The Mid-Trib/Post-Trib Rapture Controversy

[saint701]

Hello Christianity Oasis, All...


Blessings!

(Para 1) I spent a good portion of the recent winter months researching commentary regarding the various rapture theories...was frustrating to the nth degree, but I must say I did find one scripture a person could begin to build his rapture theory on, that being Daniel 7:25.

Daniel 7:25

[25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

(Para 2) In that scripture Daniel clearly states that "SAINTS" will be given into the hands of the anti-christ for three and one half years. My question is, which period of 3.5 years does Daniel 7:25 refer to, the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation or the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation? Are there scriptures that might help us understand which time frame is being discussed there? Let us see.

Just remember we are investigating scriptures that might help us understand whether we will be subject to the antichrist's rule; whether it be the first 3.5 years of the tribulation period or the 2nd. I believe an oft' neglected set of scriptures in 2.Thes.2 make a strong case that the period in question will be the first 3.5 years of the antichrist's reign. There we read: 2Thes.2
[1] Now we beseech you, brethren,[b] by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,[/b]
[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us,[b] as that the day of Christ is at hand.[/b]
[3] Let no man deceive you by any means:[b] for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;[/b]

Here the Apostle Paul clearly says to us that certain events of preeminent importance, (surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way) (Google Dictionary), must happen before our Lord can come get us or that His day is at hand. Please read on.

(Para 3) As I read, researched, studied commentary, and kept my head spinning for a few winter months, I came upon the scriptures, Matthew 13:30 and Matthew 13:38-39. It is my belief that these two scriptures hold the key to answering our fundamental question stated in paragraph (2) above. Which period of 3.5 years does Daniel 7:25 refer to, the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation or the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation?

Matthew 13:30

[30] 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.

Why Matt: 13:30? It pinpoints the time of the Rapture...it occurs at the harvest.

Matthew 13:38-39

[38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
[39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Why Matt 13:38-39? Matthew 13-38 tells us who the participants are in the harvest, and Matthew 13:39 tells us when the havest will occure, i.e., the end of the world.

Combining Daniel 7:25 with Matthew 13:30-38-39 begs the question, when is the END OF THE WORLD? Is there a verse in scripture that describes an exchange of world dominance from the hands of one controlling authority into the hands of another controlling authority? [b]YES!!![/b]

We find that scripture in The Book of Revelation, Chapter 11, verse 15.

[15] And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, [b]The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; [/b]and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Ok, but is there another scripture we can rely on to confirm that the harvest occurs when the 7th angel sounds? Yes there is.

1Cor.15
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,[b] at the last trump[/b]: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.


Blessings!
Love, In Christ Jesus, Saint701.