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By SHARON K. GILBERT
September 22, 2008
WHAT IF you received a letter this morning telling you that the world would completely transform in just one week — that September 30th marks ‘The End of The World As We Know It” (TEOTWAWKI)? No, I’m not setting a date. I’m proposing a possibility.
September 30/October 1st represents the Jewish New Year, celebrated as Rosh Hashanah (‘head of the year’). This remarkable ‘Feast of Trumpets’ covers a span of two days because the actual beginning of the feast coincides with the first sighting of the new moon, confirmed by ‘two witnesses’. In other words, no man knows the ‘day or the hour’ when Rosh Hashanah will begin, save God Almighty. This is one reason that some prophecy scholars (myself included) believe the Rapture could fall during this two-day feast.
Ok, I can already imagine the comments this post will likely get, but let me ask you to set aside any arguments just for a moment, for the point of this article is not whether or not Jesus will translate His Bride on Rosh Hashanah. No, the reason I am writing this is to challenge each of you (and myself) to prayerfully, honestly consider the implications of meeting Christ face-to-face one week from now.
I’ve been thinking about this possibility for about a month now, especially as I watch the Tribulation World coalesce before my very eyes.
• The nationalization of US banks (come one, isn’t that what this ‘bail-out’ boils down to?) deals a crushing blow to individual financial freedom.
• Israel is in both a political and defensive crisis (yes, Livni has received Peres’s approval to form a government — what, you didn’t know Shimon Peres is still running things? — but that government is very shaky, and you can bet Israel’s enemies will take advantage of it).
• Russia senses a shift in world power and is positioning its assets to fill the void once the US finishes imploding.
• Tony Blair’s “Faith Foundation” is setting up the Whore of Babylon.
• And we are just over 4 years shy of the Aion Sunteleia, or ‘The End of the Age’ (see Matthew 24:4). I mention this, because I personally believe this would be a likely date for the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ to occur — the ‘deification of Antichrist’ to coincide with the ‘rising of the Sun out of the mouth of the Dragon’ (Leviathan).
Yes, I could delve more deeply into each of the bullet points, and I could add dozens more, but again that is not the reason for this post.
If Jesus sent you a personal letter telling you that this year’s ‘Feast of Trumpets’ is when He’s scheduled to return, if you KNEW you had but one week to continue on earth, what would you change?
• Would you panic?
• Would you simply throw up your hands in resignation?
• Would you go on a week-long bender?
• Or would you ‘redeem the time’ and tell as many as possible that Jesus loves them and that the Bible has revealed what must surely happen in the final seven years of the world as we know it?
What you say now — what you do now — could help change the eternal destination for someone.
If you are a member of the Body of Christ — if you know Christ as personal Savior, then you are ‘salt and light’ to a world that is dangerously close to decay and darkness.
Sure, we might all wake up on October 2nd and find the world is still spinning and sinning just like it always has — but what if we don’t?
Trust me, I’m preaching to myself here! Let us each make today count for Christ.
Do you know Him as Savior or is Jesus Christ just a name to you? Jesus is the risen Lamb of God, which means He provided the only ‘perfect’ sacrifice to cover all of your sins and mine. We can’t earn our salvation — we can only receive it by accepting Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice.
But have you accepted it?
If not, please read the Gospel of John (New Testament). There you’ll discover how much Jesus loves you — and how He died for you — and that He rose again!
And He’s coming back — perhaps in a week or so.
Are you ready?
Interesting post Sharon – and needed. I started reading the article and thought to myself “Sharon! Now you’re predicting dates? Say it ain’t so!” But I kept reading, and it turned out the article is simply a call to action for brothers in Christ to fulfil the Great Commission. Well done.
Good reminder. Interesting view along with Pastor Mark Biltz @ http://www.elshaddaiministries.us/index.html. I’ll never see the end of September in the same boring light again.
PS: Miss the PID podcasts!
Another possible date to keep in mind, if Jesus tarries, is July of next year. That will be about 3 1/2 years from December of 2012, which I agree is a pivotal date.
