The Day of the Lord and Rapture

 1 Thess. 5;1-3 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

The Day of the Lord will be completely unexpected. It will come suddenly, deceptively, destructively. No one will escape. It will come during a time of confidence and security in the world. The Day of the Lord refers to a time when God will step into world affairs. He will bring judgement on the world. Matthew 24:21. There will be great distress. It will be unequaled from the beginning of the world until now. And it will never be equaled again.

A world full of darkness

Why would the Lord bring judgement on a world experiencing peace and security? A world living in peace with one another? 2 Thess. 2:12 because they refused to believe in the Truth. The peace and security is actually darkness! Spiritual darkness and demonic deception will over shadow all people before rapture. The darkness will be emphatically realized during the tribulation period.

2 Thess. 2:7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work. The one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie. All the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

The one who restrains the darkness

The one who holds back the darkness is the Holy Spirit. When He is taken out of the way, the lawless one will be revealed. (Anti Christ). The Holy Spirit resides in the hearts of each and every believer (the church). When the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, the church goes with him. (Rapture). Rapture completes the church age. A new age will begin titled "The Day of the Lord". The first part of the Day of the Lord is a seven year tribulation period. It will prepare the earth and it's inhabitants for the second part of the Day of the Lord. The thousand year millennial period where Jesus will rule and reign on the earth.

The good news is that believers will miss the first part of the Day of the Lord. When the Holy Spirt is taken out of the way, they will go with him. 1 Thess. 4:16-18. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. How doe we become believers? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Five Foolish Virgins

 Who are the five foolish virgins? Unger states that they are the children of Israel. They are removed from the earth and will suffer death with the godless gentiles during the great tribulation period. The five wise virgins will remain and enter into the promised land, the millennial kingdom. Isaiah 27:12. Unger's commentary on the Old Testament. Pg. 1215.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. The words kingdom of heaven are found thirty-two times in the gospel of Matthew and always refer to God's reign over His created and redeemed world and the believers who occupy that world. Jewish exclusivity is not the theme here. Jew and Gentile alike make up the kingdom of heaven. Whereas Isaiah 27:12 is referring to Israel exclusively.

The Bridegroom

Who is the Bridegroom? Jesus is the Bridegroom and He will be returning for those who are watching and waiting for Him. The foolish virgins are not concerned about the coming of the Lord. The wise virgins are waiting anxiously for Him. The group of virgins consist of Jew and Gentile alike.

The exhortation at the end of this parable is to watch for you know neither the day or the hour wherin the Son of man will come. If the parable of the ten virgins is referring to the Lord's gathering one by one and one to another of the children of Israel in Isaiah 27:12 which occurs during the tribulation period, it becomes nonsensical. During the tribulation period, people will know exactly when the Lord will return. It will be seven years after rapture of the church. Jesus' secret coming is a big mystery though and corresponds to the Lord's exhortation at the end of the parable of the ten virgins. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

In conclusion, the parable of the ten virgins is referring to the church. Jew and Gentile alike. It also speaks of the rapture of the church which will occur when Jesus secretly returns and calls His bride, the church, to come and be with him before the seven year tribulation period begins. Many folks in the church are not anxiously watching and waiting for the coming of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. They will say to Him when he comes Lord, Lord, let us in. But Jesus will say to them, "I know you not". Matt. 25:12.

One Will be Taken

 Matt. 24:40 says one will be taken and one will be left. What exactly does that mean? There are different interpretations as to the meaning of this text. J. Vernon McGee says these verses do not speak of the rapture of the church. They speak of the taking out of those who are not going to enter the millennial kingdom. "As the days of Noah were." Who was taken away in the days of Noah? "They knew not until the flood came, and took them all away." So those who are taken away picture the removing from the earth by judgment those who are not going to enter the millennial kingdom. TTB pg. 132. This happens during the Day of the Lord, the seven year tribulation period that is coming upon the earth. Unger holds the same view of these scriptures and says that the lesson is to keep watch because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Unger's Commentary On The Gospels pg. 171.

Days will be "normal"

This interpretation is nonsensical when examining the text. Matt. 24:36-39. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark. In other words, things will be as usual before the Day of the Lord, the seven year tribulation period. Then Noah was taken out of the way and the earth was destroyed. So to the rapture will remove the Church from the earth which will then be destroyed and reformed to prepare for the coming millennial kingdom rule and reign of Christ.

Days will not be "normal"

Those alive on the earth during the seven year tribulation period will not experience life as normal. Life will not be the same as before the tribulation period. Life before Noah entered the ark was normal. People eating and drinking. People getting married. After Noah entered the ark everything changed. After rapture everything will change. People will want to die but won't be able to. Rev. 9:6. So to say that everything is normal during the tribulation period and to keep watch for the Son of Man because He will come at an hour when you do not expect him doesn't align with exegesis. "Conclusions which follow the text." We don't know when the rapture will happen. That's a big secret. We're to keep watch and be ready for it. During the tribulation period people will know exactly when Jesus will return. It will be at the end of the tribulation period exactly seven years after the rapture of the church. You can count on it.

