If you haven't already done so, go back and read PART 1 of the three-part Series on THE Rapture

The Great Tribulation and Those Left Behind

Following the rapture, Scripture describes a period known as THE Great Tribulation, a time of unprecedented hardship, agony, pain, and divine judgment on the earth. This period PARALLELS the JOYUS time of celebration and consummation in the Groom’s home (IN HEAVEN) through the Jewish wedding but in A STARKLY CONTRASTING MANNER. While the BRIDE experiences joy and union with Christ IN HEAVEN, those left behind will face wrath, judgment, and GREAT tribulation. The BRIDE of Christ is with Him, IN HEAVEN, and she is not an earth dweller!

Revelation 3:10 "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I ALSO WILL KEEP YOU FROM THE HOUR OF TESTING, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH."

This entire RESCUE narrative reinforces the profound relationship between Christ and His BRIDE, the Church, structured around ancient matrimonial customs that would have been familiar and deeply meaningful to Jewish believers in the first century. THE Rapture narrative emphasizes preparedness, fidelity, and the hopeful anticipation of ETERNAL UNITY with the Bridegroom in a permanent and glorified state.

1 Peter 5:10 "After you have suffered for a little while, THE GOD OF ALL GRACE, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, WILL HIMSELF PERFECT, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN, and ESTABLISH YOU."

For believers, this analogy offers a blueprint of future events and a compelling vision of Christ's commitment and love, urging a life of purity, watchfulness, and eager readiness for His IMMINENT APPEARING (RAPTURE).

God's Protection and Favor for the Righteous

God distinguishes the righteous from the wicked and provides a way of escape from judgment like with Enoch and Elijah's ascension. God takes His faithful servants TO HIMSELF, sparing them from earthly troubles. Before Jesus’ anticipated Second Coming, He is to APPEAR in the clouds to receive His Bride, the Church to HIMSELF. The Bride departs with the Bridegroom BEFORE THE GREAT TRIBULATION BEGINS TO RAGE ON EARTH.

2 Timothy 4:8 "in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPEARING.”

Followers of Jesus believe they will avoid the tribulation because they will miss it, having been CAUGHT UP WITH JESUS to meet Him IN THE AIR, blessed by their removal from impending tribulation (God’s WRATH & JUDGMENT). THIS IS HIS GRACE!

By understanding these core messages BY GRACE, believers will find strength, hope, and assurance in their faith journey, knowing that God’s plan is to save, protect, and ultimately bring them into eternal fellowship with Him.

Titus 2:13 "looking for the BLESSED HOPE (THE Rapture) and THE APPEARING OF THE GLORY OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR, CHRIST JESUS,"

Contrast and Consequence: Joy in Heaven, Tribulation on Earth

Humanity's separation from the immediate presence of God was due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience. This expulsion is not merely punitive but serves as a divine setup for the ultimate demonstration of God's GRACE through redemption IN CHRIST. The barred access to the tree of life symbolizes the need for a new and living way, later fulfilled IN JESUS, who restores access to eternal life and unbroken fellowship WITH GOD. It’s the marriage of the Lamb.

Genesis 3:22-24 “Then the LORD God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’—therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Because of humanity's widespread corruption, the necessity of God's intervening GRACE is evident. Noah's finding favor in the eyes of the LORD is a precursor to the GRACE that believers receive THROUGH CHRIST, as a gift. This DIVINE FAVOR signifies God's unmerited mercy and introduces the theme of a righteous remnant preserved by God's GRACE, foreshadowing the church's preservation and mission in a fallen world.

Genesis 6:5-8 “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.’ BUT NOAH FOUND FAVOR IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.”

Moses' interaction with God, where he seeks assurance that God's PRESENCE will remain with Israel, aligns with the importance of God's PRESENCE as the ultimate source of rest and guidance. Jesus demonstrates the transformative aspect of GRACE that empowers and distinguishes God's PEOPLE, anchoring us in His purposes despite our weaknesses.

Exodus 33:14-17 “And He said, ‘My PRESENCE shall go with you, and I will give you rest.’ Then he said to Him, ‘If Your PRESENCE does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?’ The LORD said to Moses, ‘I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.’”

Divine Selection: The Preservation of the Faithful

The decision of the Jerusalem Council, driven by the Holy Spirit's guidance, showcases the early church's understanding of GOD’S ETERNAL GRACE. The council's resolution to impose minimal burdens on Gentile converts exemplifies the new covenant of GRACE that transcends legalistic barriers, promoting a unified and GRACE-filled witness to the world.

Acts 15:22-29 “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, and they sent this letter by them, ‘The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.’”

Noah's obedience to God amidst a corrupt world underscores the theme of divine selection and GRACE. Noah's story highlights God's GRACE in preserving righteousness through judgment. The narrative illustrates that GRACE is not simply exempt from disaster but actively involves participation in God’s redemptive plan, reflecting the transformative and protective nature of God’s GRACE towards those who are faithful.

Genesis 7:1-5 “Then the LORD said to Noah, ‘Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth. For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.’ Noah did according to all that the LORD had commanded him.”

The covenant promise God makes with Noah after the flood that "seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter shall not cease" is an affirmation of God's sustaining GRACE. This promise represents God's unchanging commitment to uphold creation despite human failure. It also symbolizes the continuity of GRACE that believers can rely on, reflecting God's faithful provision and His mercy that extends beyond judgment to a renewal of His GRACE covenant with humanity.

Genesis 8:22-23 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

Historical Echoes of Divine Grace

Enoch’s life, marked by walking faithfully with God until he was no longer on earth because God took him, exemplifies the transformative and intimate nature of God’s GRACE and willingness to rapture His Faithful ones. Enoch's translation to heaven without experiencing death underscores the power of GRACE to transcend earthly boundaries, offering a prelude to the Christian hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

Elijah's ascension into heaven in a whirlwind, witnessed by Elisha, serves as a powerful illustration of the transformative power of God’s GRACE-FILLED Harpazo. Elijah’s departure (Harpazo or Rapture, being “caught up” to Christ) signifies the ultimate victory over earthly limitations through divine GRACE, symbolizing the believer's ultimate glorification and the supernatural possibilities available in the realm of GRACE.

2 Kings 2:11 “As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.”

The ascension of Jesus into heaven before His disciples’ eyes, marks the pinnacle of divine GRACE—the assurance that Jesus’ physical departure would usher in the era of the Holy Spirit. This event signifies the transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to His ongoing spiritual ministry through the church, empowered by GRACE to fulfill the Great Commission.

Acts 1:9 “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

Philip's sudden transportation by the Spirit after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch represents the spontaneous and dynamic rapture of GRACE in believers' lives. This event illustrates how GRACE operates beyond conventional boundaries and logistics, enabling God to fulfill divine assignments through believers miraculously.

Acts 8:39 “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.”

Paul speaks of a man CAUGHT UP (Harpazo or Rapture) to the third heaven, symbolizing the exceptional spiritual experiences that GRACE can facilitate. The experience serves as a testament to God's ability to reveal mysteries and grant heavenly visions that are beyond human articulation. This deep, mysterious communion with God illustrates the limitless possibilities within the realm of GRACE, where human weakness becomes a conduit for divine strength and revelation.

2 Corinthians 12:1-6 “Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”

The Blessed Hope: Anticipating Eternal Communion

Jesus comforts His disciples by promising to prepare a place for them in His Father's house, where there are many dwelling places. This promise highlights the GRACE of belonging to CHRIST and eternal security offered to faith-filled believers. Jesus ensures that His followers have a permanent place with Him, a promise that transcends earthly dwellings and points to an eternal fellowship with God, made possible through the GRACE of Jesus Christ.

John 14:1-4 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”

The promise of being kept from the hour of trial reflects the protective dimension of GRACE. Scripture reassures believers of God’s sovereign control and His ability to preserve His people through or from tribulation, which aligns with GRACE as not only a transformative agent but also deeply protective and preemptive.

Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

Understanding the Rapture Through Jewish Wedding Traditions

John’s vision of the open door in heaven and the subsequent invitation to "come up here" illustrates the access to divine realms granted by GRACE. Believers have open access to God’s throne through GRACE. It emphasizes the believer's privileged position to receive revelation and divine insight, made possible by Christ’s redemptive work.

Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of GRACE, so that we may receive mercy and find GRACE to help in time of need.”

The angel Gabriel helps Daniel understand prophetic visions concerning the end times. From the perspective of THE GRACE Awakening, this interaction symbolizes the GRACE of divine revelation and the personal guidance God provides to His servants.

Daniel 8:18-19 “Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand upright. He said, ‘Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.’”

Revelation underscores the theme that through GRACE, God not only discloses future events but also equips His people to understand and navigate the implications of these revelations, ensuring they are prepared and preserved through knowledge and insight.

