1514. The Rapture Proved by Revelation Scenes

The Rapture Proved by Revelation Scenes

"These are they which came out of great tribulation, * * therefore are they before the throne of God" (Rev_7:14-15).

The Book of Revelation, beginning with the "open door" of chapter 4, and concluding with "Heaven opened" in chapter 19, covers the period of the great tribulation.

In one thing nearly all are agreed; there is no vision in these chapters of the Church on earth.

If, therefore, there are visions of saints in Heaven, certainly the Rapture is proved by deduction.

If the saints are in Heaven, how did they get there? We can scarcely say that they are there, in the air, where the throne is placed, merely as disembodied spirits.

A comparison of Rev_4:1-5, with Dan_7:9-13 clearly establishes the fact that the Son of Man has come in the clouds of Heaven, to where the thrones are placed. Other Scriptures establish the fact that when He comes to the air He will receive the saints to Himself, and that both the dead and living in Christ, with new bodies, made like unto the body of His glory, are to be presented unto Himself.

Let us see then if Revelation presents any scenes of raptured saints.

1. The four and twenty elders. In Rev_5:8-9, the four and twenty elders are singing a new song in which they speak of themselves as "redeemed unto God, through the Blood of the Lamb." They came from every kindred, and tongue and people and nation. Certainly, therefore, they stand for a multitude of raptured saints.

2. The great multitude. In Rev_7:13-17, the great multitude who have come out of the great tribulation and stand before the throne of God, are saints. They are out-comers; they doubtless followed the first rapture; but, nevertheless, they are there with Him, and they are there because of their faithfulness unto Him, The fact that they are arrayed in white robes, and are never to hunger, but to be fed of the Lamb, seems to set forth that they are raptured saints.

3. Those who dwell in Heaven. The twelfth chapter of Revelation opens with the travailing of the woman, and her man-child being caught up into Heaven. This, we believe, is a type not only of Christ and His Rapture, but of the Rapture of saints. In the same chapter, satan, being cast down to earth, fights against the remnant of the woman's seed.

In chapter 13, the antichrist opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, "to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven."

The antichrist is filled with fury because of the security and the glory, of the saints who tabernacle with God. They are beyond his power; he can not touch them, so in his wrath he curses them.

4. The marriage of the Lamb. In Rev_19:6-9, Heaven is rejoicing because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Wife hath made herself ready.

This Wife certainly is made up of the raptured saints. The marriage is not on earth, but it is in Heaven. The marriage precedes the Second Coming of Christ, and it takes place in the air.

The forty-fifth Psalm speaks of Christ as coming out of the ivory palaces, and as coming with His queen upon His right hand, dressed in the gold of Ophir.

Surely there must have been a Rapture of saints because the glorious nuptials are taking place, in the air, prior to the Lord's kingly return.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR