The Secret Rapture. Lorraine Day, M.D.

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1 The Secret Rapture Lorraine Day, M.D. PREFACE (by David Winter) The word rapture never appears anywhere in the text of the Holy Bible. It is an additive that has been put in and is outside of the Biblical text and is used in support of a wrong teaching. Foolishly many have accepted it. Be honest with yourself, what do you immediately think about when the word Rapture is mentioned? It certainly is not the Biblical account of the First and Second Resurrection. The Bible uses the words The First and Second Resurrection to explain this event. This focuses our attention upon the text and the context of the Holy Bible instead of diverting people s attention onto the false teaching called the Secret Rapture. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the which heaven and earth pass away with a GREAT NOISE, unexpectedly, without warning. This event is a not a secret, it is only the lead up to this event that is kept in secret and explains how unexpectedly this thief in the night event will occur; in the which heaven and earth pass away with a great noise etc Secondly, a millennial reign with our Lord Jesus of those beheaded and redeemed souls is in heaven and not on earth. This is the verse that a lot of people use to try and confirm a thousand year reign of our Lord Jesus Christ upon this earth. Nowhere in the text is there ANY SUGGESTION that this reign is here upon this earth either before it or after it. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Revelation 20:4 John states that he saw the souls of them that were beheaded. These souls are in heaven and not on earth for the Scripture tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore this millennial reign of Revelation 20:4 is a reign with our Lord Jesus in HEAVEN and not on the earth. The text itself does not in any way suggest that it is on the earth. This is adding to the Scripture something that is not there to support a wrong teaching and to protect Antichrist doctrines and teaching created by the Roman Catholic Church. This interpretation of Revelation chapter 20 is in perfect harmony with the rest of the New Testament; and the Old Testament prophets have not a word to say about a millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ here on earth neither before nor after His Second Advent. Clearly the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ will mean the end of this world. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Proverbs 19:9. This concludes the preface by David Winter. THE DOCTRINE OF SECRET RAPTURE TEACHES THE FOLLOWING. By Lorraine Day M.D. Many Christians believe that Christ's second coming will be in two stages: first, a secret rapture of the Church at the beginning of a seven year period of tribulation, followed by a visible, triumphant return of Christ to the earth, accompanied by the Church, at the close of a seven year period. They believe that during this seven year period there will be a great tribulation during which time, God will select and seal 144,000 literal Jews (who are sexually celibate) who will take the Gospel of the Kingdom to the whole world, converting innumerable souls to Christ. Question: Do the suffer in the trauma of the great tribulation with the rest of the world? The war of Armageddon, a literal war of nations against literal Israel, which occurs near the end of the seven year period, is brought to a halt by Christ's return with His Church. Then literal Israel accepts the Lord as the Messiah and enters with Him as His covenant people into a 1,000 year (millennial) reign on earth, known as the Kingdom Age. 1

2 Christ will rule directly over the earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem, where the typical temple services function again. Those who ultimately reject Christ's rule are eventually judged and destroyed at the end of the Millennium. The new believers will then receive immortality and eternity will begin. That is the doctrine of the Secret Rapture. Is this doctrine Biblical? Which texts support it? Are there other texts that deny this doctrine? How long has this doctrine been prevalent in Christianity? How did it begin, and who was or is it the primary promoter of it? SOURCES OF THE ORIGINAL TEACHINGS OF THE SECRET RAPTURE In early 1830, Margaret McDonald, a 15 year old Scottish Girl had visions that included a Secret Rapture of believers before the appearance of the Antichrist. Edward Irving ( ) her Scottish Presbyterian pastor and forerunner of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, attended prophecy conferences that began in Dublin Ireland in that same year, 1830, at Powerscourt Castle. There he promoted the doctrine of the Secret Rapture. John Nelson Darby ( ), a minister of the Church of Ireland, later became a member of the Plymouth Brethren and also promoted a Secret Rapture after attending the same Powerscourt Bible Prophecy meeting in 1830 where he learned of Margaret McDonald's vision. He visited Margaret McDonald at her home in Port Glasgow, Scotland, then later visited America several times where his Secret Rapture theology was quite well accepted. The writings of John Darby greatly influenced Cyrus Scofield ( ) who