The Rapture

THE RETURN OF CHRIST AND THE TRIBULATION 

Will there be a rapture of the Church?

Many churches and denominations in America believe and teach that the Church will be raptured, or taken away from earth by Christ prior to the tribulation. I like most churched people that I know, and others that I have talked with, grew up being taught that. It is an important subject at this time because we are very likely near the end of the last generation where all prophecy will be fulfilled and the second advent (Christ’s return) will occur. But what may be the consequences if this understanding (rapture) is incorrect?

As an adult, I have chosen to seek my understanding of God's word and what it really means by deeper study and asking God to give me wisdom and understanding as I study. I certainly value all that I have grown up learning and still take into consideration any preaching’s and studies that I am present for in Church or elsewhere, but each of us is responsible individually for what we believe. Our beliefs should not be based solely on what is taught by our Pastor or any one teacher but I would venture to say that most do. I have heard this called "Pastor Salvation". Why should I check this big book out, when I am being told what it means in Church or by family or other trusted individuals?

I have found compelling arguments for the pre-tribulation rapture and also for the Church being present until the end. Among many differentiating teachings I have observed, one from a well known ministry goes as far as saying anyone that does not believe in the rapture will not make it to the eternal heaven. The explanation given was at best, very confusing to me.

My goal with this document is not to try and convince anyone to believe the rapture teaching is wrong, but rather to convince you to be prepared for a potential scenario if it turns out that we will all be “Left Behind”. I am always very glad to boldly give testimony about the Lord Jesus Christ, but the last thing I ever want to do is teach boldly anything that may be false. With that said, I will present here an argument for the post-tribulation return of Christ as if I firmly believe it, even though I am not totally convinced one way or the other. As I learned from the Boy Scout Motto, BE PREPARED!

I know it goes without saying, but the Bible manuscripts were not written in English and I feel it is important to keep that in mind when doing deep study. The King James version is likely the most accurate to the manuscripts of all English Bibles but if you look at the original 1611 version it will have a preface to the reader that says, and I paraphrase, we did the best we could but we may have made some mistakes. By using a King James Bible and a Strong’s Concordence, I believe that some traditional teachings may be found to be based on understandings from improperly translated words and/or changes in word usage. Bible teachings like other matters have traditional versions, passed down from generation to generation, that we all tend to believe. Our human tendency is to go with what we were raised with and leave it at that.

I thru the years have come to somewhat doubt the rapture teaching as valid and believe if wrong, may have serious consequences. I am not by any means alone in this. It appears that most Christians world wide do not believe in the rapture but many in America and Europe do. I do not wish to insult anyone with this but my prayer is that you will open your mind for a short spell and consider what I have to say. I am not suggesting anyone abandon the hope for being taken away prior to the tribulation period but rather that you be prepared in case we are not.

The English word rapture is not in the Bible but the Greek word harpazo has a similar meaning. Harpazo (Strong’s # G728), which means seize, catch, pluck, pull, take, and so forth is used 17 times in the New Testament. It was translated to catch or caught up 4 times, take by force 3 times, catch away 2 times, pluck 2 times, catch 1 time and pull 1 time. The only occurrence where it could possibly be used to involve the church is 1 Thessalonians 4:17. I will bring this verse back up later.

I will get into the history of the rapture teaching, the various differences in beliefs that are taught concerning exactly how Christ will return, a couple of scenarios that might occur depending on how His return will actually be and what I believe are the most commonly used scriptures that are used to support the rapture belief. I will follow this up with some other key scriptures and how they might be intended.

The earliest documentation I have found on the teaching of the rapture is in a book by Dave MacPherson entitled "The Incredible Cover-up". This book is very detailed on his search for the earliest origin of the rapture belief and its supporting documents. I will give the heart of his findings in a nutshell:

In the early 1800’s there was a group of individuals in Port Glasgow Scotland, founded by J.N. Darby, C.I. Scofield and a few others that called themselves the Breathren. They were very passionate concerning converting Jews and taking God’s word to non-believers. One of the individuals, having joined the group around 1830 was a young woman named Margaret McDonald, She was becoming invalid, was thought to be dying and claimed to have received the gift of prophecy. In her sick bed she reported visions and began speaking at times in tongues and told those in her presence that it had been revealed to her that Christ would return before the tribulation period and take the church away. Her views were published and circulated by prominent figures in the area including Edward Irving who was a leading figure in the formation of the Catholic Apostolic Church. The Breathren and the Irving Church all became ardent advocates of the “any moment” teaching of the second advent (coming) or rapture.

Searching for how various Christian teachings describe the manner of Christ’s return will result in several variations. Here is a brief discussion on what appear to be the most popular beliefs around the world:

A-Millennial - This group believes that there will be no future millennium (Lord’s  Day) and that this present age is Christ’s reign.

Post-Millennial - Belief that Christ will return at the end of the millennium.

Pre-Millennial - Consists of four divisions, pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation and partial rapture.

All four of these teach a future time of great tribulation followed by the millennium, which is the Lord’s Day. 

We will focus on the pre and post tribulation understandings being that these appear to be by far the two most popular. 

Pre-trib’s believe Christ will return in two stages.

The first stage, to gather believers still here at that time and carry them away to avoid the tribulation of Satan and God’s wrath.

The second stage is to return to the earth after the tribulation to establish His millennial kingdom. This is what is commonly known as the rapture.

Post-trib’s believe Christ will return to earth following the tribulation to begin the Lord’s Day or millennium. One stage, no rapture

.

Tim LaHaye, a Christian writer, has a series of books known as the “Left Behind” series. In these books he illustrates how he sees things will go here on earth when Christians are raptured away. Horrible accidents will occur when airplanes, automobiles etc become pilotless and horrible death and sufferings will occur to all of the unsaved still present for the tribulation.

Let’s look at some scripture used to support the rapture and then I will suggest a possible scenario of what might happen if the rapture does not occur.

It seems 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the key scripture for teaching the belief in the pre-trib rapture. Previously, starting with verse 13, Paul is explaining that God will bring believers in Christ that have deceased before this time, back with him. They have been with him for as verse 14 states: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." Now read verse 17 carefully. It says “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

This paints a picture of believers rising up into the clouds meeting the Lord in the air, or sky, at his return to be raptured. But consider this, in Hebrews 12:1, Paul speaks of a great cloud of witnesses running the race for Christ. In Revelation 1:7 John says "Behold, he cometh with clouds;” In these verses and perhaps in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, they use the words cloud and clouds in a slang or figure of speech manner to describe a group or groups. 

“with them” would then mean we will gather together with the Lord and all believers that have passed from this physical life, in a large group. So this may not mean literally “in the clouds” but rather here on earth gathered together.

Now consider also that this Greek word for “air" is aer, which means breath (Strong’s # G109), not atmosphere or sky. The breath (“air") would be our spirit/soul that God breathed into our physical bodies at conception. All in physical bodies at His return will be instantly changed from the flesh body to the spiritual (“air") body (1 Corinthians 15:52). Consider also that if “air” means sky in the clouds, is that where we will “ever be with the Lord”? 

Another way of saying this then might be, (my words/understanding), “Then we which are alive at the end shall be gathered together with those that have already passed, to be with the coming Lord in our spiritual bodies for eternity." 

Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye will see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” If this is the rapture, it will not be secret as some say it will, “every eye will see”. “with clouds” again being those that he will bring back with him. Even “they also which pierced him". This appears to mean that all that have passed will be brought back with him, not just those "which sleep in Jesus". 

Remember again, in the verses prior to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, starting with verse 13, Paul was speaking of where the dead are and that God will bring them back with him when he returns, and that those that had died in Him will rise first. They will rise first because they are already in their spiritual “air” bodies, not an earthly grave, and they, “in Him" have already put on immortality (eternal condition of their souls) because they died “in Him”. We then that are still here at that time will be changed into our spiritual bodies at that instance, not needing an earthly grave. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says it will occur, this change, “in the twinkling of an eye,” Nothing is said here about Him taking us away.

