The Blessed Hope is Christ Jesus Coming for His saints, Not Tribulation
I Thessalonians 4:16 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: I Thessalonians 4:17 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.
	I Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. I Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
	Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I Corinthians 15:54 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. I Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? I Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:58 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.

The Two Open Doors in Revelation

The Blessed Hope is Christ Jesus Coming for His saints, not Tribulation

We have learned so far that the Father’s decree in Psalm 2, in which The Father “had Begotten” His Son, set in action the events of the Gospel. The result of this is Christ being called, in the book of Revelation, the “First Begotten of the Dead” (Revelation 1:5); and Christ’s own have been “begotten” unto a “Lively Hope” by the Resurrection of Christ Jesus. (James 1:18, I Peter 1:13).

This “Lively Hope” is an inheritance which is manifested in the resurrection of the body. (Romans 8:21-23) The believer’s resurrection is called in the Scripture the “Blessed Hope”(Titus 2:13); and though the term “Rapture of the Church” is not found in the Bible, the Greek word Harpadzo from which we get the word “harpoon” is. This word literally means “snatched out”. We get the term rapture from the Latin translation of the Greek word harpadzo. While the Father’s decree in Psalm 2 corresponds to the “Gospel”, the Blessed Hope corresponds to the “Day of the Lord”.

Revelation 4: 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

There Are Two Times A Door Is Open In Heaven
First – Revelation 4:1-2	Second – Revelation 19:11
Someone is going up.	Someone is coming down

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.

The Layout of the Book of Revelation

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Layout of the book of Revelation
Things Which Thou Hast Seen	Things Which Are	Things Which Shall Be Hereafter
John’s Vision of Glorified Christ and the Seven Churches	Messages from The Glorified Christ to the Seven Churches	Tribulation Period, Kingdom, Eternity
Revelation Chapter 1	Revelation Chapters 2-3	Revelation Chapters 4-22
John is on earth and sees a revelation of the glorified Christ and the 7 Churches in Asia Minor	John is on earth, and told to write unto the 7 Churches with Application to All Churches in the “Church Age”	John is translated into heaven. Church not Mentioned from the End of Chapter 3:22 – 19:7. Here, the Church is not referred to as Church or Churches, but the wife, and follows the King of Kings back to Earth
When did the Church arrive in heaven? I submit to you that the church followed John, a type of the church (As the beloved Disciple) when John answered the “voice as it were a trumpet talking”. This voice said: “Come up hither, and I will shew you things which must be hereafter.

I. John was “In the Spirit” – We learned in Exodus, that no one on earth could look upon God and live. John was transformed somehow so that he could be translated into heaven and saw a throne and One who sat on the throne.

A. At the “Rapture” we will be changed. II Corinthians 15:52-53

I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

B. Our Bodies will be immortal

I Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

C. Our Bodies will be like Christ’s Glorified Body

Philippians 3: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

II. John heard a voice “as it were of a trumpet talking with me”. (A trumpet is a musical instrument and “trump” is the sound of a trumpet.) Who is it that is speaking like a trumpet?

A. It was the voice of the Creator, because the 24 elders were casting their crowns and saying:

Revelation 4: 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

B. The Creator is also known as a Shepherd, and His sheep know His voice:

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

C. It is the Lord’s voice at the Rapture of the Church

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

I Thessalonians 4:16 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:

I Thessalonians 4:17 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.

III. The Rapture is a “Mystery” – A Bible Mystery is a teaching kept secret from Creation but revealed by Scripture in the New Testament. It can only be viewed by “type” in the Old Testament.

I Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

I Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

What Is A Bible Mystery?

A Bible Mystery is a teaching that was kept secret since creation but made manifest by the Scriptures in the New Testament
Mystery	Reference
The Gentiles Called Out	Colossians 1:24-27
God’s Established Plan For Israel	Matthew 13:11
Israel Blinded So The Gentiles May Be Brought In	Romans 11:25
The Church - One Body Of Jews And Gentiles	Ephesians 3:3-9; Colossians 1:26-27; Ephesians 5:30-32; Romans 16:25-26
This Salvation Program Of God	I Corinthians 2:7
The Relation Of Christ To Men In Redemption	Colossians 2:2-3 ; 4:3
The Accomplishment Of The Incarnation Itself	I Timothy 3:16
The Development Of Evil The Antichrist	II Thessalonians 2:7-8
The Development Of The Apostate Religious System	Revelation 17:5-7
The Dispensation of the Fullness of Time	Ephesians 1:9-10
The Rapture	I Corinthians 15:51-55
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

