MULTIPLE RAPTURES

INDUCTIVE BIBLE TOPIC STUDY

MULTIPLE RAPTURES

Dennis Schmidt 12/2006

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This paper discusses multiple raptures. The rapture means to translate people to the other heavenly realms. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: I will show a number of raptures: some that already occurred and some that will occur at the end times tribulation. The man child of Revelation 12:5 is the Overcomer saints (Revelation 2 & 3) who will be pre-tribulation raptured. The debate in theological circles as to whether the saints will go through the tribulation should include several raptures. The saints are to prepare themselves to be used by God. God will take some by death and others will be raptured.

Matthew 24:31 "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,"

PURPOSE: From being raptured the Christian shall appear with Jesus in God’s glory.

Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, <who is> our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

Titus 2:13 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"

KEY VERSE:

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

WHO: God written mostly by Bible authors Matthew, John, and Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: The debate in theological circles as to whether the saints will go through the, or not, tribulation should include several raptures. The saints are to prepare themselves to be used by God. God will take some by death and others will be raptured.

Matthew 24:31 "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,"

WHY: God has a purpose for each person. The person who is raptured is blessed by God. Others are blessed in suffering for God.

Isaiah 57:1 "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth <it> to heart: and merciful men <are> taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil <to come>."

Luke 21:36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Why pray this if no pre-tribulation rapture/protection is possible?

1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Revelation 3:10 "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."

WAY: God will rapture people by calling them to Himself in a super-natural way that does not include their deaths.

Revelation 11:12 "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."

WHEREAS: Raptures in four different time periods with one of them the person returns after going to heaven.

2 Kings 2:11 "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

2 Corinthians 12:4 "How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Paul returns to the earth after his rapture.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Revelation 12:5 "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."

WHERE: The central place is in Jerusalem, Israel; however, people will be raptured all over the earth.

Joel 2:31-32 "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. {32} And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."

WHEN: Raptures have occurred in many time periods.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,"

WHILE: God raptures people to save them from evil to come.

Isaiah 57:1 "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) SCRIPTURE WORDS USED FOR RAPTURE:

II) GENERAL CHURCHES DOCTRINES CONCERNING THE RAPTURE:

A) PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE:

B) MID-TRIBULATION RAPTURE:

C) POST-TRI-PRE-WRATH RAPTURE:

D) POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE:

E) MULTIPLE RAPTURES:

III) EXAMPLES OF RAPTURES IN SCRIPTURES:

A) ENOCH:

B) ELIJAH:

C) JESUS:

D) PAUL:

E) PRE-TRIBULATION:

F) MID-TRIBULATION:

1) WOMAN = WEAK CHURCH:

2) GREAT TRIBULATION IS WRATH OF GOD:

3) CHRISTIAN'S AREN'T APPOINTED TO WRATH:

G) POST-TRIBULATION-PRE-WRATH:

H) 144,000:

I) TWO WITNESSES:

J) POST TRIBULATION - JESUS SECOND COMING:

K) UNBELIVERS/BELIVERS RAPTURE AND JUDGED:

IV) EVENTS OCCURING DURING THE END TIMES RAPTURES:

A) ALL ISRAEL SAVED:

B) CHRISTIANS WILL RETURN WITH CHRIST:

C) CHRISTIANS APPEAR AT JESUS SECOND COMING WITH HIM:

D) JESUS REIGNS 1,000 YEARS ON HIS THRONE IN JERUSALEM:

E) RESURRECTIONS & JUDGMENTS:

F) MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB:

V) CONCLUSION:

I) SCRIPTURE WORDS USED FOR RAPTURE: The word rapture is not found in scriptures. These other words are used for rapture in scriptures.

CAUGHT/WENT UP:

2 Corinthians 12:4 "How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Revelation 12:5 "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."

TAKEN/TOOK AWAY/UP/OUT:

Genesis 5:24 "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."

Isaiah 57:1 "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."

2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."

CHANGED & RAISED:

DELIVERED:

Daniel 12:1 "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

GATHER TOGETHER:

Matthew 24:31 "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,"

TRANSLATED:

Hebrews 11:5 "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

ASCENDED UP:

Revelation 11:12 "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."

REDEEMED:

Revelation 14:3-4 "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. {4} These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."

II) GENERAL CHURCHES DOCTRINES CONCERNING THE RAPTURE:

A) PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE: Saints are taken up before tribulation/7 years end days.

B) MID-TRIBULATION RAPTURE: Saints go through 1st tribulation or first half end days.

C) POST-TRI-PRE-WRATH RAPTURE: Saints taken after 1st tribulation/prior to God's wrath.

D) POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE: Saints are taken up at Jesus 2nd coming.

E) MULTIPLE RAPTURES: Saints are taken up in several raptures during 7 year end days tribulation period

III) EXAMPLES OF RAPTURES IN SCRIPTURES: These scriptures support the multiple raptures. They also prove that rapture doctrine is not a recent doctrine. They show raptures occurred earlier than end times at pre, mid, post tribulation pre-wrath, & post tribulation(s).

See my paper: "God's Plan and Purpose for the Ages" for more information on this subject.

A) ENOCH: Old Testament rapture.

Genesis 5:24 "And Enoch walked with God: and he <was> not; for God took him."

B) ELIJAH: Old Testament rapture.

See my paper: "Israel & Jewish People in God's Plan" for more information on this subject.

