The Rapture, (The Catching away) of the Church

How and when will Christ receive his Church? Today this is hot topic of debate in many churches, causing divisions and vigorous debate. The issue is not new, the issue of return of Christ for his church date back to the early Church. One of the first churches faced with this question was the church of Thessalonica.

First and Second Thessalonians are written about 51 to 52 A.D., Paul is addressing a concern about the Lord’s coming. Paul, in First Thessalonians clarifies the order of events at the Resurrection of believers. In Second Thessalonians, he reassures some of the believers there were not “Left Behind” and certain events still needed to take place before the Lord returned.

The Lord’s coming, addressed in every generation of the church has always been a controversial subject avoided by some groups and emphatically stressed by others. In the 2^nd century, Montanus taught the imminent coming of the New Jerusalem and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in preparation of the event. In the year 990’s the world was absorbed with coming of the Lord as the year approached 1000. This was also repeated to a lesser degree in the year 2000.

The expectation of the second coming is greeted with skeptism by a world, which views Christianity and the Bible as pure mythology. Books published such as 88 reasons the Lord is coming 1988, only reinforce their skepticism. The “Left Behind series, by Tim La Haye, a fictional account the pre-tribulation rapture and the events that follow, is viewed as just one more false alarm, in a long list of non-thinking Christian books.

³knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, ⁴and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as theywere from the beginning of creation.”2 Peter 3:3-4

Those who trust the Bible as God’s word, the 2^nd coming of Christ is not in question, only the timing of the event and the circumstances surrounding it. Peter forewarned the future generation being skeptical regarding the promises of Christ. Jesus also warned the skeptics of his return, using the example of five foolish virgins who running out of oil, stopped waiting for the bridegroom left, while they were gone the bridegroom came and they were left.

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. ¹¹“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’¹²“But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.Matthew 25:10-13

The second coming is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, when He receives his church. At the time of his return, the resurrection of those who believed in Him will also take place. Paul addresses this event in I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul writes,

4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul writes to inform the Thessalonians of what will take place when the Lord returns, and how those alive at his coming, are resurrected in relation to those who have already died.

Ø Those who believe and died in Jesus, will descend with Jesus to the outer atmosphere (The clouds).

Ø Those who are alive at his coming, and believe in Jesus will be taken up to the clouds.

Rapture: The word rapture is from the LatinRaptus meaning the state or experience of being carried away. The Greek word, aJrpavzw, Harpazo, means catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force) is found in I Thessalonians 4:17 in relation to those who are saved by believing in Jesus.

“17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together” I Thes. 4:17

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians explains to them events surrounding the resurrection of the saints.

⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. I Corinthians 15:50-52

We can draw the following points regarding the rapture from Paul’s comments about the Second coming and the resurrection:

Ø At the God’s last trumpet, both the dead and living saints (believers) will be changed.

Jesus in Matthew 25:13 said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming”. He also spoke of specific signs which would precede his coming.

32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors!Matthew 24:32-33

The latest point in time when the rapture can take place is the time known as the as the tribulation period. Scripture both Old and New Testaments refer to a unique, unequalled period of trouble. Following this period of trouble, we know the Messiah will come and the resurrection will take place. (See Daniel 12:2-3, Jeremiah 30:9-10, Matthew 24:29-30)

⁷Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7

21“For then there will be great tribulation, such as hasnot been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be Matthew 24:21

Therefore, since we know the latest event will occur is at the end of the tribulation, the three main positions focus around this period of time; pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and post-tribulation. Each position is based on arguments from scripture, the event of the rapture is not at question, only the timing.

Pre-tribulation believes that before the tribulation, Daniel’s 70th week the church will be raptured into the presence of the Lord. Those who are left will suffer through a period of seven years of tribulation. During this period Israel, will come to know Jesus as Messiah at which time the Lord will return to judge the earth in his “Glorious appearing”.

Mid-tribulation believes the church will endure the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week of Daniel. Before the great-tribulation when God pours out his wrath, He will catch-up his church at the middle of this seven year period. The church will return with Christ in his “Glorious appearing” following the “Great tribulation”

Post-Tribulation believes that before the “Glorious appearing” the church is raptured to be with the Lord and returns with him in the Glorious appearing. Post-tribulation holds the church will go thru the great tribulation period, preceding the Second Advent.

