What is the Rapture?

            “Lo! A sacred mystery unto you do I declare: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet; for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must needs clothe itself with immortality. But whensoever this mortal shall clothe itself with immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:  DEATH HATH BEEN SWALLOWED UP VITORIOUSLY, WHERE, O DEATH, IS THY VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS THY STING? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; But unto YaHVaH be thanks, who is giving unto us The Victory through our Master [Yahoshua] the Messiah” 1 Cr. 15:51-57, ROSNV (emphases mine).

“But we do not wish you to be ignorant, bretheren, concerning them who are falling asleep, lest ye be sorrowing, even as the rest also who are without hope; For if we believe that [Yahoshua] died and rose again, so also will YaHVaH bring forth with Him them who have fallen asleep through [Yahoshua]; For this unto you do we say by the Word of YaHVaH, that we, the living who are left unto the coming of [Yahoshua], shall in nowise get before them who have fallen asleep, Because [Yahoshua] Himself with a Word of command, with an Archangel’s voice, and with a trumpet of YaHVaH, shall descend from heaven, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first, After that we, the living who are left, together with them, shall be caught away in clouds to meet [Yahoshua] in the air; and thus evermore with [Yahoshua] shall we be! So then be consoling one another with these words” 1 Th. 4:13-18, ROSNV.

“. . . Bear the image of the man of heaven. And this I say, bretheren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit YaHVaH’s kingdom. Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption” 1 Cr. 15:49-50, ROSNV.

“For all have sinned, and fall short of the Glory of YaHVaH,” Rm. 3:23, ROSNV; and “For the wages of sin is death; but YaHVaH’s gift of grace is life eternal, in the Messiah [Yahoshua] our Master” Rm. 6:23, ROSNV.

A Mystery . . .

THE RAPTURE

I decided to write this article after reading “The Seventh Shofar (Trumpet) (And the ‘Rapture’ of the Saints)” by Richard Chaimberlin (Petah Tikvah, 2004). I pray the topic is not offensive to anyone, but rather informative. What follows is an adaptation of “The Seventh Shofar . . .” reprinted with permission with the majority of the text quoted. As Mr. Chaimberlin aptly points out the term ‘Rapture’ is a non-Biblical term. This means that it does not appear in Scripture as a word used as such, but it is the commonly used term to describe the events listed in 1 Th. 4:13-18 (see above). However, most of the Christians seem to think that this term refers to an instantaneous vanishing of people without warning. There is the false concept of the “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” that was not popular until around 1830 and made famous by the Scofield Bible. Both of these are wrong when you read all of the Scripture. As stated earlier, the above Scriptures are used to support the ‘Rapture,’ or if you prefer, transformation. Mr. Chaimberlin expresses that this will happen when “The seventh angel will sound the seventh shofar” and “. . . not a moment sooner. This means that the Rapture occurs after the many plagues described in Revelation chapters 1 through 9” (“The Seventh Shofar . . .”). He then corresponds this with the book of Daniel about the anti-Messiah.

Here is the remainder of Mr. Chaimberlin’s article (minus a couple of paragraphs):

“The most important witness to the timing of the Rapture is [Yahoshua]. He said, ‘But immediately after the Tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened . . . the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky . . . and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and with great glory, and He will send forth His angels with a great Shofar and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.’ (Matthew 24:29-31, KJV). [Yahoshua] did not believe in any ‘Pre-Trib’ Rapture.”

YOM TRUWAH                                                         

“The shofar, or trumpet is made from a ram’s horn, and is blown on many Holy Days, including the Feast of Trumpets, traditionally called Rosh HaShanah in Judaism. The blowing of the shofar, according to rabbinic tradition, has a threefold purpose:

• Sounding the call to repentance.
• Reminding all of the covenant relationship between [YaHVaH] and His people Israel.
• And to startle and confuse HaSatan, who, according to the rabbis, especially accused Israel this day.

“All of the Jewish Holy Days are also the Biblical Holy Days. These Holy Days all have historical importance and prophetic fulfillment. The Rapture is the New Covenant fulfillment of the Feast of ‘Trumpets.’ The Scriptures call it Yom Truwah, or the ‘Day of Blowing (the shofar).’ Since the prophetic fulfillment of other Holy Days occurred on the Holy Day itself, it is reasonable to assume that the Rapture will occur on a future Feast of ‘Trumpet.’

“Bible-believers will endure the Tribulation period, which will last three and a half years. However, they will be ‘raptured out’ prior to the wrath of [Elohiym] (Rev. 15:1 & 16:1), which will be completed with seven other angels with additional plagues. I believe the Scriptures teach us of a ‘Pre-Wrath’ Rapture, which occurs after the Great Tribulation. ‘[Elohiym] has not appointed us for wrath . . .’ 1 Thes. 5:9 [KJV]. However, ‘In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33 [KJV].

“The beast (anti-Messiah) was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months (3.5 years). It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against [YaHVaH], blaspheming His name and His dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.’ (Revelation 13:5-7, KJV). Don’t blame me for these words, folks. I didn’t write them. If it were up to me, they wouldn’t be in the Bible, because I am in no hurry to be martyred. I would much prefer to be ‘raptured’ before all these events take place.

“One other ‘nasty’ piece of news: Not every believer will be ‘raptured’ at that time. [Yahoshua] tells us of the ‘Parable of the Ten Virgins.’ (Matthew 25:1-12). I believe the virgins are symbolic of the believer, who is presented as a ‘chaste virgin’ to Messiah (2 Corinthians 12:2; Ephesians 5:27) in the parable of the virgins, only five of the ten are ready when the Bridegroom [Yahoshua] comes. This may very well be symbolic of the believers at the time of Messiah’s return. Many will be ready on the day of [Yahoshua’s] return. Many others will not be ready. This is why [Yahoshua] commands us to ‘Therefore be ye also ready . . .’ (Matthew 24:44, KJV). He doesn’t want us to ‘miss the boat.’ One person may have been a great servant of Messiah for many years, but at the time of [Yahoshua’s] return might be partying it up with ‘wine, women, and song,’ as the expression goes. He won’t be ready. Another believer might not have lived the life he should have been living, but on the day of Messiah’s return he is ready.

“Just as [YaHVaH] provided supernaturally for Elijah for three and a half years before he was ‘raptured,’ He can also provide for you. His protection was also upon the Israelites during the plagues that befell the Egyptians. The world will also aim its persecution at believers (Jew and Gentile), and at Israel. ‘And the woman [Israel] was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, times, and half a time [3.5 years] from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away with the flood. And the earth opened up her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon [Satan] was angry with the woman [Israel], and went to make war with the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of [Elohiym] and hold to the testimony of [Yahoshua].’ (Revelation 12:14-17, KJV).”

That concludes Mr. Chaimberlin’s article; however, I would like to add these final words. We know who wins the war, YaHVaH. We should “. . . Fear YaHVaH and give Him glory, because the hour of His judging is come; and do worship unto Him that made heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.” Rv. 14:7, ROSNV. “He that beareth witness of these things saith, Yea! I come speedily. Amen come, Master [Yahoshua]! The favour of the Master [Yahoshua] the Messiah be with the saints.” Rv. 22:20-21, ROSNV.

First written 2004, © 2004, 2017

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