Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture)

The Letters of Faith
Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture)

“For the Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the sound of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air, and so we shall forever be with the Master”
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ENB).

My Dear Disciple,

I pray that this letter finds you in peace, and that all is well.  Thank you for your kind thoughts – and especially for your prayers.  All too often, when things are seemingly calm, it is easy for us to grow complacent.  I wanted to warn you, therefore, to not be caught off guard.  Spiritual warfare is intense, as you know, and as Screwtape is known to say, “The safest road to hell is the gradual one, the gentle slope.”1  Keep up the good fight then, dear friend, because your example will now be an encouragement to those with whom you are in ministry.

Your questions about the “rapture” (snatching) are timely too, because I just finished reviewing my notes on this matter, and I am increasingly convinced that once again, Satan is tampering with Babylon’s interpretation of Elohim’s Word.  And once again, in not investigating all things fully, too many are being deceived.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Are these Really The Signs of the Times:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Are these Really The Signs of the Times:

That we appear to be approaching the end time should neither escape us, nor surprise us, my friend.  Neither should every opportunity to proclaim Yehoshua as Messiah and Master!

And yet, while we do not know the date of His return, the “signs” really do appear to indicate that He will not delay much longer.  Nonetheless, we must ask a very obvious – and difficult question before we go much further:
Are we ready? Are we really ready to, “Meet our Maker?”

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Sense of Expectation:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – A Sense of Expectation:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Sense of Expectation:  As I talk with brethren around the world, I am confronted with an all encompassing sense of expectation.  Catastrophic visions (and events) are occurring around the globe.  Dreams of revival, and words of wisdom and knowledge are rapidly increasing.  The Ekklesia is growing expectant, and obedience unto Yehoshua is beginning to consume many.  Deception, however, is also increasing, and we must remain vigilant.

Personally, I think that Yehoshua’s return, whether in seven years or seventy years, is – and should be – irrelevant to us, because we have work to do, regardless of the times.

After all, isn’t the bride always to be prepared for the Bridegroom, in every era?  If we neglect our assigned duties, because we are living in anticipation of an event, then aren’t we neglecting the labor at hand?

We must prepare our hearts to meet Him, to be sure, and we must insure that everyone within our influence has an opportunity to prepare as well.  But in reality, this needs to be our foremost concern.  False prophecies and deceit are raging like wildfire in the Babylonian institutions, and those false messages are intended for one thing only:  To stop, or at least slow-down, the actual work of the Ekklesia…

Any and every distraction that impedes the working of the Ekklesia, benefits Satan and detracts from the glory of our Beloved Elohim.  Therefore, we must remain vigilant – testing every spirit to insure the purity of each message.

Elohim has wonderful things in store for His children, and yes, I wish we could know the fullness of His mercy now.  Foregoing that though, we must keep our eye on the prize of His upward call in Yehoshua.  Knowing fully that as the days linger, and as the toil continues, we can all take pleasure in knowing that Scripture is very clear on the fact that we will not be disappointed in what He is going to reveal to us (Psalms 22:5; Romans 9:33).

And yet, there are a lot of very Angry “christians” out there:

Sadly, though, you will be surprised to know how irate many professing ‘christians’ get, whenever I discuss the probability that they will not depart this world in a “pre tribulation rapture”; that they just might have to wait a bit longer than anticipated, before partaking in His eternal joy.

The anger being shown against the belief and teaching to which I hold, is as if no matter how great the promise might be, these undisciplined and unknowing babies rebel at any notion of tribulation.  No matter how much glory might be added unto our Messiah through our labors within that tribulation, the only thing that matters is their temporal comfort.

In complete disregard for the eternal death surrounding them (in the people they see, meet and know, who do not know Messiah Yehoshua), these children absolutely rebuke the notion of any tribulation, at any level, or in any degree.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - So, what is IT really called?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – So, what is IT really called?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - So what is IT really called?  Before we discuss the fullness of this Prophesied event though, let us please discuss the phrase, or name, or title, that they have given this event, because you will never find the word, “rapture” anywhere in Scripture.

That particular word comes from some very obscure writings found within the writings of one of the Babylonian enclaves, but is not an appropriate word.  There is no such event as a “rapture” in the Word of Elohim!

Example  Technically, and officially, the WORD that is being discussed and misrepresented in most teachings, is the Greek word, HARPAZO, which is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Acts 8:39; 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4; Revelation 12:5 (and elsewhere).

In each of its Scriptural uses, the word, HARPAZO has been correctly interpreted as either “Caught up” or “Snatched”. Generally speaking, HARPAZO is intended to signify the stealing of another’s property, but it is also used to speak about snatching away – as in taking unto oneself.

Example  Technically, therefore, a much more correct phrase for us to use, when discussing this actual EVENT, would either be, “The Snatching” or “The Stealing”.

Personally, I prefer, “The Snatching”, because our Master will not be “stealing” what already belongs to Him…  He will be “Snatching” His Ekklesia out of harm’s way!  I also prefer this phrase, because Yehoshua also promised His Disciples that no one will ever “Snatch” us from His grasp, or from our Heavenly Father’s grasp (John 10:28,29).

Interestingly, HARPAZO is used in both instances in John, and it would be improper to ignore these words and promises.

Please keep in mind, though, that we have already been “Snatched” from Satan’s realm, and already abide in the hands of our loving Messiah; The Holy Spirit dwelling within us as His Seal.  And knowing this, we acknowledge His promise that no one will ever “Snatch” us away from Him again…  Praise be unto YEHOWAH!

Therefore, from this point onward, I will be referring to the event as “The “Snatching”, and will relegate the word ‘rapture’ into a (bracketed) side-note, if at all…

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The False Notion of a Pre-Tribulation Event:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – The False Notion of a Pre-Tribulation Event:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The False Notion of a Pre-Tribulation Event:  With that said, let us now consider the most popular false teaching being proclaimed and accepted throughout the religious enclaves:  The notion of a pre-tribulation snatching (rapture).

We must begin here, because the damage inflicted by this teaching is so obvious, and immense, that I would be remiss if I did not expose this blatant attempt to lull the Ekklesia into a stupor…  The end time Disciples of Yehoshua must not be deceived.  Let me explain:

Example  The Holy Spirit says, “The Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the sound of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air, and so we shall forever be with the Master” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ENB).

Example  Elsewhere, He added, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ENB).

Being “Caught up together with them in the clouds” is the snatching that we are discussing, and the false teaching popular today, holds that this event will take place at a point in time Before the seven-year period of great tribulation begins.   Thus: pre-tribulation rapture.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The False Notion of a Pre-Tribulation Event:  It has frequently occurred to me, that the damage done by this teaching is not only that weak believers are deceived and put in danger, but also that anticipation of this false event is causing a cessation of Elohim’s work.

Example  Paul was moved to write his letter to the Thessalonians, for the simple reason that they too wrongly believed that the day of the Master had already come!  So, because of this false belief, they were backing away from their responsibilities.
Example  And, like the Thessalonians, those who believe the pre-tribulation teaching are being lulled to sleep at precisely the time when preparation for warfare must increase.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The False Notion of a Pre-Tribulation Event:  Throughout the Bible, we are repeatedly shown where Elohim’s people are called upon to endure hardship and tribulation – for His glory.

Example  The nation of Israel suffered terribly at the hands of Egypt, and Elohim saved them out of their tribulation.
Example  The early Ekklesia suffered horrendous slaughter at the hands of the Roman Empire, and the Word of Elohim spread throughout the world because of their tribulation.

Those who believe they will escape tribulation through the snatching have lost touch with Elohim, and are, therefore, leprous.  Unless they change their heart, though, their senses will continue to die, and they will become incapable of feeling the pain and suffering of the world.

Example  But the body of Yehoshua has tremendous responsibilities during the tribulation period, and Yehoshua will be glorified through the tribulation of His Ekklesia.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Before we determine the truth about the snatching, let us conclude this part of our discussion on the realities of the Ekklesia in tribulation, because whether we discuss tribulation in general, or the great tribulation specifically, the institutions have distorted the truth of Elohim’s Word, and we must never be deceived by Babylon!

Example  Where the apostles rejoiced because they, “Had been counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:40-41 ENB), Babylon is teaching that persecution is brought on by a lack of faith.
Example  Where the apostles suffered for their faith, the new age theologians teach that people suffer because they have no faith.
Example  Where Elohim encourages us to endure, the positive thinkers of this age proclaim, “Peace, Peace”.

Example  And to all of that The Holy Spirit says, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of Elohim” (Acts 14:22 ENB).  All noteworthy differences, don’t you think?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Paul said, “We are in tribulation on every side, but we are not distressed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Master Yehoshua, so that the life also of Yehoshua might be made manifest in our body.  For we who live are always delivered unto death for Yehoshua’ sake, so that the life of Yehoshua also may be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:8-11 ENB).

Example  We are also told that we need “much endurance” (2 Corinthians 6:4-10).

Yet in spite of these admonitions, it is more fashionable to teach that suffering and affliction only fall upon sinners and the faithless.  Is it any wonder why the world views ‘christianity’ as weak and simple-minded?

Example  Elohim says, “Consider it all joy when you fall amongst diverse temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith works toward patience” (James 1:2-3 ENB).

But to this, the new age ministers counter with sermons that the church does not need to endure; that the church will escape tribulation.  Who do you suppose is telling the truth?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  The topical concordance passages provided below are vital to this study, my friend, because we cannot be deceived about the necessity FOR the Ekklesia in tribulation.

Example  The Prophet Yeremiyeh speaks against those who preach, “Peace, Peace”, and goes so far to say, ‘“The house of Israel and the house of Yehudah have dealt very deceitfully with Me,’ says YEHOWAH.  They have lied about YEHOWAH, and said, “Not He; neither will evil come upon us; neither will we see sword nor famine.”  The prophets will become wind, and the word is not in them; and thus will it be done unto them’” (Yeremiyeh 5:11-13 ENB).

The shelves of today’s bookstores are lined with volumes teaching a pre-tribulation event, but I hope to show within this letter, the truth about the tribulation period and the snatching of the Body of Yehoshua.  The snatching will occur, thanks and praises be, but according to the Word of Elohim, it does not occur until the last trumpet sounds – as you have already read.  There is more proof, as you will see!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Throughout these studies, I have insisted that every teaching – every prophetic utterance – be tested against the Word of Elohim.
rd_dot  The teachings about the pre-tribulation snatching have proliferated, because nobody has seriously tested the spirit.
rd_dot  Yehoshua must be proclaimed, glorified, magnified and exalted in any revelation, but when we compare the pre-tribulation ‘rapture’ teaching to the Word of Elohim, none of these are accomplished.

I present the following observations, therefore, for your consideration:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Seven (7) Observations Against a Pre-Tribulation Event:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Seven (7) Observations Against a Pre-Tribulation Event:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Observation #1:
rd_dot “For this we say to you by the word of the Master, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Master, will not precede those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:15 ENB™).

Many of those who teach, and believe in a pre-tribulation event, believe the event will be “secretive”, in spite of the fact that Elohim’s Word says it will be a PAROUSIA.

PAROUSIA in the Greek, is the word we interpret as, “COMING”,  and a PAROUSIA is a remarkable event – an affair calling for intense, noisy, gala, celebration and rejoicing.  Additionally, this passage clearly speaks to “weDisciples, who remain until His coming.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Observation #2:
rd_dot “For the Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the sound of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 ENB).

The Greek word for “RISE” is ANISTEMI, and it means to stand again; a physical lifting up, a physical resurrection.  This verse also speaks of much noise, and clearly discusses the event occurring at the time of His return.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Observation #3:
rd_dot Colossians 3:4 teaches that when Yehoshua is revealed, we will be revealed with Him in Glory.  1 John 3:2 ENB adds, “We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is”
.

Considering that spiritual darkness is prophesied for the tribulation period, and that he who opposes the Messiah, the Antichrist (another made-up word) must be revealed before Yehoshua returns, it must be noted that the pre tribulation theory places Yehoshua revealing Himself first, as He returns for His Ekklesia.  But here we very clearly see that the opposer comes first!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Observation #4:
rd_dot “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air, and so we shall forever be with the Master” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 ENB).

rd_dot Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21, all say one thing: Yehoshua said He would return and gather His own, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days” (Matthew 24:29-30 ENB).
rd_dot Acts 1:9-11 teaches that the next time the world sees Yehoshua, will be at His glorious return.
rd_dot 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 SPEAKS FOR ITSELF…VERY LOUDLY!!!
rd_dot Revelation 7:9-14 tells about the vast multitude saved, “Out of the tribulation.” Of necessity, therefore, we must acknowledge that one must enter into something, in order to, “Come Out of it”.
rd_dot Again, see Acts 14:22.

The Greek word for “MEET” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is APANTESIS, and APANTESIS very interestingly speaks of going forth, in order to return with.

In Acts 28:15, as Paul approached the city of Rome, he was met by a group of disciples from Rome, who intentionally went out to meet him along the way, with the specific intention of immediately escorting him back into the city.

The Snatching occurs in exactly this way!

Inasmuch as the wrath of Elohim comes immediately before the second coming of Yehoshua, and Elohim has promised the Disciples of Yehoshua that, “Elohim has not appointed us for wrath” (1 Thessalonians 5:9 ENB), our going to meet Yehoshua will immediately precede His return to earth.

We will go out to meet Him, in order to escort Him back.  We will go out to meet Him, in order to return with Him – in His Army, along with all of the sanctified brethren of ages past.  And we will return with Him to fight beside our Master in the battle of Armageddon.