The historical doctrine has been the rapture is an event that would precede the glorious return of Christ immediately followed by the judgment seat of Christ. In which the all men would go before the throne of Christ. Most who hold the view of post-tribulation rapture view the 70th of Daniel as immediately following the 69th week with no gap.

Since Jesus clearly taught that, certain events will take place before he returned his return could not be imminent. Events such as the destruction of Jerusalem, and the preaching of the Gospel into the world need to take place first.

Another argument is the promise of tribulation given to the church. Passages such as Luke 23:27-31, Matthew 24:9-11, Mark 13:9-13 are promises of tribulation to the church and not Israel.

A forth argument is that Daniel has already been fulfilled in its entirety. There is no “Gap” between the 69 and 70th week of Daniel. Christ is the one who confirms the covenant with many in Daniel 9:27 and in his ministry the seven promises of Daniel 9:24 have been fulfilled.

Since the resurrection of the holy dead is the “First resurrection (Rev 20:5-6). We find that the first resurrection is associated with the coming of the Lord (Isa. 26:19), The conversion of Israel (Rom 11:15), The inauguration of the Kingdom (Luke 14:14-15; Rev. 20:4-6).

Therefore, the rapture would have to occur at the end of the tribulation in which all the above need to take place. Hence the “First resurrection” must occur with all the “Church and Israel” at the same time at the end of the tribulation.

An interpretation of the Wheat and Tares places the “Saints” the Wheat and the “Unsaved” the tares side by side till the harvest. Jesus saying, “Let both grow together until the harvest”. The harvest being the rapture of the believers at the end not prior to a tribulation period.

The idea of a unexpected return of Christ is rejected by the Mid-tribulation. Paul taught that there would first be a time of apostasy (2 Thes. 2:3) and that perilous times shall come” (2 Tim. 3:10

We are also told in the “Great Commission” that the gospel would be carried “into all the world” (Mark 16:15, Mark 13:10). Since the rapture will take place at the midpoint of the tribulation the time would be known beforehand but not the day or hour.

Since the church was promised tribulation we can expect to experience the first half of the tribulation. (Matthew 24:1-9)

Since the Church and Israel operated together for the first 40 years. From 30 AD to 70 AD, until the destruction of Jerusalem, it can expected, that during the first 3.5 years of the tribulation they would again have overlapping programs.

The seal and trumpet judgments of Revelation in the first 3.5 years are not manifestations of divine wrath. God is merely withdrawing his restraints and man is reaping what he is sowing.

The length of the tribulation is 3.5 years not 7 years. Jesus refers to the Abomination of Desolation as the beginning of the “Great tribulation” (Matthew 24:15,21)Daniel 7:25 tells us the period in which the saints are handed over to the Anti-Christ is 3.5 years.

Revelation 11 occurs during the time of the rapture. The two witnesses, “Caught up”, raptured, into heaven are accompanied by the rest of the church. The great voice is the shout of I Thessalonians 4:16.

The sounding of the seventh trump in Rev 11:15 is seen as the last trumpet of I Corinthians 15:52 and the trumpet of I Thessalonians 4:16. The time location of Revelation 11:15 and the I Thessalonians 4:16 place them both at the midpoint of the tribulation period.

The position of a literal nation Israel places it chief amongst the nations. The Messiah ruling for a 1000-year period after the “Glorious appearing” is the Messianic era in the Old Testament. Revelation is therefore interpreted as a literal book and not a symbolic book of future events. Israel and the church are distinct groups in the scripture, with two different plans.

The nature of the 70th week is in both the Old and New Testament. Several words describe this period.

These verses describe the entire period of the 70th week not just a portion of the week.

God’s wrath is poured on the whole Earth but distinction is made between Israel and the rest of the nations. Jeremiah 30:7 calls this “A time of Jacob’s trouble”. Daniel 9:24 tells us 70 weeks are determined upon “Thy people and Thy holy city”. This period is peculiar for Israel.

