Some articles that I have written clearly show that I believe the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory. When these articles got posted on raptureready.com, I received e-mails from people who believe in other theories (the Mid-Trib Rapture, Pre-Wrath Rapture, Post-Trib Rapture, etc.). Many of those e-mails said I am wrong and told me why the writer believes the church will go through part or all of the Tribulation Period. Virtually all of those who disagree with me mention the “elect” in Matt. 24 and say the elect is the church.

Jesus mentioned the “elect” three times in Matt. 24. He said, “And except those days [the Tribulation Period] should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the ‘elect’s’ sake those days shall be shortened” (Matt. 24:22). He said, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very ‘elect’ (Matt. 24:24). He also said, “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his ‘elect’ from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matt. 24:31).

If I believed the “elect” in these three verses refers to the church, I would have to review my belief in the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory. But I don’t believe the “elect” refers to the church. I believe it refers to those who sincerely express faith in Jesus after the church is raptured (between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus).

It is important to know that the Scriptures identify two groups of “elect:” the “elect” of Israel and the “elect” of the true church.Matthew 24 must be rightly divided to know which group of “elect” is meant. For example, notice Isaiah 45:4a, “For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine ‘elect’ . .  .” God clearly called Israel “mine elect.” The basis of Israel’s election is God’s everlasting covenant with Abraham and his seed after him in their generations (Gen. 17:7-13; Deut. 10:15).

It can be shown that the Scriptures also identify two groups of “saints” (Israel and the church; see Psa. 79:1-4). These correspond to the “elect,” but for the sake of brevity this is being ignored at this time.

Having said this, it is my opinion that the signs in Matt. 24:1-8 are signs of the Church Age that will have an ultimate fulfillment during the Tribulation Period. For example, famine and pestilence exist today, but the ultimate famine and pestilence will be during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 6:6-9); false Christs exist today, but the ultimate false Christ will be the Antichrist during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 6:1-19:21); earthquakes exist today, but the ultimate earthquake will take place during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 16:18); and wars and rumors of wars exist today, but the ultimate war will be the Battle of Armageddon during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 19:15-21).

Starting at verse 9, Matt. 24 is about Israel. The “gospel of the kingdom” mentioned in verse 14 will be preached in all the world by 144,000 Jews (Rev. 7:4-8), Two Witnesses, at least one of which will probably be a Jew (Rev. 11:3-12), and an angel (Rev. 14:6). The “holy place” mentioned in verse 15 will be in the Temple inJerusalem in Israel. Those who are in “Judea” mentioned in verse 16 refer to people on the West Bank in Israel. The “Sabbath” mentioned in verse 20 is the Jewish holy day. The “elect” mentioned in verse 22 is Israel (Isa. 45:4). Verse 28 is a parable (seeJob 39:27-30) about the Battle of Armageddon in Israel. Basically, it teaches that wherever the dead body (carcass) is the Palestinian Eagle gathers to devour the flesh (Rev. 19:17-18). Verses 29-31 are about the gathering of the Jews to Israel at the Second Coming (Isa. 11:11-12, 27:12-13; Matt. 8:5-13). Verses 32-33 are about the Fig Tree (Israel). Verses 37-41 are about the removal of the lost at the Second Coming not the removal of the church at the Rapture (Matt. 13:36-42, 47-50). The lost were removed from the earth in the days of Noah not the saved.

In conclusion, the verses in Matt. 24-9-51 do not prove that the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory is wrong or that some other theory is right. They contain teachings that are profitable for the church, but they are about Israel not the church.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck

God’s fourth Commandment says, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8). Moses said, “Six days ye shall gather it (manna); but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath . . .” (Ex. 16:26). God said, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath . . .” (Ex. 20:9-10). The seventh day of the Jewish week is Saturday. The Bible clearly states that God told the Jews to worship on Saturday.

One day, Jesus was walking through a corn field with His disciples and they were hungry. They started plucking ears of corn to eat and the Pharisees accused them of not keeping the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-2). It’s a controversy that comes up in the Church today. The vast majority of Christians worship on Sunday, but there is a minority that accuses them of not keeping the fourth Commandment about the Sabbath.

It’s important to know that the Old Testament contains Ten Commandments, but the New Testament contains only nine. The New Testament tells the church not to kill, not to steal, not to bear false witness, etc., but the New Testament never tells the church to keep the Sabbath day holy. God is not forgetful. So many Christians believe He left the fourth Commandment out for a reason and they believe that reason is because He placed the church under grace not the Law

One reason why God set aside the seventh day for the Jews to worship is because He wanted them to remember the Creation. He said, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Ex. 20:11).

The Creation is important. Without it, none of us would be here today. But there is something else to remember. We must be re-created in the image of Christ (II Cor. 5:17). Jesus said it this way, “Ye must be born again” (Jn. 3:7). Without it, we would be better off if God had never created anything.

So instead of worshipping on the seventh or Sabbath day and remembering the Creation, many Christians worship on the first or Lord’s day and remember what Jesus did so we can be re-created. There are many reasons why they chose to remember Jesus on the Lord’s Day and a few of them are given in the remainder of this article.

One, Jesus arose from the grave on the Lord’s Day (Matt. 28:1). Two, the church began on Pentecost which always falls on the Lord’s Day (Acts 2:1). Three, the church is instructed to give on the Lord’s Day (I Cor. 16:2). Four, the church was given the Book of Revelation on the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10). Five, the church took communion on the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7). Six, the Bible records at least five different appearances of Jesus between His resurrection and ascension and all of them were on the Lord’s Day. Seven, the early church leaders were the disciples and it is clear that they often met on the Lord’s Day.

Worship the Lord every day and, if you are able, attend church because the Lord wants you to do it. The Scriptures stress the importance of attending especially as we see the day of His coming approaching (Heb. 10:25). Many experts in Bible prophecy believe that day is right on top of us. And don’t forget: It is not enough to attend church. You MUST be born again.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck