Rapture, Pre, Mid Or Post Trib? Part 2.

Rapture, Pre, Mid Or Post Trib? Part 2.

Question 14. Does the Lord come from heaven to the earth more than once?
Question 15. Who are those who receive the mark of the beast?
Question 16. Who is the anti-christ?
Question 17. What is the meaning of time, times and half times?

Question 14.
Does the Lord approach the earth, or set foot on the earth more than once?

Isa.63:1-2-3-4-5, “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Boz-rah? this that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 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. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help, etc.” this verse speaks for itself. Questions concerning this event in Isaiah are,

a. Can the rider on the white horse in Rev.6:2, be this person in Isaiah that has trodden the winepress of God’s wrath?
b. Can this be the day of vengeance?
c. Is this the fulfilling of the wailing of the souls who are under the altar in Rev.6:9-10?

Zech.1:15, an angel asks, “how long will the LORD have mercy on Jerusalem. The LORD is very angry, and the nations helped with evil events. Yet He will have mercy on Jerusalem, and His house shall be built their.

Zech.14:3-4, “Then shall the LORD go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 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.”

Rev.19:11, John sees another rider on a white horse who is called Faithful and True. His clothes were (already) dipped in blood He is called the Word of God. This is the Lord after He finishes with His judgments in Edom. Now the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses. Now He will smite the nations, and rule them with a rod of iron, treading the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God.

Again we see the Lord standing on Mt. Sion, with the 144,000, Rev.14:1.
Conclusion, we see the Lord alone, we see him coming with the saints of heaven, we see him in the air, we see him again with the 144,000. So I would assume He will approach the earth from heaven more than once, also because time has elapsed between some of these events.

Is the coming of Christ for His church in 1 Thes.4:16-17, in the same time frame as when He comes to pour His wrath out on sinners? then to judge the wicked of the earth?

a. The first time we see the Lord come down from heaven. 1 Thes.4:16-17, “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: 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.”

In this first event observe the order of this event. 1 Thes.4:17.

  1. First Jesus in all His glory shall descend from heaven.
    b. Then a shout or command shall be given for the dead to arise.
    c. The voice of the archangel shall be heard, then repeating the command,
    d. The trump of God will sound, then those who died in Christ shall rise from their graves and meet the Lord in the air.
    e. Their old bodies shall be made like unto His glorious body.
    f. Also those who are alive shall be changed, and with the dead, both shall meet the Lord in the air.
    g. These shall never suffer the second death.

    John 5:25-28-29, Jesus said, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” “For the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.”

    Is their any other time we see the Lord approaching, in the air, or on the earth? Isa.63:1-2-3-4-5, “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Boz-rah? this that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 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. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help, etc.” this verse speaks for itself. Questions concerning this event in Isaiah are,

    a. Is the rider on the white horse in Rev.6:2, be this person in Isaiah that has trodden the winepress of God’s wrath?
    b. Can this be the day of vengeance?
    c. Is this the fulfilling of the crying of the souls who are under the altar in Rev.6:9-10?

    John 5:25-28-29, Jesus said, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” “For the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.”

    Question 15.

    Who are those that receive the mark of the beast? And who are those that do not receive the mark?
    The beast of Rev.13:11-12-13-16, will cause all, “both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their forehead.”

    Rev.14:910-11, we read of an third angel coming from God, saying with a loud voice, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”

    In the above, I detect a form of works for salvation. If a person receives or rejects the mark of the beast, several definite things will happen, both good and bad. First the good, this concerning God, then bad, this concerning Satan.

    Concerning God:
    a. If they receive the mark, they, “shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His = (God’s) indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”
    b. If they do not receive the mark of the beast, “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.”

    Notice the word “henceforth.” We should all agree that this event is taking place during the tribulation. If we agree that the church has already been raptured, or taken up to be with the Lord, then this must be a separate event, concerning a different group of people, at a future time, for a specific purpose.

    Henceforth: Greek 534. Greek is, aparti. It means from now, from this time.
    a. Henceforth, hereafter, Matt.23:39, Jesus said, “ye shall not see me henceforth.” Matt.26:29-64, “hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power.” John 1:51. Comp. with, Greek, “from hereafter,” or, “from henceforth,” “hereafter ye shall see heaven open.” Luke 1:48, Speaking of Mary, “from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” Attic Greek may not have used it in this sense.

    Unlike the church age where we are saved by faith and not works, these who reject the mark will die, yet they will be blessed by God for their labors: Also their works will follow them. It appears that it is a new time, a different age, but definitely not the age of grace. These will, Rev.20:4, be, “beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands;” They will live and reign with Christ a thousand years.

    Rom.5:13, “For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Keep this verse in mind.

    My thinking is that these who are killed in this horrible period of time, must be those who were under the curse of Adam, but not under the law. Adam was a common father to mankind. Jesus was our Savior, High Priest, and our Mediator. Adam’s sin was imputed to all mankind. Christ’s sacrifice was also for all men, this in every period, from the beginning to these last days. The law of God states that man should beget in his own likeness. Therefore their sin is in Adam, therefore they remained under the curse of Adam. This determined that physical death was to come upon them, as all others before them. The church father’s call this original sin: Sinners even if they had never sinned.

