Most High God Ministries

What is the rapture and will it happen before the tribulation?

It is recorded in the Holy Bible that Jesus will return to the earth and gather all his chosen people unto himself for it is written, “. 51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In 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. 53For this corruptible must put on in-corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on in-corruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I Corinthians 15:51-57

Some people have referred to this as the rapture.

It is recorded again for it is written, “13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For 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. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thessalonians 4:13-18

It is no doubt that the believers in Christ Jesus shall be reunited with him upon his return.

The question is will it be before or after the Tribulation of Satan upon the earth?

Many people have taught that Jesus is going to return to earth and remove all those who believe on him from the earth before the trouble comes upon them.

Some have taught that we are going to be called up into heaven before the hard times, before the words of Jesus should ever come to past.

Jesus spoke of a great tribulation that will come upon the earth before he was to return for it is written, “21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matthew 24:21

Jesus also tells us what will happen immediately after the tribulation for it is written, “29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And 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. 31And 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.” Matthew 24:29-31

Jesus teaches in great detail how these things will come to past for it is written, “40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43But know this that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man comes. 45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing. 47Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming; 49And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:40-51

Based upon the words of Jesus Christ this rapture that is to occur will happen after the believers live through the tribulation of Satan.

Jesus describes what it will be like for believers during this time for it is written, “9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 13:9-13

Jesus continues to says, “10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 13And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:10-19

However this is nothing to fear for the true servants of Jesus because God has shortened the days of the tribulation for the elect sake so that we would survive for it is written,“22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:22

Some preachers have taught that we as believers will avoid the troubles of the end of the world by being rapture up to Jesus, but let us see what the Bible says for it is written, “9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred’s, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worship God, 12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, what are these, which are arrayed, in white robes? And whence came they? 14And I said unto him, Sir, thou know. And he said to me, these are they, which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-14

God has the power to do whatever he wants to do. We will not be silly enough to limit what God can do, just as he called Enoch and Elijah to heaven without them seeing death he can call you also. Hebrews 11:5 and also II Kings 2:11

But the book of Revelation directly tells us that we will be here on earth during the great tribulation of Satan.

It should not be taught that believers are going to fly away before the tribulation comes, Jesus warned us of this truth.

So then what can we concluded?

Jesus is coming back to gather his saints from the four corners of the earth, but I pray that your hearts do not fail you during the time of tribulation because you believed that you were flying away for it is written, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.”
Ephesians 6: 13

Until next time I Love you

Minister Lamar F. Porter

Most High God Ministries

3/23/11