When Will the Rapture Take Place?: or The timing of the rapture

By John Riggs

The doctrine of the rapture is one of the most interesting subjects in the Bible. Unfortunately, it also is taught and preached in the most unbiblical ways. There are a lot of false beliefs concerning the rapture, such as the following: Can we know when it will happen? Is it pre-, mid-, or post tribulation? Preterist (already happened)? Amillennialist (it will never happen)? What are the signs? When do the signs officially start? Which verses teach the rapture, and which teach the second coming?

It is amazing to listen to the teachers and preachers and how they contradict each other, each claiming to have the mind of God. This book will give you a fresh way to view the doctrine of the rapture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886852134

Book preview

cover.jpg

When Will the Rapture Take Place?

or The timing of the rapture

John Riggs

ISBN 979-8-88685-212-7 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88685-213-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by John F. Riggs

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

To my wife, Kathy

Introduction

Can We Know?

On Which Day of the Year Will the Rapture Occur?

Is Four the Number of Messiah?

What Time Is It?

What's Next?

Conclusion

About the Author

To my wife, Kathy

I was so discouraged in the publication process that I had quit—twice—and wasn't going to publish this book. You encouraged me to continue and put aside my frustrations.

I love you Doll

Introduction

Inever thought that I would ever write a book, especially a theology book. People on the forefront of the battle take the hits from the enemy and from friendly fire. I have no desire to engage in any kind of warfare over this book. At the age of thirteen, I became a Christian. I went to church whenever the doors were open. Between Sunday school class, Sunday morning worship service, Sunday night service, and Wednesday night service, I averaged four services a week.

I have been a Christian for over fifty years and have heard many, many sermons and Bible teaching class lessons. I have heard many things said from behind the pulpit that simply are not scriptural. The person thought they were anointed or speaking under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but they were not. I have heard many things said about the rapture that are not true. I have seen and heard TV preachers say things about the rapture that are not true. Even the top preachers whom I hold in high esteem and listen to every chance I get have said things that just are not accurate concerning the rapture.

I don't make any claim to Divine knowledge or any special insight. I am just a student of the Scriptures. If I get any of this correct, I give God the glory. He is so merciful to me. If any of this is wrong, it's on me, not Him. So, as you well know, eat the meat and throw out the bones.

I want this book to come off as a friend talking to another friend, not as an exhaustive textbook. I have included what I call sidenotes between chapters 4 and 5. These sidenotes include more information but tend to bog down the flow of the narrative, so I didn't put them in the main body of text where they fit.

I want you to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 and search the scriptures, to see if these things are so. ~John

Chapter 1

Can We Know?

or

False Ideas about the Rapture

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.

—Amos 3:7

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

—Proverbs 25:2

There are many false ideas concerning the rapture. The first is that we cannot know the timing of the rapture. When I read I Thessalonians 4:13–5:8, I