About the "Rapture"

by Alan Finch
(Arizona)

I came across this website for the 1st time today. I am in complete agreement with the author of this article on his concerns on how important it is for Christians to understand that there is a no Pre-Tribulation Rapture, in the hope that Christians will prepare themselves for the great trial of our faith which is soon to come. With all of my being, I would like to emphasize how "VITAL" it is and is going to be for us to be filled with the Written Word of God, which can only come from immersing ourselves into God's Word and meditating upon it.

In 2010, I asked the Lord to lead me to a passage of Scripture that would be clear in showing that there is a no Pre-Tribulation Rapture. The Lord brought to my remembrance a passage of Scripture that is found in Daniel 7:21-22. I then wrote an article "About the Rapture" and e-mailed a copy to quite a number of web-sites that strongly believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Only one individual responded to my e-mail. However, this individual did not address the passage of Scripture that I submitted to him. He completely ignored it. There is one website that is quite large in which an individual challenged anyone to give him a passage of Scripture that proves that there is a no Pre-Tribulation Rapture. On 3 different occasions, I sent him my article, but he never responded.

Now, to share with you the article:

In the Book of Daniel, there is a passage of Scripture which upon careful examination will give the reader a good understanding that a "Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Saints" (a catching away) does not take place. Since the Bible devotes a great deal of attention to the End-Times, it is pretty clear that this is of "GREAT IMPORTANCE" to the Lord, because HE wants the End-Time Saints to be fully aware of what awaits them, which will help prepare them for the "GREAT DECEPTION" and the "FIERY TRIAL" which is to come. So, understanding that there is a no "Pre-Tribulation Rapture" is of MONUMENTAL IMPORTANCE to the End-Time Saint!

Daniel 7:21 - I beheld, and the same "horn" made war with the Saints, and prevailed against them.

Daniel 7:22 - Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High; and the time came that the Saints possessed the kingdom.

We are clearly told in this passage of Scripture, that War is made with the Saints "until" Christ comes back, at which time judgment is then given to the Saints and then they will possess the Kingdom.

There has been much confusion and different viewpoints in the Church about when "THE RAPTURE" (the catching away) is going to take place. Daniel 7:21 does not tell us that "War" is made with those who become Saints after "THE RAPTURE" (the catching away) of earlier Saints (Pre-Tribulation Saints). This verse and the following verse, just simply tells us that "War" will be made with the Saints "until" the return of Christ.

I want to strongly re-empathize the point that WE ARE NOT BEING TOLD in verse 21 that the "horn" makes "War" with those who become Saints after "THE RAPTURE" (the catching away) of previous Saints. If that were the case, because of how "MONUMENTAL" this event is going to be, the Lord would have clearly stated this, so that there would be no room for confusion. In fact, if there is to be a "Pre-Tribulation Rapture," I find it to be a GREAT MYSTERY as to why the Lord would not have given us at least one passage of Scripture that is worded in such a way as to clearly state that the "antichrist" makes "War" with those who become Saints "after" the "CATCHING AWAY" of earlier Saints. The above passage of Scripture certainly would have given the Lord a "ROYAL OPPORTUNITY" to have clearly stated that there will first be a "CATCHING AWAY" of the Saints, and then the "horn" makes "War" with those who become Saints during the "GREAT TRIBULATION." From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation we find no such passage of Scripture that states this. God is not the author of confusion!

Note from Watchman Bob: I am thankful to the Lord for Alan's excellent addition to this chapter on the Rapture. I would like to add one observation: The exact same prophecy (Daniel 7:21) is repeated in Revelation 13:7.