Calvary Baptist Church - Weimar, Texas

The Bible talks about two doctrines concerning the End Times, known in theology as “Eschatology.” One is the Rapture of the Church, or Harpatzo (Greek) referenced in I Thessalonians 4:13-18, and the other is the Second Coming of Christ—two separate events. The Rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation, when God pours out His wrath on the unbelieving world while protecting His Bride, the Church, as seen in Isaiah 26:20, Revelation 3:10, and I Thessalonians 5:9. The belief is that the Church won’t go through the Tribulation because it’s already described in Heaven in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, and is absent during the seals, bowls, and trumpet judgments in chapters 6 to 18.

During the Tribulation, God will reveal Himself to His chosen people, Israel, who will recognize Jesus (Yeshua) as their Messiah, repent, and return to the truth through the ministry of 144,000 Jewish evangelists and the preaching of two witnesses—Moses and Elijah—who will preach for three and a half years, as described in Revelation 7:3-8 and Revelation 11:3-13. During this time, those not “raptured” will be deceived, take the “mark of the beast,” and align themselves with the beast, the false prophet, and satan in opposition to those who will be saved. Only a small remnant will not receive the mark of the beast and will be martyred for their allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ Revelation 13:15-17.

After the seven-year judgments have been poured out on the earth, we, the Church, will return with Jesus himself to judge the Beast and the False Prophet for deceiving billions away from salvation in the Lord. This will also address the harsh words they spoke against God and against pastors, teachers, and prophets who sought to lead them to the truth. Revelation 19:11-21.