incorporated this doctrine in the notes of his Scofield Reference Bible, first published by Oxford University Press in One million copies were printed by 1930, firmly establishing this Futurist interpretation in the Bible schools and denominations of the United States in the 20th Century. Did this Secret Rapture doctrine really start with Margaret McDonald, John Darby and Cyrus Scofield, or did it originate much earlier? Historical evidence shows that it originated much earlier (1585). Before and during the Protestant Reformation, the Reformers embraced the "Historical" interpretation of the Bible, where the antichrist was clearly seen as a SYSTEM of apostasy and persecution rather than a single individual. John spoke of antichrist that "shall come" but he added that "even now are there MANY antichrists." 1 John 2:18 So we know that there are, and/or have been, MANY antichrists, NOT just one, AND that the system of antichrist was operating at the time John was writing, almost 2,000 years ago. The conclusion of those who studied these prophecies during the Reformation was that there was only one system that fit all the characteristics of the antichrist power: the papacy of the Roman Catholic Church. Its characteristics included the following: 1) It would rule "over many nations, people and tongues." In other words, it would be a universal world governing body Rev 13:7 2) It would claim authority over all kings Rev 17:18 3) Its leaders would make great and blasphemous claims against God. Rev 13:1,6 4) It would claim it had the power to change "times and laws." Dan 7:25 5) It would be a "mother" harlot church with apostate daughters coming from her. Rev 17:5 6) It would be an apostate church that would make all nations drink of her apostasy. Rev 14:8 7) It would persecute the saints of Jesus Christ. Revelation 13:7 8) It would rule for 1260 years (according to the "day-for-a-year" prophecy concept, adopted by many denominations) following the fall of pagan Rome and then would suffer what would appear to be a "deadly wound." Revelation 13:3, 12, 14 9) It would be revived after the deadly wound, and the whole world would wonder at its revival. It is not surprising that the Catholic Church was so violently opposed to the Bible being available for everyone to read for themselves. To control what they considered a heretical doctrine, the Catholic Church called for a special meeting, known as the Fifth Lateran Council ( ), which FORBADE anyone to publish a book without prior censorship. It also prohibited anyone from preaching on the subject of antichrist! The leaders of the Council and their governing body, the Catholic Church, also attempted to ban or burn all the Bibles, heretical books, and the heretics that owned or preached from them. One major characteristic identifying the antichrist power was this 1260 days prophecy (interpreted as 1260 prophetic years) of persecution of the "saints", which appeared to be fulfilled in the Catholic Church's persecution of Christians throughout the dark ages, beginning in 538 A.D., after the fall of the pagan Roman empire, and extending to 1798 when the Pope was taken prisoner by Napoleon (considered by some to be the "deadly wound" of Revelation 13:3, 12, 14). In order to divert attention AWAY from the Catholic Church as the antichrist power, a new interpretation would have to be found for this twelve century papal rule of the middle ages. This was done by rejecting the "Historical" interpretation of prophecy, and instead accepting the "Futurist" interpretation proposed by a Jesuit doctor of theology, Francisco Ribera ( ). In his book, entitled In Sacrum Beati Ioannis Apostoli, & Evangelistiae Apocalypsin Commentarij, he postulated that the 1260 day prophecy Rev 12:6 (42 months Rev 11:2, 13:5, or time, times and half a time Rev 12:14, - 3½ times were not 1260 years, but a literal 3½ years, or 1260 actual days, and therefore NONE of the book of Revelation had any application to the middle ages or the papacy. It applied to a future period just prior to the Second Coming of Christ, hence it was called "Futurism" or the "Futurist" interpretation of prophecy. Manuel De Lacunza ( ), a Jesuit priest from Chile, also advocated futurism in his manuscript entitled La Venida del Mesias en Gloria y Magestad ("The Coming 2

3 of the Messiah in Glory and Majesty"). Writing under the assumed name of Juan Josafa (Rabbi) Ben-Ezra, Lacunza hoped to obscure the fact that he was a Catholic, in order to give his book better acceptance in Protestantism. To make the prophecy fit its new interpretation, the 70 Weeks prophecy of Dan 9:24-27, beginning in 453 B.C. with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem Ezra 7:1-27 had to develop a "gap." Arbitrarily, the 70th week (7 days = 7 years) of Daniel's prophecy is detached from its context and placed at the end of the age, 2000 years later. This "week" will, according to its proponents, constitute the "seven year tribulation period," prior to which the Secret Rapture will occur. This "gap" theory states that all fulfillment of this prophecy is suspended until the Christian era is over. Then the last week of the 70 weeks prophecy becomes operative again, constituting the 7 year (a day is a year in prophecy*) period of