Is America’s Global Dominance Fading?

For decades, the United States has stood at the center of the Western-led world order. Its military power, economic strength and vast network of alliances have allowed Washington to influence events from Europe to the Middle East and Asia.

But a new Wall Street Journal report asks a striking question: Is America still capable of enforcing the world order?

The report says America’s inconclusive war with Iran has strained critical U.S. weapons stockpiles and exposed limitations in America’s ability to sustain conflicts across multiple theaters. According to estimates cited by the Journal, the U.S. has already consumed roughly half of its prewar inventory of certain missile interceptors, including Patriots and THAADs, and about one-third of its Tomahawk and JASSM long-range missile arsenal. The White House disputes suggestions that America lacks sufficient munitions and says the military has enough to accomplish the president’s strategic objectives.

Nevertheless, America’s allies are asking questions that would have been almost unthinkable during the height of American global dominance.

Can America simultaneously defend Europe against Russia, protect its Middle Eastern allies, confront Iran and maintain sufficient strength to deter China in the Indo-Pacific?

That question has tremendous geopolitical implications.

It may also have prophetic ones.

Prophecy Points Toward Europe

Bible prophecy describes a final world government that will dominate international affairs immediately preceding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Daniel 2 portrays the succession of world empires through Nebuchadnezzar’s great image, ultimately ending with the feet of iron mixed with clay (i.e., a revived Holy Roman Empire from Europe). Revelation 13 then combines characteristics of Daniel’s prophetic beasts (Daniel 7) into a combo beast working in unity toward the final global government.

Within this prophetic framework, the final world government is understood to emerge from a revived Holy Roman Empire centered in Europe.

That creates an interesting question concerning America.

For much of the modern era, if someone were asked which nation was most capable of leading a global order, the obvious answer would have been the United States.

But Bible prophecy does not depict America as the dominant power leading the Antichrist’s final world government.

Instead, prophecy points us back toward Europe.

Is the Balance of Power Beginning to Shift?

That does not mean America’s current military challenges fulfill Daniel or Revelation.

They do not.

America remains extraordinarily powerful, and the Pentagon is investing tens of billions of dollars into rebuilding and dramatically expanding missile-defense production. The Journal reports plans to triple Patriot PAC-3 production and quadruple THAAD interceptor production, although reaching those production goals will take years.

But prophecy students should watch the direction of global power.

Europe is already being forced to reconsider its dependence upon America. European governments increasingly fear the possibility of a wider confrontation with Russia while simultaneously questioning whether Washington will always possess both the willingness and the military resources necessary to defend them.

That pressure could ultimately produce a much stronger and more independent Europe.

And that is where this becomes prophetically fascinating.

For years, Europe largely operated beneath America’s military umbrella. But what happens if European nations conclude that America can no longer guarantee their security?

What happens if Europe builds its own military capabilities, strengthens its political institutions and begins assuming responsibilities once carried primarily by Washington?

We may eventually witness a historic shift in which America’s global dominance diminishes while Europe rises to fill the vacuum.

Scripture indicates that such a shift must ultimately occur.

The United States does not appear to lead the final global government depicted in Revelation 13. Instead, the prophetic picture points toward the revived Holy Roman Empire and Europe becoming the dominant political force from which the Antichrist eventually emerges.

We should not declare that America’s depleted weapons inventories are fulfilling that prophecy.

But we should recognize the larger trend.

America’s allies are beginning to ask whether the United States can still enforce the world order.

Europe is increasingly being forced to prepare for a future in which it may have to defend itself.

Could America’s present military strain become one more catalyst that pushes Europe toward the powerful role Bible prophecy says it will eventually occupy?

Only time will tell.

But if the balance of global power begins moving from Washington toward Europe, students of Bible prophecy should pay very close attention.

Original article:
Wall Street Journal: Is America Still Capable of Enforcing the World Order?

About the Author

Bryan Smith serves as Content & Teaching Pastor at Endtime Ministries and has been part of the Endtime family for more than 25 years. He has been engaged in pastoral ministry for two decades, served as Academic Dean, Registrar, and Professor for Valor University, and is a frequent teacher of the Understanding the End Time class. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Leadership, has completed advanced studies in the history of prophecy through HarvardX’s certificate program with Harvard University, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Biblical Studies. In addition to hosting The Bible Prophecy Show podcast, Bryan is a regular contributor to Endtime magazine and writes on the intersection of Bible prophecy, theology, and global current events.

Iran War Escalation: Road to the Sixth Trumpet?

By Bryan Smith

The war between the United States and Iran has entered another dangerous chapter.

A 60-day diplomatic window intended to produce a permanent agreement has expired without a deal. Iran is warning that it is shifting toward a “fully offensive” military posture. President Donald Trump says no new negotiations are scheduled. The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the confrontation.

Russia is reportedly helping Iran rebuild portions of its depleted weapons supply. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is reviewing America’s nuclear posture with an emphasis on giving the president additional options should a regional conflict involving nuclear powers spiral out of control.

Any one of these developments would deserve attention.

Taken together, they raise a much bigger question for students of Bible prophecy:

Could the wars and confrontations we are watching today eventually converge into the Sixth Trumpet War prophesied in Revelation 9?

We are not saying this is the Sixth Trumpet War. Scripture gives specific characteristics that must be fulfilled before that declaration can be made.

But the geography is right.

The military escalation is intensifying.

Major world powers are increasingly connected to the conflict.

And the possibility of a regional war expanding into something dramatically larger is no longer confined to Bible prophecy discussions.

Military officials themselves are openly preparing for escalation scenarios that could involve nuclear weapons.

The Peace Clock Has Expired

The immediate danger begins with the apparent failure of diplomacy.

The 60-day period established under the June memorandum between the United States and Iran expired without producing a permanent peace agreement. Key issues remained unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions and the broader military confrontation. The United States declined to extend the agreement.

Iran subsequently warned that it was preparing to move toward a “fully offensive” posture.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iranian entities should prepare for escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and throughout the wider region. The official warned that Iran could undertake military action intended to break the American naval blockade if diplomacy continued to fail.

Then came another troubling development.

President Trump said there were no negotiations underway with Iran and none scheduled. Meanwhile, Tehran maintained that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed to shipping, contradicting Trump’s assertion that it was open. The continuing uncertainty pushed oil prices higher and renewed concerns about the economic consequences of a prolonged war.

This is not the picture of a conflict winding down.

It is the picture of a conflict searching for its next direction.

The Strait of Hormuz Could Pull More Nations Into the War

The Strait of Hormuz is particularly dangerous because the consequences of fighting there do not remain confined to Iran and the United States. Many nations are effected by struggling corridor.

This waterway is one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.

That means prolonged disruption affects governments, militaries, businesses and ordinary people far beyond the Middle East.

Oman has attempted to play a mediating role in efforts concerning shipping through the strait, but even that effort has generated additional confrontation. President Trump recently threatened military action against Oman if it interfered with American efforts concerning Iran and the waterway.

The United Arab Emirates has also been drawn into the danger. UAE authorities reported detecting two ballistic missiles launched from Iran on August 18, with one falling within its territorial waters.

Think about what is developing.

The United States is fighting Iran.

Israel is deeply involved in the confrontation.

Oman is becoming entangled through diplomacy and control of shipping routes.

The UAE is reporting Iranian missiles.

Iranian-backed forces and other regional actors remain capable of opening additional fronts.

Russia is reportedly resupplying Iran.

And all of this is occurring around the Persian Gulf and the broader Middle East.

That geographical detail should immediately get the attention of Bible prophecy students.

Revelation 9 Points Us Toward the Euphrates

The Sixth Trumpet prophecy is recorded in Revelation 9:13-21.

John writes that the sixth angel sounds and a command is given:

“Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates” (Revelation 9:14, KJV).

The prophecy then describes a war of almost unimaginable magnitude.

Revelation 9:15 says the forces involved are prepared “for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men” (KJV).

Then John gives another astonishing detail:

“And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them” (Revelation 9:16, KJV).

Two hundred thousand thousand equals 200 million.

This coming war will ultimately kill one-third of mankind, which would be over 2.7 billion people by today’s global population.

We have long taught that this prophecy describes a future conflict beginning from the region of the Euphrates River.

And where is the Euphrates?

It begins in Turkey, passes through Syria, about 70% of it is in Iraq, and it empties into the Persian Gulf near Iran.

Now look at the map.

The very region identified in Revelation 9 is becoming increasingly militarized, increasingly unstable and increasingly entangled with the interests of the world’s great powers.

Coincidence?

Perhaps.

But prophecy students should certainly be watching.

How Does a Regional War Kill One-Third of Mankind?

There has always been an enormous question surrounding the Sixth Trumpet prophecy.

How does a war beginning around the Euphrates River become destructive enough to kill one-third of the human population?

Conventional regional warfare alone would have difficulty producing casualties on that scale.

That has led us for years to consider whether the Sixth Trumpet War could eventually involve nuclear weapons.

Now listen to what American military officials themselves are discussing.

The Pentagon has launched a review of America’s nuclear posture focused on providing the president with additional options. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby specifically discussed the danger of a regional war escalating through the use of nuclear weapons.

His concern was not necessarily an immediate massive nuclear attack against the United States.

It was something potentially more difficult to control: a conventional regional conflict in which nuclear weapons are introduced and escalation follows.

U.S. Strategic Command commander Adm. Richard Correll similarly described an escalation spectrum extending from non-kinetic capabilities through conventional warfare, a limited nuclear exchange and eventually higher-end escalation.

Let’s get this straight: American defense officials are contemplating how a regional conventional war could escalate into limited nuclear warfare and potentially a large-scale nuclear exchange.

Although this alone does not prove anything concerning Revelation 9, it helps answer the question of how a conflict beginning in one region could eventually produce casualties of biblical proportions.

A regional war does not necessarily remain regional.

Especially when nuclear powers become involved.

Russia Is Moving Closer to Iran

That brings us to Russia.

According to recent reporting, more than two dozen Russian vessels have reportedly transported drone components, missiles and explosives across the Caspian Sea to help Iran replenish weapons supplies damaged by American and Israeli strikes. The precise quantity of assistance remains unclear, and the Kremlin has denied involvement.

But even the possibility demonstrates how quickly the battle lines can become complicated.

Iran is not fighting in a geopolitical vacuum.

Russia has interests in Iran.

China has interests in Iran.

America has interests throughout the Middle East.

Israel’s security is directly involved.

European governments have economic and security interests in the region.

Turkey sits at the headwaters of the Euphrates and is a NATO member.

Iraq and Syria lie directly along the river identified in Revelation 9.

This is how regional wars can become international wars and even a full-scale nuclear war.

One nation becomes involved.

Then an ally responds.

Then another nation protects its economic interests.

Then military alliances activate.

Then retaliation expands the battlefield.

The First World War demonstrated how rapidly alliances can transform a regional confrontation into a global catastrophe.

The Sixth Trumpet War will make every previous war in human history pale by comparison.

America Is Preparing for a Larger War

There is another development worth watching.

The United States is not merely debating nuclear strategy. It is dramatically increasing weapons production.

The Pentagon recently awarded a $22.9 billion contract to increase Tomahawk cruise missile production toward 1,000 missiles per year. Defense officials are also working to expand production of AMRAAMs, Standard Missiles and other critical munitions.