2 Kings 2:11 "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, <there appeared> a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

C) JESUS: Start of Last Days rapture.

See my paper: "Messianic Prophecies that Jesus Fulfilled" for more information on this subject.

Acts 1:9 "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

D) PAUL: He could have been in spirit or he had a true body (temporary) rapture.

2 Corinthians 12:3-4 "And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) {4} How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."

E) PRE-TRIBULATION: HE (ON FIRE CHRISTIANS) = OVERCOMERS = MANCHILD

See my paper: "End Times Events - Day of the Lord" for more information on this subject.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,"

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. {8} And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:" HE

Revelation 2:26-27 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: {27} And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." OVERCOMERS

Revelation 12:5 "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and <to> his throne." MAN-CHILD

F) MID-TRIBULATION: 1260 days after the Man-child is raptured, this group is raptured.

Revelation 12:1, 6, 13 "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: {6} And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. {13} And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."

1) WOMAN = WEAK CHURCH: Goes through the1st half of tribulation seven years end times.

2) GREAT TRIBULATION IS WRATH OF GOD: The Great Tribulation, 2nd three & half years of 7 years end times is the wrath of God against un-believers and not against the saints.

Matthew 24:21 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"

Revelation 16:1 "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."

3) CHRISTIAN'S AREN'T APPOINTED TO WRATH: Protected & raptured from God's wrath.

See my paper: "Grace" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Justification" for more information on this subject.

Isaiah 57:1 "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth <it> to heart: and merciful men <are> taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil <to come>."

1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"

G) POST-TRIBULATION-PRE-WRATH: After the Mid-trib. at the opening of the 6th seal.

Mark 13:24-27 "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."

Revelation 6:12-13 "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; {13} And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind."GENTILE & JEWISH CHRISTIANS results of 144,000/2 witnesses.

H) 144,000: After the Mid-Tribulation rapture. Due to 144,000 may include additional Christians.

Revelation 7:3-4 "Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. {4} And I heard the number of them which were sealed: <and there were> sealed an hundred <and> forty <and> four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."

Revelation 14:1 "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty <and> four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads."

Revelation 14:3-4 "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred <and> forty <and> four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. {4} These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, <being> the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."

I) TWO WITNESSES: After the Mid-tribulation rapture. May include additional Christians.

Revelation 11:3 "And I will give <power> unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred <and> threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

Revelation 11:11-12 "And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. {12} And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."

J) POST TRIBULATION - JESUS SECOND COMING:

Matthew 24:30-31 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. {31} And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

K) UNBELIVERS/BELIVERS RAPTURE AND JUDGED:

See my paper: "Judgment of Believers & Unbelievers" for more information on this subject.

Isaiah 26:19-21 "Thy dead <men> shall live, <together with> my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew <is as> the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. {20} Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. {21} For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."

Matthew 13:30, 39-43, 49 "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. {39} The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. {40} As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. {41} The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; {42} And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. {43} Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. {49} So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,"

2 Timothy 4:1 "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;"

IV) EVENTS OCCURING DURING THE END TIMES RAPTURES:

A) ALL ISRAEL SAVED:

See my paper: "Justification of Faith - Old Testament Doctrine" for more information on this subject.

Deuteronomy 4:30-31 "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; {31} (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them."

Psalms 50:3-5 "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. {4} He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. {5} Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

Jeremiah 30:7 "Alas! for that day <is> great, so that none <is> like it: it <is> even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."

Daniel 12:1 "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation <even> to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

Revelation 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

B) CHRISTIANS WILL RETURN WITH CHRIST: Saints earlier raptured to heavenly realm.

See my paper: "True Gospel for Salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "What is a Born-Again & How to Become One" for more information on this subject.

Deuteronomy 33:2 "And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand <went> a fiery law for them." Earlier raptures

Zechariah 14:5 "And ye shall flee <to> the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, <and> all the saints with thee." Earlier rapture

1 Thessalonians 3:13 "To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints"Earlier rapture

Jude 1:14 "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," Earlier rapture

C) CHRISTIANS APPEAR AT JESUS SECOND COMING WITH HIM: Saints would then have to be in heavenly realm by a raptures.

See my paper: "Jesus Two Comings as King" for more information on this subject.

Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, <who is> our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Earlier rapture

Titus 2:13 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"

Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Revelation 19:14 "And the armies <which were> in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."

D) JESUS REIGNS 1,000 YEARS ON HIS THRONE IN JERUSALEM:

Zechariah 14:9 "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one."

Revelation 5:10 "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

Revelation 19:15-16 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. {16} And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

E) RESURRECTIONS & JUDGMENTS:

Daniel 12:1-2 "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. {2} And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

John 5:27-29 "And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. {28} Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, {29} And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. {15} For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive <and> remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. {16} For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: {17} Then we which are alive <and> remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Revelation 20:5 "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection."

F) MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB: Raptured saints go to feast.

Matthew 25:10 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." See Entire Parable of Ten Virgins:

Revelation 19:7-9 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. {8} And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. {9} And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."

V) CONCLUSION:

I have shown a number of raptures: some that already occurred and some that will occur at the end times tribulation. The man child of Revelation 12:5 is the Overcomer saints (Revelation 2 & 3) who will be pre-tribulation raptured. The debate in theological circles as to whether the saints will go through the tribulation should include several raptures. The saints are to prepare themselves to be used by God. God will take some by death and others will be raptured.

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