Additionally, the outpouring of Elohim’s wrath does not take seven years, which is what the pre-tribulation teaching suggests.  Elohim’s wrath is poured out toward the end of a period of great tribulation, but tribulation and wrath are entirely different matters, aren’t they?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:   Observation #5:
rd_dot The Holy Spirit is removed with the Ekklesia at the snatching.  If there is a pre-tribulation event, how can others be born-again unto Yehoshua during the tribulation period? Without The Holy Spirit abiding in the hearts of these newly delivered souls, how can they endure? What solace is there in their suffering? What assurance do these new disciples have?

These studies have repeatedly stressed the impossibility of abiding in faith without The Holy Spirit.  Once He is removed, there can be no more saved unto Yehoshua.

Therefore, a pre-tribulation event eliminates all need to delay the outpouring of Elohim’s wrath, because it totally eliminates the Great Harvest that is Prophesied to occur during the tribulation period.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Observation #6:
rd_dot If there is a pre-tribulation snatching, and somehow souls are saved unto Yehoshua after that event occurs, which is what this teaching advocates, we are confronted with an Elohim who shows partiality, and end up with two separate Ekklesia’s.  Where in Scripture can we find two bodies of saints – or more literally, where can we find two bodies of Yehoshua?

rd_dot Acts 10:34; Deuteronomy 10:17 and Ephesians 4:4-6 speak of the oneness of the body.  But, if there is a pre-tribulation snatching, and if souls are somehow still saved during the tribulation period, and this happens without The Holy Spirit – and if we do have two Ekklesia’s, then when will the snatching occur for the already dead tribulation saints?  When will they rise from the grave to join Him (and us)?
rd_dot Elohim’s promise, that His children would not suffer His wrath, must apply to the tribulation saints also, or else Elohim will be found to lie – and this simply cannot be so.
Two bodies of saints, and the teaching of multiple snatching events, defy the Word of Elohim.  Elohim does not show partiality, nor does He lie.

And yet, NO Disciple of Yehoshua will ever incur “The Wrath of our Father!”

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - The Ekklesia IN Tribulation:  Observation #7:
rd_dot Revelation 3:10 teaches that perseverance, or the long suffering of the saints, keeps them from, “the hour of trial.”  The Greek word for perseverance, HUPOMONE, speaks directly to a snatching that endures well into the tribulation period (See Revelation 14:9-13 also), and it tells the saints to endure, even unto death.

These same observations must apply to every theory that may be presented on the snatching event, beloved, because the Word of Elohim only promises that His children will not endure His wrath,
rd_dot  “For Elohim has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining deliverance through our Master Yehoshua ha Mashiach” (1 Thessalonians 5:9 ENB).

The only teaching that is Scriptural, therefore, is one that teaches a Pre-Wrath snatching, and being true to His Word, it is impossible for us to pinpoint exactly when that will be.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - We Are Kept:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – We Are Kept:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - We Are Kept:  Additionally, Revelation 3:10 speaks clearly of the Philadelphia Church being “KEPT” from the hour of testing.  In full, the Word of Elohim says,
rd_dot  “Because you have kept the word of My patience I also will keep you from the hour of trial, which will come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (ENB).

In both instances, the Greek word used for “kept” and “keep” is TEREO, and throughout all of the New Covenant, TEREO speaks of being watched, guarded, kept in safety, preserved or maintained”.

As I studied this word, I came to realize that this being “Kept” has the exact connotation and intent as the word, “Deliver” or “Delivered” in the Old Covenant.

rd_dot  For instance, Daniel was “Delivered” out of the Lions Den in just the same way that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were “Delivered” out of a furnace – heated excessively for them by Nebuchadnezzar, because they refused to bow to his idols…         (See Daniel 3 and Daniel 6).

rd_dot  Interestingly enough, Daniel used the word, NETSAL, to speak of being “Delivered” in Daniel 3:29, 6:14, 8:4 & 7, and NETSAL speaks of being “Snatched Away”.

But here in Daniel 3 and 6, when he speaks of the “Deliverance” that he, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego received, he used the Hebrew word, SHEZAB or SHEZIB, and these words only speak Deliverance, and have Nothing to do with “Snatching”…

Daniel knew the difference between being Delivered and being “Snatched Away”, and we must recognize this difference today as well…

rd_dot  At any rate, I believe that the teaching of a pre-tribulation event, in any format, is a satanic device used to advance apostasy within the Ekklesia (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Think about it: What better way is there to deceive every weak believer, than to have them convinced that they will not see tribulation, and then bash them with the reality of the great tribulation?

Faced with inevitable disillusionment, because their false expectations were not met, how many will surrender their faith? How many are surrendering it today, because it is too hard?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Commentary on The Tribulation:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Commentary on Tribulation:

Finally, with regard to Tribulation, please permit me to add this commentary:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Commentary on Tribulation:  Only in the industrialized nations, and especially in the United States, could we arrogantly accept the false notion that we shall not see tribulation.  And we stubbornly hold to that belief until a tornado rips through our house, or an earthquake literally topples our lives.

rd_dot  Worldwide, humanity is in tribulation right now, but because that tribulation has not darkened our particular path, we are ignoring the signs.
rd_dot  Internationally, genocide is being practiced liberally, but the massacres are receiving little actual concern from those who actually have the power (and authority, on behalf of humanity) to stop these atrocities.
rd_dot  Internationally, multiple millions of refuges are moving about the planet, in an attempt to escape whatever violence happens to be occurring in their part of the world.

And the plight of the poor, the orphaned, the widowed and the literal starving receive nothing more than an obligatory societal sob.

rd_dot  Internationally, MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of unborn children are being murdered every year, but civilization appears to be more concerned with saving whales, owls and rats, than it does with saving human lives.
rd_dot  Internationally, Disciples of Yehoshua are being slaughtered for their faith at an unprecedented rate, but the massacre is generally going unreported.

rd_dot  And, let us never forget the Prophetic Words, issued forth regarding the literal land and nation of Israel, which is truly under attack today…

rd_dot  Apostasy has already arrived, my friend, and so have the birth pangs leading to the greatest tribulation ever before experienced by humanity.

Eyes are being blinded to the reality of prophetic fulfillment though, and instead of pleading unto Elohim for mercy, Babylon wants to be removed from reality before their hands get sullied.

Woe!  Woe!  Woe!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Unveiling Ten (10) Mysteries:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Unveiling Ten (10) Mysteries:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Unveiling Ten (10) Mysteries:  I have prayed for insight into this snatching issue, beloved, because the whole purpose behind telling us about the event was to encourage us, not deceive us.
rd_dot  Elohim has not given His instructions so we would remain in darkness, “That the day should overtake you like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4 ENB).

As I studied the snatching though, the Master has revealed a “mystery” that reinforces the pre-wrath snatching teaching that I have been given, and the following presents the revelation of that mystery.  Be patient, Disciple, this is an in depth discussion which will ultimately shed tremendous light.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Unveiling a Mystery:  Within the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Yehoshua introduces us to “The mysteries” of the kingdom of Elohim; the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
rd_dot  The Greek word used for mystery in the New Covenant is MUSTERION, and it means, “A secret knowledge or doctrine; something hidden or not fully manifest; an esoteric knowledge.”
rd_dot  And Esoteric, in its true context, means: “Confined to a select circle; confidential.  Adapted exclusively for the initiated and enlightened few.”

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Unveiling a Mystery:  In teaching the mystery of the kingdom, Yehoshua was speaking directly to His select circle; His initiated; His sanctified saints who have truly endeavored to walk in His Spirit – daily!  His intent was for the mystery to be revealed to His Disciples.

rd_dot  Further uses of MUSTERION in the New Covenant, supported by the entirety of Scripture, lay bare the secrets of those mysteries.  Like the spokes of a wheel, Elohim’s Word offers clear paths of instruction on most subjects, insofar as Elohim deemed necessary and essential to reveal.
rd_dot  The mysteries of the Word of Elohim are for His faithful children to grasp, so that the “Administration of the MUSTERION” would be handled appropriately (Ephesians 3:8-13).

A fact permeating these letters is that the mysteries of Scripture are in fact esoteric.  Only by the grace of Elohim, through The Holy Spirit, can faithful Disciples of Yehoshua comprehend, and do, the Word of Elohim.

While the Word of Elohim is complex and easily distorted by the uninitiated, unenlightened, and non-believing, The Holy Spirit is the Author, by Whom we receive the truth.  The harvest is ripe, and while deception increases daily, Yehoshua has overcome the deceiver, and we are free to concentrate on the harvest for His glory.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Unveiling a Mystery:  The word MUSTERION is used twenty-seven times in the New Covenant, and it’s use points directly to the following TEN mysteries:

rd_dot   Number 1: The Mystery of the Messiah, Yehoshua – The Word of Elohim (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8; Colossians 1:25-26, 2:2-3):
nugget Matthew 13, supported by Mark 4 and Luke 8, speak of the same topic, evolve around the Word of Elohim, and contain the first entry of MUSTERION in the Bible.  We will concentrate on Matthew 13.
rd_dot   In v 3-8, Yehoshua tells the parable of the sower and the seeds, and in v 18-23 the parable, as explained by Him, speaks of, “the Word of Elohim and the hearer”.
rd_dot   In v 24-30 Yehoshua offers the parable of the tares among the wheat, and in v 37-40, He explains this to be about, “the Word of Elohim and the believer”.
rd_dot   In v 31-32 He gave us the parable of the mustard seed, and said it taught about, “the Word of Elohim and the doer”.
rd_dot   And, in v 33, He tells us about the leaven of Elohim’s Word, which is to permeate our entire entity.
nugget In the midst of these parables, Yehoshua informed us that He, the Word of Elohim, was our first mystery.  In v 11, after the disciples asked Him why He was speaking and teaching in parables, He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (ENB).  Then in v 17 He said, “For amen I say to you, that many prophets and righteous people have desired to see what you see, and have not seen; and to hear what you hear, and have not heard” (ENB).

The first mystery, therefore, is the Word of Elohim
– YEHOSHUA – The Messiah.

rd_dot  Number 2: The Mystery of the Gospel of Yehoshua (Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3):
nugget The Gospel of Yehoshua is clearly spoken in each of these four passages, and the mystery is in the simplicity of the matter.  While the false religions wrap the teachings of Elohim in a shroud, the mystery of the Gospel of Yehoshua our Messiah, lies in the simple fact that: We are sinners, and Elohim is not.  In our sin we are doomed to die, but in His love, Yehoshua provided the means whereby we can abide eternally with Him. Simple, true and effective:

We are cleansed in and by the Blood of the Lamb,
and we are free to abide for His glory.
That is a mystery.

rd_dot  Number 3: The Mystery of the Jew and the Gentile:
(Romans 11:25; Ephesians 3:3-6; Colossians 1:27):
nugget In Romans 9-11, Paul speaks of the lost state of the nation of Israel, and their relationship to the current period of the Gentile.  In Romans 11:25, he says, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceit; that a partial blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (ENB).
rd_dot  While we could spend hours discussing this, we must believe that Elohim is in control.  Both the Jew and the Gentile are provided for in His predetermined plan, and the day of the Jew arrives once again, when the day of the Gentile ends.
rd_dot  In Romans 11 we are told that the Gentiles are grafted into the tree, which is Israel, and this compliments the teaching on the prophetic use of the name Israel.  Nevertheless, the last two thousand plus years have been “The day of the Gentile”, and,

The mystery is that Gentiles and Jews are
being grafted together into one tree.
The mystery of grafting began at Pentecost.
It ends at the snatching.

rd_dot  Number 4: The Mystery of Elohim’s will – the Ekklesia (1 Corinthians 4:1, 13:2, 14:2; Ephesians 1:4,9, 3:9, 5:32):
nugget Almost everything we have studied thus far revolves around the will of Elohim, the mystery of the Ekklesia, and how we are currently being deceived.  The study of discipleship reveals the mysteries and responsibilities that are ours in Yehoshua, and speaks directly to the administration of His will.
nugget The responsibility of the Ekklesia is to glorify our Master Yehoshua, and we glorify Him by abiding, doing and proclaiming Him – in love.

That humans can reflect these things to the world, and
thereby truly represent Elohim, is in fact a mystery.

rd_dot  Number 5: The Mystery of faith (1 Timothy 3:9):
nugget We have discussed faith at length, and it should not be a mystery to you any longer. Faith, nevertheless, is essential to our growth, and with that Faith we please Elohim.

Faith, nonetheless, remains a mystery throughout the world.

rd_dot  Number 6: The Mystery of reverence (1 Timothy 3:16):
nuggetThe mystery of reverence includes overcoming sin, abiding ethically and morally, and performing works of faith.  In love, we are to present Elohim (thru and in Yehoshua) to the world, but true reverence comes only through accepting Yehoshua as our personal Messiah and Master.  We are about to inherit His kingdom, beloved, and our Father wants our behavior to be reverent, regardless of our circumstances.