Separate Pentagon agreements are intended to increase production of missile interceptors used by systems including Aegis, PAC-3 and THAAD. Officials have openly described efforts to expand the defense industrial base and replenish weapons inventories amid the continuing Iran conflict.

Nations prepare weapons during wars. That is normal military behavior.

But taken together with our eye on Scripture (i.e., Rev. 9:13-21), the picture is sobering.

America is fighting Iran while increasing missile production.

Iran is threatening renewed offensive operations.

Russia is reportedly helping replenish Iran.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

Regional countries are increasingly being pulled into the confrontation.

And the Pentagon is examining what happens if a regional conflict escalates into nuclear warfare.

Wow. It is obviously time to stay prayed up and busy about our Father’s business (sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

Could Cyberwar Become Another Front?

Modern warfare also extends far beyond bombs and missiles.

Cyberattacks can target electricity, water, communications, banking and transportation.

That means a future large-scale war may attack civilian infrastructure thousands of miles from the traditional battlefield.

Iranian-linked cyber operations have already demonstrated interest in American critical infrastructure. The Center for Strategic and International Studies has documented Iranian cyber activity targeting U.S. water systems, highlighting vulnerabilities that could become increasingly important during a broader conflict.

Iranian officials and IRGC-linked voices have also threatened energy and communications infrastructure if attacks against Iran intensify.

That creates another disturbing possibility.

A war beginning in the Middle East could reach American communities without an enemy aircraft ever entering U.S. airspace.

Electric grids.

Water systems.

Financial networks.

Communications.

Internet infrastructure.

Transportation.

Modern civilization is extraordinarily interconnected, which also means modern civilization possesses extraordinary vulnerabilities.

The Sixth Trumpet prophecy describes casualties, not merely economic disruption. We should therefore avoid forcing every cyberattack into Revelation 9.

But cyberwar could certainly accompany the kind of global military confrontation Revelation describes.

What About the 200 Million-Man Army?

Then there is Revelation’s mysterious 200 million-man army.

We should be careful here.

Scripture tells us the number. It does not explicitly identify the modern nation or coalition that will comprise that force.

China has historically attracted attention because of its enormous population and military potential.

A large coalition of nations could also theoretically produce such numbers, and so could India.

And because the prophecy is connected directly to the Euphrates, the possibility of a massive coalition emerging from the Islamic world has also been considered. “Seriously” (to quote Vince Stegall).

We should not become dogmatic where Scripture is not. However, we should be keen to all the “moving parts” (to quote Doug Norvell).

The important point is that Revelation gives us both a geographical marker and an extraordinary military number.

Therefore, we watch the Euphrates region.

We watch the alliances developing around it.

We watch which great powers are being drawn toward it.

And we watch whether separate conflicts begin merging.

Wars Are Beginning to Overlap

This may be one of the most important developments of all.

Today’s wars cannot always be viewed independently.

Russia’s war interests overlap with Iran.

Iran’s military relationship with Russia affects the Middle East.

China has economic and strategic interests tied to Middle Eastern energy.

American commitments extend simultaneously across Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.

Israel faces threats from multiple directions and is the epicenter of end-time world affairs.

Turkey occupies a unique position between Europe, NATO, the Islamic world and the Middle East.

One conflict strains weapons inventories needed for another.

One conflict changes energy supplies needed by another nation.

One military alliance affects another battlefield thousands of miles away.

The world is becoming a web of overlapping conflicts, and it appears to be setting the stage for a war like none other (i.e., Sixth Trumpet War).

That is exactly why we should be careful about assuming the Sixth Trumpet War must suddenly appear one morning as an entirely new conflict bearing a giant prophetic label.

It may.

But it is also possible that the war described in Revelation 9 emerges through the slow systematic escalation and convergence of conflicts already developing.

We do not know. But it is coming.

Nothing will stop it, as it is foretold in the Word of God.

The Euphrates Is the Prophetic Signpost

What we do know is what Scripture tells us.

The Sixth Trumpet is associated with the Euphrates.

It involves an army numbered at 200 million.

It produces the deaths of one-third of mankind.

That’s at least 2.7 billion people.

And it occurs before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Those facts should determine what we watch.

For decades, people could read Revelation 9 and wonder how such destruction could ever happen.

Today, nuclear-armed nations possess enough destructive capability to make casualty numbers once considered unimaginable horrifyingly conceivable.

And now the Pentagon itself is openly reviewing how America should respond if a regional conflict involving great powers climbs the nuclear escalation ladder.

Meanwhile, one of the world’s most dangerous active wars is centered immediately adjacent to the region identified by Revelation.

That does not allow us to set dates.

It does not allow us to declare that the Sixth Trumpet has sounded.

And it certainly does not mean every missile launch or diplomatic breakdown fulfills Bible prophecy.

But it does mean we should be watching very closely.

Are We Watching the Pieces Assemble?

Consider where things stand.

The diplomatic clock has expired without a permanent U.S.-Iran agreement.

Iran says it is moving toward a fully offensive posture.

The United States says there are currently no negotiations scheduled.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint capable of affecting the entire global economy.

Russia is reportedly helping Iran replenish military supplies.

American weapons production is accelerating.

And U.S. defense officials are studying how a regional conventional conflict could escalate through limited nuclear warfare toward something dramatically larger, while running low on munitions.

Then open your Bible to Revelation 9.

A catastrophic war is coming.

It will be connected to the Euphrates River.

It will involve military forces of staggering size.

And before it ends, one-third of mankind will be dead.

We cannot yet say that today’s U.S.-Iran war is that war.

But we can ask the question:

Are we watching the battlefield being prepared?

Perhaps today’s conflict eventually subsides and another war fulfills Revelation 9 years from now.

Or perhaps the confrontations presently surrounding Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Israel, Russia, China and the United States will continue intersecting until a regional war becomes something the world can no longer contain.

Only time will tell.

But Jesus commanded His followers to watch.

And with diplomacy collapsing, Iran threatening escalation, Russia reportedly resupplying Tehran, the Strait of Hormuz remaining contested and American military planners openly considering the possibility of nuclear escalation from regional warfare, this is certainly no time for students of Bible prophecy to look away.

The Sixth Trumpet has not necessarily sounded. But the region from which Scripture says that devastating war will emerge is already on fire.

Original reporting: The articles supplied above from Breaking Defense, USA Today, The Guardian, Fox News, Türkiye Today, Times of India, Al Jazeera, IranWire, The Jerusalem Post, New York Post, Reuters, CBS News, Iran International, CSIS and other outlets. (actual links listed below the About the Author)

About the Author

Bryan Smith serves as Content & Teaching Pastor at Endtime Ministries and has been part of the Endtime family for more than 25 years. He has been engaged in pastoral ministry for two decades, served as Academic Dean, Registrar, and Professor for Valor University, and is a frequent teacher of the Understanding the End Time class. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Leadership, has completed advanced studies in the history of prophecy through HarvardX’s certificate program with Harvard University, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Biblical Studies. In addition to hosting The Bible Prophecy Show podcast, Bryan is a regular contributor to Endtime magazine and writes on the intersection of Bible prophecy, theology, and global current events.

___________________

• Breaking Defense — Pentagon wants ‘expanding options’ for nuclear weapons, officials say
  https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/pentagon-wants-expanding-options-for-nuclear-weapons-officials-say/
• USA Today — Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Trump discussing nuclear option in Iran
  https://www.usatoday.com/
• The Guardian — Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of ending Iran war
  https://www.theguardian.com/world/
• Fox News — Iran deal clock hits zero as Trump demands ‘white flag’
  https://www.foxnews.com/world/
• Türkiye Today — Iran shifts to ‘fully offensive’ posture
  https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/
• Times of India — Iran offers $30K bounty for U.S. soldiers
  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/
• Al Jazeera — Iran signals readiness for ‘US ground operations’
  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/
• IranWire — IRGC threatens global energy and internet infrastructure
  https://iranwire.com/en/news/156191-irgc-threatens-to-target-global-energy-and-internet-infrastructure-if-iran-attacked-again/
• Jerusalem Post — US-Iran talks hit new impasse as 60-day deadline expires
  https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/
• New York Post — Russia shipping drones and explosives to rebuild Iran’s supply
  https://nypost.com/2026/08/18/world-news/russia-shipping-drones-explosives-to-rebuild-irans-supply-report/
• Reuters — Iran threatens new offensive while U.S. rules out extending ceasefire deal
  https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/
• Detroit News — Trump says no talks planned with Iran, Tehran says Strait of Hormuz still shut
  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/
• CBS News — Trump threatens Oman as 60-day negotiation period ends
  https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/
• Reuters — UAE says two missiles detected earlier were launched from Iran
  https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/
• Sunday Guardian — Iran rejects UAE claim of two ballistic missiles
  https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/
• Fox News — Kushner gives Hamas ultimatum: Disarm or Israel gets U.S. backing to ‘finish the job’
  https://www.foxnews.com/world/
• New York Post — Vulnerable U.S. power grid could result in 18-month nationwide blackout
  https://nypost.com/2026/08/19/us-news/
• Daily Mail — Warning nationwide blackout could last 18 months
  https://www.dailymail.com/news/
• Iran International — Iran lawmaker threatens U.S. power grid if Iran’s is attacked
  https://www.iranintl.com/en/202607315719
• CSIS — Mapping Iranian Cyberattacks on U.S. Water Systems
  https://www.csis.org/analysis/mapping-iranian-cyberattacks-us-water-systems

Europe Moves Toward a Larger, Stronger Union

The European Union is approaching what officials describe as a decisive moment for enlargement, as Brussels considers adding new members while confronting a fundamental question: Can the EU grow without first changing the way it governs itself?

The push for expansion includes countries such as Ukraine, Moldova and nations of the Western Balkans. Enlargement is increasingly being viewed not simply as an economic project, but as a strategic and geopolitical priority. Recent developments have already accelerated the process, including the removal of Hungary’s previous veto blocking Ukraine’s accession talks. EU officials have subsequently urged Ukraine and Moldova to accelerate their paths toward membership. Ukraine has successfully (so far) fought off Russia during its year-long war. Perhaps Europe sees that as a strength and a buffer-zone between them and Russia. On this other side of that coin, Ukraine joining the EU could put all of Europe as risk of war with Russia.

Once thing is certain, a larger European Union would require a different European Union. Dare we say, it would need to be a revived Holy Roman Empire?

As additional nations seek membership, European leaders are debating institutional reforms designed to make an expanded bloc capable of functioning effectively. Among the ideas discussed has been limiting the ability of new members to exercise veto power, while the European Parliament has acknowledged that enlargement carries significant institutional consequences. These discussions reveal that Europe is considering not only expansion, but also how authority and decision-making should operate within an increasingly unified political structure. For students of Bible prophecy, Europe’s continuing political development deserves close attention.

Daniel 2 describes the succession of world empires from Babylon until the return of Jesus Christ. The final phase of that prophetic image emerges from a reborn Holy Roman Empire and is represented by the ten toes of iron mixed with clay (Daniel 2:40-44). Daniel 7 reveals major end-time nations (that merge into a one-world government beast shown in Rev. 13), and describes ten kings arising to form the global kingdom of the coming Antichrist.

The prophetic picture ultimately points toward a European-centered alliance from which the Antichrist will emerge. As Brussels considers bringing additional nations into its political structure while reforming the way an enlarged Europe makes decisions, the continent continues moving toward greater political integration.

Europe is getting larger.

