When it comes to the subject of the rapture, it has been said that a few are so sure about their particular view that if things turn out differently they will be disappointed.  I am not yet that sure!  I have yet to encounter a view that is without some difficulties and neither is my own, but I feel that this view has brought me closer to understanding what the Bible actually teaches than any other so far.  If the work I have done in my own pursuit of understanding can be helpful to others, it is certainly in the spirit of helpfulness that this is put forth.

     It was in the mid-80's that I first began to connect some of the dots that eventually led to the subject of this work.  Years later I began to organize my notes, and this has resulted in studies that were finished in 1998, in 2006, and this one, in 2018.  In my efforts over the years to connect more of the dots, I have had to erase a couple of my previous lines and mark new ones, but nothing that has affected in a major way how I was seeing things shape up.  What is more major is the resulting shape is somewhat different than anything I have found elsewhere.  However, the response of Christians I have presented it to has consistently been positive.

     Realizing the time that will be involved in your becoming familiar with my view and the normal question marks that may arise in your mind over how solid it is, I have hoped that it will not be put aside or dismissed before it is really understood.  I have had similar concerns over a couple of points that I was unable to fully explain at first mention.  It would sure be nice if everything that needed to be clarified about a particular point could be expressed in the same sentence or even in a paragraph!  Mindful of these concerns, I would call your attention to the format of this study.  It revolves around thirty-six propositions that support my view, most of which are original with me, some believed by many others, and all based upon interpretations of what has been revealed to us in God's Word.  An uninterrupted list of these propositions makes up APPENDIX #1, and each of these propositions heads a chapter division of this study.  A survey of these should give you a feel for the merit of my work (or lack thereof) and will reveal my conclusions on some points about which you may wonder along the way.

     Because of the importance of showing sound doctrine, a few chapters are more analytical in nature, and for some, these may not make for very absorbing reading.  On the other hand, because everything ultimately relates to what is going on in this world and what is up ahead, I believe much will be found to be quite interesting and thought provoking.  Hopefully, I have struck a fair balance.  If along the way you lose sight of how things can come together, consider my review (A REVIEW).  Borrowing from the familiar adage, "Can't see the forest for the trees,"  the reading of each chapter will be like focusing on one tree at a time.  The reading of my review will be like taking in the forest.

     To the reader who is new to the subject of the end times and the various rapture views, this can be like exploring a vast and unfamiliar territory.  It must be realized that such a journey is not as difficult for one who has been there.  Even so, everyone must begin somewhere.  My best advice would be to go easy, keep your heart open, and let the Spirit of Christ be your guide.  As could be expected with a prophecy study, there will be some difficult places, but there will also be easy places all along the way, so hang in there!  If the subject of the timing of the rapture ends up not being so interesting to you, or, if the subject is too deep for you at this time in your Bible study experience, I would still encourage you to look some at PART II.  It concerns what will happen after the rapture, the ending of this present world, and what the purpose for this present world has been in the first place.  You may wonder about the importance of some points or why I have dwelled upon them as I have.  The reason is simply because of the other views and the importance of fully clarifying the reasons I have come to this or that conclusion.  Those familiar with the subject will know that what has been addressed is needful.  All Scripture references (except for one, used as an example) will be from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

     To the reader who is more familiar with eschatology (the branch of theology concerned with the end times), my view of the timing of the rapture is as the title reflects.  My interpretation of the first four seals (Rev. 6:1-8) of the Seven Sealed Book or Scroll may cause some to question this at first, but I am not even partially in any other "camp."  Whatever phrase one may prefer to use to designate all or part of the much discussed seven year period of tribulation that is looming ahead, I do not believe the Church will go through any of it.

     For the scholar or last days author, if I were to venture an attempt to whet your appetite for yet another view, I have some selections at the bottom of this page that I would put forth for you to consider.  Perhaps these will enable you to more quickly discern whether this study will be worthy of any more of your time.  I know when I have sampled what someone else has prepared, my head sometimes moves in approval, sometimes the other way.  Whatever your head may do in respect to what I have prepared, I trust you will cause it to bow some.  Let's seek God together on it.

     As a missionary discipler, I want to be careful to call the reader to the Word of God more than to my particular view.  Everyone has a personal responsibility to God's Word, and though studies like this can be helpful, such should be seen as but a tool or a guide that may be used in one's own work of study.  Also, in all of your studying, don't forget Jesus' words to His first disciples concerning His return:  "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (Mk. 13:37).

     Finally, though our views may differ, I hope the reader shares my firmest conviction that Jesus Christ is coming again.  With each tick of the clock, the time is ever closer.  There has never been a time when God's children have needed to be more serious about their walk.  Always be mindful of what John wrote in I John 2:28:  "And now, little children, abide in Him;  that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."

​

June 2018

​

​

For the scholar or last days author...

​

     My approach to interpreting The Revelation has been neither preterist, historicist, futurist, or idealist.  Long before I had a concept of these hermeneutical approaches, I merely studied the scriptures, prayerfully seeking the direction of Christ's Spirit.  Jesus' words from John 16:13 still captivate me---"Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth:  for He shall not speak of Himself;  but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak:  and He will shew you things to come."  The result of this unadulterated approach has been what you will find in this website, something that scholarship has not come up with.  However, some truths that are viewed as connecting with each of the aforementioned approaches will be found here, as well as some that have not been found.  Following is a sampler of the latter:

​

#1---The prophecy of Joel's quoted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21) points to the era of the Church and gives details concerning the very day of its inauguration and the very day of it conclusion, the latter of which also marks the very day (not the date) of the Church's rapture.

​

#2---In The Revelation, John was shown what was "at hand" to begin (1:1-3), but not until after the word "hereafter" in 4:1 and his beholding of God, the Seven Sealed Book, and the Lamb in 4:2 through 5:14.  It is not until chapter six that what was at hand to begin is actually revealed.

​

#3---The first four seals were opened post-Apostolic, near the time of John's passing.  These reveal the liberties that were granted to Satan (he would have none otherwise) to effect the deception, wars, poverty, and the martyrdom of Christians that is seen throughout the Church Age.

​

#4---The final fulfilling of Joel's Church era prophecy (from #1) will occur on the day that the 6th Seal is opened.  At this time, Christ will make an appearance in the sky over Israel (Rev. 6:16-17), which He speaks of in Matthew 24:29-31 as the appearance of " THE SIGN of the Son of man in heaven."

​

#5---The Seven Sealed Book could rightly be entitled THE DAY OF THE LORD.  Scripturally, it can be opened just after the rapture, even the same day.  It includes, among other things, accounts of Daniel's 70th Week, Christ's Second Advent, His Millennial Reign, and the Last Judgment.

​

#6---As with Daniel's first 69 weeks, our hemisphere will not factor in in the 70th Week.  This is the "third part" destroyed in Revelation 8:6-12.  Earth's remaining population at Christ's Second Advent will only be those in Israel's hemisphere, making plain how "every eye shall see Him" (Rev. 1:7).

​

#7---The "little book open" in Revelation 10:2 is the little book of Daniel (Dan. 12:4, 8-10).  The first real evidence in The Revelation that Daniel's 70th Week has actually begun is in the opening verses of the very next chapter (Rev. 11:1-3), even verse one (cp. II Thess. 2:4;  Matt. 24:15).

​