tribulation. The "Secret Rapturists" teach that the first sixty nine weeks of this seventy-week prophecy (490 years) reached from 453 B.C. to 30 A.D., the year that Christ began His ministry. The "Historical" view teaches that the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 began in 453 B.C. and may have ended when Stephen was stoned to death in 37 A.D. It was at that time that the gospel went to the "Gentiles" and the "Jewish" people lost their place as those "Chosen" to spread God's message to the world. They had rejected Christ by calling for His crucifixion in the "middle of the week," in 33½ A.D. and then rejected Christ's followers by stoning Stephen to death 3½ years later, at the end of the 70th week (37 A.D.). *(1 day in prophecy = 1 year: Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6) Which Bible texts are used in support of this Secret Rapture Theory? (Also known as the Pre-tribulation Rapture) Even though these texts are used to support the Secret Rapture Theory, if one reads the entire passage, or in some cases just the complete verse, it is clear that they do NOT support this theory. A) 2 Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night..." This may suggest a secret event. However there's MORE. The last part of this verse says "... in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." Clearly this is NOT a secret event. It is only the lead up to this event that is kept in secret. "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" 2 Peter 3:11-13 The point of the example of Jesus coming as a "thief in the night" is NOT that it will be a secret event, but that He will come at a time when nearly everyone will NOT be expecting Him. The warning to the Christian believers is that we should constantly be holy in our conduct because Jesus could come when we least expect Him. B) Luke 12: "And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." Again, the warning is to be ready at all times, because Jesus will come at a time when we aren't expecting Him. This passage does NOT imply that His coming will be secret. C) 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. Again, the message here is NOT that Jesus' coming will be secret, but that it will occur at a time when most will not expect it, therefore we must WATCH! D) Revelation 16:15 "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:3 Again, the message is NOT that Jesus' coming will be secret, but that most will not be expecting it, therefore we must WATCH! "Garments" refers to our possessing Christ s righteousness, (See Philippians 3:9 and Zechariah 3:4-5) "lest he walk naked" (without righteousness). E) Matt 24:40-42 "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. WATCH therefore; for ye know NOT what hour your Lord doth come."the warning again is that His coming will be unexpected, NOT that His coming will be secret. All these Scripture verses are directed personally to Christians!!! 3

4 F) Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. We are told that if we watch and live righteously, we will NOT be caught unaware. Only the wicked will be caught unaware. G) Revelation 3:3 " If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. H) 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. This does not mean that we will not have go through the time of trouble, nor that we will not be persecuted. Jesus promised to be with us through our trials, not to remove us from them. Jesus prayed, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." John 17:15. Jesus NEVER promised us that we would escape persecution, in fact, He promised us that we WOULD be persecuted. "The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;" John 15:20 Texts that DISPROVE the Secret Rapture Theory 1) *** Do God's people live THROUGH the coming tribulation (including the seven last plagues) or are they raptured before the tribulation?" See Revelation 16:10-15: And the fifth angel poured out his vial (fifth plague) upon the seat of the beast; and they gnawed their tongues for pain... And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; (sixth plague) Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Revelation 16:15 Why would Jesus be coming "as a thief" AFTER six plagues are already poured out, if He had already come "as a thief" BEFORE they were poured out? Again warning Christians. 2) *** No one can enter the (heavenly - see Rev 15:1) temple UNTIL the seven last plagues are completed! Rev 15:8 "and no man was able to enter into the temple (in heaven - see vs. 1) till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." 3) *** They persecuted Jesus! They will persecute His followers! John 15:20 Jesus said "Remember the word that I said unto you. The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they persecuted Me, they WILL also persecute you." Dan 3:16-28 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had to ENTER the flames (be persecuted) but God was with them THROUGH the persecution. Psalm 96: Ancient Israelites, as a symbol of Christians in the time of the end, were delivered from Egyptian bondage AFTER the plagues, NOT BEFORE, so God's people will be protected THROUGH the plagues and delivered from the hand of the oppressor. 