The notion that reverence is achievable is a mystery.

rd_dot  Number 7: The Mystery of lawlessness / iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7):
nugget Our discussions and topical concordance references on Satan and spiritual warfare have been exhaustive.  The great deceiver, the lawless one, Messiah’s opposer, is working feverishly in the world today, and the mystery has been exposed in our comprehension of his methods, as well as his defeat coming to Light at the Hand of our Master.
nugget The mystery of reverence exposes the mystery of iniquity a bit more thoroughly, however, but the knowledge that has already been given regarding spiritual warfare, amply covers the mystery of lawlessness and iniquity.
nugget Additionally though, I think it is an even greater mystery that Elohim permits Satan to roam about as he does, and contend that,

Elohim’s use of lawlessness and iniquity
is in fact the real mystery here.

rd_dot  Number 8: The Mystery of Babylon the great (Revelation 17:5-7):
nuggetI cannot be more polite than I have already been in revealing this mystery.  While some theologians want to point a finger at a specific church or group, the Word of Elohim clearly teaches that Babylon will consist of ALL the false teachings and religions in the world.  Nevertheless, Babylon will be represented in the last days by a united false church:

The mystery of Babylon the great is that it is a composition of
all the false religions and institutions – all the false preachers,
prophets, teachers, evangelists and apostles.

And, it is from these false religions that Elohim has commanded His children to “Come Out.”

rd_dot  Number 9: The Mystery of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks (Revelation 1:20):
nugget Like the rest of Scripture, a great deal of knowledge, understanding and wisdom can be gained from each voyage through the Book of Revelation.  While the institutions acknowledge the Book as an end time message, they ignore the fact that the second and third chapters deal specifically with the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks; they deal very specifically with the end time Ekklesia.
nugget In an earlier letter, I discussed the “once saved – always saved” theology of our day, and when you read Revelation 2 & 3, I implore you to look at the words “overcome” and “overcomes” in these chapters.  It is impossible to misunderstand the intent of The Holy Spirit through the usage of these words, because the Ekklesia is commanded to “overcome”, or else.  The message of Revelation 2 & 3 involves the Ekklesia, and,

The mystery here is that the spiritual battle is
being
fought for the Body of Yehoshua;

the battle is being fought for the Ekklesia.

rd_dot  Number 10: The Mystery of the Snatching (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17):
nugget Unlike many theologians, I believe that Elohim provides continued revelation in His Word, about His Word and through His Word, and the fact that every spirit must be tested remains in place for us…  I offer the following analysis and conclusions for your examination:
rd_dot  Yehoshua said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me, while it is day.  The night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world” (John 9:4-5 ENB).

In these words, we find ourselves being called to the harvest, as well as expectantly and excitedly anticipating the snatching.  But in the fullness of His Words, we must also find  ourselves looking toward the snatching in horror.

rd_dot The Word says, “Desire not the night, when people ascend from their place” (Job 36:20 ENB). Why would He say that?
rd_dot In the Book of Amos, Elohim adds, “Woe unto you who desire the day of Yehoshua! To what end is the day of Yehoshua for you? For it will be darkness and not light; as when a person flees from a lion and a bear meets them, or goes into the house, leans their hand against the wall and a serpent bites them.  The day of YEHOWAH will be darkness and not light, deep darkness with no brightness in it” (Amos 5:18-20 ENB).

What are we to gain from these Words?

nugget  The entirety of Yeremiyeh’s prophecy is a broken-hearted message of faithlessness and treachery, and along with my earlier observations, we must add that it exposes the false notion of the pre-tribulation event.

rd_dot  Please open your Bible, Disciple, and read, Yeremiyeh 3:14-15, 5:10-13, 14:13-16, 17:16 and 23:16-22, because this message speaks to us today.  Additionally, these passages address with predetermined intent, the false message of “Peace” which currently permeates Babylon, and speaks directly against the messengers proclaiming that peace.

The passages also address the message of reconciliation.

But why is the day of snatching to be viewed with horror?

nugget  The Mysteries of the Word of Elohim:
rd_dot  The mystery of Yehoshua; The mystery of  the Gospel of Yehoshua; The mysteries of the Jew and the Gentile; The mystery of the will of Elohim and The Ekklesia; The mysteries of faith; reverence; lawlessness; Babylon and the seven stars and candlesticks;

ALL DEAL WITH DELIVERANCE!

The mysteries of the Bible speak of Elohim’s deliverance of humanity thru Yehoshua ha Mashiach.  The mysteries all speak of His Word, His truth, His love, His sacrifice, His peace offering, His efforts to reach unsaved humanity, and His plan of deliverance.

According to the Word of Elohim, “The mystery of Elohim is finished, after the sixth trumpet sounds, as the seventh angel is about to sound (Revelation 10:7 ENB).  Therefore,

The day of the Gentile ends at the sounding of the
sixth trumpet, and not one moment before.

AND

The horror of the snatching comes in the realization that
EVERY SOUL LEFT BEHIND AFTER THE SNATCHING,
(Who is not of the nation of Israel, and who has not
aided one of the children of Elohim during the tribulation)
IS DOOMED TO ETERNAL DEATH!

nugget  If the mysteries of Elohim all deal with deliverance, where is salvation to be found in a pre-tribulation snatching?  It is nowhere to be seen, because it defies the love, patience, compassion and mercy of Elohim.

rd_dot  Consider this: Elohim has done everything possible to save His chosen ones.  He has done everything possible to save His children – including the death of His only Begotten Son.  If His wish is for all to, “Come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 ENB), and in order to bring about that repentance, He is forced to place the Ekklesia in tribulation, then what makes us think He will not do just that? What makes us think He will not permit the Ekklesia to enter tribulation – to continue laboring on behalf of humanity?

Our Father promised that we would not see His wrath,
but He never promised to save us from tribulation.

rd_dot  Our greatest failure today, in not reaching out to the unsaved, is a product of the fact that in our sophistication and apostasy, we deny the reality of the wrath and judgment of Elohim; we deny the existence of eternal death!
rd_dot  The knowledge that EVERY SOUL remaining on the earth after the snatching (Who is not of the Nation Israel, and who has not extended aid to one of Elohim’s children during the tribulation) is eternally dead, should move us!
rd_dot  The fact that our unsaved mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, co-workers and neighbors are all eternally dead without Yehoshua, should impact our thinking significantly.

rd_dot  “Night is coming when no one can work”, but we who have Yehoshua in our hearts, as well as The Holy Spirit abiding within, have a tremendous amount of work before us.
rd_dot  And that work is to be done, “while we still have the light”…  The Holy Spirit is that Light, given by The Father through The Son.
rd_dot  And the “Peace, Peace” banter of the religious institutions does not deal with the facts of judgment, eternal damnation or fiery hell, because the message frightens away too many donors.

The truth of Elohim’s Word, however, is meant to motivate the Ekklesia to seek for the lost sheep of His flock, before night comes.

nugget  In proclaiming a pre-tribulation snatching, Babylon has lulled many within the Body into a lifestyle of leisure and complacency, and has not prepared the hearts and minds of the brethren for war.  These false teachers are putting the body to sleep, and as the body sleeps, souls are being eternally lost – away from the glory of Elohim.

Every Soul who remains on the face of the earth,
after the EKKLESIA is removed,
(Who is not of the nation Israel, and who has not

aided one of the children of Elohim during the tribulation)

IS ETERNALLY LOST.

How pure are our hands going to be?
Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - So, When Then?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – So, When Then?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - So, When Then?  In Matthew 24, Yehoshua gives perhaps the most extensive teaching on the tribulation period and the snatching.  We would do well to consider His teaching, because He said that the “Signs” of His return as King would be like this:
Example  Many false messiah’s will come to deceive v 4-5.
Example  We will witness wars and rumors of wars.  Famines and earthquakes will abound.  And nation will rise against nation v 6-7.
Example  But, He added these would only be the beginning v 8.
Example  In v 9, Yehoshua said the Ekklesia would be delivered over to tribulation and martyrdom.  The Ekklesia will be hated, and many will fall away from the faith in this period (apostasy), because they are unprepared.
Example  v 11 warns of the false prophets who will deceive many.
Example  v 12 tells of increased lawlessness, which will cause most people’s love to grow cold.
Example  v 13 is an encouragement from Yehoshua to His children – to endure to the end.
Example  v 14 is a testimony that before His return, the gospel would be preached in the whole world.
Example  The Master then tells His children about the “Abomination of Desolation”, instructing them to investigate the writings of Daniel, and announces that after these things, the days would be, “cut short”, for the sake of the elect v 15-22.
Example  He then adds that, “Immediately after the tribulation of that age, the sun shall be darkened…  And He will send forth His angels with the loud noise of a trumpet, and they will gather together His chosen from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other” v 29-31 (ENB).
Example  Yehoshua then told us to draw a parallel between the end of time, and the days of Noah, and through that parallel, and the entirety of Matthew 24, and the other passages referenced throughout this teaching, He taught us everything we need to know about the snatching.
Example  He said, “For as the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” v 37-41 (ENB).

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Okay, Let's Look at Noah:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Okay, Let’s Look at Noah:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Okay, Let's Look at Noah:  If we investigate the “days of Noah,” we find that after Noah completed the ark,
Example  He was commanded to load it (Genesis 7:1-3).
Example  He was warned that, “In seven days, I will send rain on the earth” (Genesis 7:4 ENB). 
Example  
And, “It came to pass after the seven days, that the water of the flood came upon the earth…
Example  On the very day Noah…came into the ark (the deluge came)…
Example  And YEHOWAH shut him in” (Genesis 7:10-16 ENB).

Read the passage in its entirety – and learn!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Okay, Let's Look at Noah:  The parallel we must draw from Noah is that while the Ekklesia will be taunted and hated, just like Noah, we still have work to do.
Example  The seven days of Noah’s warning are represented by the seven-year period of tribulation.
Example  From the beginning of the seven-year period of tribulation, the Ekklesia is to be laboring in harvest, just like Noah.
Example  When the wrath of Elohim is about to be poured out, and not before, the Ekklesia will be removed – just like Noah.

The Ekklesia cannot be so hard of hearing that it continues to deny this truth.  Calculate for yourself when the Word of Elohim is signifying that the last trumpet will sound.

In parallel to the experiences of Noah, the snatching occurs sometime during the waning days of the great tribulation.

“And YEHOWAH shut him in.”
Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Like The Days of Lot:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Like The Days of Lot:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Like The Days of Lot:  Additionally, in Luke 17:28-30 Yehoshua said the time of the end would be, “Like the days of Lot” (ENB), and this is another example for our understanding.
Example  Lot was tormented to the very day the angels of Elohim removed him from Sodom.
Example  On the very day he was removed from Sodom, the wrath of Elohim was poured out upon the land.
Example  Lot and his family were still walking away from Sodom, with their backs turned toward the city, when the wrath of Elohim was administered.

And we too shall escape His wrath by just such a margin!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Like The Days of Lot:  It is vital for every brother and sister in Yehoshua to know that a time of martyrdom has already arrived (Revelation 6:9-11), and that every heart must be prepared to fight the good fight of faith, and run the race to the end.
Example  It is equally important that each brother and sister know that the one who opposes the Messiah is coming, and the mark of the beast will soon be upon us.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Like The Days of Lot:  The entire period of the Exodus, while a literal event, is also a spiritual parallel for the Ekklesia of the tribulation period.
Example  And just as Elohim protected His children, while devastation rained upon the land of Egypt, and just as He provided for His children during their walk in the desert, Elohim is signifying that He will “DELIVER” the Ekklesia through the period of torment; and He will provide for His Ekklesia when we are unable to buy or sell (Revelation 13).

Do you suppose faith will be required of us? Do you think it will help if our hearts are prepared?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Final, Damning, Revelation:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – A Final, Damning, Revelation:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Final, Damning, Revelation:  There is one more damning revelation that the Master has given, which absolutely rebukes the false notion of a pre-tribulation snatching.  Connected to the earlier observations, and the truth of Yehoshua’s teachings in Matthew 24 and Luke 17, this revelation clearly seals the Word of Elohim on this issue (at least for me).

Elohim said, “In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, then the mystery of Elohim should be finished, as He has declared to His servants the prophets” (Revelation 10:7 ENB).

Revelation 10:7 and 11:7-13 reveal when the day of the Gentile ends, and the day of the Jew begins again.

The mystery of the Snatching is revealed in these points:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Final, Damning, Revelation:  Revelation 7 introduces us to 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel, who will be sealed, “Having His Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1 ENB).

Example  If we accept that “Israel”, prophetically speaks of the Ekklesia, which is grafted into the Tree of Israel, then we can apply the prophecy of Revelation 7 directly to the Ekklesia.
Example   While no Gentile knows the tribe to which they belong, we are all members of the nation Israel; all have been grafted onto the same tree (Romans 11).
Example  Therefore, as members of the tribes of Israel, every Gentile is eligible for induction into the 144,000.

Some very special criteria exists for qualification as a member of this group, however, but that aside, these children of Israel will receive a very special anointing, and will work feverishly and faithfully during the tribulation period.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Final, Damning, Revelation:  While these 144,000 are not vital to our discussion on the Snatching, they do add some important dimensions to our understanding.  How?

Example  Revelation 8:13 declares that three “Woe’s” will come against, “the inhabitants of the earth,” and Revelation 9:4 teaches that these “sealed” servants are still walking on the earth after the first “woe” passes.  This is important!
Example  The fact that the 144,000 are part of the Ekklesia, and the Ekklesia is still present during the outpouring of the first “woe”, is significant in speaking against a pre-tribulation snatching.
Example  This matter also adds to the fact that souls are still being saved during this time, or else the 144,000 would not still be working.

Example  Revelation 11 also introduces us to the “Two Witnesses” who are, “The two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the Elohim of the earth” v 3-4(ENB).