The Church however is a mystery. Eph 3:1-6, Col. 1:25-27. The Church is grafted into the covenant blessing of Israel. (Romans 11:15) The tribulation of Matthew 24:14-30, Daniel 12:1, Jeremiah 30:7 refers to Israel.

1. The first purpose is stated in Rev 3:10 “Try them that dwell on the earth” but the church in Rev. 3:10 will be. “Kept from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world”.

2. The second purpose is in relation to Israel and is stated in Mal. 4:5-6. Elijah turns the hearts of the fathers to the children before the Lord comes. Israel is made ready to meet her King. Both of these purposes have no relation to the church.

The church is viewed as the body in which Christ is the head (Eph 1:22, 5:23, Col 1:18), the bride of which He is the Bridegroom (I Cor 11:2;Eph 5:23), the object of His love (Eph. 5:25), the building of which He is the Foundation and Cornerstone.

Wrath poured out on the world in the 70th week would also be poured out on the body of Christ if the Church is in the world.

The fact that God was going to form Jews and Gentiles into one body was not revealed in the Old Testament and is a mystery in which Paul writes (Eph 3:1-7, Romans 16:25-27, Col 1:26-29). The Church was formed as a result of Israel’s rejection of Messiah. Therefore, the church was a temporary program which must be concluded before God again resumes his program with Israel.

Many signs were given to Israel, which would precede the 2nd Advent. The church however, is told to live in the light of the imminent coming of the Lord to translate them into his presence (John 14:2-3, Acts 1:11, I Cor 15:51-52, Phil 3:20, Col 3:4).

The believer is warned to watch for the Lord’s coming; (I Thes 5:6, Titus2;13, Rev. 3:3) Since the signs are given to Israel and the church is told to watch, this prevents the church’s participation in the 70th Week.

Passages such as 2 Cor 5:9;1, I Cor 3:11-16, Rev 4:4, 19:8,14 show the church has been examined and has received her rewards at the time of the 2nd advent. The Marriage of the Lamb precedes the 2nd Advent. Rev. 19:7-9

Their ministry is in Israel and for Israel, one of the 2 Witnesses is Elijah. From the city of Jerusalem they testify against the earth, bringing God’s judgments on the earth. They are killed in Jerusalem by the Antichrist and the world celebrates their death.

Those sealed in the book of Rev 7:1-8 are 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. If the church is present, there would be no need for the 144,000 of “Israel”.

Ø Noah & his family: Noah and his family were preserved out of God’s wrath in the arc. The arc carried them above God’s judgment.

Ø Sodom and Abraham: God told Abraham if he found 10 righteous in the city, for the sake of the righteous He would not destroy the city.

Ø Sodom & Lott & his family: The angels intervened whenLot and his family lingered and removed them from the city before God’s wrath fell.

Ø Passover: In the Passover, whoever had the blood of the Lamb was sparred from the death of the first-born, whether Egyptian or Israeli.

Ø Rahab & her family: Rahab and her family were preserved from the wrath of God falling on Jericho.

Ø Jonah & Nineveh: The people of Nineveh, who repented were sparred God’s judgment, demonstrating God preserves his people from his wrath.

Ø Jerusalem & Babylon: The inhabitants of Jerusalem were preserved from God’s wrath which fell on the sinful residents of Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 9:6)

²⁴For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? ²⁵For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

The rapture removes the Church which completes the period known as the fullness of the Gentiles

9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. I Thessalonians 1:9-10

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HimI Thessalonians 5:9-10

10“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.Revelation 3:10

The tribulation period is the time of God’s wrath where He deals with the sins of the world. He would be pouring out his wrath on his own people if the saints go through the tribulation. Those who go through the tribulation become believers after the rapture. Christ returns when Israel accepts him as their Messiah

¹³“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:13

²⁹“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:29-30

The message to the church and to Israel are distinct, the church does not know the day or the hour of his return and we are told to keep watch. While, Israel is told his return immediately follows the tribulation period. So his return to Israel is preceded by specific signs.

If the rapture occurred at the end of the tribulation, all the saints would be resurrected and transformed into glorified bodies. Who therefore would enter the Millennium, to repopulate the earth? After Christ returns the nations are judged, only the “Sheep” enter the millennium. The sheep who know Christ and were not killed in the tribulation period.

