Most Christians believe that Jesus will one day return in power, glory, and judgment to reward His followers and to punish those who have rejected God. But the question that divides the hearts and minds of many believers—and sometimes even divides Christians into separate camps and denominations—is whether believers will experience some or all of the tough times described in the book of Revelation and other prophetic scriptures.
For many years I preached that Christians would not have to endure the horrors of the Tribulation, that Jesus would return and take His people out of this world. Admittedly, most of my thoughts on the matter were not original, nor were my views based on years of studying the Scriptures and reaching valid biblically based conclusions. For the most part, I simply believed what I had heard sincere men and women of God teach, namely, that Jesus was coming back before the seven-year Tribulation in an event called the Rapture.
Although the word rapture does not appear in the Bible, we based our ideas on a passage from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. The apostle encouraged believers with these words:
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. 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 (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, nkjv).
Although this passage does indeed describe the Second Coming, we drew some unwarranted conclusions about when and how this event would occur. This “catching away” of the saints, which is what the word rapture means, was to take place secretly, as far as unbelievers were concerned. Only believers, it was thought, would be able to experience and witness the appearing of the Lord. Suddenly, Jesus was to appear in the air, and in the twinkling of an eye we would be gone, whisked off the ground to meet the Lord in the sky. The dead in Christ, believers who had died prior to His coming, would rise first, and together we would all meet Him in the air. From there He would take us to live with Him eternally. Later, Christ would return again, this time in power and glory to judge the world and set up His eternal kingdom. The Rapture was to happen, of course, before any events of the Tribulation began to pummel the earth.
One of my favorite prophetic Scripture verses is, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36, nkjv). I placed a heavy emphasis on the word escape, because I was convinced it went against God’s loving nature to allow His people to go through the horrors of the Tribulation.
My thinking on the subject changed when, in prison, I searched out the passages that described the Rapture that precedes the Tribulation. To my amazement, I could not find any. I found certain scriptures that other preachers .and I twisted and conveniently interpreted to fit my “prosperity” messages, but when I allowed the Bible to speak for itself, I realized that my notions of a pre-Tribulation Rapture were not based in scripture.
(Excerpt from “Time Has Come”)
When Noah shut the door all inside were saved from the flood BUT..I imagine the ride was pretty rocky until the water got high enough for the boat to float. Yes I think we will go through some rough times but will leave here before the anti christ appears. Many people have been taught about the mark of the beast and will know what is happening, even thought they never accepted Jesus. Anyone saved during this period will be… enduring till the end. Some will try and some will accept death rather than take the mark. I think the saints will be gone. Also known as the Church. the Bride of Christ….
Brother Jim and Lori, I didn’t know where else to post you a comment other than here, so please forgive me if it’s inappropriate to completely change the subject and not discuss pt 5 of your blog. I too am an old PTL Partner. I received Christ on my living room sofa watching you preach. I remember it as though it was last Sunday! It was the 2nd Sunday, Oct. 1984. Now, at the age of 50, I am raising my 2 kids in Him! Ok, HERE’S WHY I WRITE YOU…LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the video of TammySue surprising you on your show, with her son weeping and doing the victory fist pump and Lori bursting at the seams with love…and you…weeping uncontrollably with joy at the sight of your daughter bursting onstage and sharing with us all, God’s gift in her!!!! PRICELESS!!!! My 13yr old daughter and 6yr old son and I watch and re-watch and watch again this video. We sing the song at the top of our lungs throughout the house and Jesus is pleased. Brother Jim, HERE IS MY HEARTFELT REQUEST…that TammySue have more prominence on your panel and that she sing daily. She is GIFTED, GIFTED, GIFTED to sing and to speak and has much to say, to give, to sing. Seems as though she’s sometimes bursting at the seams, she has so much of God’s love in her. Sooooooo love you and TammySue and Jay. What a legacy they carry in them and a testament to you and their mother that they love God as passionately as they do. May I just tell you again that I love you and your reaction to your precious daughter that day was worth more than ANYTHING MONEY COULD BUY! PRICELESS!!!! Love in Christ, Corinne Cardoza, Fresno CA
I so agree … Tammy Sue has the anointing, gifts and graces
for such a time as this.