So when will this be? When exactly will Christ return if the gathering is at the end rather than a pre trib rapture?

Paul’s followers in Thessalonica were not clear about what he had told them in his first letter to them (1 Thessalonians) so he addressed them with a second letter (2nd Thessalonians). In chapter two beginning with verse one Paul says: “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 that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” 

So what is this “falling away" and who is this “son of perdition" that is revealed before Christ returns? 

The Greek word for “falling away" is apostasia, pronounced in english, apostasee, which means a defection from truth or to forsake.

The Greek word for “perdition" is apoleia, (Strong’s # 684) which means eternal loss. There is only one, Satan, that has already been judged to eternal loss (death). Could Paul be explaining that Christ’s return will not come until after the man of sin, Satan, is revealed. This is further explained in chapter 4: “ Who opposeth and exalted himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitting in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God.”  Remember, Paul said all of this will happen before Christ returns. 

We know from Revelation 12 that the angel Michael will cast Satan out onto the earth so he will be “revealed”. So what then will be the "falling away"? 

If Satan is the “son of perdition" cast out before Christ returns, could the “falling away" then be due to believers worshiping him believing he is Christ?

Revelation 13:11 tells us that this individual “had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” He will appear to be the lamb (Jesus) but will be Satan in the role of the dragon and will do “great wonders” verse 13.

Matthew 24:3 says “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall theses things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

Mark 13:4 gives us the same account “Tell us, when shall theses things be? And what shall be the sign when all of theses things shall be fulfilled?”

Christ’s answer is in Mark 13 verse 5-6 “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ: and shall deceive many.” False teachings? Cult leaders such as Jim Jones for instance claiming to be Christ? Eventually Satan, claiming to be Christ, accompanied by his army, “ Who opposeth and exalted himself above all that is called God” Was this desire not what caused Satan’s fall?

It is widely believed that a human individual will rise to power and rule over the one-world order. This individual is commonly called the antichrist. The word antichrist(s) appears only 4 times in the Bible, all in the two epistles of John. It is derived from two words in the Greek, an-tee’ (Strong's #G473) which means “against" or “instead of" and khris-tos (Strong's #G5547) which means “Christ".

John’s usage of the word appears to be talking of spirit or attitudes that many will have in the last days, not necessarily a single entity or a man in a particular role. This title, antichrist does not appear in any other prophecies. So this “son of perdition" of 2nd Thessalonians will be “The Antichrist" people speak of, or more accurately, "The Instead of Christ".

Back to Matthew 24, verse 7 “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be: but the end shall not be yet.” Keep in mind, Jesus is talking about His return, at “the end”. Verse 8 “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles; theses are the beginnings of sorrows.” 

Amos 8:11 explains to us that the famine of the end times is not for bread but for hearing the word of God. There will be much false teaching. And remember that Mark 13:7 says “be ye not troubled.” The "sorrows"Greek word odin (Strong’s # 5604) are the childbirth pangs of the coming new earth age. The earth will be birthing another age, which will be the new eternal Heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21). 

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Paul tells us “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” If this last trump is the seventh trump in Revelation 11:15, it comes after Satan’s tribulation. We will not "sleep”(die) if still alive at that time, but we will ALL be changed into our spiritual bodies. There will be no flesh from this “twinkling” thru the eternity.

Verse 53 of 1 Corinthians 15 goes on to say “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” The corruptible is our flesh body, the mortal is our soul (liable to die prior to salvation). All that die physically before the last trump are changed to spiritual bodies in Paradise at that death (Ecclesiastes 12:6 & 7, Luke 16), the first death, and all of us that remain until the Lords return will at that moment be changed into our spiritual bodies, remember again, “in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump”.  Those of us that are saved will be immortal, those that have not been saved remain mortal and subject to the second death, Revelation 21:8, even though being in incorruptible bodies. Matthew 10:28 says: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Only God can destroy the incorruptible body and mortal soul.

