A growing number of Christians are

becoming increasingly

distressed and fearful by events occurring on the

world stage.

We may be tempted to think that the massive natural disasters, the

epidemics, and wars that are present in our world

today point to the fact that the world is soon in

coming to an end. Surely one would have cause to think that the increase of sin and crime, the lack of peace, and these types of natural disasters point to

the fact that the end of the world is upon us.

Epidemics:During 1340-1350 AD, 25,000,000 people in Asia and Europe died of the Black Death.In 1545 AD, Typhus killed 250,000 in Cuba alone.In 1560 AD, over 3,000,000 died of smallpox in Brazil.In 1680, diphtheria killed 8,000 in Naples, Italy.In 1792, nearly 1,000,000 perished in Egypt of the Black Plague.In 1802, yellow fever killed 30,000 of Napoleon’s soldiers in Santo Domingo.In 1827, Europe lost 900,000 due to cholera.In 1851, tuberculosis killed 51,000 in England.In 1863, 30,000 died of scarlet fever in England.In 1918, some 30,000,000 perished during the worldwide epidemic of influenza.

Volcanic Action:In 1902, Mount Pelee erupted in the West Indies, killing over 30,000 people.

Earthquakes:On January 24th, 1556, some 830,000 died in China after a massive earthquake.

Fires: On December 30, 1903, the most tragic fire in U.S. History killed 600 people who had packed the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, Illinois.Tornadoes:On March 18, 1925, nearly 700 people living in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri lost their lives in a tornado.

Famines:In 1877, China lost 900,000 due to one mighty flood.

Landslides: On December 16, 1891, 200,000 died in China because of a landslide.

Cyclones: On November 12, 1970, over 500,000 fell victim to a killer water storm in East Pakistan.

“And ye shall hear of wars and

rumours of wars: see that ye be not

troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but

the end is not yet.”~ Matthew 24:6 ~

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in

God, believe also in me. 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. 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 14:1-3 ~

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.

~ John 14:27 ~

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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.

~ II Thess. 2:2 ~

The church should prepare for what lies ahead in the future.

This study is not to sensationalize, mesmerize, or

fossilize the church.

It is to MOBILIZE this church.

We need to set forth a biblical chronology

of events and explanation of end

times events

• Scripture alone reveals truth about end times.

• Arms the church against latter-day deception.

• Correct errors amongst pre-millennialists.

The Imminent RaptureI Thessalonians 4:16-17

Steven Anderson alleges that the doctrine of the Pre-Tribulational rapture is a fraud, offending the church, and even Satanic. He says that it is a deception upon the Church in America and that preachers only preach it because it is what people want to hear.

Over 2 million views on YouTube

Over 2 million views on YouTube

Anderson mischaracterizes, completely distorts, and misrepresents the Pre-trib position in order to make it easier to “expose.” His explanations of the Pre-trib rapture position show that he doesn’t even know enough about the subject to really be able to articulate his opponent’s views correctly.

He ignores the basic rules of good Bible study and interpretation and fails to rightly divide the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15). He refuses to acknowledge the difference between Jews, Gentiles, and the Church as God distinguishes them in prophecy. He harmonizes everything into one without regard for the great contradictions he creates in his own theory.

PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE

DISCLAIMERS:Scriptures do not teach that the church will escape all tribulation (i.e. persecution). In fact, we are promised that such persecution is going to come and indeed has been part of church history since the very beginning.

Pre-Tribulationism does not suggest that the Church will not have tribulation. In fact, things can and probably will get very bad for the church everywhere before the Lord comes to catch away His Bride.

PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE

DISCLAIMERS:The Church already has and continues to go through great tribulation. The campaigns of persecution under Nero, Diocletion, under Communism, and in the Far East all show us that tribulation is a present reality.

What we speak of is a very specific and particular time period in prophecy known as “the Great Tribulation” which the Lord Jesus and the prophet Daniel said “such as never was since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be.” (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21)

Question Rapture Second Coming

Purpose

Translation of the Church; Christ comes for His own; He comes to claim His Bride (I Thess. 4:16)

Establishment of His Kingdom; Christ comes with His own; He comes with His Bride (I Thess. 3:13)

Translation of the Saints

Scripture speaks of a time when all believers will be translated, that is specifically a removal from this earth to Heaven without being subjected to physical death. This translation involves a change in our bodies. (I Cor. 15:51-54; I Thess. 4:13-18)

Scripture is silent on any removal from this earth to heaven during the time when Christ comes to earth to establish His Kingdom. There is no translation at all during this time.

