Let’s be serious. Can you seriously read Revelation 4 verses 1 and 2 and tell me that this is the rapture taking place?
See this Scripture and understand it is the word of God, it’s perfect, and it is straight from the mouth of God. Now, don’t twist it to say something that isn’t there.
Revelation 4:1-2 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. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
If you can see the rapture in those verses, you’ve been brainwashed by man-made teaching. Seriously, you have. You’re listening to a man versus listening to what the Bible actually says.
This is why the Bible teaches that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven.
A child can understand the rapture and that saved people will be caught up together in the clouds with Jesus Christ. Then, that same child can read Revelation 4 verses 1 and 2 and not see the rapture there. It’s not there.
It’s very clear that Revelation 4 does not include the rapture. Let’s look at the Scripture that everyone agrees is the rapture, and let’s see what happens.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
We know that the rapture is the resurrection of saved people. These are people who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice that the word “CHURCH” is not used anywhere in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4. These are “THE” rapture verses and the word “CHURCH” is not there.
But I want you to see the words that are there: “THE COMING OF THE LORD.” For some reason, people don’t see those words in verse 15. Why not? They are there.
False preachers will say that the rapture is not the second coming of Jesus Christ. They agree that these verses are the rapture, but they say the rapture doesn’t count as a “COMING” of the Lord.
Well, the Bible says it is the “COMING” of the Lord. The false preachers say that this doesn’t count as a coming of the Lord.
Well, again, let’s go back to a child like understanding. Jesus is “COMING” in the clouds. That means this IS the coming of the Lord.
And yet, false preachers will say that the “SECOND COMING” of Jesus Christ is in Revelation Chapter 19. And yes, Jesus comes back to earth with all his saints for the Battle of Armageddon but Revelation Chapter 19 doesn’t refer to the “COMING OF THE LORD.”
So, Revelation Chapter 19 is NOT the second coming of Jesus Christ because God didn’t call it the “COMING” of the Lord. Now did he?
Revelation 19:11-21 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
It’s not there. Read it all. The Bible never refers to Jesus coming on a white horse as the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, the Bible does refer to the rapture as the “COMING” of the Lord.
If you follow Revelation, you’ll see that the rapture occurs before Revelation Chapter 19. That means the second coming of Jesus Christ is at the rapture.
The first coming of Jesus Christ has already happened. This is when he came to earth, lived a perfect and sinless life, died on the cross, and arose PROVING he is “THE” Savior of the world.
If we look closely at the rapture verses again, what do we see?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
We know that all of the saved people that have died before the rapture happens will be bodily resurrected first. They will receive a new and glorified body in the clouds. Their soul from heaven will meet their new glorified body.
Then, the people who are alive and remain at the time of the rapture will be caught up together with those people and with the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds.
We see that the Lord Jesus Christ descends from heaven, and he comes in the clouds. We see the trump of God. We see the voice of the archangel.
So, we see a MULTITUDE of people. It’s not going to be just one person.
Now, let’s look at Revelation Chapter 4 verses 1 and 2 again.
Revelation 4:1-2 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. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
If you read the Book of Revelation, you’ll easily see that God is showing John things so John can write these things in a book for all of us to see.
Jesus even tells John this directly in Revelation Chapter 1.
Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
When we get to Revelation Chapter 4, we see the words “AFTER THIS” as the first words. This means we’re entering into the “HEREAFTER” or future events. At the end of verse 1 in Revelation 4, you even see it say:
“”I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” That means Revelation Chapter 2 and 3 are not future events or future churches or “CHURCH AGES.” Those were literal churches in John’s day and age. They were the present churches!
In Revelation 4, we see that John ALONE hears a “VOICE” as it were a trumpet. This means he hears a very loud voice. It was not a trumpet sounding.
Who is present and caught up into heaven in Revelation Chapter 4 verses 1 and 2? JOHN!!! There is no one else in those verses.
The “CHURCH” is not mentioned AT ALL in Revelation 4 verses 1 and 2. There is no multitude of people. Jesus is not seen coming in the clouds. The saved aren’t caught up together with Jesus. Do you see that in those verses?
I sure don’t. Why are preachers still teaching that Revelation 4 verses 1 and 2 are the rapture? They teach it to fit a man-made doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture. It’s false.
Some false preachers tell me that the “CHURCH” is no longer seen in Revelation after Revelation 4:1-2 so that means THE CHURCH data-wpil-keyword-link=”linked”>”THE CHURCH” was raptured away. Really? The church isn’t mentioned in Revelation 4:1-2. John is mentioned. He’s it. There is no one else caught up to heaven with him.
Is Jesus trying to trick us with his words in Revelation 4:1-2? NO!!! The men of this world are deceiving us. Not Jesus.
We need to wake up. Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 all give us the signs of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sun and moon are darkened and the stars fall from heaven. These are the signs and they match the rapture perfectly.
Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Does verse 31 right there not match the rapture? Does Jesus not “COME” in the clouds in verse 30? YES!!! He does. This Scripture is talking about the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is not Revelation Chapter 19.
Do you know that the rapture is AFTER THE TRIBULATION? The tribulation isn’t a 7-year period of time. Daniel’s 70th week is a 7-year period of time, but the Bible never equates Daniel’s entire 70th week to the tribulation. The tribulation is only PART of Daniel’s 70th week, not the whole 7 years!
Jesus himself says in Matthew 24:29 that the rapture in verse 31 is going to happen AFTER THE TRIBULATION. But, of course, the false preachers still teach a “PRE” tribulation rapture.
Did you know the 1611 King James Bible, in the reference besides Matthew 24:31 even shows 1 Thessalonians 4:16? Let me show you:
Do you see that reference right beside Matthew 24:31? So, this isn’t new! This belief that Matthew 24:31 is the rapture IS NOT NEW! The Bible clearly teaches this.
Any child could look at Matthew 24:31 and say, “YEAH, that’s the rapture!” What happens in that verse?
I see a trumpet. I see the elect or the saved people being gathered together. In the verse right before this, Jesus comes in the clouds! Sounds exactly like the rapture to me. This clearly proves that the rapture is AFTER THE TRIBULATION. Does it not?
If you don’t think it does, you need to clear that brain of the brainwashing. Seriously.
Then, the entire book of Revelation proves that the rapture is after the tribulation. The tribulation is over once the sixth seal is opened. How do we know? Because the sun and moon are darkened and the SIGNS Jesus mentions in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 all occur.
Watch this and tell me that it doesn’t:
Revelation 6:12-13 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Now compare that to Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mark 13:24-25 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
If Revelation Chapter 6 is truly describing the second coming of Jesus Christ at the rapture, we should expect to see a multitude of people soon! Jesus should be getting ready to gather them together. Right?
Well, keep reading in Revelation, and you’ll see it. We’re already past Revelation 4:1-2 and the rapture didn’t happen. Any child can read those verses in Revelation 4:1-2 and see that John alone is caught up in the SPIRIT! John wasn’t bodily resurrected! The rapture is a bodily resurrection.
Revelation 7:9-14 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
After the sun and moon are darkened in the Book of Revelation (those are the signs Jesus gave us for the second coming), we see this great multitude of people show up in heaven. And yes, they arrived there suddenly.
You can see this in verse 13. “Where did all these people come from?” They came out of great tribulation! After the tribulation, the rapture occurs. Does not all this match perfectly? This is what the Bible teaches.
I’m not some genius (far from it) with some made-up new doctrine. I’ve been asked: what kind of view is this? Well, guess what? It’s THE BIBLICAL VIEW.
To further prove that Revelation 4:1-2 is not the rapture, let’s see when else John is caught up IN THE SPIRIT. God does this all throughout the Bible to show people things.
Revelation 4:1-2 is simply John being caught up to heave so he can see what’s going to happen and write it down in the Book of Revelation. Yes, that’s true.
John is caught up in the spirit many different times in Revelation! Are these all different raptures? OF COURSE NOT!
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Why isn’t that the rapture?
Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
What about that? Why isn’t Revelation Chapter 17 the rapture?
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Why isn’t Revelation Chapter 21 the rapture. John was carried away in the spirit. “Oh, that must be the rapture!” No, it isn’t. Revelation 4:1-2 isn’t the rapture.
Ezekiel 37:1-2 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
God takes people away in the spirit to show them things in the Bible. Was that the rapture in Ezekiel? No, sure wasn’t.
I’ll stop. If this isn’t proof enough that Revelation 4:1-2 is not the rapture, I have no idea what it’s going to take to change your mind. The word of God should change your mind. See the words of Jesus.
There is no argument over this.
Jesus ends the argument when he says, “Hey, I’m coming back AFTER THE TRIBULATION. Hey, I’m going to gather together the elect after the tribulation. You’re going to see the sun and moon darkened AFTER THE TRIBULATION. You’ll see me coming in the clouds AFTER THE TRIBULATION.”
Let me ask you something, “Are you going to tell Jesus that he’s wrong?” Really? He said he’s coming back when you see the sun and moon darkened.
Jesus did not say that he’s coming back when John is caught up in the spirit in heaven to show him things to write for the book of Revelation. Jesus never says we’re living in the church age right now. Where do you get this stuff? I know! From the imaginations of corrupt men. They’ve imagined the pre-tribulation rapture. Stop falling for deception. It’s not in the Bible.
The pre-tribulation rapture is false. The second coming of Jesus Christ doesn’t happen in Revelation Chapter 19.
You’ll see the rapture and second coming of Jesus Christ in Revelation 6-7 and Revelation 14.
Revelation 1-11 are in order. Revelation Chapter 12 clearly goes back in time with the birth of Jesus Christ and the order of events are given again. So yes, you see the rapture twice in Revelation because the events are repeated (same thing as the Gospels, Samuel/Kings/Chronicles, etc).