Luke 17 is often used to support the rapture doctrine. Starting with verse 20, Jesus was asked by the Pharisees “when the kingdom of God shall come," His answer was “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” He was there among them but they did not have eyes to see. Matthew 13: 16-17.

In verses 22 and 23, Jesus is explaining to the disciples that they will soon long to see one of his days, but will “not see it.” This would be after the crucifixion and transfiguration. “And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.” Jesus is warning that there will be false declarations that he has returned, prior to his actual return. 

In verse 24, Jesus says, “For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part of heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.” What is his day? The millennium. This sounds like Jesus is telling the disciples to not expect to see him again, or to go worship another entity after his leaving, until the first day of the millennium, “his day.” 

In verses 26 thru 30 Jesus tells us about the unnatural happenings in the days of Noah and Lot, and that “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Noah and Lot were spared the destruction of God’s wrath at those times. Is Jesus saying he will take us away or that he will keep us from harm if we have the seal of God in our foreheads? Revelation 9:4. 

Luke 10:19 Jesus says "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” What do we then need to be worried about?

Verse 31, “In that day (The Lords Day?), he which shall be upon the housetop (a Watchman?), and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field (the one left and still working?), let him likewise not return back." In that day, we will not need any stuff, “we will all be changed” at his return. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Verse 34, “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.” The question here is, who is doing the taking? 

Verse 35-36, "Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Remember that in verse 23 Jesus says, "go not after them, nor follow them.”

So where are they taken? Jesus tells us in verse 37: “Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.”

Matthew 13: 24-28 says it a little differently: “For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” Could the taken then be taken to a spiritual destruction for following the false christ?

In Matthew 24:23-24, Christ had been speaking of great tribulation in the previous verses and then tells us here “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall  deceive the very elect.”  

In the previous verse, 22, Christ said “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Are these not warnings from Christ, telling us that the false Christ comes first, deceiving many with great signs and wonders, appearing as the true Christ and so convincing that the length of the tribulation or day of temptation, will be have to be shortened so that the elect will not also be fooled? Don’t forget that Jesus’ first warning in Mark 13 was “Take heed lest any man deceive you”

Later in Matthew 24, verses 40 thru 44 we are given the same accounts of individuals in pairs, one being taken and the other left, and of the thief coming in the night. Verse 45 says “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Which season? Not out of season? Now notice, verse 46 he says, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” What is the servant doing? Had he continued to work, was not taken?

Mark 13:28 starts the parable of the fig tree where Christ tells us the harvest is in the summer, “ye know that summer is near:” We do not want to be harvested out of season, before “summer”. The harvest of course is His return. In Matthew 24:20 Jesus says “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter,” The harvest is in the summer, not winter. Do we want to be the first taken, harvested too soon? If there is a rapture, yes. If the rapture is not, no.

In Mark 13:30, Jesus ends his conversation answering the question: “Tell us, when shall theses things be?, saying: “Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all theses things be done.” Could Jesus himself be telling us his return will be after the affliction and tribulation, not a rapture before. This generation will end and according to verse 31 “Heaven and earth shall pass away:” This is the end of the current earth age.

Christ wants us, his bride, to remain a virgin.

In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul states “For I am jealous over you with godly jealously; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” We do not want to be “beguiled” as Eve was (2 Corinthians 11:3) and be “espoused" to Satan out of season, losing our spiritual virginity, believing he is Christ.

In Matthew 24 starting in verse 36, Jesus is telling of his return and that no one, not even he, knows of the hour and the day but he explains that it will be as it was in the days of Noah. The fallen angels will be here once again, “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage”. So the subject is Satan and his army being here and deceiving many. 

