Jesus warned of these last days. We looked at Matthew 24.
Another account is given in the gospel of Luke. Jesus described how a rapture would appear in the chapter of Luke 17.
Luke 17:26-36
26And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
27They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
28Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
29but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
30Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
31‘In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.
32Remember Lot's wife.
33Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
34I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
35Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
36Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.’
We recall here Daniel 9 is the account Jesus pointed to for the disciples to notice, the abomination in the Holy Temple in Israel.
From the book of Daniel, we've learned this tribulation period will be seven years.
From the old testament point of view, it will be heralded in by the arrival of the Antichrist who makes a peace treaty with Israel for seven years.
From the new testament perspective, it will be heralded in by the rapture of the Church, ready and waiting to meet Jesus in the clouds.
Jesus explains the rapture in this way: ‘…One will be taken and the other left…’ (Luke 17:34-36).
To many Christians waiting for that day it seems bittersweet to know of the horror that will be coming upon the Earth, and yet they will be with Jesus.
Revelation 6:1-2 tells about the seals of judgment.
The first seal is the White Horse, with a conqueror riding upon it, the Antichrist who is given authority to conquer.
Note his bow and crown given to him (Jesus already has many crowns).
The Antichrist makes a treaty for peace with Israel for seven years. He breaks that treaty after three and half years, as described by Daniel.
Many Christians catch their breath to hear how a peace treaty is being pursued within the Middle East.
THUS the tribulation for those still upon the Earth begins.
Revelation 6:3-4, the second seal reveals the Red Horse and a warrior who takes peace from the Earth.
Verses 5-6, the third seal is opened and reveals a Black Horse. He who sat on him carries scales in his hand.
Food will be scarce and measured out. Famine will be upon the Earth.
Verses 7-8, the fourth seal is opened and reveals a Pale Horse and Death is riding on it, and Hell following.
A quarter part of the Earth's population is wiped out.
Verses 9-11 tells that when Jesus opened the fifth seal, it revealed the souls of martyrs under the alter. They were given white robes and told to rest until other martyrs would join them later.
Verse 12 tells of the opening of the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake and the sun became black as sackcloth and the moon became as blood.
Jesus foretold this in Matthew 24:29.
It is good to remember here that Israel has always been looking for their Messiah, and they are waiting for Him to come. Christians are waiting for Him to come again.
He'll come once more in the clouds and after the judgment He'll come to Earth to reign with His saints.
Revelation 6 finishes with verse 17, ‘For the great day of His wrath has come, and who shall be able to stand?’
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