14 Questions about the Pretribulation Rapture

14 Questions about the Pretribulation Rapture

1. How can the church be separate from the 144,000 Jews of Rev. 7 when 1 Cor. 12:13, Eph. 2:11-22, Jn. 10:16, Eph. 3:6-13 say that the Jews and the Gentiles are one body and one church?
2. How do pretrib teachers use 1 Thes. 5:2 and leave out 1 Thes. 5:4,5?
3. The bible is inspired and put together by the Lord , so do you think Rev. 16:15 gives the timing of the Lord's return (between the 6th and 7th bowls)?
4. Doesn't a pretrib rapture deny Mk. 9:49, 10:38, 1 Pet. 4:17-18, Lk. 8:13, Ro. 8:17, Php. 3:10-11, Mt. 24:9, Jn. 16:2, Dan. 11:33-35?
5. Who is the YOU speaking of in all of the prophetic scriptures? (example:) who is the YOU in mt. 24:15?
6. Why does the Lord give us so much detail about the great tribulation if it doesn't apply to the church? Are we to rip out all these scriptures and throw them away?
7. Where in scripture does it say Jesus will come 3 times ?
a. 1st time , his birth
b. pretrib rapture - 3 times?
c. 2nd coming
8. Won't the church be protected during the great tribulation as the israelites were in egypt ? example: Ex.9:4 God doesn't change right?
9. Isn't Jn.14:3 explained quite well by the rest of the chapter - verses 15-31 and especially verses 18-20 and 23, also Eph. 1:3-23 and 2:6?
10. How can a pretrib rapture occur before psalms 110:1, Acts 3:21, Rom. 8:34, Heb. 10:13, Eph. 1:10, 4:12-13 are fulfilled?
11. How do we obey 2 Pet. 3:12 if we are already gone?
12. How can a pretrib rapture be secret, when every eye shall see him, trumpet will be blasting (last trumpet 1 Cor. 15:52), lighting will flash from east to the west, shouts of angels and more will occur when Jesus returns?
13. Doesn't the parable of the growing seed in Mark 4:26-29 get cut short if the church is raptured before the grain is ripe? and the parable of the weeds in Matt 13:24-30 says to let them grow together UNTIL the harvest which Matt 13:40 says is at the END of the age?
14. And what about John 6:44, 54?

1. How can the church be separate from the 144,000 Jews of Rev. 7 when 1 Cor. 12:13, Eph. 2:11-22, Jn. 10:16, Eph. 3:6-13 say that the Jews and the Gentiles are one body and one church?

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Eph 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;
Eph 2:12 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:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 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;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Eph 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Answer: First, the Church is one body, true. And who is the head of the body? Christ.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

And where is Christ now? Heaven. Therefore, the fact that Christ is in heaven does not leave the body of Christ "headless", nor does it "separate" Christ from the body any more than the rapture of the saints to heaven at the pretribulation rapture will "separate" the body as you suppose.

Second, the passages you listed for me indicate there is no difference between BELIEVERS who have been BAPTISED INTO CHRIST, whether they are Jew or Gentile. There remains a difference between UNBELIEVING JEWS who are not baptised into Christ. Read the condemnation for the UNBELIEVING JEWS in Matt 23 and Acts 7. They are not part of the body, not by any means.
These unbelievers are like the branches who are broken off.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

We are not to be highminded because God WILL graft them in again, but this will take place during the tribulation with the 144,000 who will likely be converted as Saul was converted to Paul on the road to Damascus (supernaturally), and by the end of the tribulation God will pour out his spirit on all Israel.

Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Israel, in large part, will remain blind, and in unbelief "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" which is at the pretribulation rapture. This does not mean an individual person who is a Jew cannot repent and come to Christ now. But the majority probably will not until after the rapture and the tribulation begins. Romans 11 also describes one main purpose of the Church, to make unbelieving Israel jealous. In Acts 17, we see that the doctrine of the resurrection provoked the Jews to jealousy the most. If the doctrine alone makes them jealous, how much more will the actual fufillment? Therefore, the rapture of the Church, in which our salvation is made complete, will succeed in making unbelieving Israel jealous.

Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

2. How do pretrib teachers use 1 Thes. 5:2 and leave out 1 Thes. 5:4,5?

1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

For one thing, not all pretrib teachers know all things. And although God has given men to be teachers for the Church (Eph 4:11, 1 Cor 12:29), we need not rely strictly upon men to teach us things, but upon the Holy Spirit. As for me, I don't ignore 1 Thes. 5:4,5, as I have written a full commentary on that entire chapter. See www.linkjesus.com/1thess45b.htm. In fact, I believe, verses 4-5 also help prove the pretrib rapture.