Again, verses 40 and 41, as in Luke 17, tell us of two men and two women working and one of each is taken and the other being left. Taken out of season?

Verse 43 tells us “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.”

I believe this may be telling us to wait for the true Christ and to not be taken by the false christ or be fooled by the thief in the night. The prince of darkness comes as a thief in the night. Keep watch, wait and not let your house be broken into. Do not believe he is Christ come to gather the Church.

Could God have warned us of a false rapture doctrine? 

Ezekiel 13:16-18  says “To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD. Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?” The pillows and kerchiefs are coverings that appear to conceal the truth of the Lord’s coming, his outstretched hands, so that some will be deceived and worship the anti-Christ (Satan) that comes first claiming to be Jesus.

Verse 19, “And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?” Satan and his church, claiming to be Christ and Christians, will be deceiving many to a spiritual death condition, claiming to be saving their souls. This spiritual death condition does not have to be permanent.

Verse 20: “Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly".

Satan, claiming to be Jesus would be calling everyone here at that time to gather to him to be raptured or fly away. God’s promise here, “I will tear them from your arms” Could this be His eventual forgiveness during the millennium, for those that will be fooled into worshiping the false christ? 

Ezekiel tells us in chapters 24 thru 32 about the Babylonian wars, which are historical and prophetic. Some scholars teach that the King of Babylon is synonymous with the antichrist, false prophet, Satan in the prophetic sense. 

In chapter 33 God Tells Ezekiel to “speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: if he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head."

“Speak to the children of thy people”seems to indicate it is a futuristic event. God's "sword" is often used to mean His word or truth. "watchman" would obviously be one to alert others about preventing or avoiding something unwanted. Could the “trumpet” be the 6th trumpet of Revelation that announces the arrival of the antichrist? Would the “sword come, and take him away" be Satan’s lies or false teaching of God's word? Would then "his blood shall be upon his own head" mean a spiritual death or mortal condition due to him worshipping the false one believing he is the Messiah? 

This is one of the main points I hope to make from this study effort. Consider for a moment what the situation could be if there is no rapture and the antichrist Satan comes first claiming to be the Messiah.  

Rapture believing Christians, Jews, non believers, Muslims and followers of other faiths, and individuals around the world of various cultures will be amazed at this individual that arrives (Revelation 13:13) and will believe his lies that he is Christ come to gather them together to rapture them away. Hopefully most believers that are familiar with God’s word will smell a rat and not follow him believing he is Christ. But many, along with the rest of the world, billions of people, not familiar with God’s word would certainly believe he is Christ and follow him. All of these individuals will not be “as a chaste virgin to Christ.” having worshiped Satan even though they believed he was Christ.

If you believe there will be a rapture, I hope and pray you will remember this one thing: “we will all be changed” and it will occur “in the twinkling of an eye” at his return. So if you see or hear of Jesus and are still in your flesh body, it cannot be him but the antichrist or the instead of Jesus, Satan. This is surely why Jesus said “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not.” We will not be in flesh bodies when Christ returns, so believe it not. You will not need for anyone to tell you He is here.

As terrible as the tribulation prophecies sound, believers at that time will be protected and will have work to do (still in the field?). We should be excited to be here and have work to do for our Lord. Satan’s portion of the tribulation will be anguishing for us due to the passion his followers, and those he will have deceived, will have for wanting to convert us. They will be like scorpions passionately grabbing on to us.

Those of us that are here at that time will be here for a purpose. We will be persecuted by this christ (the false one) and his world wide religious system (the beast). We that do not worship him and do not receive his mark (believe his lies) in our forehead (our intellect) or in our hand (do his work) will be greatly outnumbered. We will be hated for not worshiping this one and the beast (his religious and governmental system). But we may be capable of helping some to see the true Light.

So what then will it be like here for us if we do have to be present for that tribulation? There are a lot of horrible sounding events and conditions mentioned in end times prophecy. It is a little difficult to differentiate what is literal and what is symbolic, but thru deep study, we see that the symbols are explained. Even if, where these visions given to the prophets such as Daniel, and John in Revelation, are as harsh as they sound, we, God’s children will not need to fear these things. Why?