IV. Old Testament Types of the Rapture Demonstrate at what point the Rapture Occurs

Types of the Rapture Demonstrate at what point the Rapture Occurs
Enoch is translated into heaven before the flood (A Type of the Tribulation)	Genesis 5:23-24; Flood Chapter 6
Lot is rescued out of Sodom before the fire fell (A Type of the Tribulation)	Genesis 19:15; Fire Fell 19:23-24
Joseph takes a Gentile Bride Before the famine (A Type of the Tribulation)	Joseph’s Egyptian Bride, Asenath – Genesis 41:45; Famine started Genesis 41:54. (But there was bread in Egypt.
Moses takes a Gentile Bride Before the Plagues (A Type of the Tribulation)	Moses took his Midianite bride, Zaporah - Exodus 2:21-22; Plagues of Egypt begin in Chapter 7.
Each Event Happened Before The “Type” of the Tribulation

V. I Thessalonians 4 Gives us a Strong Clue as to when The Rapture Occurs:

I Thessalonians 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.

I Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

I Thessalonians 4:15 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.

I Thessalonians 4:16 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:

I Thessalonians 4:17 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.

I Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

If the Thessalonians were expecting to go through the Tribulation Period, Why would they be concerned about their friends who had died and missed the Tribulation Period?

VI. II Thessalonians 2 Gives us the timing of the Rapture and the Second Coming – See Appendix II for definitions of “revealed”

A. First Comes the Rapture or the “Day of Christ:

II Thessalonians 2: 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Second Coming), and by our gathering together unto him (Rapture),

II Thessalonians 2:2 that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

B. Then Comes the Antichrist during the Tribulation Period

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 <601> (5686), the son of perdition;

II Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

II Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

II Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

II Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

C. After That is the Second Coming

II Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed <601> (5701) , whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

II Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

II Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

First Comes The Rapture, Then the 7 Year Tribulation (Time of Jacob’s Trouble), then the 2^nd Coming.

VII. The Rapture Fulfills the First Part of Jesus Christ’s Promise “I will come again and receive you unto myself”: (Remember that in Ephesians 5, the Church is called the “Bride of Christ”)

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

This, of course, is an analogy of a Jewish Marriage custom, here briefly outlined:

1. When a Jewish boy has his eye on a Jewish Girl, he would not approach her as in Western Culture

2. Instead, he would discuss this with his father.

3. If the father agreed with the son, a meeting with the girl’s father would be arranged.

4. If both parties agree, a legal and binding espousal contract would be put together with the dowry specified. The parties would drink wine from the same cup with the agreement.

5. The espoused boy would then add on to his father’s house a place for him and his bride.

6. When the father was satisfied with the boy’s building, the boy would go get his bride and take her to the building he had built. Thus the marriage is complete.

VIII. The New Jerusalem fulfills the “preparing a place for you”

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

IX. We Have Looked Into The End of Our Salvation – Now For The Day By Day course of Salvation

A. Being Born Again Involves Spiritual Cleansing

1. In Two Parts, For the First: Born of Water

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

I Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. [Ephesians 5:26 explains “water”]

2. Born of the Spirit

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, [Ephesians 5:26 explains “water”] and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

B. Being Born Again Involves The Indwelling Holy Spirit

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

II Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

II Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

C. Being Born Again Involves A Transformation into A New Creature

II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

D. Being Born Again Involves An Adoption As A Son of God

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Galatians 3:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

E. Being Born Again Involves The Holy Spirit and Guidance

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

I John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

F. Being Born Again Involves the Ability to Live by God’s Standards

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

I John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

G. Being Born Again Involves Victory Over Sin

I John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

H. Being Born Again Involves An Eternal Inheritance With Christ

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

I Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

I Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Do Not Forfeit Your Inheritance

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

But Look For His Appearing:

I John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

I John 3:2 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.

I John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

X. What Was On Christ’s Mind as His Soul was an “Offering for Sin”? - Was it His Promised Kingdom or the Glory of Being King?

To find out what was on Christ’s mind and in His vision during the crucifixion, let’s first go to that event prophesied by David in the Psalms - 1000 years before the event:

When Christ was on the cross it was daylight, but turned to darkness before nightfall came:

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Psalm 22:2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

Where the Gospel accounts give a view of the cross from someone standing on the ground looking up, Psalm 22 gives us the view from the cross!