I am a PK. Everytime I speak with my dad about the timing of the rapture, he tells me that the scripture refers to two different times that people believe. Then my dad reminds me that only God the Father is the only one who really knows when. We just have to be ready for the rapture at all times.
I also enjoy the valuable information that Pastor Jim Baker and his wife Lori present. I believe that no matter when the rapture occurs, that the more we are prepared for the worst the better. If we go before then we are leaving behind what some of our loved ones may need to survive. There ar many that are not quite sure about who Christ Jesus is that they will be left behind. It is going to take a huge event like the rapture to open their eyes. Leaving behind the things for their survival is the best gift of God’s love and mercy that I can think of. I purchase what I can afford, even if it isn’t much for my own peace of mind. I do not want my husband and other loved ones to suffer, but I can not decide for them. Please keep warning the world that the rapture is near. Please keep offering the world items that will help them survive. I will be smiling when God presents you and the other selfless ministers their rewards in heaven. I will continue to pray for God to protect and guide you and the rest of Gods servents who are taking Jesus Good News around the world. In christian love, Lisa
PLEASE LOOK UP THESE VERSES AND READ THEM FOR YOURSELF:
(1) 1st Corinthians 15:51 & 52 state that the resurrection comes at the blowing of the LAST TRUMPET.
(2) Revelation 11:15-18 state that at the blowing of the last trumpet, it signifies THE TIME OF THE DEAD THAT THEY SHOULD BE JUDGED, AND CHRIST’S SERVANTS REWARDED FOR THEIR FAITHFUL SERVICE. (Is this the same event as the “resurrection of the dead?” YES!
(3)Revelation 20:4-6 states that this SAME JUDGMENT of the Saints is called THE FIRST RESURRECTION, and that it comes AFTER the time of the Antichrist and his persecution of Christians for refusing to take the mark of the beast; so obviously, they had to be around during this time and had not been raptured out beforehand.
(4) 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18 (which is the main Pre-Trib chapter) states that the “resurrection of the dead” and “rapture” of those still living also, are parts of the SAME EVENT. RAPTURE = RESURRECTION! They clearly happen together. One means “to be raised from the dead” while the other means “to rise into the air” to meet the Lord.
Now these two last areas of Scripture HAVE to be speaking of the SAME RESURRECTION, or otherwise the one in Revelation 20 could NOT be the first one. So the point is: THE RAPTURE PLAINLY COMES AFTER THE ANTICHRIST’S CRUEL REIGN AND PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS, -AND- IT COMES RIGHT WHERE JIM TEACHES IT COMES: -AT THE BLOWING OF THE LAST TRUMPET! These verses would stand up in a court of law if argued by attorneys for both sides and win! They simply cannot be taken any other way than to mean what they are saying in plain black and white! Let’s all pay more attention to what the Lord reveals to Jim in the days ahead! I think he’s really hearing from the Lord. Pray for his continued guidance and protection!
Obviously the pretrib view is the most comforting view, but it was never a part of Christian theology or any organized church before 1830, and was never embraced by the greatest NT Greek scholars who produced the grammar and lexicons (Google “Famous Rapture Watchers”). So Jim, you are in great company and you are a “Moses” for the present generation.
Jim,
I watch your show daily and I completely support your ministry, but I have
To disagree with your rapture theory. You must study the feasts of Israel. Please get
With Rabbi Cahn and learn about the Feast of Trumpets!! The first four feasts have been fulfilled. The next feast to be fulfilled is the feast of trumpets, also known as the feast “that no one knows the day or hour” . Also the Jewish wedding is the perfect picture of a pre trib rapture.
