1 Th 5:2
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (KJV)
Here those that teach the imminent rapture, say that the Day of the Lord (the rapture) comes as a thief in the night. That we don't know when it will take place, that it is imminent. but if they would only read down a few verses they would see this as an error.
1 Th 5:4
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (KJV)
The Day of the Lord will come as a thief to those that are in darkness, not to those that walk in the light! The only ones who will be surprised are the ungodly, not the church!
Did you know that Elijah is to come before the Day of the Lord? It is true!
Mal 4:5
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: (KJV)
Have you ever heard that before? Have you ever thought much about it? Did you know the the person commonly referred to as the anti-christ is to be revealed before the Day of the Lord/rapture?
2 Th 2:3-4
3 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;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (KJV)
These verses show that there are two things that must happen before the rapture, they are: 1) a falling away; and 2) the man of sin being revealed. Those that teach "imminent rapture" say that the man of sin isn't revealed until after the rapture of the church, yet it is clear that the man of sin is revealed before the rapture.
Other things that must take place are the sun being darkened and the moon not giving forth light, and the stars of heaven shall fall. These things won't take place until after the tribulation. Yes you heard that correctly, after the tribulation.
Mk 13:24-27
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. (KJV)
Let me recap over the events that must occur before the Day of the Lord/rapture.
- Elijah must come first;
- A falling away;
- The man of sin is revealed;
- After the tribulation the following happens:
- the sun shall be darkened;
- the moon shall not give her light;
- the stars of heaven shall fall.
- They see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
This is a brief list, yet it shows that there is no "imminent rapture". There are events that shall happen before the Day of the Lord/rapture. This is clear and simple to see.
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