Sharon,
Yes it seems all signs are present…Today’s posting on my blog offers more information. The entire blog reads as a book from start to finish with todays title:Rosh Ha – Shanah to a “Day of Concealment a day in heaven during the 7 year tribulation.” Connects Feasts of Trumpets with the Jewish New Year(Headship of the Year), Day of Remembrance, Day of Sounding the Trumpet(shofar) 10 days of AWE, the Kingship of the Lord and MARRIAGE OF THE KING. Incluses links to 3 short u-tube video’s by Perry Stone.
The time is now for the waiting and watching…The faith and patience of the saints…who are looking for His appearing…I’m glad to see someone in the news gets it! Well done …
For further reading regarding this subject, I suggest “The Third Day Bible Code,” by pro-golpher Kermit Zarley, and the website http://www.countdownto2070.com
Amen Sharon
I think your thoughts are timely for every day…but I too find myself checking each fall for when Rosh Hashanah will be occuring. Zola Levitt used to teach the same thoughts I believe.
Thank you for reminding us! 🙂
The AntiChrist will play a major role in the End Game. To create a modern AntiChrist, thay have cloned the DNA from the Shroud Of Turin. Look at it’s characteristics and take a look at Prince William. Several simularities. William was also born on a Summer Solcist (June 1st 1982). He will be “33” years old 2015. Perhaps 2015 will be the half way period of the Tribulation. I think the beginning of the period will be in 2012. Also, in 2012, he will be 30 years old. Wasn’t someone else about 30 years old when He started his ministry, too? Anyways, just something to think about. I see something big is about to happen, and today’s people are about to witness history and the destrcution of history.
ANUBiS
rapture is after the great suffering not before. prepare…
As a minister who’s studied endlessly myself, I thank you for the thought provoking article. I’ve arrived at the following conclusions:
Rather than the allowing myself the common luxury of believing that Christ dies FOR my sins, I simply believe that he came to show us HOW to live. There are no guarantees. It is completely up to the individual to apply His teachings and thus “save” himself. (or not)
His death should not be considered God’s will. It was an insidious and arbitrary plot against His Son, thus not His Will, which was carried out by the anti-Christ then, who was already influencing mankind.
With this being said, I also believe that mankind was put here to “grow” and gather strength through earthlife to allow our spirits to develope the necessary strength and purity to be permitted entrance into the paradise of eternal Heaven. This task alone requires more than one earth life.
A condition laid out by Christ for our return to the Father is to not only learn from our past mistakes, but to PUT THEM RIGHT as well. Collectively, we are nowhere near this as of yet. We will be required to “live through” all the past errors and learn to never repeat the same mistakes over again.
In short, I don’t believe that Christ died for me so that I might simply continue living blindly, and His death most certainly does NOT absolve me of past wrongs, especially when (as much of the world is guilty of),I fail to adjust myself according to His teachings.
The so-called rapture occurring anytime soon seems totally out of the question for these reasons alone.
Thanks for listening.
The rapture does not exist, never has existed, and if you bother to actually read your Bible – Mat 24 is a good one to read ALL the way through, you’ll find that the Lord returns AFTER the tribulation. You aren’t getting out of here until you go through it. Those that remain will see him, and he isn’t coming early to haul you out of here. Stop promoting a lie, there are no liars in heaven.
Oh, I would like to add one more thing as well.
Modern man(Christians and others) were warned with these words”Come out of her My people”.
What do these words say to you? To me they are simply saying that those who imagine they are doing His Will are in fact, not. Christ NEVER took prisoners/hostages, but instead offered us free will as to what path we take. Therefore “His people”, does not refer to those don’t claim to follow His clearly marked path. It refers to those who claim/choose to call themselves His followers! I interpret this to be pointing DIRECTLY at those of us today who imagine that we are acting/living in accordance to His Will, yet according to these words, are not.
One look around the world today confirms this. Christ never asked a single human to kill another, and He most certainly did not suggest that doing so in the name of God was a part of His Will. Today, even churches act much less than honorable with regards to keeping all His life sacred, treating others as we want to be treated etc.
