Could there be Multiple Raptures?

[Vine Abider]

17 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

No, it can`t refer to both -

1. Rev. 4, the Body of Christ is with the Lord on His throne in the highest, prior to the trib. (Rev. 3: 21)

2. Rev. 14 just refers to the 144,000 of Israel during the trib. See they are redeemed to God and the Lamb. The title the `Lamb,` refers to Israel`s sacrifice. It is only used in reference to the Lord`s relationship with Israel. 

 

Marilyn.

Are the verses/chapter you refer to here correct? I'm not seeing the body in Rev 4 or 3:21 . . .

[HAZARD]

 

That there has been one rapture already and there will be four more raptures in the first
resurrection?



First, the going to Heaven of Christ and the saints who were resurrected after
HIS resurrection (Matt. 27:52; Eph. 4:7-11; Acts 1:11).



Second, The rapture of those "that are Christs at His coming" (1 Cor.
15:23; 1 Thess. 4:13-16).



Third, The rapture of the 144,000 Jews in the middle of the Week (Rev. 12:5;
14:1-5; Dan. 12:1; Isa. 66:7-8).



Fourth, The rapture of the tribulation saints (Rev. 7:9-17; 15: 2-4; 20:4-6).



Fifth, The rapture of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:3-12).



That there are two main resurrections from the dead with a thousand years
between them. The first is that of the blessed and holy; and this is before the
thousand years, for we read "THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTILL
THE THJOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED" (Rev. 20:4-15).

[Vine Abider]

23 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Does the Bible tell us there will be multiple raptures? Show me some Scripture. 

Well, let's look at a couple of promises first.  In the promise to the church in Philadelphia, the Lord tells them them because they have been faithful in certain things, He will keep them "from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world." (Rev 3:10)  This is a conditional promise - because they did certain things, the Lord keeps them from the "hour of trial," which I interpret as the great tribulation.  

And in Luke 21 the Lord goes into some detail about the Great Tribulation period.  At the end of His discourse on the topic, Jesus says in verse 36, "Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."  This is another conditional promise verse - the promise being predicated upon certain behaviors being exhibited by His followers. 

Of course, some might point to these verses to show that the one rapture is pre-trib.  However, this belies the fact that these two promises are entirely conditional - not all believers will do the things according of the condition laid out.  Therefore, some will not be included in this pre-trib catching-away.  That leaves some to remain.

Edited October 30, 2022 by Vine Abider

[AdHoc]

4 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Are the verses/chapter you refer to here correct? I'm not seeing the body in Rev 4 or 3:21 . . .

Brother, keep up the argument. Multiple raptures are a fact already. Enoch and Elijah preceded our Lord Jesus. Then, if you believe Hebrews 9:27, then Moses and the saints of Matthew 27:52-53 must be somewhere - and it is not earth.

The case of the saints in Matthew 27:52-53 is quite decisive. Our Lord Jesus is the "firstfruits of them that slept". In resurrection He is the fulfillment of the Wave Offering of Leviticus 23:11. But this Offering had to be a "sheaf" not an ear. Those saints formed the firstfruits from the dead with Christ. Now Christ says to Mary in the garden of the tomb; "I have not yet ascended to my father. God tell my disciples that I go to the Father". She may not touch Him because He is dedicated firstfruits for the Father. But later that evening, He appears to his disciples and says, "touch me - handle me". He must have been to the Father and back - which means a Rapture. And what's more the saints of Matthew 27:52-53 must have been with Him - by Rapture.

[missmuffet]

20 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Well, let's look at a couple of promises first.  In the promise to the church in Philadelphia, the Lord tells them them because they have been faithful in certain things, He will keep them "from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world." (Rev 3:10)  This is a conditional promise - because they did certain things, the Lord keeps them from the "hour of trial," which I interpret as the great tribulation.  

And in Luke 21 the Lord goes into some detail about the Great Tribulation period.  At the end of His discourse on the topic, Jesus says in verse 36, "Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."  This is another conditional promise verse - the promise being predicated upon certain behaviors being exhibited by His followers. 

Of course, some might point to these verses to show that the one rapture is pre-trib.  However, this belies the fact that these two promises are entirely conditional - not all believers will do the things according of the condition laid out.  Therefore, some will not be included in this pre-trib catching-away.  That leaves some to remain.

 

"because they have been faithful in certain things, He will keep them "from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world." (Rev 3:10)"

That verse pertains to the rapture of the Church before the 7 year tribulation. That is the only rapture of the Church where the born again Christians will meet Jesus Christ then go to heaven.

Those who are alive during the tribulation should be watchful and recognize that the breaking of the covenant with Israel and the abomination of desolation will herald the beginning of the worst 3½ years in history (see Matthew 24:21). “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

That verse doesn't have anything to do with a rapture.