The word "darkness" is a word that describes the presence of the Day of the Lord, or the tribulation. Joel 2:2, Amos 5:18-20, Zeph 1:15. Since 1 Thess 5:4 says we "are not in darkness" it means we will not be in the tribulation of the Day of the Lord.

The word "Darkness" also refers to spiritual ignorance. We are not ignorant about prophecy (and how and when the Day of the Lord will come) because God has given us his word in scripture.

Now, on the off chance that you were referring to 1 Thess 5:3, since many who deny the pretrib rapture also use that verse, I will explain it. The peace and safety, followed by "sudden destruction", I believe, is a reference to prior scripture since Paul expected them to "know perfectly" about what he was saying. The only scripture that describes people saying peace and safety followed by a sudden destruction is Ezekiel 38. Ezekiel 39 goes on to describe a period of 7 years that follow that destruction, a time when Israel burns the weapons of war. This time period indicates the 7 year tribulation. Thus, the Day of the Lord, and the 7 year tribulation begins with the invasion against Israel in Ezekiel 38. And the rapture takes place at that time too, because, as I'm sure you've read, the "thief in the night" is how Jesus will come to steal away his bride just as groom steals away his bride in the wedding, like a "thief in the night".

3. The bible is inspired and put together by the Lord , so do you think Rev. 16:15 gives the timing of the Lord's return (between the 6th and 7th bowls)?

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Answer: Yes, the Bible is inspired by the Lord. But no, I don't think Rev 16:15 gives the timing of the Lord's return (as a thief) at Armageddon. The verse is not written as if it indicates that. The verse is written as an aside, as a reminder of how he will come in a different way, not as a description of how he comes at that time. There are other such "asides" in Revelation, between the 6th and 7th seals (all of Revelation 7), and between the 6th and 7th trumpets (the first part of Rev 11). These other asides describe events that seem similar to the rapture.

4. Doesn't a pretrib rapture deny Mk. 9:49, 10:38, 1 Pet. 4:17-18, Lk. 8:13, Ro. 8:17, Php. 3:10-11, Mt. 24:9, Jn. 16:2, Dan. 11:33-35?

Mar 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Mar 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Luk 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Rom 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.

Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Joh 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Dan 11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
Dan 11:34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
Dan 11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

Answer: All these verses indicate the tribulations that Christians face. The doctrine of the pretribulation rapture does not mean that we are immune from tribulation; there is tribulation and sufferings in the world even now that we suffer.

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.

The tribulations as listed in Mat 24:9 and John 16:2 began in Acts 4:21 with threats, Acts 5:40-41 with beatings, and Acts 7:59 with the stoning of Stephen, when Saul (Paul) thought he was doing God a service.

Even today, hundreds of thousands of Christians in other lands are killed each year. And the tribulation to come has not yet begun. The very definition of the tribulation to come is that it is different, a time unlike any other, a unique time, not like the tribulations we face today.

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

What is so different? The great tribulation, the "time of trouble" from Jer 30:6-7, Dan 12:1-2, is the time when God's wrath will be poured out, and we are not appointed to endure that wrath to come.

1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

5. Who is the YOU speaking of in all of the prophetic scriptures? (example:) who is the YOU in mt. 24:15?

Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Answer: The "you" are the people who "have ears to hear" to obey the words of the Lord who will be living on earth during the time when that event will happen. The "you" certainly was not the disciples, who are all long dead. This event will happen during the middle of the tribulation, and is also described in 2 Thess 2, and Dan 9:27, which indicates the timing. Your next question continues the theme of this one.

6. Why does the Lord give us so much detail about the great tribulation if it doesn't apply to the church? Are we to rip out all these scriptures and throw them away?

Answer: No, those verses about the tribulation are extremely valuable. Yes, the bible describes the tribulation to come, yet none of the early Church was around to see it either.

The people who are left behind after the pretribulation rapture will need all the spiritual guidance they can get. After all, that is the time period of great deception.

2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 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.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

7. Where in scripture does it say Jesus will come 3 times ?
a. 1st time , his birth
b. pretrib rapture - 3 times?
c. 2nd coming

Answer: It never does say Jesus will come three times. The second time he comes will be at the pretribulation rapture when he appears only to "them that look for him".

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

The God we worship is a living God, not an unmoving statue, or idol. Therefore, after he comes the second time, he can continue moving around, whether back to heaven, or where ever he wants to go.

Note, one day Jesus will appear on the Mt. of Olives.