In conclusion, Matt. 24:40 is probably referring to rapture or removing the church from the earth before the tribulation period begins as opposed to removing the ungodly during the tribulation period. The ungodly will be removed during this period but Matt. 24:40 probably isn't referring to these people.

Tyre is Laid Waste

 Isaiah 23:1 Tyre is laid waste, so that there is no house, no harbor. Isaiah 23:6 Pass over to Tarshish [to seek safety as exiles]! Wail, you inhabitants of the Tyre coast! Tyre is an ancient city on the Mediterranean coast. It is in modern-day Lebanon. It was a major Phoenician port known for its historical significance, particularly its connection to the Tyrian purple dye industry and its influential role in ancient trade and culture.

Tyre is a picture of the world financial/economic system. The prophecy reaches out to include the world financial/economic system that will exist during the 7 year tribulation period. Revelation chapter 18 describes the destruction of this system. Verse 2 Babylon the Great has fallen.

Some commentators believe that Babylon will be rebuilt. Others say that Babylon refers to the existing financial/economic system during the final 7 year tribulation period. Either concept could play out.

Isaiah verse 17 After the end of seventy years, the Lord will remember Tyre; Looking to the future, The Lord will remember the world financial/economic system at the end of the seven year tribulation period and restore it. Isaiah verse 18 says that this new system will be dedicated to the Lord. Goods will not be hoarded or stored in lust for gain. It will be used for those who dwell in the presence of the Lord. That they may eat sufficiently and have durable and stately clothing [suitable for those who minister at God's altar].

A Three Way Blessing

 Isaiah 19:24, 25 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria. A blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."

These verses look forward to the Millennial Kingdom on earth albeit severe chastisement via the seven year tribulation period will proceed this glorious day of repentance and trusting in the Savior. Verse 20, He will send them a savior, a mighty one and will deliver them. This looks forward to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and his millennial rule and reign.

Assyria corresponds to most parts of modern-day Iraq as well as parts of Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey. This modern day hot spot of conflict, war, death, destruction and chaos will be transformed into a blessing upon the earth. Verse 23. In that day there will be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria. The Egyptians will worship [the Lord] with the Assyrians.

These are prophetic verses. Isaiah's vision reveals a new government where Messiah's salvation for the whole world is enacted.

How do we escape the tribulation as has been noted that will precede the establishment of the Millennial kingdom? This time period called the Day of the Lord, Jacob’s trouble, tribulation period that will last for 7 years? How do we escape? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Israel's Time of Trouble

 Isaiah chapter 17 points to the day of Jacob or Israel's time of great trouble. Israel had joined with Damascus against Judah which refused to align with Damascus to help protect against Assyria. Ancient Assyria included parts of Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran. The core region was northern Iraq. The part with the Tigris River flowing through it. The Assyrian threat pictures a future time when Israel and Jerusalem will be invaded at Armageddon. This will be the time of final destruction of Israel's foes. Revelation 16:16.

Ten tribes of Israel had joined forces with the Arameans (Syria) to defend against Assyria. The two tribes of Judah would not participate in the unholy alliance. The Lord wanted Israel to trust in Him for their well being and not a gentile nation. Not only did the aggressor nations suffer but Israel also suffered because of faithlessness. Isiah 17:4-6 predicts this ruin and a surviving Israeli remnant.

Damascus reduced to rubble

Damascus was reduced to rubble when Tiglath-pileser (Assyria) took the city in 732 B.C. Sennacherib was grandson to Tiglath-pileser III. He waged war against many cities along the Mediterranean coast. Judah and Jerusalem were the most famous of his campaigns in 701 B.C. He did not succeed though and withdrew after receiving tribute from King Hezekiah. 

While Sennacherib conducted successful campaigns, his reign was marked by rebellions, political schemes, and ultimately, his assassination. What happened to Sennacherib is a picture of what will happen to all of Israel's foes during the time of great trouble (Day of the Lord). This time of tribulation will also bring forth a converted Israeli remnant destined for Kingdom blessing.

How do we escape this terrible time of tribulation that will come upon all the earth? This time period called the Day of the Lord, Jacob’s trouble, tribulation period that will last for 7 years? How do we escape? Repent and trust in Jesus!

The Millennial Kingdom

 Isaiah chapter 12 looks forward to the millennial kingdom on earth. The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles also depicts this time. God's anger and wrath is visited upon all the earth Jew and Gentile alike during the tribulation period. Thereafter the restored people will be thankful each and every one. After suffering the tribulation furnace, His anger will have passed. He will comfort His restored people during the millennial kingdom reign.

Verse 4 comes from Psalms 105:1. Give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

The Lord is to be praised in song during this time. The message will be published throughout the entire millennial earth. The people will cry out joyfully during this time and shout! For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Scroll down and listen to this newly released song derived from Psalm 105, Glory In His Name, which looks forward to this time. It also pictures the heart of the believer during this present time!