4) *** In this parable that Jesus told, the sheep and the goats are together UNTIL JESUS COMES. Matt 25:31-32 "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of glory. and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." 5) *** The Wheat and the Tares grow together until the END - THE HARVEST. Matt 13:24-30 In the parable of the wheat and tares, Jesus said "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." 6) God PROMISES us tribulation in this world. John 16:33 "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Luke 21:10-12 "Then said He unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But 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." Mark 13:9 "But 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." 7) Question: Doesn't 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 say that some will go first and others follow? Answer: No, it teaches that they will all go together. 4

5 1 Thess. 4:15-17 "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, for the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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 always be with the Lord." When Paul, who is the writer of these verses, say s then we which are alive and remain, -shows that he may have been expecting this event to happen whilst he was still alive, thus confirming that he did not believe in a SECRET RAPTURE. All those who are born again, and are dead in Christ, are partakers in the first resurrection. See John 3:3, 5-8, Romans 6:4-5, Romans 8:10-11, Colossians 3:3, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, "Parousia" vs "Apokalupsis" There are two Greek words that are translated "coming" in the Bible: parousia and apokalupsis. The Greek word "parousia" is translated "coming" 22 times, and translated "presence" only 2 times. Those who believe in a "secret rapture" say that "parousia" refers to the secret "coming" of Jesus in His "presence and that "apokalupsis" refers to the visible, glorious "coming" of Jesus in power, seven years later. In the mid-point of that time, at 3½ years, the antichrist will take charge. Yet both "parousia" and "apokalupsis" are used to describe the second coming, illustrated by its parallel in the "days of Noah." Matt 24:37 "As in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming (parousia) of the Son of Man be. Luke 17:26, 30 "As it was in the days of Noah... Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed (apokalupsis). These two texts describe the same event, Noah's flood, but one uses "parousia" and the other uses "apokalupsis" so any distinction as some suggest, is unwarranted. In 2 Peter 3:12, we read "looking for and hastening unto the coming (parousia) of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat." This "coming" (the word - parousia) is used in 2 Thess 2:1-4, 8 and says it will NOT happen until AFTER the Antichrist has been revealed. Those who believe in the secret rapture teach that it will occur BEFORE a seven year tribulation and BEFORE the Anti-Christ comes to power, which they believe will happen DURING a seven year tribulation. But the following passage says the Antichrist will come BEFORE the "parousia" occurs. In other words, there is NO pre-tribulation Secret Rapture! 2 Thess 2:1-4, 8 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for THAT DAY (the parousia) SHALL NOT COME except there come a falling away FIRST, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." Question: Those who teach the "Secret Rapture" believe in a "seven year tribulation period." Where did they get this doctrine? Their Answer: Daniel 9:24-27 speaks of a seventy-week prophecy (490 years). "Secret Rapture" believers teach that 69 weeks of this seventy-week prophecy (490 years) reached from 453 BC to 30AD, the year that Christ began His ministry. They then teach that the last week - the 70th week, doesn't take place for another 2000 years. They place the last week, the 70th week, way down at the end of time, the last 7 years of earth's history and falsely define it as the tribulation. NOTHING in the Bible suggests that this prophecy should be broken up in this way. NO OTHER Bible prophecy is broken up like this, with a 2000 year gap! Our Answer: The 70 weeks (490 years) is a CONTINUOUS prophecy which began in 453 BC and may have ended in 37 AD, the year Stephen was stoned to death (See Acts 7:58-60) and the gospel was then taken to the "Gentiles." Here's how the text reads: Daniel; 9:24-27 "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins (Jesus death on the Cross), and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (453 BC) unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks ( = 69 weeks - until the beginning of Jesus' Ministry, His baptism, in 30 AD), the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. "And after threescore and two weeks (the 62 weeks that followed the first 7 weeks) shall Messiah be cut off (literal translation: "suffer the death penalty"), but not for Himself;. "And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation (offering) to cease..." (Jesus' death on the Cross occurred in 33½ AD, in the "midst of the 70th week," which eliminated the need for the animal sacrifices in the temple). The 70th week may have ended in 37 AD when Stephen was stoned to death. Acts 7: The gospel then was taken to the "Gentiles", more properly translated "nations" which is the term the Bible uses for "unbelievers." 5

