Mid-tribulation rapture: why i believe so.

[Izzel]

@Donibm. Was it not just for the sin of Achan that God punished all the Israelites? Achan was the only offender but others also suffered. The famine that affected the Northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Ahab (Ahav) and Jezebel (Izevel), didn't it also affect those who were just and worthy in Israel? Even Elijah (Eliyah) the Prophet had to flee and be fed by ravens that were sent by Yahweh and he even had to be sustained by eating a meal with the widow of Zarepath.

The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is compared with the unexpected house break-in of the thief at night.  Those who teach the Secret Rapture say the Lord Jesus Christ will come as a thief in the night to snatch away true believers while others are asleep.   

 

Matthew 24:42-43   Our Lord said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken in.”  

 

 These verses say nothing about the secret rapture, but only indicate Jesus will return like the thief who would come at an unknown and unexpected time.  The warning is for Christians to be ready at all times.

 

   1 Thessalonians 5:2   The apostle Paul wrote: “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” This verse does not mean that believers would be raptured because if you read two verses below Paul gave the explanation.  “But you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thes. 5:4) It says nothing about a secret rapture.  Again, the message here is NOT that Jesus' coming will be secret, but that it will occur at a time when most will not expect it, therefore we must WATCH!

 

2 Peter 3:10   Here is a scriptural verse that completely destroys the secret rapture theory.  “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”  How can there be a secret rapture when “the heavens will pass away with a great noise”?