Love and God Bless you
just so you know they are the Feasts of the Lord not Israel, and what makes you think God would Rapture a church that is spotted wrinkled and blemished while His Chosen people, His brothers are left behind to suffer even more than they already have? God raptures No One HE DELIVERS
Jim,
I also was raised in the church with the pre-Trib belief. Also I am unable to find direct reference to the catching away in terms of escape. I do believe that G-d can do what he wishes and although I cannot find a direct doctrine to justify a Rapture, I also refrain from saying here is no such thing. If he Lord comes to grab us out of here I’m for it if not there is always Goshen.
Bless you all
Here is Revelation 20:4-6 for you to see for yourselves: “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was given unto them,(they were given authority to judge the saints)-and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark in their right hand or their foreheads; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION!”
In light of this verse stating that this is the FIRST RESURRECTION, what resurrection is it talking about back in 1st Thessalonians 4:16 & 17 which states that “THE DEAD IN CHRIST RISE FIRST” and then those still alive are “caught up,” or “raptured” along with them in one big event to meet the Lord in the air? These HAVE to be speaking about the SAME RESURRECTION AND RAPTURE, or otherwise the one in Revelation 20 could not be the FIRST ONE!
I have studied tbe book of Revelation. I understand that in the different scriptures the events mentioned are not always the same time period. Like the book of Daniel when he is writing about ending events. The rapture is the catching away of the saints. The dead in Christ rise first so they will recieve their immortal bodies at the same time the people who are living on earth do. When our bodies die our spirit goes to heaven, but we do not get our new body which enables us to eat at the wedding feast until the catching away of the saints. The first ressurection is in Rev. 20. The second ressurection is after the 1000 year reighn of Christ Jesus on earth. Then all the dead who have NOT accepted Jesus will be ressurected to their immortal bodies, but only to stand before God at the judgement seat where the sheep will be seperated from the goats. Only the nonbelievers will rise in the second resserection to be thrown into the eternal lake of fire with satan and his demons. Their eternal body will be ressurected to be thrown into Hell Forever! God will then no longer allow evil to condem what He has created. PRAISE GOD! Hope I explained it well enough. Dont have my bible in front of me to give you scripture, but just read to the end of Revelation and it should all come together for you.
Notice that in 1st Thessalonians 4:16 & 17 above, that the “DEAD IN CHRIST RISE FIRST,” and then those still alive at the Lord’s coming are “caught away” or “raptured” afterward, and all rise together to meet the Lord in the clouds in one big event? By definition, the raising of the dead is called “THE RESURRECTION.” Well it speaks of this SAME RESURRECTION in Revelation 20:4-6, and calls it “THE FIRST RESURRECTION.” Look it up and read it. It plainly states that this great resurrection event of both these areas of Scripture come AFTER the Antichrist beheads many of Christ’s Saints for refusing to take the “mark of the beast” and worship him as God. So obviously both areas of Scripture have to be speaking of the SAME RESURRECTION; otherwise, the one in Revelation 20:4-6 couldn’t be the FIRST ONE! Therefore, the resurrection and rapture in 1st Thessalonians 4 MUST come AFTER the Antichrist’s persecution of God’s Saints during his cruel reign on earth, for refusing to take his mark. SO JIM IS RIGHT! CHRISTIANS ARE HERE FOR MOST OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD! But not the wrath! After we are raptured out at the “last trumpet” as Jim teaches, the 7 vials of the full wrath of God are poured out on “those left behind!”
Teaching wonderful, I think you are right on, Jim, right on!! Old PTL Partner, Brenda Hall
I too believe that Christians will see or be in the tribulation because of this verse, Matthew 24:37–42. Some of Jacobs trouble or all of it, I don’t know how much of the tribulation we will experience. An Old PTL partner! Thank God you’r back! His mercy overwhelms me. In Christian Love,Brenda Hall