6 Summary: The Bible consistently teaches only ONE return of Christ and it will be a visible, world-wide, noisy event. "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." 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Christ's coming will be both seen and heard. An additional part of the Secret Rapture doctrine is that there will be a millennial kingdom set up on the earth when Jesus comes with His church and halts Armageddon. They believe that after the antichrist and his army are destroyed that Israel will accept the Lord as the Messiah and become His covenant people during this one thousand year "kingdom age." They believe that a third temple will have been built and Jesus will personally reign over the nations in their mortal state from the throne of David in Jerusalem. They believe that animal sacrifices will begin again, even though Jesus death on Calvary did away with them. At the end of the millennium, those who do not accept Christ will be destroyed and eternity will begin. In our opinion, this interpretation of Scripture is incorrect for the following reasons that are added by David Winter 1) Our Lord Jesus Christ s sacrificial death on a cruel cross has caused the temple sacrifice and oblation to cease forever. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease Even until the consummation, Daniel 9:27 The consummation is the complete end of this world that occurs when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. The consummation happens at the sudden return of our Lord Jesus Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, and causes the Big Bang (great noise) of 2 Peter 3:10, which occurs at the end of Revelation 20:9-15 and results in the New Heavens and New Earth appearing in Revelation 21:1. This means that the animal sacrifice and the oblation (tithing system) will never be carried out again. This also means that despite of any kind of preparations that are made; a new Jewish Temple will never be built again. The interpretation of Revelation chapter 20 is in perfect harmony with the rest of the New Testament; and the Old Testament prophets have not a word to say about a millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ here on earth neither before nor after His Second Advent. Clearly the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ will mean the end of this world. 2) The Temple of God has always been in the past in Jerusalem, but it no longer exists. However, the seat of the Antichrist has always been in ROME. (See Revelation 2:13) It is possible that (a) through all the changes that are in the texts of the corrupted bibles, which claim to be the word of God, and (b) the false doctrines and teachings that prevail in the churches of today, and (c) the throne of David no longer exists in Jerusalem, and (d) that the Temple of God in Jerusalem has been destroyed, and (e) the abomination that makes desolate (that is the Dome of the Rock) is standing in its place, that the Antichrist will be able to convince the world that the Temple of God is now in ROME, and that is where he will sit trying to convince the world that he is God. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4) 3) 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 4) Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 5) Our Lord Jesus Christ reigns for ever and ever. Exodus 15:18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. Psalms 146:10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Our Lord Jesus reigns for ever and ever not for just for a 1000 years, and this reign is not upon this earth. Revelation 20:4 clearly states that the beheaded souls reign with Christ for a 1000 years in HEAVEN, and not upon this earth. The earth is not even mentioned in this verse, yet they are added onto by false doctrine and teaching. End of the added notes by David Winter. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He loves everyone the same and He has just ONE plan for ALL! We believe that the Biblical view is as follows: There is ONE and ONLY ONE return of Christ, the Second Coming. It will NOT be a secret event. When He comes, every eye will see Him. so it will be a world-wide phenomenon, and it will be a loud, cataclysmic event. This will occur AFTER the tribulation. The righteous dead will be resurrected by Christ and they, with the righteous living, will be caught up in the air to meet the Lord to ascend to heaven for ever. Conclusion: The teaching of a Secret Rapture and escape from persecution will be a devastating deception for Christians. Persecution and suffering have always been God's means of strengthening His people and producing strong character. Even Jesus "learned obedience through suffering." (Hebrews 5:8) Jesus guarantees that, if we speak His truth boldly, we WILL suffer persecution. Satan wants to impede and restrain strength and character building in Christians by getting us focused on ESCAPING trouble and persecution instead of our preparing to GO THROUGH PERSECUTION, even to the point of death. When these "soft" Christians are confronted with heavy persecution, what will happen to them, will they stand or fall?