Doves, 

In continuation I would like to like to elaborate on the claim that since the Rapture, like the Dispensation of the grace of God , was hidden through the ages but revealed to Paul. And this " Mystery" was  NOT revealed for a reason, and any prophetic reference to it would have been purposely obscured.

Look at Ga. 1:11-12

¹¹ But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

¹² For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

And why did God withhold what he had planned, to offer mercy and salvation to all equally ?Surely we have a foreordained role to serve. See these verses.

1 Cor.6:3

³ Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

1 Cor.2:6-9

⁶ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

⁹ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Col. 2:15

¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Col.3:1

¹ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Now I want to shift gears and start to cover the verses directly discussing the 2nd Coming of our Lord Jesus. This will be resumed in Pt. 5, where  I would like to address the misconception that any references to " like a thief in the night," MUST be the rapture. To quell this nonsense , As a teaser I would like you to look at Mat.12: 29,30 which is a picture of the 2nd advent.

²⁹ Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

³⁰ He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

This is obviously not only Jesus declaring the power to cast out devils and clean a "house" or person's body, but to His power to destroy satan and establish His Kingdom.

And this is confirmed here:

2 Thes.1:7-9

⁷ And to you who are troubled rest with us,( the Rapture)

(2nd coming)

 when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

⁸ In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

2 The. 2:8-12

⁸ And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

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.

More on 2nd advent references in pt.5 and their similarities.

Alan T