Yes my friends, indeed-we are so very far from being worthy of a free pass to Heaven.
I don’t know where this “trust Jesus as your personal Savior” came from, but it ISN’T IN THE Bible.
Read what Peter, who was given the keys to the Kingdom, told a group of believers to do in Acts 2:38.
What was the last thing Jesus said before ascending to heaven. It wasn’t “trust Me as your personal Savior.”
That is a doctrine straight from the biggest and first deceiver. Don’t make up your own crap or believe that made up by others . . . just read GOD’s Word.
Dave, David Flynn’s book about Newton’s Prophecies lists July 11, 2009 as an important date. That’s a GOOD book EVERYONE here should read…
I will be with you until “The End of The Age” means “Forever”. Jesus was not into astrology. When Peter told Jesus he would not wash his feet to the age, he meant “Never”. So “End of the age” could mean forever or never.
The Lord Jesus said:
“I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”[John 14:6]
“I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”[John 11:25]
Paul and Silas said this, when asked by the keeper of the prison in which they were being held–“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”[Acts 16:30,31]
The Lord Jesus also said this:
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already…”[John 3:17,18]
The Lord Jesus never used those exact words–‘personal savior’–but, in actuality, that is what He is, and what was meant by what He said, as well as what His apostles said to others, during the years prior to their deaths in His service, when they were unjustly killed by unjust men.
Jesus can be our friend, our confidant, our teacher, our brother, etc.–but, the most vital thing God wants us to know about Him, is that, He must also be our Lord and SAVIOR–God so ordained it, whether any man likes that, or not. Why any man or woman would object to repentingof the sinful things they do, or have done, and going to Christ Jesus to receive God’s forgiveness of their sins through Christ, knowing how much He loves us–yet, knowing how much He hates the sinful things we think/say/do, so needs to rid us of them–is beyond my understanding. As is anyone’s personal animosity towards Jesus, for whatever reason they can come up with–obviously, without them clearly thinking it all through, rationally–because, just as “God is love”–Christ is it’s embodiment, given to us, out of His love for all of us.
And, Sharon–great article!
Thank you Chrisite, you are right on
God`s Word says those who persevere to the end will be saved.
We are all here until the END.
The disciples were persecuted for their faith. Therefore why should we believe we will receive preferential treatment?
The pre-trib, mid-trib is all a MAN MADE DOCTORINE.
What I believe you do need to be very careful about is NOT to be decieved by any of the talk about `aliens`
I gravely suspect there is going to be a mass deception, and/or the nephilim will return (`as in the days of Noah` -Jesus` words)
Also keep in mind that there is vast technology nowadays, so we dont quite know what if any stunts will be pulled by those in power.
I have pondered for some time as to whether certain ppl are trying to bring on Armegeddon.
I would highly recommend that you might like to read the Steve Quayle interview with Tom Horn about aliens, nephilim, giants of old etc.
http://stevequayle.com/index1.html
more here :
http://stevequayle.com/Q-Files_2hr.specials.html
take care.
God bless
Sharon, read the Bible!
Jesus is not coming back any time soon and the rapture is not going to save you.
We don’t know what exactly what day Jesus will return but He gave us so many signs just before he returns. If you say he can come at any time, this opens the door for people to deceive you.
For example:
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning came out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wherever the carcass is, there will the vultures be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the SUN be DARKENED, and the moon shall not give its light, and the STARS shall FALL from heaven, and the powers of the HEAVENS shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And THEN shall appear the SIGN of the Son of man in heaven: and THEN shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, that the day of the Lord is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man DECEIVE you by any means: for that day shall not come, EXCEPT there come the falling away FIRST, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[ You will see “falling away” Christians worshipping the AntiChrist! ]
The Great Tribulation is called Jacob’s Trouble, not Esau’s Trouble.
God wants to purify Christians (his people) like gold is purified through the fire (tribulation)
There is no pre-tribulation rapture… Pick up your cross and follow me… The suffering and pain that is coming in the next 4 years will purify all sin and prepare man for the era of peace or 1000 year reign for you protestants (Apocalpase 20)
Hmm, I wonder if many have an idea of what “purification” is all about? It will have to be so intense that mankind will NEVER debase it’self again. We will all be praying hard.
There is great weight to your statements.
The prophecy of Isaiah 27:1 points out a celestial time marker that will be seen during the end of days:
“In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea.”
The Levi – tan, (literally, the joined serpent) has been clearly understood by Jewish sages as the name for the Milky Way. The galactic center, at which the sun and planets cross, represents the serpent’s head. A blow that slays a serpent necessarily strikes its head, as the sun will appear to do on the morning of Dec. 21st 2012. At the same time the Milky Way will be appear as a starry sea surrounding the earth in 360 degrees.
The Talmud, Baba Bathra 74b and the Hymn of Akdamut, sung on the Feast of Tabernacles say that Leviathan will surround the earth like a tent at the end of days.
The Hebrew sukka or tent is open at the top.
You people still fail to realize the order of the Most High, YAH’s order. The true biblical Israelites are the so-called African americans, and it is through this truth that all things will be revealed. The people who claim to be the so-called jews are not the biblical Israelites. Look at the land of Israel today, it is filled with satan. True Israel hasn’t returned back by the hand of YAH. When the so-called jews returned in 1948, it was by the hand of the Balfour agreement led by the british and americans, all european gentiles, or edomites.
When we say jew what do we really mean? That word didn’t come into existence until the 16th century. It is a transliteration of YEHUDI, or the tribe of JUDAH. YAHOSHUA was from the tribe of Judah, or whom western society calls jesus. The true name of God is YAH, which is a hebrew word. If you look at the world today, we still have racism in america, as well as many other satanic practices. Yet, we have all type of people who claim to be so-called christians. Some of these people are white who have very high paying salaries who are as racists as the word gets. Basically the whole world is living under huge deception as to what is truth. YAH has an order in the universe. This order is partly seen in the bible when YAH makes a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Issac and Rebecca had two sons, one ESAU and the other JACOB. Jacob had twelve sons, who were to become the twelve tribes of Israel. In the bible it states that YAH deals only with the nation of Israel, and despises ESAU. Who are the descendants of the twelve tribes? They are the so-called African Americans of the western hemisphere. We are the true descendants of the biblical Israelites. It states in the bible a clear description of who Israel will be, and no other ethnic group on this earth falls into that category more than the s0-called African Americans. S0-called white historians and scientists don’t want the world to know the true identity of white people. They are edomites, descendants of esau. White people are really the albino offspring of our original black parents. To have white skin is a genetic defect and was described in the bible as having leperosy. In the bible, when YAH wanted to give Moses a sign, He would turn Moses’s hand white, then back to it’s original colour. Well what was His original colour? Black. In the movie the ten commandnents, this occurrence didn’t take place. This would have showed that Moses and all people of the bible were Black. White people have whitewashed everything in changing everything that was once black into white, due to white genetic survival, and the justification of enslaving the TRUE BIBLICAL ISRAELITES, or the so-called African Americans. The shroud of Turin is a fake, painted in the 14th century by Leonardo Di Vinci and Michealangelo. They used a guy by the name of Ceasar Borges, who was a homosexual, and a child molester as their model. Research these things for your self if you don’t believe me.
Sandy A: I respectfully suggest that you visit P.I.D. Radio and listen to our interviews with Tom Horn, Dr. Mike Heiser, Stan Deyo, Patrick Heron, Guy Malone, Terry James, Lynn Marzulli, and Doug Elwell on aliens, giants, nephilim, and the like. It’s a topic we’ve covered often and deeply.
Consider also that our brothers and sisters in China, Africa, and Muslim nations already endure what we American Christians would consider life-threatening “end times” tribulation. Have they not suffered enough yet?
Could it be that, as with the church of Laodicea, our wealth is our burden?