Its leaders are considering how to make it stronger and more capable of acting collectively. Bible prophecy gives us compelling reasons to continue watching what Europe eventually becomes.

Original Article

About the Author

Bryan Smith serves as Content & Teaching Pastor at Endtime Ministries and has been part of the Endtime family for more than 25 years. He has been engaged in pastoral ministry for two decades, served as Academic Dean, Registrar, and Professor for Valor University, and is a frequent teacher of the Understanding the End Time class. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Leadership, has completed advanced studies in the history of prophecy through HarvardX’s certificate program with Harvard University, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Biblical Studies. In addition to hosting The Bible Prophecy Show podcast, Bryan is a regular contributor to Endtime magazine and writes on the intersection of Bible prophecy, theology, and global current events.

Global Institutions Push for Religious Freedom Standards

Religious freedom is increasingly becoming a matter of international concern as governments, civil society organizations and global institutions seek ways to protect the right of individuals to practice their faith. Nazila Ghanea, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, recently emphasized the important role civil society plays in defending religious liberty and called for coordinated action at the local, regional and international levels.

Ghanea’s work centers on Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Her comments highlight a growing reality in international affairs:

Questions once considered primarily matters of national sovereignty are increasingly being addressed through international human-rights standards and global institutions.

Protecting people from religious persecution is a worthy objective. However, students of Bible prophecy should also pay attention to the increasing internationalization of religious affairs.

Revelation 13 foretells a time when political and religious power will work together on a global scale. The False Prophet will exercise tremendous religious influence and ultimately direct people toward worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 13:11-15). Revelation 17 similarly describes a religious system possessing extraordinary international influence before the return of Jesus Christ.

Today’s efforts to establish international religious standards are not themselves the fulfillment of those prophecies, nor should every attempt to protect religious freedom be viewed suspiciously. Nevertheless, Bible prophecy tells us that religion will eventually become intertwined with an international system of authority.

For generations, religious policy was largely determined within individual nations. As international organizations assume greater influence in defining, defending and overseeing religious rights around the world, another question deserves our attention: Could the institutions and international frameworks developing today eventually help create an environment in which religion itself becomes increasingly subject to global oversight?

Scripture tells us that a worldwide religious system is coming. As the nations continue building mechanisms for addressing religion at the international level, students of Bible prophecy have good reason to watch these developments carefully.

Read the original article

About the Author

Bryan Smith serves as Content & Teaching Pastor at Endtime Ministries and has been part of the Endtime family for more than 25 years. He has been engaged in pastoral ministry for two decades, served as Academic Dean, Registrar, and Professor for Valor University, and is a frequent teacher of the Understanding the End Time class. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Leadership, has completed advanced studies in the history of prophecy through HarvardX’s certificate program with Harvard University, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Biblical Studies. In addition to hosting The Bible Prophecy Show podcast, Bryan is a regular contributor to Endtime magazine and writes on the intersection of Bible prophecy, theology, and global current events.

Born Again Explained

By Bryan Smith

What does it mean to be born again? Discover what Jesus taught about the new birth and how repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost fulfill the gospel.

When Jesus told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7, King James Version), He was not describing an optional spiritual experience for especially devoted Christians. He was explaining what is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. A few verses earlier, Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), and then clarified that a person must be “born of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:5).

But what does being born again actually mean?

The New Testament gives us a remarkably coherent answer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again. Paul identifies these events as the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. On the Day of Pentecost, people not only heard the about gospel (i.e., the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus) but then asked what they should do,

Peter answered:

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

These three responses correspond beautifully with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ: we die through repentance, we are buried with Christ in baptism, and we rise to new spiritual life through the Holy Ghost.

That is the heart of what it means to be born again. It is not merely adopting the label “Christian,” joining a church, becoming more religious, or repeating a prayer. The new birth is our response of obedient faith to the saving work Jesus accomplished at Calvary.

What Does “Born Again” Mean?

The phrase comes from one of the Bible’s most memorable conversations.

John 3 introduces Nicodemus, a Pharisee and “a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1). He was a respected religious leader who recognized that Jesus had come from God.

Yet Jesus quickly moved the conversation beyond religion.

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Nicodemus was understandably confused. He interpreted Jesus’ words physically and asked whether an adult could enter his mother’s womb a second time.

Jesus answered:

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Now, Jesus was not speaking of another physical birth, but of a spiritual birth. Understanding this distinction is paramount: as the second birth is the means by which a person receives the salvation Christ purchased at Calvary.

Even scholars who interpret the precise meaning of “water” differently generally recognize that John 3:3 and 3:5 are parallel descriptions of the new birth. In other words, Jesus is not casually recommending spiritual improvement. He is describing the transformation necessary for entrance into God’s kingdom. (Gospel Coalition)

Nicodemus already had religion.

Jesus told him he needed new birth.

That distinction remains important today.

A person can know Christian terminology, attend church, respect the Bible, believe that God exists, and even admire Jesus while never seriously asking the question Nicodemus was forced to confront:

Have I actually been born again according to Scripture?

Born Again Explained – Through Calvary

To understand the new birth, begin with the gospel itself.

Paul gives one of Scripture’s clearest summaries:

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Notice the progression:

Death.
Burial.
Resurrection.

Christian salvation exists because Jesus accomplished something we could never accomplish for ourselves. Sin separated humanity from God, but Jesus died for our sins. He was buried. On the third day He rose again victoriously from the grave.

The question then becomes: How do we respond to that gospel?

Acts 2 supplies the answer.

After Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, his hearers were “pricked in their heart” and asked:

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

Peter did NOT tell them, “Well, there is really nothing left to do because you have already heard and mentally accepted the facts about Jesus.

Instead, he answered:

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

Again there are three elements:

Repentance.
Baptism.
Receiving the Holy Ghost.

The parallel with Calvary provides a powerful way of understanding the new birth.

This simple 3 Step Plan is HOW we personally accept and obey what Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection.

We do not save ourselves through these actions. Jesus is the Savior. Calvary is the basis of salvation.

The new birth is our obedient response of faith to what He accomplished.

What About the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19)?

Some argue that “Jesus” shouldn’t be named (i.e., vocalized) during baptism, and that “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” should be vocalized instead.

Those who hold to this view often reference Matthew 28:19, which says: (KJV): ^{19 “}Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

However, “Father,” “Son,” and “Holy Ghost” – are NOT NAMES at all.

They are merely terms. And terms with MANY PEOPLE may use to describe themselves (and not Jesus).

There are many “fathers” in this world. There are many “sons” in this world.

Which “father” and “son” are we baptizing people into? What is “the name”?

That distinction is critical.

Scripture teaches that we are buried with Jesus in baptism (Rom. 6:4).

Jesus is the name.

Jesus is the name in which we are to administer and vocalize during baptism, for HE is the one who died, was buried, and rose again.

Question:

Did the disciple DISobey the command Jesus gave (in Matthew 28:19) by baptizing everyone in the name of “Jesus”, rather than vocalizing “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” during baptisms?

Answer:

No. They OBEYED Jesus by baptizing in “the name of Jesus” (Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-6) because they had a revelation of what Jesus meant when he said to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

What Revelation Is That?

The revelation is that Jesus IS “the name” of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Philippians 2:10-11 says:

¹⁰ …at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

Biblical Evidence that Jesus is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

• Jesus said in John 5:43: (KJV) ^{43 “}I am come in my FATHER’s name.”
• Matthew 1:21 says: (KJV) ^{21 “}And she shall bring forth a SON, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
• Jesus said in John 14:26: (KJV) ^{26 “}But the Comforter, which is the HOLY GHOST, whom the Father will send in my name.”

Think about it…

If we fail to directly vocalize and reference a particular “name” into which we are being baptized (or buried with / cf. Rom. 6:4), we might be baptized into any random “fathers” death, or “sons” death.

Without a proper and actual “name” attached, what “Father,” “Son,” or “Spirit” are we being baptized into?

Satan is called “the father of lies”…… the “son of perdition”…….  that “spirit of antichrist”

It would be wise to ensure, then, that the proper “name” is applied (instead of a mere term or title) during such a sacred rite that has the power to remove sins (cf. Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16).

Further, (in Matt. 28:19) Jesus intructed them to baptize in “the name” (singular). That means we are not looking for three of anything to vocalize in baptism. We are looking for one singular name. And that one singular name has to be proven as the name that the Father uses, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The ONLY name that fits the bill, is the precious, matchless, all-powerful, saving name of Jesus.

Step One: Repentance, Dying to the Old Life

Repentance is much deeper than feeling sorry about something we have done.

Biblical repentance involves a genuine turning of the heart toward God. Sin is rejected, self-rule is surrendered, and a person determines to follow Jesus Christ.

Jesus repeatedly called people to repentance. Luke records Him saying:

“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

Peter’s Pentecost message began the same way:

“Repent…” (Acts 2:38).

Paul later preached that God “commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).

Repentance corresponds to death because the old sinful life is being surrendered.

Paul described Christian conversion in similar terms:

“Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed” (Romans 6:6).

Galatians 2:20 likewise declares:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”

Repentance therefore is not negotiating with God over which portions of our old life we are willing to surrender.

It is saying, in effect:

My life now belongs completely to Jesus Christ.

That does not mean the new believer instantly understands everything in Scripture or never struggles again. Spiritual growth takes time. But genuine repentance changes the direction of a life.

The heart turns toward God.

Step Two: Baptism, Buried With Christ

Paul connects baptism directly with burial:

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death” (Romans 6:4).

Colossians 2:12 similarly speaks of being “buried with him in baptism.”

This is why baptism by immersion (i.e., the entire body completely under water) so naturally portrays the gospel. The believer goes beneath the water as one being buried and rises from the water to walk in newness of life.

Baptism is NOT presented in Scripture as an optional ceremony merely showing outward signs of an inward faith. It was MORE than a ritual to be performed when one found it convenient to do.

It occurred immediately, and with GREAT PURPOSE.

On Pentecost, those who received Peter’s message were baptized (Acts 2:41).

The Samaritans were baptized after believing Philip’s preaching (Acts 8:12).

When the Ethiopian eunuch encountered water, he immediately asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36).

Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:47-48).

The Philippian jailer and his household were baptized during the night in which Paul preached to them (Acts 16:30-33). They refused to even wait until morning.

The Ephesian disciples were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:1-6), as soon as Paul instructed them.

The pattern is difficult to overlook.

The apostolic Church treated baptism seriously because Jesus had commanded it and because it was connected to the believer’s identification with His death, burial, and removal of sins (cf. Acts 2:38).

Why Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ?

Acts 2:38 does not merely say “be baptized.” Peter said:

“Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

Acts repeatedly associates Christian baptism with Jesus’ name.

The Samaritans were baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16).

Peter commanded Cornelius’ household to be baptized “in the name of the Lord,” which is Jesus (cf. Acts 10:48, Philippians 2:9-11).

The disciples at Ephesus were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:5).

Verse 16 (of Acts 22) instructs believers to be baptized in order to wash sins away, and the method required literally invoking the name of the Lord Jesus while being immersed in water baptism.

Jesus is the name of the Lord.

Jesus Christ is not incidental to baptism. The application and vocalization of His name was MORE than mere ritual.

He is the One who died for us. He is the One in whom salvation is found. Acts 4:12 declares:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

The emphasis is NOT on water possessing magical power. The emphasis is on obedient faith in Jesus Christ and identification with His saving work.

Step Three: Receiving the Holy Ghost, New Life From God

Burial is not the end of the gospel.