    If they reject the mark of the beast they must die, this physical death fulfills that part of the curse placed upon Adam. Yet the blood of Christ will save them.

    Those who were in the graves that had died before Christ was resurrected, and believed God, Matt.27:52, were saved. But those who are alive not ever having an opportunity for salvation under the blood of Christ because of never having heard the Gospel will be given this opportunity for salvation; they in their life keeping the laws of their people, and nation.

    Rom.2:14-15, “The Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness.”

    The period of grace is finished, and the rapture is past. All men will have this opportunity, each in their own way and in their own time, God ordained. 1 Cor.15:22, “For in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

    This word all, including the idea of oneness, a totality, all, the whole. In this sense, the Singular is put with a noun having the article; and the Plural also stands with the article where a definite number is implied or without the article where the number is indefinite.
    Without the definite article, where the idea of number is then indefinite, as, all men, all mankind, indef. Acts 22:15. Rom. 5:12-18. All the angels of God, Heb. 1:6. Rev. 14:8, “all nations.”

    By faith, many are made righteous but if they had never heard of Christ, or the gospel, they are yet under Adam’s curse. Even though salvation by faith in Christ is past, it appears that many will yet be saved. Their accepting of the gospel preached by the 144,000 Jews, and the two witnesses, will provide a window of opportunity. They are not part of the resurrected body of Christ, yet saved by God for another purpose. Again, Rom.5:13, “For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Now for those is this brief moment of time (7 Years) they will hear for the first time Christ’s works of salvation. They will receive or reject this message of truth. Those who worship Christ will fall by the sword. Those who accept the mark will suffer the wrath of God.

    Now for Satan: Most likely the ability to secure food, medicine, clothing, (buy and sell) will be available if you receive the mark. He will show great signs, make fire come down from heaven, deceive, do great miracles before men. He will take the lives of all who refuse to worship him. Death will be by beheading. His presence, his powers, and his threats will cause many to turn from the gospel. They will worship the beast and his image. They will turn against the two witnesses, and the 144,000.

    When the seven years are completed, the 144,000 will be found with the Lord on Mt. Sion. The two witnesses will have been killed, brought back to life and resurrected. Those who did not receive the mark will have been killed; their souls can be seen under the altar of God’s throne, crying for vengeance. These will live and rule with Christ 1000 years, Rev.20:6, this after the tribulation period.

    Christ will now prepare His final blow. This must take place in a short period of time between the 7 years of tribulation and the 1000 year reign of Christ. But first, an angel is sent, Rev.14:6, “having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; (this will not be a request, but a demand) for the hour of His = (God’s) judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth and the sea, and the fountains of the waters.

    Question 16:
    Who is the anti-christ? Is there more than one anti-christ? If so, where will he get his power and authority from?

    In each generation from the time of Christ to this day, certain men are said to have been the anti-christ, the man of perdition, the beast. Some who have been named were Nero, certain Popes, Hitler, Muhammad, etc. I am sure that many evil men in the past 2000 years would have fit the bill perfectly. Again, is there to be but one man in particular who is to be (this) anti-christ? Also, Scripture teaches that there are, and will continue to be many anti-christs,   1 John 2:18, “ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists.” Yet it appears that Scriptures do point to one particular man that will hold the title of, “The Anti-christ.” He will be given the powers of Satan having great authority. He will spew out blasphemous remarks against Jesus Christ, the Jews, and his saints. This arrogance and blasphemy is to continue for forty two months, or 3 1/2 years.

    First I will give my answer. This answer is to be followed by supporting Scripture.
    1. Is there to be one man in particular who will be Satan’s man, a leader, one who will oppose the Lord. YES.

    2. Throughout the past 2000 years, there has always been appointed, and prepared by Satan, one man who would have accomplished this work of hatred and destruction. They would have had many supporters, great power and much authority. I believe in every generation Satan has prepared a particular man to accomplish his goals. Because the anti-christ cannot be revealed until after Christ’s return, the men that had been appointed die, therefore another is made ready, and so it goes on.

    3. Why is this? There is Scripture that would support this conclusion without question. No man, the devil, his demon angels, no false teachers, false Christ’s, nor the angels of God, or Jesus Himself have this information: it belongs to the Father alone.

    Mark 13:32, when will Christ return? “Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” This is repeated in Matthew, and Acts.

    Acts 1:6-7, The apostles having been gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own hands.”

    Matt.24:36, 42, 44, Jesus said, “of that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only,” ver. 42, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” with ver. 44, “be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

    This is very clear. It is easy to conclude that Satan is as much in the dark as everyone else. Therefore, he needs to prepare a man in every generation to fill the shoes of his anti-christ. So, the answer is, yes. There is to be one man in particular who will have rule over the people of this world.