I don’t know when the rapture will occur and Sharon didn’t write this article to suggest a date or a timeline. Her point is simply this: Whether it’s next week or next millennium, the end of the world as you know it is coming some day. Are you ready?
While I understand the thinking behind “no man knoweth the day or the hour” signifying a Rosh Hashanah rapture, it seems presumptuous to assume the exact opposite of what our Lord Jesus Christ said. When He says “no man knoweth the day or the hour” (see Mark 13:32, Matt. 24:36) he meant “NO MAN KNOWETH THE DAY OR THE HOUR.”
I take my Lord’s words at face value.
Also, He instructed us to watch, for He would come at a time when we did not expect Him. If He told us what day of the year He would come, would we not tend to kick back and chill for the other 364 days, human nature being what it is? No, we are to watch at all times.
http://www.prophezine.com/PZArticles/AnotherRoshHashanahRapture/tabid/417/Default.aspx
I actually wait for the tribulation to start and cling to the promise of God Who will be with me when I pass through the fire and the waters are not going to overwhelm me. Reward will come after passing through the acid test of faith here on earth. Didn’t Jesus say that He will BRING the reaward with Him? He didn’t say we will go to paradise to receive our reward. Lets pray for God Almighty Whose Name is a Mighty Fortress where we can run to and be saved.
GOD never delivered anyone from tribulation, HE delivered them through it. We are going to go through the tribulation. But HE gave us Ps 91 as a promise to HIS children. In my studies of the end times I can’t find America anywhere when the anti-christ makes his move, we are gone, we have no existance in the world. America has been judged before this event. America can’t be the entity to save Israel, that is GODS glory and no country will be allowed to do that, and we would be the only country that could save Israel if it could be done. Our country has been invaded in more ways than one, that is the first stage that GOD uses in HIS judgement of an adultress country. REPENT, and get your family saved, lay up your treasures in HEAVEN. Then preach the GOSPEL. You have been drafted to serve in the Army of GOD.
Hey Steve, you’re the one who needs to grab and read your Bible.
Sin will NOT be purified over the next four years, or even the next fourteen years.
Sin will wax stronger and greater, right up until the date that the Lord Jesus arrives with his Bride/Army, including all the dead and the one’s who have been translated (Raptured) to Him, sometime prior to that date; that day being during the Feast of Tabernacles.
Sin, is sin. One doesn’t need to wait any certain amount of time to ask for purification from it. Of course, the world is a dark place right now, and ALL have sinned and fallen short. In reality, the devil didn’t MAKE anyone do anything. When we sin, it’s because WE CHOOSE to. Christians need to take responsibility for their actions. No perfect God that I know of would ever condone the sinful ways of the people nowadays. And in my opinion, it is completely absurd to expect that He would send His Son to suffer for people who don’t deserve it. He could wipe all their faults away and yet most often, as soon as His back was turned, they’d be right back doing the same ole things.
Humans have become VERY pitiable indeed!
For those that think that we (the saved)are going through the tribulation: you are missing the point of the tribulation entirely. The saved (the “church”) are the bride of Christ. Christ will return for his bride (soon!) The bride is not the object of the wrath of God! See Eph. 5:22-33, 1 Thess. 5:9, Rom 5:9. Rev 3:10, 2 Peter 2:9, Luke 21:36
The Bible teaches us to expect him at any time – the doctrine of Imminency. While no one may know the day or hour of His return, we can absolutely know the season. If you are paying attention to the events surrounding Israel, you know that time is short.
BTW,
Rapture is found in the original language. In greek the word for rapture is “harpazo.” In Latin it’s “rapiemur”
Time is short! Clean up your spirtual house and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord if you have not!!
Well Matt, I agree with you to some extent. However, this so-called “Israel” of modern times is NOT the nation that most think it is. Would God/Christ build a nation upon theft and deceit?
I think not……
The TRIBULATION is not the wrath of GOD,, its the wrath of satan!!!! Its after the tribulation that JESUS returns for HIS bride. Purified by fire….We must get our houses in order, and have oil in our candles, making sure that we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, and that we are experiencing the “Dunamis” power of PS 91.