Daniel 8:25 tells us he will come peacefully and prosperously. And, will destroy (spiritually?) those that follow him.

Matthew 10:19 tells us “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.” We will have the Holy Spirit present with us to be our lawyer and protector. It will be the Holy Spirit that speaks thru us, not our own thoughts or message.

Revelation 3:10 says “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” He will protect and comfort us during that hour. We will not be tempted, believe he is the Christ.

Mark 13:20 tells us more about that “hour of temptation” and that the days of the tribulation will been shortened. God will protect His children from those things that will occur in that hour.

In Luke 10:18-19 Jesus says, “ I beheld Satan as lighting fall from heaven. Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Jesus is explaining that when Satan is cast to the earth, he will give us the power necessary to endure. If we are God’s children and here at this time, this tribulation will be a cake walk. Why would we NOT want to be here. We will have work to do!

Mark 13:12 says “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.” Surely this is talking about spiritual death, not physical. Satan, the Son of Perdition is death. Those at this time that believe Christ has come to rapture us away and non Christian individuals being deceived, will be unknowingly working for the false messiah desperately trying to bring their loved one’s to him which would be a spiritual death, even if just temporarily prior to the Lord’s day.

Revelation 9 tells us what happens at the 5th trump. An angel, “a star fall from heaven”, will be cast to the earth to prepare for the 6th trump when Satan is released. Verses 3-4 say “And there came out of the smoke locust upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”

These locusts are an army of men, sent by God, not insects that eat “grass” “green thing” or “tree”. They like “scorpions” grasping onto their prey, can influence with false teaching, “only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” The seal of God is in the minds of those that understand his word and trust in Him. 

Verse 5 says “And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months:” This would be the shortened time mentioned in Matthew 24:22.

Joel 2:20-29 tells us that the locust army is sent by God. He allows this to fulfill his plan. This is an army of individuals that will test us with the deception of the false christ. But he, the false christ and his followers, will be driven away and God will reward his people.

Luke 21:18 tells us “But there shall not be an hair of your head perish.” Satan, his army and any others that will be deceived, will not be able to harm us in any manner, because we will have the seal of God in our foreheads; our minds (Revelation 9:4). They will be desperately attempting to convince us to worship the false one with them. As we have seen with cults past and present, strange things do happen and individuals are harmed and killed. This certainly may happen to some degree as a result of this end time cult but AGAIN, those of us with the seal of God, will NOT be harmed. The two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-8 will be killed and their bodies left in the streets but theses individuals are special and surely are aware of their coming role. I believe (speculate) that God will prevent them from feeling any pain as they pass. I believe he does this frequently for his special children that suffer in appearance to us.

I fear, as many do, that there will be much deception as we come to the final days. I feel the deception and confusion (Mystery Babylon) has already begun. Look at what all is going on today and how there is so much difference or division. So much confusion. The stage is being set for the first beast mentioned in the book of Revelation. More and more things are becoming global and eventually there will be a “one world system”, likely a world religious government. The second beast of Revelation will be its leader, Satan claiming to be the Messiah. I simply hope that if you are still alive when this all comes to pass, that you will remember this:

“we will all be changed” and it will occur “in the twinkling of an eye”. So if you see Jesus and are still in your flesh body, it cannot be him but will be the anti-christ or the instead of Jesus.

Satan’s tribulation, 5 months, will be followed by the Lord's wrath that may only take a few seconds, if that long. Satan will be locked away for the Lord’s Day, and afterwards, cast into the lake of fire.

Finally, and once again, this is my understanding on this matter. I could be wrong. But, if you are here at that time, please remember this: 

It will occur “in the twinkling of an eye” and “we will all be changed”into our spiritual bodies. So if you are in your flesh body and they say “Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not.” 

Isaiah 35:4 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”