Scripture:
The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods.” – Joshua 24:16

Observation:
Most of Canaan had been subdued. The 12 tribes occupied their promised land of the patriarchs. Moses was long gone, and Joshua was now 110 years old putting us 25 years removed from the exodus. Joshua addressed the nation and told them that his end would soon come. He also warned them of their future if and when they would turn away from the LORD and seek after the gods of the Canaanites. The people declared that they would never turn from the LORD to seek after other gods and committed themselves to that endeavor. History would later prove them to be wrong. The nation, as a whole, went apostate.

Application:
Many people subscribe to wrong doctrine propagated by well-meaning teachers, preachers, and the like. They will tell you that there is a pre-tribulation rapture and that once you’re saved, you’re always saved. These are two of the most damning lies ever created in the pits of hell. Many of you reading this will most likely disagree with me, which is fine and your choice. I’m not writing to appease you or tickle your ears. The LORD charged me with delivering the truth of the scriptures based on his doing not mine or yours. Nowhere in the canon of holy writ can you find or substantiate either of these doctrines taught by most evangelical circles.  Let’s focus on the one that is more germane to the topic of this piece: the timing of the rapture.

You may have been taught all of your life that you’re going to have a get-out-of-jail (tribulation) card when Jesus does his drive-by, secret gathering of the saints. This seemingly hopeful message appeals to human nature and self-preservation and even some pride! What does the Bible state? 2 Thes 2:1-3 states that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ AND our gathering to him occur AFTER NOT BEFORE the great apostasy and the self-coronation of the antichrist inside the third temple in Jerusalem. (Did you notice the word apostasy? That’s exactly what the ancient Hebrews did after swearing before God and man that they would never turn away from Him for other gods!)

Revelation 6 states, I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood-red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. Where else do we hear those same words and spoken by whom? Why it was none other than John the apostle!

Why even JESUS himself  most likely quoted the prophet Joel (The earth quakes before them, The heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars diminish their brightness. – Joel 2:10) when he addressed the apostles on the time of his return, Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Matt 24:29)

If we look a the next few verses we see that JESUS said, Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

Where do we hear another speaker utter such words? Why it was Paul the apostle speaking to both Corinth and Ephesus.  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Cor 15:51-52)….For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thes 4:15-17)

Notice how each of these verses supports the passages in context of the prophetic end time events! Neither Jesus nor Paul contradicts each other. They are in perfect harmony and unison! But when does this all take place? We need only go back to the words of Jesus recorded by Matthew, a first-hand account in 24:29; he states, IMMEDIATELY  AFTER [emphasis added] the TRIBULATION [emphasis added] of those days. Well, what days is he talking about? …then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold [the great apostasy]. But he who endures to the end shall be saved [not once saved always saved] – Matthew 24:10-12. 

According to JESUS, what happens after the tribulation of those days and upon his return in the clouds with great glory? For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. – Matthew 24:38-42. That sounds like the rapture to me! And when did Paul say that happens? …concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him….for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God^[c] in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God – 2 Thes 2:1, 3-4.

I’ll let you sort out the rest for yourself under the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit. BUT don’t continue to believe the lies!

Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving me the gift of discernment and having the sense to actually read the Word for myself and search out the truth within it. Thank you for helping me to sort through the garbage and lies to dig deep and discover the pearls of great price. I study to show myself approved whether anyone listens to me or not. As the watchman, I declare your truth and not tradition to the peoples of the world. It is on them to do with it what they will. As you said, if they turn from wickedness, they will live. If they don’t, I’m relieved of the consequences. It grieves me terribly that millions of people believe they are going to escape persecution and won’t be prepared for your coming and what happens prior to that. They will turn on each other as you predicted and will turn from the faith to save their skin rather than trusting in you to save their souls! Grace unto them. May your will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.