Prophecy, as it relates to our present time—the dispensation of the Body of Christ—covers the culmination of the Body of Christ at the snatching away (the Rapture), Daniel's seventieth week of years, the Second Coming, the Millennial Kingdom, and the end of this universe. ✔️

All events unfolding now and into the future up to the Rapture are precursors to the Tribulation and the Second Coming.  

Content Outline:

A. Rapture 

B. Tribulation 

C. Second Coming

D. Kingdom Promised to Israel When Jesus rules and reigns 1000 years / all saints of all time will rule and reign with Christ during this time. 

E. End of the universe .  This universe will be completely erase, burned up, no more

F. New heaven & earth, no sun, no moon, & New Jerusalem will be on it. 

A.  The Rapture: 

Verses that speak of Jesus coming are often more likely to be referring to the Rapture than to the Second Coming. Why? Because of Paul’s clear teaching regarding the body of Christ. He explains that at any moment—potentially even today—the "dead in Christ" will be snatched away, and all living believers will be instantly changed to receive their promised eternal bodies, meeting the Lord in the air. For a new member of the body of Christ, it is only logical to associate these verses with the Rapture, given Paul’s explicit focus on this sudden catching away of believers. ✔️

John 14: 1-3  “Do not let your heart be troubled; [a]believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 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.

 Romans 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 

Romans 12:12 "rejoicing in hope........

1 Corinthians 1:7 "so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ eagerly, "

1 Corinthians 6:14 "Now  God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power." 

1 Cor. 15:51-53  Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

2 Corinthians 1:10, 14; 2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10 

1 Corinthians 15:20-23   and  1 Corinthians 15:51-52 are in the same context.   Chapter 15 is entirely about the resurrection. The entire context centers on this topic. This is Paul's primary concern as he addresses the Corinthians regarding issues brought to his attention. Because this is a letter to believers in Corinth, we are not privy to the specific details Paul learned about the community's exact struggles with this topic. However, we are certain that the central theme of chapter 15 is the resurrection.

 We have all experienced listening to two people talk about a subject where they share a broader context that we know nothing about. When reading chapter 15, we gain clarity, but not to the extent we might regarding specific details. As a writer, Paul is not concerned with minutely explaining every detail. Instead, he answers the Corinthians' specific concerns, knowing they already possess the fuller context surrounding the issue. So, how do we pull it all together to gain an even greater understanding of the resurrection? First and Second Corinthians were written after First and Second Thessalonians and First Corinthians. (See Chart Here.)

 Perhaps the pivotal verses of chapter 15 are verses 51-52. "How so, we may ask?  When we examine all of Paul's letters, we get a fuller picture.  This context has wording that identifies with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  "13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words."

By comparing Scripture with Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15 becomes clearer. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 adds greater understanding to this passage. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 stands as a pivotal truth, allowing us to see more clearly what Paul was speaking about in 1 Corinthians 15:51–58. These two references open the window of clarity on other "hope' passages that further give us insight into this event.  As stated above, the two letters written to the Thessalonians pre-dated the Corinthian letters.

When it comes to the blessed hope—the catching away or snatching out—we must ask which specific words suggest that Paul is speaking of this unknown event. Paul clearly tells us that there will be an event, at God's appointed time, when all the "dead in Christ" will be called forth from the grave. When this happens, both they and those in Christ who are still alive at that time will be transformed and caught up together. This "hope" is set and sure based on these passages. Therefore, since Paul wrote 13 of the New Testament letters, the word hope is crucial to understanding what he is referring to.

In Christian circles, there are differing beliefs regarding the end times and, more specifically, Christ's return. This author is a steadfast believer in accepting the wording of these key passages exactly as Paul wrote them. The rapture, a biblical doctrine, will happen regardless of what anyone says. Because this is Paul's mindset, it follows that when he uses the word "hope," it naturally refers to the rapture. Unless Paul clearly makes the case for another upcoming event, such as the second coming, then "hope" is best understood as referring to the rapture.

2 Corinthians 1:7-14 - In light of the eschatological doctrine of the Rapture—which encompasses both the dead in Christ and the living on Earth—the "hope" of life in Christ inherently involves this event for both groups. This connection exists because both groups are united at a singular moment: the harpazo, or the snatching away of believers. Consequently, both groups are caught up during this unique event, wherein the dead are resurrected, and the living are translated. At God's command, the corruptible remains of the deceased and the mortal bodies of the living are instantaneously transformed into glorified bodies. Currently, those who have died in Christ remain disembodied—absent from the body and present with the Lord—awaiting the reception of these promised, imperishable bodies at the Rapture. ✔️

Philippians 1:6, 10; 2:16; 3:8-14; Philippians 3:20-21

Philippians is a rapture-packed letter. Paul wrote First Thessalonians, Second Thessalonians, and First Corinthians before composing this letter to the Philippians. Why mention this chronology? Context is king. It must be the driving force for consistency to keep us pure in our interpretation, lest we drift like the majority of pastors, teachers, and members of the Body of Christ into springboard preaching and teaching. Let's dive in and examine the following references in Philippians. ✔️

First, let's establish a truth: the Day of the Lord and the Day of Christ are not the same. The Day of the Lord concerns Israel and is found throughout the Old Testament writings. In contrast, the Day of Christ is unique to Paul's letters—appearing only here in Philippians—and refers to the removal of the members of the Body of Christ. You can use whichever synonym you prefer: the snatching away, the removal, or the Rapture. 