Jesus rose again.

Likewise, the born-again experience is not merely turning away from sin and being buried with Christ. God promises new spiritual life through the Holy Ghost.

Peter said:

“Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

And he immediately emphasized the magnitude of that promise:

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off” (Acts 2:39).

Scripture emphasizes that receiving the Holy Ghost is essential to the new-birth experience, bringing the spiritual renewal and power Jesus promised His followers for living faithfully and bearing witness of Him (John 3:5; Acts 1:8; 2:38).

Jesus had told His disciples:

“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

Then came Pentecost:

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).

The pattern appears again in Acts.

When the Holy Ghost fell upon Cornelius and his household, Peter and the Jewish believers knew they had just received the Holy Ghost. How did they know? Scripture indicates that they KNEW they had received the Holy Ghost… (quote)…

“For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God” (Acts 10:46).

Speaking with tongues was the litmus test the early church used to determine whether one had receive the Holy Ghost.

At Ephesus, Paul laid hands upon believers:

“And the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).

These accounts are significant because receiving the Holy Ghost was not merely an invisible theological status that nobody could recognize; it was more then mere belief. In Acts, it was an experienced reality, and something that could be seen and heard (Acts 2:33).

The Holy Ghost is not merely about an initial experience, however.

The Spirit gives believers power to live differently. It is a powerful force that should be used in prayer often.

Just as gasoline engine cars (and even electric vehicles) requires frequent fill ups (or recharges) to endure, so the Christian requires frequent refills and recharges via the Holy Ghost. Some folks try to get far too many miles out of one “tank of spiritual fuel.”

Paul writes:

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

Being filled with the Holy Ghost should affect our character, choices, worship, witness, relationships, and daily walk with God.

New birth produces new life.

Water and Spirit in John 3

One of the major interpretive questions surrounding the new birth concerns Jesus’ words:

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit…” (John 3:5).

Christians have offered several interpretations.

Some understand “water” as a physical birth and “Spirit” as the spiritual birth. Others connect both water and Spirit to Ezekiel 36:25-27, where God promises cleansing and His Spirit. Still others see water as pointing toward Christian baptism in connection with the Spirit.

The first interpretation has a notable difficulty: there is little evidence that “born of water” was a recognized ancient expression for natural childbirth. Scholars who reject a baptismal reading have themselves pointed out this weakness. (Gospel Coalition)

Additionally, it is a given that salvation only comes to living human beings, that is to say, to people who exist and were born in the flesh; thus, being born “of water” (if it were meant to signify a physical birth) would go without saying, and not truly need to be noted.

Further, even BEFORE being born “of water” was mention (John 3:5), it was noted that we must be “born again” (John 3:3) which indicates another birth BEYOND our first natural physical birth. Therefore being “born of water and of the Spirit” should be understood as two required elements BEYOND our natural physical birth.

Notice the sequence:  Humans are Born (Natural Birth) → Jesus says, You must be Born Again (An Additional Birth / John. 3:3) → Cornelius Asks (Can we have 2 Natural Births?) → Jesus Explains (being “Born Again” – is NOT referring to a Natural Birth at all, but a Spiritual Birth)  → Jesus explains the 2 parts of the Spiritual Birth / John. 3:5 (1. A Water Element – Baptism  2. A Spirit Element – the Holy Ghost).

Baptism Details – Understanding Baptism More Clearly

Ezekiel prophesied:

“Then will I [Almighty God] sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean… A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…
And I will put my spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

Water, cleansing, renewal, and Spirit clearly belong together in the prophetic promise.

Yet (concerning sprinkling versus immersion during baptism) we should also ask how Jesus’ teaching was understood and practiced after Calvary, when the New Testament Church was born.

That brings us directly back to Acts 2.

Jesus said – Water and Spirit.

Peter proclaimed Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Greek word translated “baptism” is βάπτισμα (baptisma), derived from βαπτίζω (baptizō), the verb commonly translated “to baptize.”

At its core, baptizō means to immerse, submerge, dip, or plunge. In New Testament usage, it came to refer especially to the religious act of baptism. The related noun baptisma refers to baptism or immersion.

For these reasons, water baptism should be performed by immersion rather than sprinkling.

We are baptized (i.e., by definition – immersed) in water, by immersion (symbolizing burial), calling on the name of the Lord Jesus in baptism; however, God will do the sprinkling Himself (in a spiritual sense). – Ezek. 36:25

Repentance is a prerequisite to baptism, as Peter instructed: “repent, and be baptized” (Acts. 2:38, KJV).

Can a baby (or extremely young child) who does not understand the difference between good and evil truly repent?

Doubtful.

Then, does a baby (or an extremely young child) even qualify for baptism? Are they “ready” to be baptized?

Probably not.

For this reason, instead of baptizing babies via sprinkling, many modern church leaders baptized individuals via immersion (in Jesus’ name) when they have reached a proper age of accountability, when they are able to determine between good and evil.

Notably, this age then many differ for each individual. The idea is NOT to settle on a certain age, but rather, determine whether the individual can reason between right and wrong, sees their need for baptism, believes in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and their Savior, and has made the personal choice to repent of their sins, and be baptized in Jesus’ name.

A reasonable and good rule of thumb that some pastors utilize is: If someone receives the Holy Ghost (i.e., experiences tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance), then they are probably also ready to be baptized. For, if God deems them old enough to fill them with His Holy Spirit, then they are probably old enough to be baptized (i.e., able to repent of sins, recognizing the difference between good and evil). In any case, it should be the choice of the individual being baptized, as baptism should never be forced upon anyone.

Let’s examine now, biblical conversion experiences so we can follow the examples found in Scripture.

The conversion narratives that follow repeatedly contain both water baptism and receiving the Spirit.

For that reason, the clearest way to understand the new birth is not by isolating John 3 from the remainder of the New Testament. We should allow Jesus’ teaching, Calvary, Pentecost, and the conversion accounts in Acts to illuminate one another.

Is Being Born Again the Same as “Accepting Jesus Into Your Heart”?

The phrase “accept Jesus into your heart” has become common in modern Christianity.

It can express something sincere. A person certainly must believe in Jesus, surrender to Him, receive, and confess Him.

But that particular phrase should not replace the biblical language and pattern of conversion.

When people in Acts wanted to know how to respond to the gospel, the apostles did not merely instruct them to repeat a particular prayer.

At Pentecost they were told to repent, be baptized (in Jesus’ name), and receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

The Ethiopian eunuch believed and was baptized (Acts 8:35-38).

Cornelius received the Holy Ghost and was commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:44-48).

The Philippian jailer heard the Word of the Lord and was baptized that same night (Acts 16:30-33).

The Ephesians were baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-6).

Our terminology should never become more authoritative than Scripture.

The safest question is not, “What phrase has become customary in modern Christianity?”

It is:

“What did Jesus and His apostles teach and do?”

What About “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”?

Acts 16 is frequently raised at this point.

The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas:

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

They answered:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (v. 31).

Does that mean intellectual belief alone completes the entire conversion experience?

Keep reading.

Verse 32 says Paul and Silas then “spake unto him the word of the Lord.” Belief was first, action second.

After the jailer believed, he then responded by action to their message.

Upon hearing the rest of their message, “he was baptized, he and all his, straightway (i.e., immediately)” (v. 33).

The narrative itself tells us what believing produced.

The jailer did not say, “I have now mentally agreed that Jesus is Lord, so nothing further matters.”

His faith acted. He undoubtedly repented, and clearly was baptized.

This systematic approach agrees with James:

“Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).

That does not mean human works earn salvation. Paul explicitly rejects salvation by works of righteousness.

Titus 3:5 is particularly illuminating:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,

[Note: The verse is not finished, but continues on – to PROVE that baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost are NOT considered “works of righteousness”, and further prove that baptism and the Holy Ghost are salvational requirements]

by the washing of regeneration [baptism], and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Notice that Paul contrasts human works with God’s saving mercy while still speaking of washing and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Think about it: what do YOU actually do, when you are baptized? Nothing. Another puts you under.

And what do YOU actually do, when you are filled with the Holy Ghost? Nothing, other than yield your most unruly member (i.e., the tongue) to Almighty God.

Some have disagreed with Scripture, saying: “Do I believe baptism is required for salvation… absolutely not… I couldn’t imagine God requiring my salvation at the hands of other who baptizes me.”

Interesting thought. But here’s another.

Did Jesus need to be baptized?

No.

Jesus was without sin. Still, he had John baptism him, as He said: “we must fulfill all righteousness.”

If Jesus felt it necessary to be baptized (by another), and He serves as our example to follow, then who are we to reject baptism for ourselves.

Scripture never asked our opinion on the matter, it simply commands: Repent, be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost.

Obedience to the gospel is not an attempt to purchase salvation.

It is faith responding to grace.

Are We Saved by Grace?

Absolutely.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Nothing we do can make Calvary unnecessary.

We cannot repent perfectly enough to purchase forgiveness.

Water cannot replace the blood of Jesus.

Religious works cannot remove sins or purchase our salvation.

Jesus saves us.

Grace describes God’s unmerited favor toward humanity. Faith receives what God offers. Biblical faith, however, is not passive indifference to God’s commands.

Noah “being warned of God” acted in faith and prepared the ark (Hebrews 11:7).

Abraham believed God and obeyed when God called him (Hebrews 11:8).

The walls of Jericho fell “by faith” after Israel obeyed God’s instructions (Hebrews 11:30).

None of those acts earned God’s grace. They demonstrated genuine faith in what God had said.

The same principle helps us understand Acts 2:38.

Repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost do not compete with grace.

They describe the biblical response to it.

Faith without works (action) – is dead.

What About the Thief on the Cross?

Another common question concerns the thief crucified beside Jesus.

Jesus told him:

“To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

How could that man be saved if he was never baptized after his confession or present at Pentecost to receive the Holy Ghost?

The timing matters.

The thief died before the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ had been completed. Pentecost had not happened. The New Covenant Church had not yet begun its apostolic mission.

The supplied teaching makes precisely this distinction: the thief could not respond to a completed death, burial, and resurrection before those events had actually occurred.

Jesus possessed authority to forgive sins during His earthly ministry. He forgave the paralytic in Mark 2:5-10 and the woman in Luke 7:48.

The thief demonstrates Christ’s authority and mercy.

He does not overturn the instructions the apostles preached after Calvary.

When the gospel had been accomplished and the Church was inaugurated at Pentecost, Peter gave the response recorded in Acts 2:38. Remember, it was to Peter that the keys to the kingdom (i.e., the plan of salvation) were given. It was no accident Peter was the first to preach repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost (Acts 2), and was present when the Holy Spirit fell on the Samaritans (Acts 8) after they believed and were baptized in Jesus’ name; nor was it mere happenstance that Peter was the one connected with the initiation of the new-birth experience to the Gentiles (Acts 10).

All these things (i.e., the door of salvation being first opened to the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles with Peter playing a role) prophetically ordered by the Lord, and were even prophesied to come to pass (Acts 1:8). According to Scripture, there are only three main categories for all mankind, Jews, Samaritans (i.e., half-Jewish), and Gentiles (all others), and Acts reveals the same “Born Again” plan of Salvation (Acts. 2:38) being applied and open unto all.

Revelation 22:17 – And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

What About People Who Believed but Had Not Received the Holy Ghost?

Acts 8 provides a fascinating example.

