The Line of Prophecy Resumed

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 10
 
If you will refer to the diagram, you will find that the line of prophecy is resumed between the circle, marked Pentecost, and the circle, marked Millennium. The Church will close its earthly journey, when the rapture takes place, and it will be removed to heaven. The millennium is still more in the future and will be ushered in at the appearing, when our Lord shall come to earth with His heavenly saints and set up His kingdom over the Jews, His ancient people. This is indicated by the two upward lines, indicating the rapture and the appearing.
It is just at this point Tribulationists go far wrong. They teach that the rapture and the appearing will happen together without any time break. One Tribulation writer says, " Christ comes FOR His saints, and WITH them at the same crisis." The idea of a non-stop rush for the Church to be raptured to heaven, and without a pause to be rushed back to earth, and all happening in the twinkling of an eye, sounds utterly unlike the reasonableness and sanity of Holy Scripture. This we certainly proved to be untrue in our examination of Rev. 3:10, 11,10Because 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. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:10‑11) and the confirmatory Scripture, 2 Thess. 1:6-86Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Thessalonians 1:6‑8). These Scriptures plainly declare, that the Church of God will NOT go through the Great Tribulation period.