Index of Scriptures used in Part 2
Verses
- Jeremiah 31:35-37
- Matthew 20:2-14
- Matthew 24:28-41
- Matthew 24:42-51
- Matthew 25:1-13
- Matthew 25:31-33
- Matthew 28:19-20
- Luke 12:37-49
- Luke 17:26-37
- John 5:23, 5:42-43, 6:45, 8:42, 14:7
- John 10:9-10
- Acts 10:34-35
- Romans 1:16
- Romans 2:8-11
- Romans 10:11-13
- Romans 10:13-15
- Romans 11:17-22
- Ephesians 3:3-7
- 1 John 2:23
Do you want to be taken or left behind?
| Taken of Left? |
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Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. |
| Taken of Left? |
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Pre-Tribulation Rapture Interpretation: Some people use these verses (Matthew 24:37-41 and Luke 26-37) to explain that being taken (i.e. Noah was taken in the Ark and Lot took leave of Sodom) is better than to be one that is left behind. Answer: Reading just a few verses later explains the situation. Luke 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Eagles are an abomination (i.e. unclean) to the Lord because they eat blood (from carrion) - examples:
The examples of Noe (Noah) and Lot are indicating that there will be those that are saved and those that are removed and destroyed. For Noe, the wicked were removed by flood. For Lot, the wicked were removed by fire from the LORD out of heaven. So, it's better to be the one that is "taken" Commentary: The whole basis for the Rapture is to be one of those that are removed. However, the scriptures state that those that are removed are the ones that suffer God's wrath (at the place of carrion).
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| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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When will Jesus come as a Thief in the Night?
| A Thief in the Night? |
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Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 24:43 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. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. |
| A Thief in the Night? |
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Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 24:43 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. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Pre-Trib Rapture Interpretation: Pre-Trib Rapture supporters generally agree that Matthew 24 is speaking of Jesus' Second Coming. There are a few Pre-Trib Rapture supporters that try to connect Matthew 24 with a Pre-Trib Rapture. |
| A Thief in the Night? |
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Answer: These verses in Matthew parallel Luke 12:37-49. Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. Luke 12:39 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. Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? Answer: These verses in Matthew parallel Luke 12:37-49. The verses in Luke, especially Luke 12:49 which connects the thief in the night analogy with the destruction by fire associated with Jesus Second Coming. For any other "thief in the night" verses to be related to a pre-tribulation rapture, then there would have to be two "thief in the night" events - except that two events are not supported by the scriptures. Luke and Matthew describe Jesus' Second Coming (after the tribulation) Regarding if the rapture will be secret, Matthew verses 42 to 44 follow the description in Matthew verses 37 to 41 where the wicked will be removed first to the place where the eagles gather (when one will be taken and the other left) So, Matthew verses 37 to 44 contradict a secret rapture (where pre-tribulation rapture believers state that believers in Christ would be removed and the wicked remain). Verse 42 indicates that believers will be watching and will be present until Jesus' Second Coming when the wicked are separated and removed to the gathering of the eagles. |
| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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| A Thief in the Night? |
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Parable of the 10 Virgins Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Note: Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (same wording as 25:13) Pre-Tribulation Rapture Interpretation: Pre-Tribulation Rapture believers do not use these verses Answer: The parable of the virgins is specifically stating that believers (the virgins with oil) will be on Earth when Jesus returns. It also states that some of those that profess belief in Jesus will, in fact, have a false belief that will not allow them in Jesus' presence. Regarding the thief in the night, Matthew verse 25:13 is an additional emphasis of Matthew 24:42 and both verses refer to Jesus' unexpected return at his Second Coming as the bridegroom. The parable of the Virgins is a detailed example of what happens when believers stray from God's Word. People that profess belief in Jesus but do not inwardly believe will be caught unaware and unprepared and will be shown no mercy as they are left with the unbelievers. The Parable of the 10 Virgins is one of the parables Jesus used to describe his 2nd Coming in Matt 24:3 - "what shall be the sign of thy coming" Believers will remain on Earth until Jesus returns. |
| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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| A Thief in the Night? |
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John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Pre-Trib Rapture Interpretation: Pre-Tribulation Rapture believers do not use these verses. Answer: Here, in Jesus' own words, he describes thieves in the worst way possible and that he was the opposite of a thief. Pre-Tribulation Rapture believers that equate the phrase, "thief in the night" to indicate that Jesus will act like a thief and take something valuable (i.e. believers to Heaven) is contradicted by Jesus' words here.
Jesus doesn't equate himself as a thief - to do so would be for Jesus to change his mind about thieves - and Jesus, the same as God, doesn't change his word. So, what is left to explain the "thief in the night" phrase is the timing of when a thief comes (unexpectedly), not the actual thief or what the thief does. |
| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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Believers at Jesus' Second Coming
| Believers at Jesus' Second Coming |
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Sheep and the Goats Matthew 25:31 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 his glory: 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Pre-Tribulation Rapture Interpretation: Rapture believers do not use these verses Answer: The separation of the sheep (believers) and the goats (non-believers) requires that believers be on Earth when Jesus returns (comes in his glory). Believers will remain on Earth until Jesus returns. |
| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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| Believers at Jesus' Second Coming |
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Great Commission Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Pre-Tribulation Rapture Interpretation: Pre-Tribulation Rapture believers do not use these verses Answer: The Great Commission gives direction to teach and baptize to the end of the world - not to almost the end of the world. If those that understand God's Word are raptured before the tribulation, then there will be no one to teach those left behind that have not heard the Word of God and to baptize them (signifying even more believers). Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Believers will remain on Earth until Jesus returns. |
| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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A Thief in the Night? (more)
| A Thief in the Night? |
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Luke (Parable of the Thief in the Night) 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 12:39 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. 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? Pre-Trib Rapture Interpretation: Pre-Trib Rapture believers are not consistent in their interpretation of these verses. Some contend that this verse references a wedding and must refer to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). At the Rapture, Jesus calls the believer to Him. Concerning the phrase "return from the wedding" - if the wedding occurred before this return, then the rapture occurred before this return. A prior wedding necessitates a prior coming.
Answer: These verses combine the "thief in the night" analogy with the unexpected return of the lord from a wedding.
Believers will remain on Earth until Jesus returns. |
| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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Will Jews be Raptured?
| Will Jews be Raptured? |
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Verses used by Pre-Tribulation Believers to justify that Jews will not be raptured. John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Pre-Tribulation Rapture Interpretation: Rapture believers are united in the belief that only Christians will be raptured. They believe that the Church and Israel are separate and two distinct entities (because they are different branches).
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| Summary - Remove these verses from any Pre-Tribulation Rapture Justification |
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The Greek word used for left
Strong's #863:
These terms are opposite of the English connotations of these words - "taken" (Greek = "remain or be joined" and English = "taken away") and "left" (Greek = "send away" and English = "remain in place").
Regardless of the interpretations, the concept in these verses is that one person remains in place and the other person is removed to some other place. Pre-Tribulation Rapture believers use the English connotations (which is incorrect/opposite) but their logic still applies since the two options are to be taken away or remain in place.