Philip preached Christ in Samaria. People believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12). Yet when Peter and John arrived, Scripture says (concerning the Holy Ghost):

“For as yet he [the Holy Ghost] was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16).

Mighty revival was in progress there: the people gave heed to Philip’s preaching concerning Christ (Acts 8:6), miracles were performed (V6), demons were cast out (V7), people were healed (V7), there was great joy in the city (V8), the people believed (V12), and they were even baptized in Jesus name (V12).

By most modern Christian’s standards, these people appeared to be saved and definitely Spirit-filled; yet, Scripture declares they were NOT.

This proves that the Holy Ghost is NOT received upon faith, belief alone, confession, by miracles of healing, or even through water baptism.

The ONLY missing element, was tongues (cf. Acts 2:1-4, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-6).

Peter and John prayed for them, laid hands upon them, “and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:17).

Simon the sorcerer was willing to pay money that he may receive the power to lay hands on people and watch them receive the Holy Ghost.

There must, therefore, have been something powerful and mesmerizing that HAPPENED when they received the Holy Ghost, else this magician (used to mesmerizing others with visual demonstrations) would not have been interested. For nothing mesmerizing is seen or heard when one silently and mentally accepts Christ (Acts 2:33).

This passage (Acts 8) makes it difficult to simply collapse believing, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost into an indistinguishable instant.

Acts distinguishes them.

Acts 19 does something similar.

Paul encountered disciples in Ephesus and asked:

“Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2).

Whatever translation one prefers for the precise timing implied by that question, Paul’s concern is unmistakable: he wanted to know whether these people had received the Holy Ghost.

Paul subsequently taught them more fully. The result? They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, Paul laid hands upon them, and:

“The Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues…” (Acts 19:6).

The original apostolic Church took these matters seriously.

So should we.

The Pattern Across the Book of Acts

Rather than building an understanding of salvation upon one isolated verse, compare the major conversion narratives:

Jerusalem: Acts 2

They repent, are baptized in Jesus name, and receive the promise of the Holy Ghost, speaking with tongues (Acts 2:1-4, 33, 38).

Samaria: Acts 8

They believe and are baptized in Jesus’ name, then receive the Holy Ghost through the ministry of Peter and John (Acts 8:12-17).

Cornelius: Acts 10

The Holy Ghost falls while Peter is preaching to the Gentiles. They speak with tongues and magnify God, and Peter commands them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 10:44-48).

Philippi: Acts 16

The jailer is told to believe. He does. Paul and Silas then continue on to teach him the Word, and he and his household are baptized immediately (Acts 16:30-33).

Ephesus: Acts 19

The disciples receive further instruction, are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and receive the Holy Ghost speaking with tongues (Acts 19:1-6).

The order is not identical in every account.

That itself is instructive.

God is not giving us a ritualistic formula in which salvation depends upon performing three mechanical acts in precisely the same chronological order.

Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before water baptism. The Samaritans were baptized before receiving the Holy Ghost.

What remains remarkably consistent is the presence of the same apostolic realities:

faith and repentance, water baptism, and the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38 gives us the clearest concise statement. The rest of Acts shows that message being lived out.

Why This Matters to Bible Prophecy

Being born again is not separate from Bible prophecy.

It is the most important preparation for it.

A person could understand Daniel’s seventy weeks, identify the symbols of Daniel 7, explain the Abomination of Desolation, recognize the Antichrist, understand the Mark of the Beast, calculate prophetic timelines, and still miss the most important question of all:

Am I ready to meet Jesus Christ?

Prophecy was never given merely to make Christians knowledgeable about future events.

Jesus repeatedly connected prophecy with spiritual readiness.

After describing events surrounding His return, He said:

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42).

The purpose of understanding the end time is not merely knowing what is coming.

It is knowing Who is coming. And knowing Him personally. Not in belief alone, but in action and obedience.

The same Jesus who told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again,” is the Jesus who promised to return.

Being able to recognize the Antichrist cannot save us.

Understanding the Mark of the Beast cannot save us.

Correctly placing Armageddon on a prophetic timeline cannot save us.

Jesus saves.

That is why the question of the new birth (i.e., being Born Again) belongs at the foundation of every serious study of Bible prophecy.

Common Misunderstandings About Being Born Again

Some Say:

“I have always been a Christian.”

No one enters the kingdom through family heritage. Nicodemus belonged to Israel and was deeply religious, yet Jesus told him – he needed to be born again (John 3:1-7).

“I believe Jesus existed, so I must be saved.”

Biblical belief is more than accepting a historical fact. James 2:19 observes that even devils believe that there is one God and tremble. Saving faith responds obediently to Jesus Christ.

“Baptism is just an outward symbol, so it does not really matter.”

The apostles did not treat it that casually. They commanded converts to be baptized promptly and repeatedly connected baptism with the removal or our sins, forgiveness, burial with Christ, and even entry into the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38-41; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12).

“Receiving the Holy Ghost is only for certain Christians.”

Peter said the promise was “unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off” (Acts 2:39). Romans 8:9 (KJV) clearly states: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” If we truly want to belong to God, we must therefore allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us via the Holy Ghost.

“If salvation is by grace, obedience cannot matter.”

Grace and obedience are not enemies. We are saved by God’s grace, not human merit. But the New Testament repeatedly presents genuine faith as faith that responds to God (Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:17-22). Faith without words, is dead. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Romans 10:16 (KJV) declares, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8 (KJV) notes that, God (in flaming fire) will take “vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is one thing to believe the gospel (i.e., death, burial, resurrection); it is another to obey the Gospel.

We OBEY (i.e., do, or apply) the gospel (death, burial, resurrection) via the message of Acts 2:38:

“…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

The Gospel	Our Response
Christ died	We repent
Christ was buried	We are buried with Him in baptism
Christ rose again	We receive new life through the Holy Ghost

Frequently Asked Questions About Being Born Again

1. What does it mean to be born again?

To be born again is to experience the spiritual new birth Jesus described in John 3:3-5. The apostolic pattern expresses our response to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection through repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).

2. Is being born again necessary for salvation?

Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3) and “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

3. How do I become born again?

Begin by believing the gospel and turning to Jesus Christ. Peter’s answer in Acts 2:38 was to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

4. Is repentance just saying I am sorry?

No. Godly sorrow can lead to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10), but repentance means turning from sin and surrendering one’s life to God.

5. Do I need to be baptized?

Jesus commanded baptism (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16), Peter commanded it on Pentecost (Acts 2:38), and the conversion narratives in Acts repeatedly show believers being baptized.

6. Why be baptized in Jesus’ name?

Acts records believers being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5). Salvation is found in Jesus Christ, and baptism identifies the believer with Him.

7. Is the Holy Ghost for every believer?

Peter described the Holy Ghost as a promise extending to his hearers, their children, and those “afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

8. How did people know someone received the Holy Ghost?

At Pentecost they spoke with other tongues (Acts 2:4). Cornelius’ household spoke with tongues (Acts 10:44-46), and the Ephesians spoke with tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6).

9. Is being born again salvation by works?

No. Salvation is made possible entirely by the grace of God and the saving work of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Repentance, baptism, and receiving God’s Spirit are not a price paid for salvation. They are the biblical response of faith to God’s grace. Titus 3:5 itself contrasts human works with God’s mercy while speaking of the “washing of regeneration” and “renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

10. Can a religious person still need to be born again?

Absolutely. Nicodemus was a respected religious leader, yet Jesus told him, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

Born Again Explained: The Question Is Personal

Christianity ultimately rests upon something God did.

Jesus Christ died for our sins.

He was buried.

He rose again.

No amount of human goodness could accomplish what Calvary accomplished. We cannot forgive our own sins, purchase eternal life, or resurrect ourselves spiritually.

Salvation comes from Jesus Christ.

But the gospel demands a response.

When the people at Pentecost realized who Jesus was and what they had done, they asked the right question:

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

Peter gave them a clear answer:

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

Death.

Burial.

Resurrection.

—————–

Repentance.

Baptism.

New life through the Spirit.

—————–

That is “born again” explained – through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But there is a danger in turning even the clearest Bible teaching into information that never becomes personal.

Nicodemus could not enter the kingdom because he understood the concept of new birth. He needed the new birth himself.

Neither can we substitute knowledge for experience.

Knowing what repentance means is not repentance.

Understanding baptism is not being baptized.

Studying the Holy Ghost is not receiving the Holy Ghost.

And knowing the prophetic signs surrounding the return of Jesus is not the same thing as being ready to meet Him.

Jesus’ words therefore remain just as urgent today as when He spoke them to Nicodemus nearly two thousand years ago:

“Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

The message is serious because eternity is serious. But it is also extraordinarily hopeful.

God has not left us wondering whether redemption is possible.

Jesus has already paid the price.

The gospel has already been accomplished.

The promise of the Holy Ghost has already been given.

It is for YOU, and it is available NOW.

The invitation still stands.

The question now belongs to each of us:

Have I been born again?

Bibliography

The Holy Bible. King James Version.

The Gospel Coalition

Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991.

About the Author

Bryan Smith serves as Content & Teaching Pastor at Endtime Ministries and has been part of the Endtime family for more than 25 years. He has been engaged in pastoral ministry for two decades, served as Academic Dean, Registrar, and Professor for Valor University, and is a frequent teacher of the Understanding the End Time class. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Leadership, has completed advanced studies in the history of prophecy through HarvardX’s certificate program with Harvard University, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Biblical Studies. In addition to hosting The Bible Prophecy Show podcast, Bryan is a regular contributor to Endtime magazine and writes on the intersection of Bible prophecy, theology, and global current events.

The Timing of the Rapture

By Bryan Smith

What the Bible Says About the Timing of Christ’s Return

When is the Rapture? Explore what Jesus and the apostles teach about its timing, the Great Tribulation, Second Coming, and the last trumpet in Scripture.

The question “When is the Rapture?” has generated some of the most passionate discussion in modern Bible prophecy. Bible-believing Christians agree on the central promise: Jesus Christ will return, the dead in Christ will rise, and living believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The disagreement concerns when this gathering takes place in relation to the Great Tribulation.

A careful reading of the major prophetic passages points to a clear conclusion. The Rapture occurs at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, after the Great Tribulation, when Christ appears in glory, the trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ are raised, and living believers are transformed and gathered to Him.

That means the biblical hope of the Church is not escape from every end-time difficulty. Our hope is Jesus Christ Himself. Scripture prepares believers to endure faithfully, recognize the prophetic season, resist deception, refuse allegiance to the Antichrist system, and remain spiritually ready for the return of the King.

The timing matters because what Christians expect can influence how Christians prepare.

What Is the Rapture?

Before discussing when the Rapture occurs, we need to define what the Rapture is.

The word rapture does not appear in most English translations of the Bible, but details concerning the event certainly does.

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 that

the Lord will descend from heaven, the dead in Christ will rise, and believers who remain alive will be “caught up” together with them to meet the Lord in the air.

The Greek verb translated “caught up” is harpazō. It carries the idea of being seized, caught up, or suddenly taken away. The same Greek word is used elsewhere in the New Testament for a forceful or decisive removal.

So when Christians speak of the Rapture, they are referring to the supernatural gathering of believers to Jesus Christ at His coming.