Revelation 4:1-2 “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.’ Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.”

From Noah to Moses—Grace in Covenant

The narrative serves as a reminder that GRACE calls for humility and dependence on God, contrasting with the self-exaltation and pride that characterize the man of lawlessness. This insight draws a clear line between divine GRACE and human arrogance, emphasizing the protective and corrective nature of GRACE.

Daniel 11:36-37 “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all.”

Paul celebrates the Thessalonians' turn from idols to serve the living and true God, awaiting Jesus from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 illustrates GRACE's power not only to convert but also to sustain believers in hopeful anticipation of Christ's IMMINENT APPEARANCE, embodying a lived-out faith that actively waits and watches, grounded in the promise of deliverance from coming wrath.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

Paul's words reinforce the theme of GRACE as a means of salvation through Jesus Christ, not for wrath but for eternal companionship with the Lord. Scripture underscores the assurance and comfort that GRACE provides—believers are destined for salvation, a gift of GRACE that ensures eternal unity with Christ. This doctrine of GRACE fosters peace and confidence, fortifying believers against fear and uncertainty about the future.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.”

In Jesus' description of the end times, including the abomination of desolation, these forewarnings as an expression of GRACE that prepares and protects. By providing specific signs and instructions for escape, Jesus extends GRACE to His followers, allowing us to recognize and react to prophetic events prudently. This protective guidance exemplifies GRACE as not only saving but also sustaining through knowledge and preparedness.

Matthew 24:15-23 “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

The Church’s Ultimate Fulfillment in Christ’s Return

Jesus details His return with signs in the heavens and earth, emphasizing the sudden and universal nature of His second coming. This is a manifestation of God's GRACE that fulfills His promises. The clear and powerful signs serve as both a warning and a comfort, ensuring that believers are neither deceived nor unprepared. This ultimate demonstration of GRACE in Christ's return encapsulates the hope and anticipation that GRACE instills in the hearts of the faithful.

Matthew 24:25-31 “Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

Paul warns the Thessalonians about the deception that precedes Christ’s return, particularly concerning the "man of lawlessness." This passage underscores GRACE's role in enlightening and protecting believers from deception. It teaches that GRACE not only saves but also equips believers with discernment, empowering them to stand firm in truth amidst prevailing falsehood and apostasy.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”

In a request for prayer that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, Paul highlights the protective and proliferative power of GRACE. This invocation of GRACE for divine favor and effective gospel ministry. GRACE not only ensures the message’s swift travel but also shields those who deliver it, demonstrating how GRACE actively works in and through believers to fulfill God's redemptive purposes.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”

The 2 Thessalonians benediction encapsulates the essence of GRACE as the source of peace. GRACE is not merely a passive gift but an active force that continually imparts peace in every circumstance. Scripture reminds believers of the comprehensive and perpetual peace that GRACE brings, reinforcing the notion that GRACE is all-encompassing and constantly effective.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

The Stark Reality for Those Left Behind

Known as the time of Jacob's trouble, the prophecy describes a period of great tribulation for Israel, which, through the perspective of THE GRACE Awakening, symbolizes the refining and redemptive power of GRACE through trials. GRACE ensures not just survival but spiritual renewal and restoration, pointing towards a future where God’s gracious deliverance ushers in a renewed covenant relationship with His people.

Jeremiah 30:7 “Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s distress, But he will be saved from it.”

Daniel's vision of the end times, featuring a time of unprecedented distress followed by deliverance and resurrection, reflects the dual nature of GRACE as both protective and redemptive. Daniel’s prophecy showcases how GRACE prepares and preserves God's people through the most severe trials, ultimately leading to their glorification. The resurrection of the dead signifies the ultimate victory of GRACE—eternal life awarded to those written in the book of life.

Daniel 12:1-2 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disGRACE and everlasting contempt.”

God declares He will return to His people when His people acknowledge their guilt and seek His face. Scripture emphasizes the role of GRACE in prompting repentance and renewal. It highlights how God’s withdrawal is a form of GRACE meant to lead to self-examination and spiritual revival, ultimately resulting in restored fellowship through heartfelt seeking and repentance.

Hosea 5:15 “I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

This is the second of a three-article series - THE Rapture

THE Rapture: Christ's Divine Promise to His Bride - Part 1

THE Rapture: Christ's Divine Promise to His Bride - Part 2

THE Rapture: Christ's Divine Promise to His Bride - Part 3