If we view this passage literally, we must apply the fact that it is appointed unto man to die once (Hebrews 9:27).  Therefore, because we know that Moses has already died once, the fact that it is appointed unto man to die once excludes Moses from being one of the “Two Witnesses” (as some suppose).
Example  In this understanding then, I propose that the two witnesses MUST BE Eliyeh and Enoch, because those two Old Covenant Prophets never physically died “in the flesh”.  They were carried away, into Heaven, before ever dying.
Example  Therefore, these two Prophets have witnessed every relevant event since being taken into heaven.  There are no two others like Eliyeh and Enoch!
Example  There are no others who qualify as “Witnesses”, who have never died…

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Final, Damning, Revelation:  There is another viewpoint to the Book of Revelation, however, which insists that the Book must also be viewed symbolically and not literally.  Although symbolism is extremely important throughout Elohim’s Word, I am not altogether certain that we can simply discard the literal application of His expressed Word, and side solely with a symbolic view.

Nevertheless, looking at the Revelation of Yehoshua symbolically, some believe that the ‘Word of Elohim’ and ‘The Holy Spirit of Elohim’ represent the two witnesses.
Example  In order to “prove” this though, too much Scriptural manipulation (spiritualizing) must be done, and too many other Prophetic passages must be completely overlooked.  You know how I feel about that!
Example  Anyway, Yehoshua has already died on the cross for us, which automatically eliminated Him from “Witnessing” matters which also contain the events of His Own life!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Final, Damning, Revelation:  Anyway, based on a literal view of the Word of Elohim, His two witnesses will prophesy to the world at some point in time toward the middle and end of the tribulation period.
Example  For three and one half years they will witness unto humanity the fullness and reality of Elohim.  I state this emphatically because of what Elohim says.

Example  In Revelation 9:12 we are told that the first “woe” is past. Then, after the two witnesses are killed by the “beast”; after they are left to rot in the streets for three and one half days; after they are resurrected by the breath of life from Elohim; after being called up into heaven (Snatched away) in full view of the entire world, we are told,

Example  “In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth part of the city fell; and in the earthquake were killed seven thousand people.  And the remnant was afraid, and gave glory to the Elohim of heaven” (Revelation 11:7-13 ENB).
Example  The city in which this great earthquake occurs is Jerusalem, the seven thousand killed are among those dwelling in Jerusalem, and the remnant that gives glory unto Elohim are of the tribe of Israel – including the tribe of Yehudah.

In the same hour that the two witnesses are snatched away,
Yehudah and the other tribes of Israel finally turn to YEHOSHUA!

Example  After these events Elohim said, “The second woe is past; behold, the third woe comes quickly” (Revelation 11:14 ENB).
Example  One “woe” had fallen upon the world population, and the children of Elohim remained to prophesy.
Example  One woe had brought devastation to humanity and the land, yet the faithful servants of Elohim remained to proclaim His mercy and deliverance through Yehoshua the Messiah.

Example  Look what happens though:  After the Two Witnesses ascend up to heaven, “In a cloud; and their enemies watched them” (Revelation 11:12),
Example  The second woe is administered, and THE EYES OF all Israel, including, Yehudah ARE OPENED.
Example  The snatching, prophesied to occur at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-52), is foretold thus: “For the Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the sound of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air, and so we shall forever be with the Master” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ENB).

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - A Final, Damning, Revelation:  The Snatching happens exactly as and when expected, “And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, ‘Come up here.’ And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies watched them” (Revelation 11:12 ENB).

And the final trumpet sounds as the second woe is administered (Revelation 11:15), and the third “woe” involves the wrath of Elohim.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Proof in The Testing:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Proof in The Testing:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Proof in The Testing:  Read my earlier observations about the PAROUSIA, ANISTEMI and APANTESIS, my friend, and see if what occurs in Revelation 11:7-13, as I am teaching it here, does not parallel the fullness and truth of ALL these observations.
Example  Test the spirits in all matters too, because as these observations prove, Yehoshua is glorified and magnified throughout the tribulation period by His victorious Ekklesia, and the pre-tribulation teaching is just another destructive, diluting spirit.

The Ekklesia will see tribulation, but the Ekklesia will come off victorious thru the great tribulation.  The Ekklesia will suffer tremendous agony at the hands of the one who opposes the Messiah, (and the beast, and the false prophet), but the Name of Yehoshua will be glorified and magnified throughout the harvest period – by and in His Body!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Anything other than Pre-Wrath are lies and deceptions:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Anything other than Pre-Wrath are lies and deceptions:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Anything other than Pre-Wrath are lies and deceptions:  Those who proclaim a “pre-tribulation rapture” are teaching lies and deceptions, and here is why:

Example  How do you suppose professing ‘christians’ will react when the one who opposes the Messiah is revealed, and they believe they will be gone before that happens?
Do you think they might be deceived?
Example  What do you think they will do when the mark of the beast is imposed, having believed they would not see this event? Will they receive the mark, believing it to be something other than what it is?
Example  Elohim says, “The love of many shall grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).  Do you think being unprepared for the lawlessness of the great tribulation will have anything to do with their love growing cold, or with their inability to endure to the end?
Example   I fervently believe that in proclaiming a “pre-tribulation rapture”, the false practitioners of Babylon are accomplishing all these things, but we must not be deceived.  Those with eyes Must See, and those with ears Must Hear!
But HOW, if we do not speak-out with zeal and passion?

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Anything other than Pre-Wrath are lies and deceptions:  Where Elohim has provided everything we need to survive, the false prophets, the false pastors, the false teachers; the one who opposes the Messiah, and all who have come, and who are to come, and who are living among us, who are not Elohim’s children, desire only our apostasy.
Example  The Nicolaitans drool in their efforts to deny us the fulfillment of our life purpose!
Example  And every teaching that promotes a pre-tribulation event bows to mankind’s desire for pleasure, and distaste for pain…
Example  Furthermore, these squabbles put the ‘christian’ community, caught-up in these humanistic teachings, directly at odds with the needs and requirements of Elohim.

(Isn’t that what Satan has done throughout the history of mankind?)

Example  While some may twist and distort the Word of Elohim to their liking, and while we may all wish to hear nice things, the truth is:  In this world, trial and tribulation have followed the servants of Elohim throughout time, and Elohim does not change!

Example  Elohim has provided ample teachings on every significant matter, so we may grasp the reality and fullness of those things.  The snatching is no different!  We have been provided all the information needed to prepare our hearts for the tribulation to come.

Example  Only a pre-wrath snatching allows for an outpouring of Elohim’s grace throughout a great part of the tribulation period.
Example  And only a pre-wrath snatching permits the indwelling of His Holy Spirit within the entire body during the totality of that time.
Example  Furthermore, only a pre-wrath snatching maintains the unity of the body of Yehoshua, allowing for the suffering, trial and martyrdom prophesied.
Example  Similarly, only a pre-wrath snatching removes the Ekklesia gloriously, in celebration before the enemies of Elohim (Revelation 11:12).
Example  And finally, only a pre-wrath snatching parallels the Word of Elohim!

