL word used there)--This is NOT whom He is "MARRYING" (He is "marrying" the "A CHASTE VIRGIN [SINGULAR]" [ALONE!]-2Cor11:2; He will not be "marrying" the "FRIEND" of the bridegroom" either (though John the Baptist is ALSO a saved person who we will see in "eternity" [for lack of a better expression ATM, I'm getting tired, lol].);

--I've pointed out how the "LAMPS LIT" takes place "IN THE NIGHT" (i.e. IN the TRIB yrs), and drew attention to such in the OT passages like: Exodus 27:20-21 ("from evening to morning") and Lev24:2-3 (same); whereas WE will NOT BE HERE on the earth during THAT TIME PERIOD (see again 1Th5:1-3 and elsewhere); BY CONTRAST, "our Rapture" PRECEDES the "IN THE NIGHT" time period and our "change" (accompanying that point in time / event) takes place "IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE" (which is a very specific time on the clock, so to speak, being an expression [/idiom?] having the meaning: "when one day turns into the next, when the sun is eight-degrees below the horizon, AT SUNDOWN" [that is, PRIOR TO the "IN THE NIGHT" time-period in which the AC will exist in his role, doing all he is slated to do [7 yrs]).

WE / the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY will not step ONE INCH into "the Day of the Lord" [TRIB aspect], we will be "caught up [/snatched-out]" (and "changed," of course) immediately preceding THAT POINT in the chronology [we will NOT enter the "TRIB / DOTL [trib aspect]"], which COMMENCES with "SEAL #1 / the INITIAL birth PANG [SINGULAR; 1Th5:1-3, aka Matt24:4/Mk13:5 I just spelled out in an earlier post]--the SEALS *ARE* the "beginning of birth PANGS [plural]"--WE will not exist on the earth during THAT TIME-PERIOD [the TRIB yrs]... AT ALL);

--I've explained why "and destroyed [G622] them-all [G537]" (Lk17:27,29--parallel to the Matt24 passage ['taken' and 'left' CONTEXT also]) is NOT what takes place following "our Rapture [IN THE AIR]" (to those unsaved persons who don't GO in the Rapture)--This is INSTEAD a "Second Coming TO THE EARTH [Rev19]" CONTEXT, not a "rapture" context.
What happens after our Rapture (to those left on the earth [they weren't saved prior to the Rapture]) is that SOME will come to faith, whereas OTHERS will be the ones TO WHOM "God shall SEND TO THEM strong delusion SO THAT they should believe the LIE / the FALSE / the PSEUDEI" (IN the TRIB yrs [WE won't BE HERE!]); Paul is CONTRASTING those TWO "OPPOSITE" beliefs people WILL BE coming to, FOLLOWING "our Rapture," in his BOOKENDED passages found in: 2Th chpt 1... and chpt 2:10-12;
I've pointed out how that, in Scripture, wherever the related phrases "IN THAT DAY" and "THE DAY OF THE LORD" are used in the SAME CONTEXT [as is used here in THESE TWO CHPTS also], they are referring to THE SAME TIME PERIOD);

I could say a billion more things, on this point, LOL, but I've already made a GREAT MANY posts making these same points (anyone is free to "SEARCH" them out, at any time... it will save me a ton of typing here, haha).

Bottom line, "the BRIDE / WIFE [SINGULAR]" is NOT the "10 or even 5 VirginS [PLURAL]"... He is NOT "MARRYING" the latter of these!

(they're the BRIDESMAIDS!!

and THEY pertain to "the wedding FEAST/SUPPER [aka the *earthly* MK age when He will "RETURN" to the earth], NOT "the MARRIAGE" itself! [which PRECEDES that point in the chronology!!])

Matthew 24:40 Is the rapture secret?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known member