Edited October 30, 2022 by missmuffet

[AdHoc]

7 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Well, let's look at a couple of promises first.  In the promise to the church in Philadelphia, the Lord tells them them because they have been faithful in certain things, He will keep them "from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world." (Rev 3:10)  This is a conditional promise - because they did certain things, the Lord keeps them from the "hour of trial," which I interpret as the great tribulation.  

And in Luke 21 the Lord goes into some detail about the Great Tribulation period.  At the end of His discourse on the topic, Jesus says in verse 36, "Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."  This is another conditional promise verse - the promise being predicated upon certain behaviors being exhibited by His followers. 

Of course, some might point to these verses to show that the one rapture is pre-trib.  However, this belies the fact that these two promises are entirely conditional - not all believers will do the things according of the condition laid out.  Therefore, some will not be included in this pre-trib catching-away.  That leaves some to remain.

There are four scriptures that indicate a "Conditional Rapture". Besides Revelation 3:10 and Luke 21:35-36, there is Matthew 24:40-44 and Philippians 3:10-14. In Matthew the servant that is "taken" is taken as an intimate fellow. The Greek is "paralambano" - "taken with as a well known person". The "taking as a companion" is by a "Thief". A Thief only comes for that which is precious. the Lord is declared to be the Thief and His "taking" breaks up the House of the servants. This can only be the Church. This is why, in Revelation, the Church is never mentioned again after Chapter 3. It s broken up by a Rapture of First-Ripe saints.

Philippians 3:10-14 speaks of the same theme as 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17 except it declares the "out-resurrection" as only for the "worthy" and to be "attained". And the "Upward calling" (lit. Gk.) is a "PRIZE".

That there are Christians on earth during the Great Tribulation is also shown by four scriptures. And the description is not flattering.

1. In Revelation 7:9-17 a multitude of men and women connected to Jesus pass through the Great Tribulation. They needed to have their garments washed. A garment in parable is one's works (Rev.19:7-8)
2. In Revelation 12 a company of people "who have the testimony of Jesus Christ" must flee to a wilderness for the 1260 days of Tribulation
3. In Revelation 13:7 the saints are Overcome by the Beast. This means they sojourn on earth together at the height of the Beast's power.
4. In Revelation 18:4 God's people are found in Mystery Babylon the Great.

I think that the evidence for Christians being taken away from the scene of the Great Tribulation, and for Christians facing the Tribulation is more than given.

[AdHoc]

10 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

 

"because they have been faithful in certain things, He will keep them "from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world." (Rev 3:10)"

That verse pertains to the rapture of the Church before the 7 year tribulation. That is the only rapture of the Church where the born again Christians will meet Jesus Christ then go to heaven.

Those who are alive during the tribulation should be watchful and recognize that the breaking of the covenant with Israel and the abomination of desolation will herald the beginning of the worst 3½ years in history (see Matthew 24:21). “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

That verse doesn't have anything to do with a rapture.

That verse has everything to do with the Rapture. When Christ comes He stops in the clouds to receive the Church (1st Thessalonians 4:17). To "stand before the Son of man" before He bursts through the clouds over Mount of Olives means that you "stand" in clouds. Additionally, since the Tribulation engulfs the "whole earth" you can only escape two ways. Be killed, or be raptured to the air.

[AdHoc]

17 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

"because they have been faithful in certain things, He will keep them "from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world." (Rev 3:10)"

That verse pertains to the rapture of the Church before the 7 year tribulation. That is the only rapture of the Church where the born again Christians will meet Jesus Christ then go to heaven.

I think the brother pointed out that this Rapture is conditional. "Because ... !" The Lord had just rebuked five of seven Churches and warned the sixth. This shows that the majority of Churches are full of apostates. This makes the condition of Rapture more pronounced. If you know any sloppy Christians you'll know what I mean.

[missmuffet]

42 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

I think the brother pointed out that this Rapture is conditional. "Because ... !" The Lord had just rebuked five of seven Churches and warned the sixth. This shows that the majority of Churches are full of apostates. This makes the condition of Rapture more pronounced. If you know any sloppy Christians you'll know what I mean.

Yes, counterfeit Christians. That are many of them. 

[missmuffet]

55 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

That verse has everything to do with the Rapture. When Christ comes He stops in the clouds to receive the Church (1st Thessalonians 4:17). To "stand before the Son of man" before He bursts through the clouds over Mount of Olives means that you "stand" in clouds. Additionally, since the Tribulation engulfs the "whole earth" you can only escape two ways. Be killed, or be raptured to the air.

The rapture of the Church will be before the 7 year tribulation to spare His true children from the horrors of the tribulation. That is a blessing. 

Edited October 31, 2022 by missmuffet