All Doves, 

Much has been presented in prophetic theories as to the timing of the rapture and many verses shown that supposedly support certain people's positions, and I have considered and studied and meditated on this for some time, and am now compelled to present what I consider to be infallible scriptural proof that many people have misconceptions about this, and I feel led to attempt to clear it up.

    Let's first look at Mat.24:36-44

³⁶ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

³⁷ But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

³⁸ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

³⁹ And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

⁴⁰ Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

⁴² Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

⁴³ But know this, that if the goodman 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.

⁴⁴ Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Okay you will notice for starters that it is the wicked that are taken away, despite the supposition that this is an ensample of the Rapture. Also you notice that some are taken and some are left. The popular supposition is that this could only be the Rapture because people are taken apparently by surprise, and that anyone in the tribulation should be able to count 7 years and remain steadfastly prepared until the 2nd coming so this can't be it. This is presumptuous and foolhardy at best as I will explain shortly. And another assumption is that they are taken completely unaware oblivious and un-watchful which would imply the Rapture, yet another foolish assumption.

Look at Dan.7: 21, 25

²¹ I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

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.

To presume that with all the delusion, devil possession, brainwashing and calendar manipulation alluded to in these verses, and the persecution and martyrdom, how could anyone imagine that the whole of mankind in the tribulation could survive with their wits intact, or their perception of time.

Look at 2 Thess.2:9-12

⁹ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Notice that they will receive delusion from God for sin. Which is not to say they cannot be delivered and be saved. Many believers in the tribulation will be able to work signs and wonders and miracles as per Jesus commands and example.

Lu.10:18-19¹⁸ And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

¹⁹ Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Mat.10:7-8

 ⁷ And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

⁸ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

At this point I digress, because it's easy to go down a rabbit hole confirming and accentuating bible truth. In part 2 I will offer more compelling evidence to support this in the form of countless verses, Old testament parallels and shadows of the 2nd coming, Paul's own testimony that supports this, etc.

Blessings all

Alan T