³¹“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³²“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³“And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴“Then the King will say to those right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

on His ⁴¹“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

The event of Matthew 25:31-46, is not Christ returning for his church, his church was “Caught-up” and met him in the Clouds and will always be with him. The Sheep and the Goats are those how are the earth when “every eye sees Him, even those who pierced him”. This judgment determines who enters the Millennium of those who survive the tribulation period.

Here the angels gather the elect from the earth to appear before the throne. When Christ comes for his church, the church is “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air.

Rapture	Second Advent
Removal of believers	Manifestation of the Son
Saints caught into Heaven	Son returns to Earth
Removal of Church	Establishment of kingdom
Imminent event	Preceded by signs
Message of Comfort	Message of judgment
Program for Church	Program for Israel & world
Rapture is mystery	Second advent in both Old and New
Creation unchanged	Change in creation
Gentiles unaffected	Gentiles judged
Israel covenants unfulfilled	Israel’s covenants fulfilled
For believers only	For all men

13But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.£
15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18

1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My Father’s house are many £mansions; if it were not so, £I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:1-3

51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
I Corinthians 15:51-53

20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Philippians 3:20-21

7so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 1:7-8

19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Romans 8:19

4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Colossians 3:4

10and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
I Thessalonians 1:10

19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
I Thessalonians 2:19

9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
I Thessalonians 5:9

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 5:23

1Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 Thessalonians 2:1

14that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,
I Timothy 6:14

1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead £at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Timothy 4:1

8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8

13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:13

28so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:28

7Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be £condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
James 5:7-9

7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,13Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
I Peter 1:7,13

4and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
I Peter 5:4

28And now, little children, abide in Him, that £when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of £God! Therefore the world does not know £us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is
I John 2:28-3:2

21keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 21

10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:10

44And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”
Daniel 2:44-45

9          “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire.
10        A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The £court was seated,
And the books were opened.
11“I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13        “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
14        Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:9-14

1          “At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
2          And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3          Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:1-3

10“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
Zechariah 12:10

Zechariah 14
1          Behold, the day of the LORD is coming,
And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
2          For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3          Then the LORD will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
4          And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,From east to west,
Making a very large valley;Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.
5          Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,
For the mountain valley shall reach to azal.
Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Thus the LORD my God will come,
And all the saints with £You.
6          It shall come to pass in that day
That there will be no light;
The lights will diminish.
7          It shall be one day
Which is known to the LORD—
Neither day nor night.
But at evening time it shall happen
That it will be light.
8          And in that day it shall be
That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem,
Half of them toward the eastern sea
And half of them toward the western sea;
In both summer and winter it shall occur.
9          And the LORD shall be King over all the earth.
In that day it shall be— “The LORD is one,”£And His name one.
10 All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. £Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.
11  The people shall dwell in it;
And no longer shall there be utter destruction,
But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
12And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem:
Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet,
Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets,
And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
13        It shall come to pass in that day
That a great panic from the LORD will be among them.
Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor
And raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand;
14        Judah also will fight at Jerusalem.
And the wealth of all the surrounding nations
Shall be gathered together:
Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.
15        Such also shall be the plague
On the horse and the mule,
On the camel and the donkey,
And on all the cattle that will be in those camps.
So shall this plague be.
16   And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
18If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
20 In that day “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21Yes, £every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 14:1-20

41The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
Matthew 13:41

15“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’£ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16“then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
23“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25See, I have told you beforehand.
26“Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24:15-31

64Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 26:64

14“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’£ £spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
21“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
24“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Mark 13:14-27

62Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Mark 14:62

25“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Luke 21:25-28

9Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11

13so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
2 Thessalonians 3:13

6since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who £believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10

8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
2 Thessalonians 2:8

12Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
I Peter 4:12-13

2 Peter 3
1Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of £us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward £us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be £burned up. 11Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
2 Peter 3:1-14

14Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
Jude 14-15

7Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:7

11Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He £had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies in heaven, clothed in £fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15Now out of His mouth goes a £sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

17Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the £supper of the great God, 18that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, £free and slave, both small and great.”
19And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
1Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for £a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 19:11-20:6

7“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.20He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”