Destination

Scripture teaches that during the Rapture the destination is Heaven. Christ comes in the air. (I Thess. 4:17)

Scripture teaches that at the Second Coming, Christ will bring His saints with Him to earth. Christ comes to the earth. (Rev. 19:14)

Duration

Scripture teaches that the Rapture will take place “in the twinkling of an eye.” (I Cor. 15:52)

Second Coming will inaugurate a 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ. “And every eye shall see him…and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.” (Rev. 1:7)

DISTINCTION BETWEEN RAPTURE & SECOND COMING

Question Rapture Second Coming

DISTINCTION BETWEEN RAPTURE & SECOND COMING

Judgment of the Earth

Scripture teaches that there is no judgment upon the earth until subsequent the removal of the Church. (II Thess. 2:3)

Scripture teaches that Christ will return and judge the earth and establish righteousness in the earth. (Rev. 19)

Immanency

Scripture portrays the Rapture as an imminent, any moment, sign-less event. (Matt. 24:36; Titus 2:13)

Scripture teaches that the Second Coming follows very definite predicted signs that are fulfilled during the Tribulation. (Matt. 24-25)

ImpactThe Rapture affects only believers in Christ.

The Second Coming affects all men upon the earth.

Triggered EventsThe Rapture of the Church triggers the events of the Tribulation.

The Second Coming triggers the events of the Millennial Reign of Christ.

Apostles’ Testimony

The Rapture is called a mystery—some new truth disclosed that was previously unknown. (I Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 1:26)

The Second Coming was predicted numerous times and is often alluded to in the Old Testament. (Dan. 12:1-3; Zech. 12:10; 14:4)

A.D. 30

CHURCH AGE(THE LAST DAYS)

RAPTURE

TRIBULATION(Daniel’s 70th Week)

SECOND COMING

MILLENNIAL KINGDOM(1,000 Year Reign of Christ)

Beginning of Sorrows

Great Tribulation

Pre-Tribulational Rapture

Matthew 24-25

ABOMINATION

SECOND COMING

MILLENNIAL KINGDOM(1,000 Year Reign of Christ)

Post-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture

• The Anti-Christ is revealed first

• Division of 70th week according to Matt. 24:29-31

• Notes correlation btwn. I Thess. 4 & Matt. 24

• Rapture occurs after the sun darkened

• Claims Revelation is the same story told twice from different perspectives

A.D. 30 RAPTURE(Matthew 24:29-31)

TRIBULATION WRATH

1st

SEAL2nd

SEAL3rd

SEAL4th

SEAL5th

SEAL6th

SEAL7th

SEAL

Post-TribSAINTS

CHURCH AGE(THE LAST DAYS)

Antichristrevealed

WORLDWAR

Poverty DEATH Martyrs

Earthquake,Sun darkened,

Blood moon

Rev. 6:17

The Imminent RaptureI Thessalonians 4:16-17

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that

Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and

took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

~ Matthew 24:38 ~

The Imminent RaptureI Thessalonians 4:16-17

Watch therefore: for ye know not what

hour your Lord doth come.

~ Matthew 24:42 ~

The Imminent RaptureI Thessalonians 4:16-17

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not

the Son of man cometh. ~ Matthew 24:44 ~

The Imminent RaptureI Thessalonians 4:16-17

While the bridegroom tarried, they all

slumbered and slept.

~ Matthew 25:6 ~

The Imminent RaptureI Thessalonians 4:16-17

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son

of man cometh.

~ Matthew 25:14 ~

A.D. 30 RAPTURE(Matthew 24:29-31)

SECOND COMING

MILLENNIAL KINGDOM(1,000 Year Reign of Christ)

TRIBULATION WRATH

1st

SEAL2nd

SEAL3rd

SEAL4th

SEAL5th

SEAL6th

SEAL7th

SEAL

Post-TribSAINTS

CHURCH AGE(THE LAST DAYS)

• This view requires us to watch for the Anti-Christ, not our returning Christ.

• How can immanency be possible with cosmic disturbance just prior to rapture?

• Contradictions between circumstances surrounding the Lord’s return

• After all the seals, how could they still be overtaken as a thief in the night or be oblivious just as in the days of Noah?

• Why are warnings to maintain a watch necessary if cosmic disturbances would signal to all His rapture approaching?

• Anti-Christ receives power to make war with the saints so there’s very few to rapture when He does come.

Major Problems with Post-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture

Antichristrevealed

WORLDWAR

Poverty DEATH Martyrs

Earthquake,Sun darkened,

Blood moon

Rev. 6:17

EASY REASONS TO REFUTE

THE POST-TRIBULATIONAL, PRE-WRATH RAPTURE

1.) Very few will survive until the rapture.

2.) The first 6 seals are somehow thought to not be the wrath of God.

3.) The post-tribulational, pre-wrath rapture cannot be imminent.4.) Saints would know the precise timing of Christ’s return contradicting

Matt. 25:13.5.) Pre-wrath advocates must assume the presence of the church based on

no mention anywhere in Revelation 6-18. This is eisegetical mishandling of Scripture.6.) If Pre-wrath is true, and the Church is present during the duration of the

Tribulation, why the need for 144,000 Jewish witnesses?

The Olivet DiscourseMatthew 24 - 25