By the way, never buy into the false theology that the Rapture is not a clear doctrine written about and taught by its author in the New Testament. What is a synonym for it? Rapture, removal, snatched out, sudden departure, the blessed hope, and the Day of Christ are all excellent options.✔️ (reference: John Walvoord, page xvii, volume 1,(4) The great events predicted.

Colossians 1:21-23; Colossians 3:1-4. 

Paul's letter to the Colossians also teaches about the rapture—the time when all believers of this dispensation, the Body of Christ, are given their glorified bodies, both the dead in Christ and those who are alive on earth at the time of this event. Once again, our greater context comes from 1 and 2 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians for our primary passages on the Day of Christ, popularly known as the rapture. ✔️

Looking at the text in both references here: Colossians 1:21-23  "And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister."

"The words 'in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach' describe an event that happens because the rapture has already occurred. At the rapture, the next event for those who are raptured is the Bema Seat judgment, which precedes our presentation before Jesus as holy and blameless. This presentation takes place once we are judged by our works in Christ, as described in 1 Corinthians 3:10–15. To arrive at this event means we are already in the presence of Christ at the Bema Seat judgment because we have been removed from the earth. He snatches us from the earth, which triggers the seven-year tribulation—the final years predicted by Daniel, known as Daniel's 70th week. Therefore, the words 'present you before Him holy and blameless' cannot happen until after the Bema Seat judgment. Verse 23 is speaking of this specific event and process in heaven." ✔️

Colossians 3:1-4 "Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."  "When Christ, who is our life, is revealed," is a reference to the rapture. Note that at this time, we who are in Christ will also be revealed with Him in glory. This is extremely clear; you can't mess this up unless you have an agenda to deny it."

2 Timothy 4:18

In 2 Timothy 4, Paul refers to two distinct appearances. The first, in verse 1, is the Second Coming, and the second, in verse 18, is the Rapture. The qualifier separating these two events is the phrase "His kingdom" versus "His heavenly kingdom." Why? "His kingdom" in verse 1 refers to Christ’s future earthly reign, whereas verse 18 speaks of the catching away from this earth to be with the Lord at His appearing." 

Titus 2:13 "the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 9:28  "will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." 

James 5:7-8 "7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.  Because the rapture was clearly taught to the believers, then reference to Jesus coming back as He promised in John's gospel, "I will come again and receive you unto myself."  This encouragement too mirrors Jesus' word, which they understood."
1 Peter 4:13 and 5:4 both refer to the catching away, because this was their expectation that Jesus would return and receive them unto Himself.  

1 John 3:2-3 "2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Again, this refers to the removal of believers from this earth when Jesus appears a second time for His bride.

 Revelation 1:19 provides the outline of Revelation. Verse 19 of chapter one records the following words: "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things." The past is clearly the past, while the present refers to the current era. The future is described as what will happen "after these things." 

Now, look at Revalation chapter 4, verse 1: "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.'" Note that the words "after these things" refer to what follows the events discussed in the letters to the churches and their prophetic significance. Jesus is teaching John about the time of the hope of Christ, His appearing, and the rapture. 

Beginning with Chapter 4 and moving forward, the text has nothing to do with the "Body of Christ"—also called the "Church Age"—which is an intercalation or parenthetical program of God, separated from His program for Israel and the Gentiles. Instead, the revelatory account from chapters 4 to 20 is about those who are left on earth after the rapture. All of them will be lost initially, for everyone who was in Christ has been removed. While many will trust in Jesus during the tribulation after the rapture, most will not. This is the testimony of God's word.

 We are privileged to be living in the actual last of the last days. There are over 8 billion people on the face of the earth. We see wars and rumors of wars with the potential to destroy all peoples on the face of the earth. The spirit of the Antichrist is alive and well in the world as nations position themselves against God, individually and collectively standing against Israel and the true Body of Christ. The Restrainer is restraining but will soon be removed; this will take place at the removal of the born-again believer from the earth.  At that time, the 70th week of Daniel starts at the signing of a peace treaty with Israel. ✔️

The snatching away, the rapture, removal of the body of Christ is a "signless event." Nothing has to happen for it to happen. This is the believers of this dispensation's charge, "looking forward to the return of Christ, " expressed in the word "blessed hope."