    Also in every generation from Christ, there have been many anti-christs. They are these workers of iniquity, false teachers, evolutionist, God haters, those who deny
    that Jesus came in the flesh, and that He will again return in that same flesh. They deny that He is God, is Lord, is Savior, is Mediator, is the Way, the Truth, the Light, and that only through Him can anyone come to the Father. He is the author and finisher of the Christian faith. That’s the way it is, and Satan and his followers don’t like it.

    The word, “anti-christ.”
    Anti-christ: Antichrists: Greek is antichristos. Literally, one who opposes Christ are found only in John’s epistles. It is defined to be, collectively, all who deny that Jesus is Messiah, and that Jesus is come in the flesh.
    1 John 2:18, “Ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists;”
    1 John 2:22, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”
    1 John 4:3, “Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist.”
    2 John 7, “many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

    What class of person’s John had in mind is unknown. He may have meant the Jews alone, or both the Jews and Gentiles. His teachings seem to give us a general overview of those he referred to as anti-christ.

    I have edited down the following verses in, Rev.13:2-3-4-5-6-7-8, “the beast — (notice the definite article) I saw was like — a leopard, — feet of a bear, — mouth of a lion: and the dragon = (Satan) gave him = (the beast) his power, and his seat, and great authority. One of his heads = (a ruler, or head of a government?) were wounded to death, and his deadly wound was healed: the world wondered after the beast = (anti-christ is here referred to as the beast.) They = (the world) worshipped the dragon = (Satan) which gave power unto the beast and they worshipped the beast, — who is able to make war with him? power was given unto him to continue forty and two months = (3 1/2 years.)” He blasphemed against God, his name = (Jesus the Christ) his tabernacle = (heavenly tabernacle?) and them that dwell in heaven = (raptured church.) He made war with the saints = (2 witnesses and 144,000) and overcome them: and authority was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations of the world.” The people of the earth worshipped him, these whose names were not written in the book of life.

    So is there a man alive today that is ready to become the anti-christ? Yes. Is he the beast? Only if he is alive when Christ returns for His bride. Then he will be declared to be that man. If not, someone will be revealed one day, but not until after Christ’s return. Again, this knowledge is the Father’s alone.

    When revealed he will be called, 2 Thes.2:3-4-7-8, “that man of sin, the son of perdition. He opposes God, and will try to exalt 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.” Ver. 9, “him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” Jesus will return to heaven with His bride, sitting at the right hand of His Father. Also the Holy Spirit can be seen in God’s throne room, Rev.1:4, 4:5, 5:6. The beast will now begin his short period of hatred, and murder, this without any restraints.

    Ver. 7-8, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. Then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” Comp. with,

    Dan.8:24-25, “his = (the anti-christs) power shall be mighty, but not by his own power = (through Satan’s power): though his policy also he shall cause craft = (prosperity) to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes = (Jesus); but he shall be broken without hand.”

    Dan.11:36, “The king = (anti-christ) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods = (Jesus,) and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”

    Mark 13:32-33-35, Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Ver. 35, “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even = (In the evening) or at midnight,
    or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning.”

    Matt.24:27, Jesus said, “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.”

    Matt.24:50-51, “Jesus said, “The Lord of that (evil) servant (ver. 48) shall come in a day when he looketh not for him = (the master of the house,) and in an hour that he = (evil servant) is not aware of. And shall cut him asunder = (in two,) and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

    Matt.25:13, Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day not the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

    Rev.3:3, Jesus said, “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” This was said to the church of Sardis, ver. 2, Jesus said, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, (that are ready to die:) for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”

    Question 17: What are the periods of time; 3 1/2, 7 years, 1290 days, and 1335 days imply? For the full definition of the word time see dictionary, Time: 2540.

    Greek is, kairos. pp. right proportion, just measure. In N.T. only of time, season, as in,
    a. Genr. Time; season, as pp. Luke 21:36, “pray always.” Eph.6:18.
    b. A season of the year, as fruitful seasons, Acts 14:17, “fruitful seasons.”
    c. In the prophetic style put for a year, Rev.12:14,
    “for a time, and times,” as three years and a half, comp. with ver.6, “a thousand two hundred and threescore days,” in allusion to Dan.7:25, where Sept. for, “time” and where “times” stands as here for the dual, two years. So in later writers for a year.

    Dan.7:25, “He (anti-christ, the beast) 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.”

    Dan.12:7, “that it shall be for a time, times, and half; and when he anti-christ, the beast shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these thing shall be finished.”

    Rev.12:14, “to the woman (the unsaved Jewish people in the 7 year period of trib.) were given two wings = (protection) of a great eagle that she = (the woman) might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” This is repeated from ver.6. “the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” Ver.16, “and the earth helped the woman, and the earth open her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Lets examine the following words,

    Question 18. What are the extra days which are added to the 3 1/2 year period of time?
    Question 19. What is all the symbolism in the following verses?

Phil Laspino www.seekfirstwisdom.com