While Christ’s afflictions were much worse than anything I will ever face, He was looking into the future events that would be possible because He endured the cross and despised the shame:

Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Psalm 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Psalm 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Because of this gruesome event and that He rose from the dead, a Kingdom is due Christ Jesus:

Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Psalm 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.

But was the kingdom the only thing that He was viewing?

Psalm 22:30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

Psalm 22:31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Now let’s allow Scripture to explain the “seed shall serve Him”. Now to Isaiah 53:

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Now, Isaiah is prophesying 700 years before the cross, that while Christ was enduring the cross, that He “shall see His seed”.

Now, let’s go to I Peter to learn a little more about this “seed”: It is “Of incorruptible seed”

I Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

It appears that the “seed” may be Christ’s own who are born again. Now to I John for the explanation:

I John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Now, it is clear. As Christ was enduring the cross and despising the shame; His “born again” were in His vision. It was not just the kingdom and glory He would gain, but rather His own born again “generation” with whom He would share eternity.

Christ has given us the “Blessed Hope” – an earnest expectation of an adoption and future redemption in the resurrection:

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ..

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.…

But as we are down here, Christ has translated us into His Kingdom [Colossians 1:13], and that our citizenship is actually in heaven [Philippians 3:20-21]. Now we are physically on earth, but spiritually with Christ, while His body and Spirit is in heaven. But the Blessed Hope teaches us:

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

We do not have to be in a mindset of depression, defeat, or even sad, because as Christ affirmed:

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Appendix I: Chat of the messages to the seven churches in Asia:

Representative Historical Relation Of The Seven Churches
Matthew 13	Revelation 2-3	Name Meaning	Characteristics	Age	Approximate Dates
Sower Matthew 13:	Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7	Permitted	Time of Sowing, Organization, & Evangelism	Apostolic	Pentecost To AD 100
Wheat & Tares	Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11	Myrrh	Persecution, Enemy Revealed, Worldly Alliance	Martyrs	Nero - AD 300
Mustard Seed	Pergamos Revelation 2:12-17	Throughly Married	Great External Growth – Post Millennial	Marriage of Church & State - Paganism	AD 300 – AD 800
Leaven	Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29	Continual Sacrifice	Papal Domination, Doctrinal Corruption, Empty Profession	Papacy	AD 800 – AD 1517
Hid Treasure	Sardis Revelation 3:1-6	Those Escaping	Reformation, Rise of the State Church	Reformation	AD 1520- AD 1750
Pearl	Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13	Brotherly Love	True Church In The Last Days – Revived Pre-Tribulation	Missionary Age	AD 1750 – AD 1948
Dragnet	Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22	People Ruling	Apostasy in The Last Days	Apostate	AD 1948 - Rapture

Appendix II: The Definition of “revealed” in the two uses of II Thessalonians 2:1-8

II Thessalonians 2 Gives us the timing of the Rapture and the Second Coming - First Comes the Rapture or the “Day of Christ:

II Thessalonians 2: 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Second Coming), and by our gathering together unto him (Rapture),

II Thessalonians 2:2 that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Then Comes the Antichrist during the Tribulation Period

II Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

II Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

II Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

II Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

After that is the Second Coming

II Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed <601> (5701), whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

II Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

II Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

First Comes The Rapture, Then the 7 Year Tribulation (Time of Jacob’s Trouble), then the 2^nd Coming.

The word “be revealed” is used in verse 3 and again in verse 8. Both the same Greek verb, but employs different tenses and moods of the verb.

601 ἀποκαλύπτω apokalupto - Our Word “Apocalypse” - v; - reveal 26; 26

1) to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up - disclose, make bare

2) to make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown

Verse 3 - <601> (5686) - Aorist, (Concerned with punctiliar action without regard to how long it takes, or a one-point-in-time occurrence. No clear English equivalent. Passive – (The subject receives the action); Subjunctive - Concerns possibility and potentiality. This will occur if circumstances are right.) - [Falling away first then Antichrist will be mistaken as Messiah, “Day of Christ” (rapture) close at hand]

Verse 8 -<601> (5701) - Future – (As the English a certain fulfillment of an event in that has not occurred), Passive – (The subject receives the action), Indicative – A simple fact that will happen in the past, present or future) – [“And then” Antichrist will be manifest as false messiah, whom the Lord will consume]