The Church and the Tribulation I: Rapture Before Wrath

The fastest way to get distracted in Bible prophecy is to stare at “signs” until you stop looking up. Brother James continues part three of a four-part study on the Great Tribulation and the church, making a focused, verse-by-verse argument that the New Testament church is not appointed to the seven-year outpouring of wrath often called Jacob’s trouble, and that the rapture comes before that period begins.

We walk through 1 Corinthians 15 and the meaning of “the end,” tying it to Daniel 12 and Matthew 24 to show why the rapture of “they that are Christ’s” precedes the Tribulation. Then we turn to Romans 11 to explain the fullness of the Gentiles, how it differs from the times of the Gentiles, and why Israel’s national storyline returns to the forefront only after God’s present work through the church reaches completion.

From there, we trace the flow of Revelation: the church addressed in chapters 2–3, the redeemed pictured in heaven in chapters 4–5, and the striking absence of the church through Revelation 6–19 as the seals and judgments fall. Along the way we talk about why Christ’s coming for Israel and His coming for the church serve different purposes, why the rapture has no sign countdown, and why 2 Thessalonians 2 is used to argue the Antichrist cannot be revealed until the restraining presence is removed. We close with the plain force of Revelation 3:10 and a practical reminder to write in so we know you’re listening.

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Transcript

Welcome And Series Focus

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And hello again, each and every one of you. I'm Brother James, and I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. And I welcome you to the Preaching of the Cross Radio Broadcast, the Ministry of the Bible Baptist Church of Deland, Florida, in the United States of America, and by the grace of God reaching men and women with the truth that salvation is by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift, for his great victory that he wrought for us, for his wonderful, everlasting salvation in and through the person of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We began a series of studies two broadcasts ago. This will be the third program in a series in which we are discussing the great tribulation in relation to the church. And we are trying to determine from the Bible, not from our opinion, not from the belief system of our denomination. We are trying to determine from the Bible whether or not the New Testament church will be left on earth to endure the wrath of God during that seven-year time period known as the time of Jacob's trouble. We have learned from Deuteronomy 4, from Romans 11, from Jeremiah 30, from Ezekiel 20, from Daniel 12, from Matthew 24, from Mark 13, that the Great Tribulation is a time of wrath poured out upon the nation of Israel, not the New Testament Church. We have learned from Daniel 9 and Romans 11 and Isaiah 66 and Matthew 24 that the reference to Great Tribulation is always given in context of the nation of Israel, never the New Testament church. Now we no possible way we can go back and review all of that material, and so we'll just press onward on the program today.

Rapture Before The End

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Further proof that the church will not be on earth at the time of great tribulation is found in 1 Corinthians 15. Let me read you verses 22 through 24. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, but every man in his own order. Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming, then cometh the end, when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power. Now in Daniel, in the last chapter of the book of Daniel, there is a mention of this end given five times. He shows that this end is not merely a point of time, but a period. He shows that it takes in the entirety of the great tribulation. For when the question is raised in Daniel 12 6, how long shall it be to the end of these things, or these wonders, or these signs? The answer comes that it shall be for a time, times and a half. This passage from the book of Daniel is shown in the book of Revelation to refer to the time of the Great Tribulation. With this agree, our Lord's words in Matthew 24, 13 through 15, where again the end definitely has the great tribulation in view. First Corinthians 15 23 tells us very clearly that the church is removed at the rapture before the end comes. Hence, as plain as language can be made, we are told here that the church will not be on earth during the Great Tribulation.

Fullness Of The Gentiles Explained

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Let me give you a fourth Bible proof. The church will not be here during the tribulation, because Romans 11, verses 25 to 27 says so. Let me quote that for you. I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles become in. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob, for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Now Israel, according to this portion of Scripture, shall not be taken up again. God will not begin to deal with them again as a nation until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. We should note here the difference between the fullness of the Gentiles and the times of the Gentiles, which latter phrase is found in Luke 21, 24. The times of the Gentiles refers to the political dominance of the Gentile nations, which began in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar when Israel ceased to be a free people, and those times of the Gentiles will continue until Christ shall reign over that people, until Israel should be the dominant and prominent nation of the world. But the fullness of the Gentiles considers the spiritual prominence of the Gentiles, as seen in God's dealings with the church in this dispensation, while Israel and her religion is set aside. And Romans 11 assures us that not until that fullness is complete, not until the last soul has been saved in this dispensation of grace, shall Israel again fill the scene. Now this plainly infers, therefore, that the church will have left the earth before Israel's history, and her tribulation will finally unfold themselves.

Revelation And The Missing Church

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Now, a fifth and corroborating proof of what we've just been discussing is furnished by the fact that there is no mention of the church whatever in chapter 6 to 19 of the book of Revelation. The very period when the tribulation rages in all its fury upon the earth. And this includes the whole seven years of that tribulation time. For the seals in chapter six of Revelation refer to the opening events of the last seven years, as a reading of that chapter makes so clear. Even in chapter six, the church has already been seen in heaven in the previous chapters. Now the church is the theme of Revelation 2 and 3. Then in chapter 4 we learn of twenty-four elders, seated upon thrones in heaven, with crowns of gold upon their heads. In chapter 5, we learn that this number 24 is a symbolic number, for the elders are shown to represent all the redeemed in glory. For they sing, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation. Now, since these redeemed saints in heaven are crowned, we know that they are not only in heaven, but have received their reward at the judgment seat of Christ, for rewards are not given until we have left this earth. Hence, chapters four and five of Revelation teach that the coming of the Lord to take his church home to heaven has occurred. And it is not until after this that the tribulation takes place on earth, beginning in Revelation chapter six. In fact, the Lord Jesus does not even break the seals, which merely usher in those awful days, until after the saints are crowned in glory. Now, the church is never again referred to in the book of Revelation until chapter 19, where she is seen in heaven being united in marriage to the Lamb, and not till after the wedding does the Lord come forth to smite his enemies and reign over his own. Hence, his public coming, his appearing to execute judgment, is separated from the rapture by the period of the great tribulation. Next,

Israel’s Tribulation And God’s Purpose

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let me give you an incidental proof that the church does not pass through the tribulation. This is seen in the fact that the Lord comes to Israel for a far different purpose than that for which he comes to his church. His coming to Israel, spoken of in the New Testament as his appearing or his revelation, is to smite his and their enemies, and to deliver Israel from oppression and make them his people here upon the earth. Hundreds of Old Testament scriptures mention this day of the Lord, which includes the tribulation period with its climax in his dramatic return to earth. But his coming for his church is called in the New Testament a mystery. It was not revealed in the Old Testament. Both the church and the hope of the church, that is the rapture, are said to be mysteries. And thus they have no connection with Israel as a nation. Now, why some argue should we escape the tribulation and Israel know its horror? Well, I might with equal propriety ask, why should I escape the damnation of hell and millions perish in their sins? However, there is at least one answer to the question. Israel passes through the tribulation, and this is suggested frequently in the New Testament in the Old Testament, because of their awful sin in crucifying their Messiah. They said, His blood be on us and on our children, by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. God is taking them at their word. For the same reason, we, that is the saved born-again believers in this New Testament day, we do not pass through that time of retribution because we are recipients of God's salvation, God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, rather than rejectors of his Son. Now, what makes it so terrible is that this tribulation comes upon Israel and the world by the hand of God. It is punishment for their sins. The believer, the Christian, all through the ages, has suffered tribulation. But this is not for his sins, but for the sins of others. Not at the hand of God, but at Satan's hand. Revelation 2 10 says so, in so many words that that's the mighty difference, you see, between tribulation, of which every believer knows more or less, and the tribulation, which only will affect Israel and the apostate church, after the true church has been caught up to glory. Now, a seventh proof that the church will be absent during this time of tribulation, is that Israel's tribulation, as we've just stated, is largely due to their rejection of Jesus Christ. The prophet Zechariah, in fairly regular order, presents Israel's future. In chapter 9, verse 9, he refers to the Lord's entry into Jerusalem as he rode upon the colt just one week prior to his death. In chapter 11, verses 12 and 13, he makes mention of Judas' act in selling his master for thirty pieces of silver. In chapter 12, verse 10, we're carried forward to the future day when Israel shall look upon him whom they pierced and shall mourn for him. John in the first chapter of Revelation alludes to this in verse 7, saying, Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him, and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. They shall then recognize that the one they rejected and crucified was indeed their Messiah and King. Then Zechariah hearkens back to the death of our Lord and mentions the subsequent scattering of Israel among all the nations of the world. That's in chapter 13, verse 7. But God will bring a third part of them through the fire. Chapter 13, verse 9, which is none other than the fiery trial of the great tribulation. This, mentioned in direct connection with their crucifixion of Christ, suggests that their tribulation is God's dealing with them in judgment because of that fearful crime. And finally, chapter 14, verses 2 through 5, references made to Christ's second coming, when his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives. Jerusalem shall then be delivered, and Christ shall reign as king over all the earth. That's chapter 14, verse 9. And since all this has only Israel in view, the plain inference is that the church is not here during this tribulation time. But