White Bear Eagle: The Israel we know today is the reborn nation – see Ezekiel 36,37 – the dry bones prophecy. Modern Israel fuliflled this prophecy – a nation born in a day. Anything else is replacement theology and is incorrect.
Douglas Allen – If the Lord returns after the tribulation, there won’t be many left to return for:
Mat24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Look at Revelation 14,15,16,and 19. You will see reference to the wrath of God a number of places. Satan will be wrathful too because he knows his time is short. Rev 12:12
The Lord is coming back VERY soon. Be ready!
Sharon, isn’t it peculiar how one viewpoint can generate such controversy? This one says this, that one says that…it’s all very amusing…Romans 10:2 says, they have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge. The Greek for ‘knowledge’ is precise and correct’. Granted, Jesus’ words are sometimes difficult to understand with our western mindset. A middle-eastern society has ways that we westerners don’t have one clue about. Thus the misunderstandings about, ‘rapture’ and ‘no man knoweth the day and hour’… and it’s a shame too. The Hebrew language is rich and pregnant with meaning to the learned…and the jews always did believe (and still do) that the highest form of WORSHIP is ‘talmide’ or study of God’s Word. Study, Study, Study…
ALL FOR JESUS!
Sounds like some of you missed the point of the post. The point of the post is to make the most of the time we have here on Earth to spread the word of Christ. Period. There was no hidden meaning, no end date speculation. The author was just using the week timeline as a vehicle to illustrate her point.
Gee Sharon…what a grrrrreat question and to think that so few have opinions on it…rotfl
So I think that I will just answer the question. Just as Lisa did…thanks Lisa–well done!
First,I would throw myself on the floor with my face before G-D asking Him first to forgive me for whatever outstanding sins I have. Next, I would call my grandson (*if I could), my granddaughter and my own daughter and BEG them to accept Christ, to REPENT and to ask Him to come into their hearts and save them too.
Recently I lost a family member; one that I did not always get along with and we did not part on good terms 4 years ago… Little did I know however that when I was to learn that he had suddenly died…Wow! That threw me into a tailspin. All of the sudden the weight of the measure of that one single soul, of “his” soul…tormented me. I wailed out to Adonai to “have mercy on his soul”, but I know down deep in my heart that once it’s done…it’s done. Finished. Ended. Over. Forevermore.
Finally, I would stop, take a breath and thank my Creator and Heavenly Father for ALL that He had given me…especially His Son, His Word and an unspeakable Eternity (one to spend with Him) which would be yet to come.
We can argue, which we are so often wont to do, until the cows come home, literally, but in truth–our “rapture” might come tonight, tomorrow morning or 4 years from now! As for the “Tribulation”…that might be the struggle that we go through on a moment-by-moment basis; who really knows?
This earth will soon enough reclaim our bodies, but then it is our souls that might be required of us. To whom will they go? That is the real question. As for our spirits…they are the part of us that the Lord has given us on a “temporary loan” basis. After our bodies have been separated from our souls–then it remains to be seen if our soul and our spirit will also have to separate. If we are “saved” and go with the Lord…we can keep His spirit, His breath (and a brand new sparkling body too)–but if our name is NOT written in the Book of Life–then our spirit will return to Him and our souls will go onto perdition, darkness, lake of fire…or whatever that perditional punishment might be.
The point is: ARE WE READY to go WHENEVER it does come?
I pray that I am. I pray that I am totally, totally His.
Thank you Sharon and Derek for a wonderful and thought-provoking quesion.
A belated Seasons Greetings to you both. May Adonai richly bless this coming year for you, Nicole and Sammy.
LAW
Praying that people come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. amen!!
I recommend reading the scriptures that are used to describe the “Rapture” paying particular attention to the fact that the “dead in Christ shall rise first” plays a signifigant role in them and noting that there is no sequencial specifications in them relating to other prophecies.
Then read Revelations 20. There is a very specific placement for the rapture in the sequence of events. “This is the first resurection” is a very definitive indication as to when the rapture will occur.