2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
PS: I will not be offended if you disagree with my viewpoint and I have no problem if you would like to add to my studies by providing scripture. I love the word and studying it gives me great joy.
I believe in an ESCAPE:
Rapture does not appear in the text of the Bible; however, it comes from the Latin word rapere, meaning “rapid” and the Latin word rapiemur, meaning, “we shall be caught up.” This word was taken from the Greek verb harpazo, meaning, “to seize upon, spoil, snatch away or take to oneself,” especially used of rapture (Acts 8:39; 2 Cor 12:2, 4; 1 Thess 4:17; Rev 12:5). Harpazo is translated “caught up” or “caught away” the five times (out of thirteen) it appears in the Bible relating to rapture.
So even though the word Rapture does not appear anywhere in the bible, it is the English word we use to describe an event in the bible for which also exists the doctrine. The meaning and principle of the words still remains the same - Caught up, to seize upon, spoil, snatch away or take to oneself.
I have spent months on this subject and I still continue to study this subject weekly. I believe that there is more than enough scripture to support this doctrine. I believe there is most definitely an escape from the Tribulation to come and this is why:
Luke 21:36 - So be alert at all times, praying that you may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS that are going to take place and to take your stand in the presence of the Son of Man.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rev 3:10 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.
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Isa 26:20-21 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
These are just some of the passages that I found that completely convinced me that we will be protected and kept safe from the coming tribulation, but one passage which people tend to overlook really nails it for me:
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
In my Father's house there are many mansions.... When Jesus returns He will establish His kingdom, His home on earth yet He speaks of His Father's house and preparing a place for us THERE (not here) so that we may be where He is. It's a known fact that Jesus will establish His home in Israel and that He will rule and reign from Israel yet He uses the word "there" and not "here" when He speaks to His disciples. I'll discuss more of this and the Jewish / Hebrew wedding in future posts.