When the Two Witnesses are removed,
the Ekklesia goes with them.

The day of The Holy Spirit ends at this instant,
and the day of the Jew returns.

And the mystery of Elohim is complete!

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Anything other than Pre-Wrath are lies and deceptions:  While we are to encourage one another with the full and truthful teaching of the Snatching, and while we are to be comforted in these words, especially as the day draws near (1 Thessalonians 4:18), Satan has distorted the teaching to destroy all hope.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Anything other than Pre-Wrath are lies and deceptions:  This should come as no surprise to us, however, because Elohim told us to expect the distortion of His Word.  The self-serving, tribulation avoiding, “pre-tribulation rapture”, is a Satanic distortion, and the call of Elohim to us, that we must, “Come out of her, My people”, speaks toward turning away from all false teachings.

We must hear His cry from Heaven and obey!
Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Closing Thoughts:

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) – Closing Thoughts:

With all humility and sincerity, I submit this prophetic word to you, and pray that your investigation of these matters will result with your peace and joy in the plan designed by our Elohim.

Do not be deceived, beloved brethren, Elohim never promised that we would not have tribulation.  If anything, His Word is replete with the facts of suffering and endurance by His people…

But to that, today we can and must always add that we also have DELIVERANCE through Yehoshua ha Mashiach as well.

How arrogant Babylon is, in thinking that they would be treated differently!

Endure well, my friend, and may the grace of Elohim abound in your walk with Him.

I remain faithfully your brother in Yehoshua our Messiah and Master,

larryv

LEGEND:
The Screwtape Letters; C.S. Lewis, 1942; Originally published: 1st, Touchstone of New York; Simon & Schuster, 1996.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - Concordance:

Letter 18 Topical Concordance:

Apostasy:
Old Covenant: Isaiyeh (all); Jeremiyeh (all) – see: Jeremiyeh 2 (all), 8:5; Ezekiel (all); Hosea 4&5 (all), 14:4; Zephaniyeh 1:12.

New Covenant: Matthew 12:29, 21:28-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Hebrews 10:38-39; Revelation 3:1-22.

Martyrdom:
New Covenant: John 15:18, 16:2; Acts 7:54-60, 12:2; 1 Peter 4:1-2; Revelation 6:9-11, 11:1-13, 12:17, 13:7-10,15-18, 14:9-13.

Mysteries, The 10:
1. Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8; Colossians 1:25-26, 2:2.
2. Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3.
3. Romans 11:25; Ephesians 3:3-6; Colossians 1:27.
4. 1 Corinthians 4:1, 13:2, 14:2; Ephesians 1:9, 3:9, 5:32.
5. 1 Timothy 3:9.
6. 1 Timothy 3:16.
7. 2 Thessalonians 2:7.
8. Revelation 17:5-7.
9. Revelation 1:20
10. 1 Corinthians 15:51.

Persecution & Suffering:
New Covenant: John 15:18-20, 16:33; Acts 11:19, 16:23-25; Romans 8:17, 12:14; Philippians 1:29, 3:7-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-8; 2 Timothy 2:12, 3:10-12; 1 Peter 2:21, 3:14; Revelation 2:2.

Snatching (Rapture):
Old Covenant: Genesis 19:1-26; Exodus 5:6-19; Job 36:20; Psalms 27:4-6; Isaiyeh 34:8, 48-49(all), 54:9-10, 63:4, 66:7-9; Jeremiyeh 3:14-15, 5:10-13, 11:23, 14:13-16,17:16, 23:12,16-22, 34:14; Ezekiel 13(all); Daniel 7:21-28, 11:31-35, 12:1; Amos 3:7, 5:18-20, 9:9-10; Zephaniyeh 1:12.

New Covenant: Matthew 13:41-43,47-50, 16:28, 17:1-3, 24-25 (all); Mark 9:1, 13(all); Luke 13:35, 17:26-35, 21:8-36; John 9:4-5, 15:19-20; Acts 1:9-11, 8:39-40, 10:34, 14:22, 28:15; Romans 1:18, 2:9-11, 5:9; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 2 Corinthians 5:2-3,10:7, 11:23-28; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 3:13, 4:13-18, 5:1-3,9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7,10, 2:1-5, 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 2-3(all), 6:9-11, 7:9-14, 9:1,4,13, 10:7, 11:2,15-17, 12-13(all), 14:9-20, 15-16(all), 17:12, 18:7, 19(all).2, 18:7, 19(all).

Tribulation:
Old Covenant: Genesis 37-50 (all); Exodus 1:10-12, 14:14; Job (all), 42:10; Psalms 13 (all), 30:1-6, 34:19, 79 (all), 105 (all), 107 (all), 108:12-13, 119(all); Ecclesiastes 7:14; Isaiyeh (all), 41:1-16, 54; Yeremiyeh (all), 34:14; Daniel 7:21-28, 8(all); Hosea (all); Joel (all); Amos 3:7.

New Covenant: Matthew 5:11-12, 10:24-25, 21:33-40; Mark 13:7-21; Luke 9(all), 14:26-35; John 11:54, 15:18-20, 16:4, 16:20-33; Acts 5:40-41, 9:16, 13:50, 14:22, 16:23-25, 24:27; Romans 5:3, 8:17-18, 8:28-30, 8:35-37; 2 Corinthians 1:4-11, 4:7-11, 4:15-18, 6:4-10, 7:4; Galatians 4:15; Philippians 1:12-14, 1:29, 2:14-16, 3:7-11; Colossians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 3:2-3, 3:7, 5:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-8; 2 Timothy 1:8-11, 2:12, 3:1,12; Hebrews 4:16, 10:32-34, 11(all), 12:3; James 1:2-4, 1:12, 5:1-10; 1 Peter 1:6-9, 2:20 ff, 3:13-17, 4:1-2, 4:12-19, 5:9-10; 1 John 3:13; Revelation (all), 2:9-10, 6:12-17.

Witnesses, the two, and the 144,000 sealed bondservants:
Old Covenant: Exodus 7-12 (the signs of Moses); Numbers 12:3-8; 2 Kings 6:18; Psalms 89:48; Zechariyeh 4:11-14.

New Covenant: Revelation 7, 11(all), 14:1-5.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - To The Exalted Name Bible

VISIT THE EXALTED NAME BIBLE

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - To The Copyrights

Letters of Faith™
Copyright © 1988-2022,
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Lawrence T. Vosen, PhD.

All Scripture used within The Letters of Faith are taken from
The Exalted Name Bible™ ENB™
Copyright © 2011-2022,
2nd Edition © 2018-2022
Lawrence T. Vosen, PhD.  Used with permission.

Letter 18: Tribulation & The Snatching (Rapture) - PRO LIFE White Ribbon

ProLife Flag - Endorsed by ENB