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Other passages indicate Jesus will appear in a different place, Edom to Bozrah.

Isa 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Isa 63:2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
Isa 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

The fact that Jesus appears at Edom, and Bozrah, and also on the Mt. of Olives, does not indicate two or three other comings after the tribulation any more than the rapture is "another coming".

8. Won't the church be protected during the great tribulation as the israelites were in egypt ? example: Ex.9:4 God doesn't change right?

Exo 9:4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel.

Answer: When describing the second coming in Matt 24, Jesus makes two parallels, one to Lot, and another to Noah. The Exodus is never compared to the second coming. So, no, it will not be like the Exodus from Egypt, it will be like Lot and Noah. Both the Lot and Noah stories teach about deliverance prior to when the judgment of God fell, as 2 Peter 2 indicates.

2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Note that in the Egypt account, nobody died who was the Lord's, they were protected, just as you suggest. This is not the case during the tribulation to come. In the tribulation, the saints are NOT promised protection from death by martyrdom, just as we are not protected from death by martyrdom today.

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

9. Isn't Jn.14:3 explained quite well by the rest of the chapter - verses 15-31 and especially verses 18-20 and 23, also Eph. 1:3-23 and 2:6?

Joh 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.
Joh 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.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
***Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
***Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
***Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
***Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Joh 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Joh 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
Joh 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Answer: I have heard others try to use Eph 2:6 to suggest there is no such future gathering to heaven, because it has already taken place in the spiritual sense with the arrival of the Holy Spirit. (The arrival of the Holy Spirit is also the topic of the rest of John 14). However, elsewhere in Scripture, this doctrine that the resurrection (and rapture) is past, is clearly refuted.

2 Tim 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

The resurrection and the rapture to immortality, is clearly a future event, as described in the two clear rapture texts, 1 Thess 4 and 1 Cor 15.

1Th 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.
1Th 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.
1Th 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:
1Th 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.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 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.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The passage in John 14 contains the words of Jesus which were spoken prior to the events recorded in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit fell, so the coming of the Holy Spirit is described as a future event. 1 Thess 4 and 1 Cor 15 were written well after the Holy Spirit fell, and indicate something more that will come in the future.

John 14:2-3 is best explained by Acts 1. Jesus said he was going away. Where did Jesus go to prepare a place for us? Heaven. Where is the place prepared for us? Heaven.

Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

John 14:2-3 is also the kind of language, an expression, that a groom would say to his bride. This indicates again that the rapture is like the marriage, when Jesus will come to take us away to be with him. See also Matt 25:1-13 the parable of the 10 virgins.

10. How can a pretrib rapture occur before psalms 110:1, Acts 3:21, Rom. 8:34, Heb. 10:13, Eph. 1:10, 4:12-13 are fulfilled?

Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
------------
Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Answer:

It is clear from Romans 8:34 and Heb 10:12-12 that Jesus, now, is sitting at the right hand of God. His enemies will be made his footstool when Jesus no longer sits at the right hand of God, but takes the throne and begins the 1000 year rule of Rev 20, which is when the Day of the Lord begins (The Day of the Lord is 1000 years from 2 Peter 3:8-10), which starts with the rapture.

Descriptions of when Jesus takes the throne are in Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, and Rev 4-5.

Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Next, in Rev 4:1-2, is clearly the pretribulation rapture, and is when Jesus takes the throne.

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

Next, again we see Jesus takes the throne in "the regeneration", meaning at the time of the resurrection and rapture.

Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

More verses about Jesus taking the throne:

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Act 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Next, regarding Acts 3:21, that is also the time of the rapture. The restoration begins with the resurrection and the rapture, when those in Christ are changed to immortality.

Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

It does not say that Jesus is in heaven until all things have been restored, but it says Jesus will be in heaven until the time comes to begin restoring things.

One could certainly argue that the restoration will not be complete until after the 1000 years has ended, and after the final rebellion, and after Satan has been cast into the lake of fire. But clearly, Jesus comes down out of heaven before that time, both at the rapture, and later, to end the tribulation as he comes down from out of heaven in Revelation 19.

Next, regarding Eph 1:10, I don't see why that must occur prior to the rapture. It seems to me that takes place at the end of the millennium. And likewise Eph 4:12-13. People are still learning in the millennium, and still coming to Christ, as can be seen in Isaiah 2:2-4.

Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

And even during the millennium, not all people come to Christ, after all, at the end of the millennium, there is that final rebellion in Rev 20.

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Here are verses that indicate that all things will not be restored until after the millennium, after those in that final rebellion of Rev 20 have died, THEN there will be no more death, and "God may be all in all", which is restoration, which is as things were in the Garden of Eden:

1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

11. How do we obey 2 Pet. 3:12 if we are already gone?

2 Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Answer:

The "day of God", or the Day of the Lord, begins with the rapture, when Jesus comes for his bride "like a thief in the night".

2 Pe 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night..."
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

This is why we look forward to that day, and we do obey 2 Peter 3:12 even now.

At the Day of the Lord at the time of the pretribulation rapture, the heavens will be "shaken" (Matt 24:29-31), and the fire of God shall fall, as in Eze 38:22, Eze 39:6, after which follows the 7 year tribulation when Israel burns the weapons for seven years, Ezekiel 39:9.

12. How can a pretrib rapture be secret, when every eye shall see him, trumpet will be blasting (last trumpet 1 Cor. 15:52), lighting will flash from east to the west, shouts of angels and more will occur when Jesus returns?

Well, even more that that will be going on at the pretribulation rapture. As I've described already, the fire of God will also be falling on the enemies of Israel, Ezekiel 38-39.

But perhaps every eye shall NOT see him at the rapture, but Rev 1:7, "every eye shall see him" describes the return of Jesus after the tribulation. Here are three verses that suggest that at the rapture, Jesus will not be visible to unbelievers, but only visible to believers who are caught up.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

This verse, is more likely then, after the tribulation:

Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Now, I'm not sure on this point, whether or not unbelievers will see Jesus at the rapture. Other verses suggest unbelievers WILL see Jesus, as in Matt 25:1-13, the foolish virgins end up even speaking with Jesus.

So, I really don't teach the rapture will be "silent" or "unseen", since those descriptions tend toward the hypothetical. But I can see why some teach that, but admittedly, those are arguable points. However way the rapture happens, this particular objection or problem does not mean the rapture is not true, nor does it mean that the rapture will not happen before the tribulation.

There are other indications in scripture that show the rapture "might" be silent and secret, and I've listed those here: www.linkjesus.com/silentrapture.htm

I do agree with you that Jesus comes at the rapture as "lightening" flashes, as in Matt 24:27.

Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Here is why I believe that this is the rapture: Scripture interprets scripture. What other verses do we have that speak of lightening happening, and when does that event happen? Here is a key one:

Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Satan's fall is also described in Rev 12. It is abundantly clear from Rev 12 that Satan is cast out of heaven well before the end of the tribulation. Some will argue that this is the middle of the tribulation, but if we examine it, we can see it is before the tribulation from these key words: "he knoweth that he hath but a short time"

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

The devil will know he has a short time left the instant the tribulation begins, because he knows it is 7 years long. Therefore, Satan's wrath would begin at the start of the tribulation. Therefore, Satan cannot be cast out of heaven later, say in the middle of the tribulation, because Satan would already know before hand that his time is up. Until the tribulation begins, Satan does not know how much time he has left. But when it begins, he will know.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

The point of when Satan is cast out of heaven is a very controversial one; I believe, because rightly understanding when Satan is cast out is so helpful to understanding scripture; therefore Satan has a great deal to gain by confusing the issue. Some other viewpoints are that Satan was cast out before Adam sinned, or that Satan was cast out right after Adam sinned. Or that Satan was cast out in the days of Jesus' ministry. I think all the other views are easily refuted by the correct view which I presented.

13. Doesn't the parable of the growing seed in Mark 4:26-29 get cut short if the church is raptured before the grain is ripe? and the parable of the weeds in Matt 13:24-30 says to let them grow together UNTIL the harvest which Matt 13:40 says is at the END of the age?

Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

I don't understand your question, "raptured before the grain is ripe?" Who says we are raptured before we are ripe? Harvests take place in stages. When the first fruits are ripe, they are gleaned first. Later comes the main harvest. And finally, there are the gleanings after the harvest.

Your other question regarding Matt 13 is a common one, that I have already answered in another web page, so I will direct readers there for a complete answer. Scroll down to half way down the page to the subheading: Matthew 13: "the harvest is the end of the world" at www.linkjesus.com/firstresurrection.htm

Here is the short answer: The Matt 13 harvest parable takes place at the end of the tribulation, the "end of the world". The good seed are the "children of the kingdom", meaning that they are not the rulers of the kingdom, who are those who are to be raptured. The "children of the kingdom" are those who are cast into the tribulation, as we can see here:

Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This description of "outer darkness" is where unprofitable servants are cast; as described here: Matthew 22:13, 25:30, and 25:10-12, which indicates that these ones are left behind in the tribulation.

14. And what about John 6:44, 54?

John 6:44 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.
John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.