No Signs For The Rapture

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no signs are suggested anywhere to usher in the rapture of the saints. And the apostle was instructed to write in 1 Corinthians 1 22 that the Jews require a sign. In fact, looking for signs is in itself a sign of unbelief. That's what Jesus said, except ye see signs and wonders, you will not believe. The church's path is one entirely of faith, including faith in the hope of his return. No signs are given to herald Christ's coming for his church. Indeed, the very opposite is stressed. For example, in Luke 21, verses 27 and 28, we read, And they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. That is, the Jews were told they could know their redemption was near when they saw certain things. But now, in Romans 8, verses 23 to 25, the Bible says to the New Testament church, not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves grown within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he had hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Now no language could be stronger, no contrast could be more striking. Israel looks to see things. The church by faith and not by sight waits for him. All signs in Scripture have to do with Israel or the world. None with the church. Now the danger in looking for and looking at signs is that the eye is taken off the Lord to be fastened on things. Satan loves that well enough, that's for sure. One begins to look for signs instead of for the Savior. One begins looking around instead of looking up. And as a consequence, heavenly mindedness becomes a lost art because, well, it's impossible to be looking at the mess this world is in without becoming depressed. But look at Jesus Christ, waiting to see his lovely face in any moment. This fills the heart with longing and a deep inward peace and joy. Signs shall introduce the coming of the Lord in judgment. And there are many of them. Read Matthew 24, you'll see numbers of them there. If the church were to pass through the tribulation, it would be impossible for the believer to look for the coming of his Lord. In that case, Christ could not have come for the church till those signs had appeared, and he could not have come until after the Antichrist had appeared. In that case, the church would have started to look for the Antichrist instead of for the Christ, which, alas, is what so many believers actually have been and are doing. Many have made fools of themselves in doing so. What amazing and foolish prophecies have been made because of this fundamental error. You ought to see some of the books I've got in my library. By the German Emperor. He was the Antichrist, and then Napoleon was the Antichrist, and Mussolini was the Antichrist, and Hitler was the Antichrist, and uh Ronald Reagan was the Antichrist, and uh Saddam Hussein was the Antichrist, and on and on and on it goes. All such humbling and jumbling sadness could have been avoided if the church had only realized that Christ will appear before Antichrist to catch away his own, and if the church were looking for Jesus Christ instead of the false Christ, they would never have fallen into so many foolish and hurtful snares. All right, number nine.

The Restrainer And Antichrist

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You don't even have to play the tape backwards to understand that. Number nine. A couple of you get that. The Antichrist cannot come till Christ has come, at which coming he will take his church home to heaven. Now let's read Second Thessalonians chapter 2, verses 3 through 8, and see if this is indeed what the Bible teaches. Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things, and now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time, for the mystery of iniquity doth already work. Only he who now leteth will let until he be taken out of the way, and then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Now I feel sure that most Bible students agree that the one who sits in the temple of God claiming to be God is none other than the Antichrist. This is the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel the prophet. This Antichrist cannot be revealed while one is here to hinder his manifestation. Having considered other interpretations on this portion, it still remains clear that there is only one person strong enough to hinder the awful development of the full-blown apostasy described here. That one is the Lord Jesus Christ, God, his body, the church, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, of whom Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This body of Christ must first be taken out of the way before Antichrist can come, and this calls for the removal of the church, taken home by her Lord at the rapture. Hence the tribulation cannot begin until after the blessed hope has become a blessed reality. Number

The Blessed Hope Is Imminent

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10. The church cannot pass through the tribulation, because the blessed hope is always presented as an immediately possible event. This is clearly demonstrated in 1 Thessalonians 4, 13 through 18. In verses 16 and 17 we read that the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord of the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Now this scripture shows that the Apostle Paul by the Holy Spirit had been taught that the Lord might come even in his lifetime. He does not say, If they which are alive and remain, but we. Now, when speaking in the next chapter of the coming of Christ in judgment, he changes from we to they and to them. He says, For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall be. Shall not escape. He clearly states thus that he would not be on earth at Christ's appearing, but might be at the rapture. All of the verses dealing with the Blessed Hope speak in like manner. Nowhere is there any hint of things having to happen before the Lord comes for his own. Number eleven.

Kept From The Hour Of Trial

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I think we've got time for one more on the broadcast today. The church will not experience the great tribulation. Because Revelation 3 10 says so outright. Addressing the church in Philadelphia, our blessed Lord says, Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. This passage alone, were there no other, would prove that the Church of God will not only pass through the tribulation, not pass through the tribulation, but will not be in the world when it occurs. The language is careful, and the language is explicit. It does not say that we should be kept from the tribulation, but from the hour of the tribulation. Our Savior said the same thing in regard to the Great Tribulation. And of course, it is a matter of history that never since these words were written has any affliction come that affects the entire world. It is stated here that this temptation shall come upon all that dwell upon the earth. This again excludes the church, for it is never said of believers that they dwell on the earth. Never we are, once you're saved, the Bible says you're seated with Christ in heavenly places. This term earth dwellers is found ten times in the book of Revelation, and according to chapter 13 and verse 8, refers to religious apostates that worship the beast, never to true believers. The term has reference, therefore, to the tribulation period, out of which this Bible verse says the New Testament church, the body of Christ, is to be kept.

Write Us So We Know You Listen

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Okay, that wraps up part three in a four-part study on the church and the tribulation. Hey, in the in the one minute we have remaining, may I say to you that we have decisions to make on a continual basis. We want to use God's money the best put to the best use as possible. I I don't know how else to say it. We don't want to misuse or to waste the Lord's money. We never ask you for money, we never solicit funds. But in order to determine which radio stations to continue airing this program and which radio stations we have to discontinue, all we can go by is whether or not people are listening. The only way we can know that people are listening is if they tell us. So if you enjoy this program and you want this program to continue on this station, you need to let us know. So that when we sit as we must and decide whether to keep going on station A or drop station A, to keep going on station B or drop station B, your letters of testimony help us make those decisions. Dylan, Florida, 32720. That's the mailing address. The website, jameswnox.org. We hope to hear from you so you can keep hearing from us. All right, I'm Brother James. Until next time, may the Lord richly bless you, and good day.