B. The Tribulation:

 From the time of the Fall, a spiritual war has been going on. This spiritual war plays out its goal through humans. Remove humans, and Satan has nothing to fight for. Keep this in the forefront of your thinking, because the battle is for the mind of mankind. Everyone, at birth, is headed toward everlasting damnation. Satan seeks to keep it that way for all individuals. However, God, in His infinite love and grace, did for mankind what mankind could not do for itself. ✔️

Consider two nations fighting each other. Rulers cannot rule if there are no subjects to govern. Tribulation, in some form or degree, has been with us since the Fall. When the Great Tribulation—also known as Jacob’s trouble or Daniel’s seventieth week—occurs, we will see carnage on a massive scale. It will be a time of devastation unknown to Earth, comparable only to the judgment of the flood in Noah's day. In Noah's day, mass mortality happened within a much shorter timeframe, whereas during Daniel's seventieth week of years, the destruction is gradual. The biblical record makes it clear that well over half of the global population will perish. At the time of this writing in 2026, Earth has over eight billion people; half of this population is four billion. When we speak of this period, the severity of the Tribulation is extreme, dwarfing even the darkest eras of history when dictators killed millions. ✔️

A Google search of the top five rulers of recorded history gives us the following estimated deaths because of the influence and control of the following individuals Satan used to accomplish what they did.  

1. Mao Zedong (China, 1958–1962)

• Death Toll: 30 to 45 million people

2. Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union, 1929–1953)

• Death Toll: 20 to 40 million people

3. Adolf Hitler (Nazi Germany, 1933–1945)

• Death Toll: 11 to 21 million civilians (plus millions of wartime casualties)

4. Genghis Khan (Mongol Empire, 1206–1227)

• Death Toll: Up to 40 million people 

5. King Leopold II (Congo Free State / Belgium, 1885–1908)

• Death Toll: 10 to 15 million people

Is all this mass killing a tribulation? Yes. Therefore, when we speak of the time of Daniel's seventieth week, which is clearly laid out in Revelation, we see very clearly that the two are not to be compared in terms of carnage and death on this planet. Any suggestion that the information provided in Revelation is no different from the examples above comes from one of two possibilities: ignorance, or an intention to confuse and mislead.✔️

Think of it this way: no one, including biblical skeptics, would in their right mind deny that, based on the narrative of Genesis, all people living at that time died in a flood. Who caused it? God caused it. Even those who claim that God does not exist should at least acknowledge, "Yes, that is what the Bible tells us happened." Both believers and unbelievers would conclude that the account of Noah's day records the death of all humans except eight. Estimates range from several billion to around seven billion (Genesis 8). We won't belabor that, but whatever the number was, it was certainly over a billion. Is a billion considerably larger than the worst carnage in human history? Yes, it is.✔️

So, when we speak of the Tribulation—or to say it as Daniel did, the "seventieth week of years"—which literally means seven years of tribulation as described in Revelation 4:1 - 18, we can know that over half of the population will die, see Revelation 6:8 and 9:14-18. This equals over four billion people if it happens in 2026. Now, all this death happens in the first half of the seven years. Scripture tells us that in the second half, had Jesus not returned, no one would be left alive on the Earth.✔️  (Video)

Here is the point of this discussion and information: When a Christian speaks of this exactly as it is written, a large majority of folks always turn to another pulpit. They say there has always been tribulation and persecution, and they are right. However, what they do not know—or knowingly try to distract from and pervert—is that, by comparison, the death toll of the Tribulation we are speaking about makes the most egregious historical death counts seem like peanuts.✔️

Intentionally or unintentionally, this kind of thinking is a strawman argument. It is an argument born of denial or ignorance. Any sane-thinking person would look at this and say, "Wow, that is Great Tribulation." Hold on, you are right if you conclude this as I do: there is an even greater period within the greatest. The first three and a half years of tribulation comprise a massive period, but the latter part is even greater than the first. If that final half were not stopped by God, no life would remain on planet Earth.✔️

 What is the point of this discussion? First, it is to point out the actual stated information. Second, it is to help others understand that off-the-cuff comments on the teaching of the tribulation are mostly born out of ignorance—not stupidity, but a lack of understanding of what the Bible actually says. Generally—not as a put-down, but perhaps as an indictment—the vast majority of my brothers and sisters in Christ do not study the Bible. This lack of understanding comes from a lack of correct study. The model is to read, study, and outline God’s word by using the normal, literal, historical, grammatical, and in-context method. The refusal to practice this means you will never understand God’s word to its fullest. ✔️

3. Second Coming: 

Jesus will literally stand on Earth. However, He does not land on Earth during the snatching away of believers—specifically the Body of Christ, which was a hidden mystery from all peoples and ages until God revealed it to Paul and the other apostles. Everything about the Body of Christ was a secret until that revelation, including the Rapture of the Church. When Jesus returns physically to Earth, the picture is entirely different. The only ones who confuse this issue are those who speak without understanding and are unwilling to take a back seat and let the text speak. Note the following verses regarding the Second Coming, at which time Jesus will come to Earth to rule and reign for 1,000 years.✔️

The rapture is about the Body of Christ; the second coming is about Israel and the beginning of the millennial kingdom on Earth promised to David and Israel as a whole.  

Zechariah 14:4-9

4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. 5 You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!

6 In that day there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. 7 For it will be a unique day which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light.

8 And in that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter.

9 And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one.

4. The Kingdom