Several elements are present in Paul’s description:

1. Jesus descends from heaven.
2. There is a shout.
3. There is the voice of the archangel.
4. There is the trumpet of God.
5. The dead in Christ are resurrected as immortals and rise first.
6. Living believers are instantly transformed into immortals and are caught up with the resurrected.
7. All believers are permanently united with the Lord, as they meet Him in the air (i.e., the sky).

This is not merely an inward spiritual experience. It is a real, future, supernatural event involving resurrection, transformation, and the visible return of Jesus Christ.

When Is the Rapture According to the Bible?

The simplest answer is this:

The Rapture occurs at the coming of Jesus Christ, immediately after the Great Tribulation, in connection with the resurrection of the saints and the sounding of the last trumpet.

Rather than beginning with a prophetic system and forcing verses into it, we should begin with the passages that explicitly describe Christ’s coming, the resurrection, the trumpet, and the gathering of believers.

When those passages are compared, they repeatedly point toward the same climactic event.

Jesus Places the Gathering After the Tribulation

Perhaps the clearest place to begin is Matthew 24.

Jesus and His disciples were discussing His return and the end of the age. The disciples asked Him:

“What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (i.e., the end of the age). Matthew 24:3

The end of the “age” – is referring to the end of the church age, the dispensation of grace, the end of the government of man upon the earth and the beginning of the government of Jesus Christ physically on earth.

In Matthew 24, Jesus answers by describing deception, wars, persecution, the abomination of desolation (V15), and a period of extraordinary suffering that He identified as “great tribulation” in Matthew 24:15-21.

Then He gave THE TIMING of His visible return.

The Matthew 24:29-31 passage begins with words that cannot responsibly be ignored:

V29) “Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

V30) And THEN [i.e., AFTER the great tribulation] shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and THEN [i.e., AFTER the great tribulation] shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

V31) 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.”

In the context of the passage (Matt. 24:29), the “tribulation of those days” were directly referencing the “great tribulation” which Jesus had just mentioned in Matthew 24:21, as a time of trouble “such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Jesus explains that AFTER the great tribulation, there will be cosmic signs, followed by the appearance of the Son of Man (which is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ).

In Matthew 24:30-31, the nations see Jesus Christ coming in the clouds with power and great glory. He sends His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they gather His elect from the four winds.

Notice the sequence:

Great Tribulation → cosmic signs → Christ appears → trumpet sounds → elect are gathered

That sequence is enormously important.

If the gathering of the elect in Matthew 24 is the same gathering Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 4, then Jesus Himself places the Rapture AFTER the Great Tribulation.

Who Are the “Elect” in Matthew 24?

Some interpreters argue that the “elect” in Matthew 24 refers to Israel and not to the Church.

That interpretation deserves respectful consideration, primarily because Israel unquestionably remains important in biblical prophecy. God has not abandoned all of His covenant purposes for the Jewish people, and Jerusalem occupies a central role in the events surrounding Christ’s return.

However, the false assumption that Matthew 24 is strictly referring to Israel (and not the Church) leads some to conclude that Matthew 24 does not apply to the Church today and consequently, should be ignored.

Interestingly, those who adhere to that incorrect interpretation often pick-and-choose verses to use and apply to the Church today (cf. Matt. 24:6, 7, 13, 14, 34, 36-42, 44), which certainly contradicts their own logic.

Additionally, the New Testament reveals that the Church is now God’s elect (which includes all saved Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles), and actually makes a distinction between Israel and God’s Elect.

Paul describes Christians as God’s elect in Colossians 3:12.

Peter writes to believers who are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” in 1 Peter 1:2.

Romans 8:33 addresses the church when asking, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?”

Romans 11:7 – gives perhaps the clearest distinction between the nation of Israel, and church as “the elect,” saying:

⁷ What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election [i.e., the church] hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

The term “elect,” therefore, can NOT automatically be limited to Israel when it appears in Matthew 24.

The natural reading is that Jesus is describing the global gathering of all His saints (i.e., the saved Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles) when He returns (which is His Second Coming).

All the dead in Christ shall rise (from every tribe, tongue, kindred, and nation) at the time of the Rapture and Second Coming of Christ, and all those faithful born-again Christians around the globe who are alive and remain (from every tribe, tongue, kindred, and nation) will also be instantly changed and meet them in the air, at the time of the Rapture.

Again, this includes all saved Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles globally.

NOTE: Just because the Church is God’s “Elect” today, does NOT mean God has forsaken the Jewish nation of Israel. Israel has God-given covenantal promises that still apply, and a mighty end-time CHRISTIAN revival lies just head for many of them  (cf. Rom. 10:1; Rom. 11:25-26; Rev. 7).

In fact, the very event that causes the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to occur is the battle of Armageddon. At this epic and final battle of good versus evil, God’s fury shall come up in His face because He is angered by the world community and their armies that are hell-bent on annihilating Israel (cf. Ezek. 38:18, Rev. 16:12-16).

God promised to never allow Israel to be completely destroyed (Deut. 7:6-10; Zech. chapters 12 and 14; Ezek. chapters 38-39, Zech. 13:6), and it is dangerous to come against Israel (regardless of their imperfections), as they are a nation with many promises from Almighty God.

Paul Connects the Rapture to the Coming of the Lord

Now compare Jesus’ teaching with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Paul was comforting believers who were grieving Christians who had died. His concern was resurrection and reunion.

He tells them that when the Lord descends from heaven, the dead in Christ will rise first. Then believers who remain alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Paul identifies the timing plainly:

“We which are alive and remain unto the coming [i.e., the Second Coming] of the Lord…” – 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Note: The “coming” of Jesus in this passage is referring to His Second Coming, as the First Coming of Christ as already occurred (i.e., born of Mary), and we have no record for a Third Coming.

The Greek word commonly translated “coming” is parousia, a word frequently used in the New Testament for Christ’s return.

Paul does not describe one coming for the Church and then another coming years later to establish Christ’s kingdom.

He associates the catching away with the coming of the Lord.

That is exactly the event Jesus described in Matthew 24.

Jesus comes in the clouds.

Paul says believers meet Him in the clouds.

Jesus describes a trumpet.

Paul describes a trumpet.

Jesus describes the gathering of the elect.

Paul describes believers being caught up together.

The similarities are substantial.

NOT ONE VERSE in Scripture indicates that the rapture happens before the Great Tribulation.

The Rapture Happens at the Last Trumpet

Another key passage is 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

Paul explains that not every believer will experience physical death because some Christians will still be alive when Christ returns.

He writes:

“We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.”

The transformation is instantaneous.

The dead are raised incorruptible (instantaneously), and living believers receive immortal bodies (instantaneously).

But Paul gives us an important timing marker:

at the last trumpet.

Since a numerical sequence is hinted at, that naturally raises a question.

How many trumpets are there, and which one is the last?

The Seventh Trumpet and the Kingdom of Christ

Revelation describes seven prophetic trumpets. The seventh is therefore the final, or last, trumpet in that series.

Revelation 11:15 announces the sounding of the seventh trumpet and declares that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of the Lord and of His Christ.

When does that event occur? At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 11:18 also associates this period with judgment and the rewarding of God’s servants.

Compare the themes:

1 Corinthians 15

• Last trumpet
• Resurrection
• Transformation of believers
• Victory over death

Revelation 11

• Seventh trumpet
• Christ takes authority over the kingdoms of the world
• Judgment
• Reward for the saints

These passages fit naturally together.

Paul does not say believers are transformed years before the last trumpet. He says it happens at the last trumpet.

This understanding is solidified by Scripture elsewhere, like:

1 Corinthians 15:20-23

²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [meaning His resurrection/rapture happened first, ours comes later]

²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Notice, the passage in 1 Corinthians 15 is highlighting the importance of the resurrection of Christ. It reveals that the resurrection of Jesus (3 days after Calvary) and His ascension, was but the firstfruits of them that died and rose again.

Meaning, the resurrection and ascension (i.e., the Rapture) of Jesus was only the first of two parts. The other part is the resurrection and ascension (i.e., the Rapture) of the Church.

Jesus was our example.

Jesus died, rose again, and ascended to heaven. Essentially, this was “the rapture” of Jesus.

Of the church, some will die (others will be alive when it occurs), they are risen and transformed, and ascend to heaven. Essentially, the church will be “raptured” like Jesus.

Now – to bring this revelation to its conclusion: we must ask WHEN does our resurrection and ascension (i.e., Rapture) happen?

1 Corinthians 15:23 gives the answer:

V23) “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s AT HIS COMING.”

Or shall we say, at His Second Coming. We know His Second Coming occurs at the END of the final 7 years, at the battle of Armageddon, at the 7th and last trump.

The synchronized prophetic biblical picture is therefore NOT one of the Church disappearing before the final 7 years begin. It is one of believers being gathered precisely WHEN Christ openly assumes His kingdom, at the 7th and final trump.

The Resurrection Helps Establish the Timing

Revelation 20 provides another major piece of evidence.

John sees those who refused to worship the beast and refused his mark. Some had been killed because of their faithfulness.

Then Revelation 20:4 says they lived and reigned with Christ.

Verse 5 identifies what has happened:

“This is the first resurrection.”

To explain this more clearly, Revelation 20:1-6 describes 2 resurrections for the souls of all mindkind.

1. The 1st Resurrection = is the Rapture of the Church. Those who make this resurrection (i.e., rapture), are blessed and holy for he that hath part in the first resurrection will escape Hell (which is the second death / cf. Rev. 20:6).
2. The 2nd Resurrection = is the ONLY other resurrection of the dead and it does NOT occur until the 1,000 year Millennial Reign is completed. The wicked dead are resurrected at that time, and sentenced to Hell (i.e., the second and eternal death).

TAKE-AWAY: The important point in here, is that saints who gave their lives (i.e., were beheaded) for refusing the Mark of the Beast (during the Great Tribulation) where included in the first resurrection group. That means, the first resurrection (i.e., the Rapture) could NOT have occurred PRIOR to the Great Tribulation.

This creates a serious chronological problem for the pre-tribulation rapture theory.

The Bible makes it clear – the Rapture includes the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and includes martyred Christians beheaded for refusal to worship the Antichrist and their refusal to take the (666) Mark of the Beast during the Great Tribulation.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:16:

“The dead in Christ shall rise first.”

Yet Revelation 20 includes people who were killed for resisting the beast and receiving his mark, and their resurrection is included in what Scripture calls the first resurrection.

If a resurrection of believers had already occurred several years before the Antichrist’s persecution, it becomes difficult to understand why the resurrection after that persecution is called the first resurrection.

The straightforward conclusion is that the resurrection of the saints and the Rapture belong to the same end-of-Tribulation return of Christ.

To STILL believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, one must make up other theories like “multiple first resurrections.”

But let’s be honest, there can only be ONE first resurrection, else it ceases to be “first.”

Some point to “many” resurrections throughout Scripture.

Let’s consider that argument. Those whom were resurrected at the time of the resurrection of Jesus, were NOT resurrected and raptured up (i.e., ascended into eternity with their new transformed glorious heavenly bodies), but rather, they were merely brought back to life in the flesh, and later died again just as Zaccheaus was brought back to life by Jesus, and later died.

From the time of the resurrection of Jesus, till now, Scripture is teaching there is only now 2 resurrections.

1. The first resurrection (i.e., the Rapture of the Church, AFTER the Great Tribulation, at His Second Coming and the 7th Trump).
2. The second resurrection (of the wicked dead, to be sentence to Hell, AFTER the 1,000 year Millennial Reign of Christ on earth).

Others point to the resurrection of the 2 Witnesses of Revelation 11, as proof of “other” resurrections other than the 2 noted in Revelation 20.

But here’s a question few have considered: Is the resurrection of the 2 witnesses truly a different resurrection; or are they merely resurrected at the same time the entire Church is resurrected, especially since we know they are resurrected immediately AFTER the Great Tribulation (Rev. 11:3-12).

The notion that the 2 witnesses are resurrected at the same time of the Church, makes far more sense than multiple “first” resurrections.

Additionally, are we really to believe (from the pre-tribulation rapture view) that God chooses to use two men who have missed the rapture (for their ministry doesn’t begin until halfway through the final 7 years), turning them into the two most powerful prophets the world has ever known?

For to believe in a pre-tribulation rapture would require one to assume that the 2 witnesses of Revelation 11 must have missed the rapture to still be on earth for their ministry that occurs during the 42-month Great Tribulation period.

Paul Says the Antichrist Comes Before Our Gathering to Christ

Second Thessalonians 2 is especially important because Paul directly discusses both Christ’s coming and the gathering of believers.

He writes:

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him…”
2 Thessalonians 2:1

That is clearly Rapture language.

In fact, it notes two major events, that occur ON THE SAME DAY

1. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (as He has already come once)
2. Our Gathering Together Unto Him (the Rapture)

Now – HOW do we know both of these events occur on the same day?

Easy.

This passage does NOT conclude with verse 1, but continues through verse 2… saying:

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ [Second Coming], and by our gathering [Rapture] together unto him,

² That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that THE DAY [Singular] of Christ is at hand.

Note clearly: THE DAY (singular) of Christ, is ONE single day on which both the Second Coming occurs, and our gathering together unto Him in the sky (i.e., the Rapture).

It is NOT an event separated by seven years.

Paul then warns believers not to be deceived into thinking that day is already present.

In verse 3 he explains that certain events must happen first, including the revealing of the “man of sin,” a prophetic title associated with the Antichrist.

This establishes a basic chronological principle:

The Antichrist is revealed BEFORE our gathering to Christ.

That statement does not fit comfortably with the belief that the Church must be removed before the Antichrist can appear.

Paul appears to teach the opposite.

Scripture cannot contradict itself, and remain true.

In other words, 2 Thessalonians 2:7 – CANNOT cancel out verse 3.

Rather than telling believers, “You cannot see the Antichrist because you will already be gone,” he gives the revelation of the man of sin as one of the signs that must precede Christ’s coming and our gathering to Him.

Paul would not inform the church, that the man of sin must be reveal BEFORE the rapture, and then turn around in verse 7 and say the exact opposite thing. There MUST, therefore, be another explanation of what is restraining the arrival of the man of sin, other than the Church being raptured prior.

The Restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2

A common pre-tribulation argument comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.

Paul refers to something or someone restraining the mystery of lawlessness until the restraint is removed.

Many interpreters identify the restrainer as the Holy Spirit working through the Church. From this perspective, the Church must be removed before the Antichrist can be revealed.

There are several difficulties with that interpretation.

First, the passage never explicitly identifies the restrainer as the Church.

Second, Scripture promises that the Holy Spirit will remain with believers. Jesus said in John 14:16 that the Comforter would abide with His followers forever. Further, God is omnipresent which reveals that His Spirit cannot be removed from anywhere. God’s Holy Spirit is everywhere present, nowhere absent, at all times, simultaneously. He is eternal.

Third, Revelation portrays saints on earth during the Antichrist’s persecution. It also highlights a powerful great end-time revival hitting all peoples, tongues, kindreds, and nations DURING the Great Tribulation. Revival doesn’t occur without the Holy Ghost; thus the Spirit of God will be on earth during the Great Tribulation. There is no Scripture that differentiates 2 groups of saints (i.e., rapture ready saints, and tribulation saints that must give their lives in order to be saved as they missed their first chance at the rapture).

Either you’re a “saint” or an “ain’t.”

That may be bad grammar, but it is truth.

Revelation 13:7 says the beast makes war with the saints, and people that have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:17). Who do you suppose that is? Jesus notes in Matthew 24 that we will be hated of all men “for His name’s sake.” Who wears the name of Jesus? Is it the current Jews who do not recognize Jesus as their Messiah? No friend. It is YOU and ME (and all those who shall soon believe).

Whatever interpretation one gives to the restrainer, it should not overturn Paul’s explicit statement that the coming of Christ and our gathering to Him will not occur until after the man of sin is revealed.

Clear statements should govern less explicit ones.

What Is the Great Tribulation?

The Great Tribulation is the final period of intense satanic persecution immediately preceding the return of Jesus Christ.

Jesus uses the term in Matthew 24:21.

Revelation 13 describes the Antichrist system exercising authority for forty-two months (the final 3 and 1/2 of the final 7 years). Daniel repeatedly points to a corresponding three-and-one-half-year prophetic period.

During this time, the Antichrist and False Prophet will promote a global system of political and religious control. Revelation 13 describes economic restrictions connected with the (666) Mark of the Beast and persecution against those who refuse to worship the beast.

This period should be distinguished from the entire final prophetic era.

Not every war, earthquake, political crisis, or international development is automatically the Great Tribulation.

The Great Tribulation has identifiable biblical markers.

Understanding those markers protects believers from two opposite errors.

One error is sensationalism, where every headline is treated as the final fulfillment of prophecy.

The other is complacency, where clear prophetic developments are ignored because Christians assume they will be removed before difficult events arrive.

Scripture calls us to neither panic nor denial.

It calls us to watchfulness.

What About Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Pre-Wrath Views?

Faithful Christians have held several different views concerning the timing of the Rapture.

These disagreements should be discussed carefully and charitably.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture View

The pre-tribulation view teaches that Christ gathers the Church before the final Tribulation period begins.

Supporters often emphasize:

• God’s promise to deliver believers from wrath
• Revelation 3:10
• The absence of the word “church” from portions of Revelation
• The doctrine of imminence
• The restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2
• A distinction between Israel and the Church

This view attempts to preserve the biblical truth that believers are not appointed to God’s wrath.

That truth should be affirmed.

First Thessalonians 5:9 says:

“God hath not appointed us to wrath.”

The question, however, is whether the Great Tribulation and the wrath of God are identical.

Scripture distinguishes persecution directed against the saints from divine judgment directed against the rebellious world.

The Antichrist’s persecution is satanic wrath against believers. God’s wrath is His judgment against wickedness.

Those are not necessarily the same thing.

Christians may therefore experience tribulation without being the objects of God’s wrath.

Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

The promise is not that believers will never suffer. The promise is that Christ has overcome the world.

To learn MORE about the Wrath of God versus the Wrath of Satan ==> CLICK HERE.

The Mid-Tribulation Rapture View

The mid-tribulation position places the Rapture near the midpoint of the final seven-year prophetic period.

This view often connects the Rapture with the seventh trumpet but places certain Tribulation judgments afterward.

Its strength is that it recognizes the importance of the trumpet language in 1 Corinthians 15 and Revelation.

However, Matthew 24 remains difficult for this position because Jesus places the gathering of the elect “immediately after the tribulation.”

The Pre-Wrath Rapture View

The pre-wrath position teaches that believers experience much of the final Great Tribulation but are gathered before the climactic outpouring of divine wrath.

This view recognizes an important biblical distinction between satanic persecution and the wrath of God.

It therefore shares some significant observations with post-tribulation teaching.

The primary disagreement concerns exactly where the gathering occurs in relation to the final judgments and the visible return of Christ.

The Post-Tribulation Rapture View

The post-tribulation view teaches that the Church remains on earth through the Great Tribulation and that the Rapture occurs immediately afterward, when Jesus returns openly in power and glory.

This position rests especially on the cumulative force of:

• Matthew 24:29-31
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
• Revelation 11:15-18
• Revelation 20:4-6

Each passage contributes part of the picture.

Together, they form a unified consistent chronology (without contradiction).

Why the Post-Tribulation Interpretation Best Fits the Text

The strongest argument for a post-tribulation Rapture is not based on a single isolated verse.

It is based on the convergence of several passages.

1. Jesus says the gathering occurs AFTER the Great Tribulation

Matthew 24:29-31 gives an explicit sequence.

2. Paul places the Rapture at Christ’s Second Coming

First Thessalonians 4:15-17 connects the catching away to the coming of the Lord, as does 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (with emphasis on verse 23).

3. Paul places our transformation at the Last Trumpet (i.e., 7th Trump)

First Corinthians 15:51-52 gives a specific trumpet marker (7th and Last Trump); Revelation reveals how many there are and explains that at the Last Trumpet (the 7th) Christ rules on earth (cf. Rev. 8:2 – 11:15).

4. Revelation associates the seventh trumpet with Christ’s kingdom and our eternal reward

Revelation 11:15-18 fits Paul’s description of our eternal reward being received at the 7th (and last) trumpet.

5. Paul says the Antichrist is revealed BEFORE our gathering to Christ

Second Thessalonians 2:1-3 directly contradicts the doctrine of imminence. While it is true we should all be watchful and ready to meet the LORD as no one is promised a tomorrow (He could come for anyone of us via death at any moment), that does do NOT negate the fact that Scripture clearly teaches – the man of sin (i.e., the Antichrist) must first be revealed (not only before Christ’s Second Coming, but also) our gathering together unto Him (i.e., the Rapture).

6. Revelation places participants in the first resurrection AFTER the Beast’s Persecution

Revelation 20:4-6 notes that those who make the first resurrection (i.e., the Rapture) includes saints who resisted the Beast (some of whom were martyred) during the Great Tribulation.

If even ONE of these passages contradicted another, we might have to rethink our entire eschatological understanding concerning the timing of the Rapture, because a kingdom divided against itself, cannot stand.

But amazingly, they do NOT contradict. They all fit perfectly, hand-in-glove.

Taken together, the passages all point in the same direction.

The Church should expect Jesus Christ to return at the conclusion of the Great Tribulation, not before.

Is the Rapture a Secret Event?

Another common idea is that the Rapture will occur secretly, perhaps with millions of believers suddenly disappearing while the world is left wondering what happened.

But the major Rapture passages emphasize sound, visibility, resurrection, and glory.

First Thessalonians 4 includes:

• the Lord descending
• a shout
• the voice of the archangel
• the trumpet of God
• resurrection

Matthew 24 includes:

• cosmic disturbances
• the sign of the Son of Man
• nations mourning
• Christ coming visibly in the clouds
• a great trumpet
• the gathering of the elect

Revelation 1:7 says:

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.”

This sounds less like a secret disappearance and more like the most public event in human history.

Jesus Christ will return openly as King of kings and Lord of lords, and will RULE THE WORLD.

When Jesus ascended, the angels informed the Church, that He would come again in like manner (i.e, the same way). How did he go up? Was it visible or secretive? The disciples watched Jesus slowly float up into the sky, and up into the clouds.

When He returns, He will return from the clouds, and since His resurrection and ascension (i.e., Rapture) was our example (i.e., firstfruits), our resurrection and ascension (i.e., Rapture) will be just like His. In other words, we will NOT disappear suddenly, but we will be CHANGED suddenly.

After we are changed, we will being to visibly, slowly, float up into the sky (into the clouds) – just like Jesus did. So the idea of vanishing and eating a supper for 7 years, doesn’t reflect Scripture at all. The world will KNOW what has happened.

By the time Jesus comes – all the peoples of the world will all have HEARD the story of Jesus, His plan of salvation, and will have been warned repeatedly by two powerful end-time prophets. And great fear shall befall them all, when thy realize the Rapture was no figment of the imagination.

Does “No Man Knows the Day or Hour” Mean We Cannot Understand the Timing?

Jesus says in Matthew 24:36 that no one knows the day or hour.

That warning should prevent date-setting.

Christians should never claim certainty about a date God has not revealed.

However, Scripture also teaches that believers should recognize the prophetic season, and that the day of His return would not overtake us like a thief (indicting that true Christians may have an ball-park idea of His return when the time draws nigh).

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5 that the Day of the Lord comes as a thief, but he immediately tells believers:

“Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

There is an important distinction between knowing the exact date and recognizing the approach of prophetic fulfillment.

Jesus condemned people who could interpret the weather but could not discern the signs of the times in Matthew 16:2-3.

Biblical watchfulness therefore avoids two extremes.

We should not set dates.

We should not ignore signs.

The Christian response is informed readiness.

If the Post-Tribulation rapture is the correct view (as we believe it is), it stands to reason that we may know (within a matter of a few days) when He will return, for the battle of Armageddon (when He returns) is set to occur seven years after the Confirmation of the Covenant (Daniel 9:27).

To Learn MORE about – The Final 7 Years ==> CLICK HERE.

Even if we THINK we are correct, about the timing of His return (within mere days), by simply adding seven years from the date in which the Confirmation of the Covenant was confirmed (and signed with many), and noting also the timing of the death of the two witnesses of Revelation 11; even still, it would be better to note the days around that time NOT as a specific “day or hour”, but as the timeframe of “GOD’S LAST MINUTE WARNING.” At the time of the battle of Armageddon, it will be but days away.

“FOR BEHOLD, I COME AS A THEIF. BLESSED IS HE THAT WATCHETH, AND KEEPETH HIS GARMENTS, LEST HE WALK NAKED, AND THEY SEE HIS SHAME.” – Rev. 16:11

For the Church that is alive and remains, the days surrounding that timeframe (i.e., the battle of Armageddon) will be given to prayer, fasting, and ONE FINAL EVANGELISTIC REVIVAL PUSH, the keeping of our garments, the trimming of our wicks, and ensuring our lamps are full of oil.

Satan and the entire world will be celebrating the death of the two prophets of God, sending gifts to one another. Think about it. Satan studies prophecy too. He KNOWS this is his last hoorah.

The Antichrist (global dictator) is the lawless one, the man of sin. He will temporarily lift the laws globally. In his last global party, anything goes. No sin will be punished. Drugs will be acceptable. Murdering Christians will be praised. Sexual promiscuity will be openly permitted and encouraged. There will be NO LAWS to punish the sins of man during the global party. If it feels good, “do it” (he’ll say).

And while the world is throwing its biggest and most sinful party that ever was (or will be), the Thief will come in the night. The door will be shut. The marriage shall commence.

Second chances are over.

It is done.

The Rapture and the Second Coming Belong Together

One of the most important conclusions in this discussion is that the New Testament does not require us to divide Christ’s return into two separated comings.

Consider the repeated elements:

The passages do NOT read like unrelated events.

They appear to describe interconnected aspects of the same prophetic climax.

Christ comes.

The trumpet sounds.

The saints are resurrected.

Living believers are transformed.

God gathers His people.

Christ defeats His enemies.

The kingdoms of this world become His kingdom.

He begins His reign.

How This Fits the Broader Prophetic Timeline

The Rapture is not an isolated prophecy.

It belongs within a much larger biblical story.

Scripture portrays human history moving toward a period in which international political structures, religious influence, economic control, and rebellion against God increasingly converge.

The Bible speaks of a final ruler identified by titles such as the Beast, the man of sin, and the Antichrist.

To Learn More (about the ANTICHRIST) ==> CLICK HERE.

Revelation 13 also describes a second figure commonly called the False Prophet who promotes worship of the beast and participates in a system tied to the Mark of the Beast.

Daniel and Revelation describe political powers moving toward increasingly global structures.

Revelation portrays conflict involving the nations.

Jerusalem becomes a central focus of end-time events.

Israel remains prophetically significant.

The Great Tribulation occurs during the final phase of this prophetic sequence.

Ultimately the nations gather toward the battle of Armageddon.

Then Jesus Christ returns.

Zechariah 14 presents the Lord coming in connection with Jerusalem and the nations gathered against the city.

Revelation 19 presents Christ returning as the victorious King.

Revelation 20 follows with the reign of Christ.

The Rapture belongs at this climax, when Jesus returns to gather His people and establish His rule.

Israel, Jerusalem, and the Return of Christ

Any serious discussion of end-time prophecy must recognize the biblical significance of Israel and Jerusalem.

The restoration of the Jewish people to their historic homeland in modern times has caused generations of prophecy students to reconsider passages that once seemed difficult to interpret literally.

Jesus spoke prophetically about Jerusalem.

Zechariah describes Jerusalem becoming a major international issue before the coming of the Lord.

Zechariah 12:3 portrays Jerusalem as a burdensome stone for the nations.

Zechariah 14 describes nations gathering against Jerusalem before the Lord intervenes.

Romans 11 teaches that God’s purposes concerning Israel have not been discarded.

The modern existence of Israel does not mean every action of an Israeli government (or the Jewish people) is automatically righteous or prophetically significant.

Nevertheless, the restoration of Israel and the continued global importance of Jerusalem provide important context for understanding how literally the end-time passages may unfold.

The Rapture Is Not the Next Prophetic Event

One practical implication of the post-tribulation view is that Christians should not assume the Rapture must happen before every other major end-time prophecy.

Scripture identifies events that precede the gathering of believers.

Paul says the man of sin must be revealed.

Jesus places the abomination of desolation and Great Tribulation before the gathering of the elect.

The Antichrist will blasphemously declare himself to be God, and demand to be worshipped as God.

Revelation describes persecution of saints under the beast.

Therefore, the biblical posture of the Church should not be, “None of these things can affect us because we will already be gone.”

The better posture is:

“We belong to Jesus Christ. Whatever happens, we will remain faithful until He comes.”

That distinction is pastorally important.

A believer who has been taught that persecution or severe prophetic events are impossible before the Rapture could become spiritually shaken if those events begin unfolding.

Additionally, Pastors who have taught that the church will be gone before the Antichrist is revealed and before the Great Tribulation occurs, could lose their congregations (if they are wrong) to those who have taught it correctly (i.e., Post-Tribulation Rapture).

Jesus warned His followers in advance so they would not be deceived.

Prophecy is given for preparation.

Some have asked, “and what if the Post-Tribulation Rapture view is wrong, what will it cost those who have taught that?”

Well, since Post-Tribulation doctrine still teaches that we all must live ready and watchful, then it will not effect their Rapture-readiness at all.

Therefore, the only downside (if Post-Trib happens to be wrong), as we float up in a Pre-Tribulation rapture we may have to yell toward our saved Pre-Tribulation believer friends mid-flight and admittedly say, “well, I guess we Post-Tribers were wrong.”

The cost of being wrong (if Post-Tribulation is correct) is much greater for the Pre-Tribulation subscriber, as not only could leaders lose their congregation, but they could be labeled false teachers and lose effectiveness to reach the lost during the Great Tribulation. Some folks are so adamantly Pre-Trib – could take the Mark of the Beast supposing it to be a mere precursor? After all, they may say, “This cannot be the real Mark of the Beast, because we will not be here.”

Anyway you slice it, preaching the truth and preaching it in-line with His Word is always the safest route.

Again, all the Scriptures presented herein agree with the Timing of the Rapture.

It occurs AFTER the Great Tribulation.

Does a Post-Tribulation Rapture Mean Christians Should Be Afraid?

Absolutely not.

The purpose of biblical prophecy is not to paralyze the Church with fear.

Jesus repeatedly told His followers not to be afraid.

Paul concludes his description of the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 by telling believers to comfort one another with those words.

Think about that.

A passage describing resurrection and Christ’s return is intended to produce comfort.

Why?

Because the final word does not belong to the Antichrist.

It does not belong to war.

It does not belong to persecution.

It does not belong to death.

It belongs to Jesus Christ.

The Rapture is not fundamentally a doctrine about escaping difficulty.

It is a doctrine about victory over death and eternal union with Christ.

What About the Sixth Trumpet War?

Revelation 9 describes the sixth trumpet and an enormous military conflict resulting in catastrophic loss of life.

This judgment occurs before the seventh trumpet, this it is NOT the battle of Armageddon.

If the transformation of believers occurs at the last trumpet, and the seventh trumpet is that last trumpet, then the sixth trumpet necessarily precedes it.

That has significant implications for prophetic chronology.

The Church should not build its theology around the assumption that every large-scale prophetic war must happen after Christians have already been removed.

Remember: The Church was on earth during both World War 1 (8.2. million died), and World War 2 (52 million died). It will also be here on earth during World War 3 (1/3 of mankind will die).

By today’s population standards, that is over 2.7 billion deaths.

Believers should understand the prophetic sequence soberly and prepare spiritually.

The purpose is not to predict headlines recklessly.

The purpose is to understand the biblical framework well enough that current events can be evaluated without panic or sensationalism.

What About the Mark of the Beast?

Revelation 13 describes a system in which economic participation becomes tied to a mark associated with allegiance to the beast.

Revelation 14 gives an extremely serious warning against receiving that mark.

A post-tribulation understanding means Christians must take these passages as direct warnings, not merely information for some future group of believers after the Church is gone.

The appropriate response is not speculation about every new technology.

Barcodes, credit cards, biometric systems, digital currencies, artificial intelligence, and identification technologies should not automatically be labeled the Mark of the Beast.

The biblical mark is tied to the beast, his authority, and worshipping him (as God) instead of Jesus Christ.

Technology may eventually help enable the system, but technology itself is not the essence of the prophecy.

The central issue is allegiance.

The final conflict will ultimately ask a spiritual question:

Who will you worship?

Armageddon and the Return of Jesus

Revelation 16 describes the nations being gathered to a place called Armageddon.

Significantly, just before that gathering reaches its climax, Jesus gives a warning:

“Behold, I come as a thief.”
Revelation 16:15

The warning still concerns His coming even at this late point in the prophetic sequence.

NOTE: If Jesus came back in Revelation 4:1 (as the Pre-Trib view supposes), why is Jesus warning the church to keep their garments clean and be ready, because He is fixing to come like a theif in the night?

Hint: Because He DID NOT COME in Revelation 4:1.

In Revelation 4:1 – only JOHN ALONE was told to “come up hither” (not the entire church).

Additionally, John did NOT hear a trumpet as some suggest, Scripture actually says he heard a “voice” (as if it were a trumpet). Meaning, John heard a voice speak loud and proclamatively saying, “Come up here.”

What happened to John in Revelation 4 and 5?

John had a 3rd heaven experience, much like Paul’s acquaintance and Ezekiel (who saw the same throne-room of God and the same 4 living creatures that John described).

Question: Why does no one say that Ezekiel (or Paul’s acquaintance) was “Raptured” during their experience, as they both had practically the same 3rd heaven experience as John (in Rev. 4)? If Ezekiel was not “in the Rapture” during his 3rd heaven experience, and neither was Paul’s acquaintance, then we have no “law of first mention” to assume John (nor the entire Church) was Raptured at Revelation 4:1.

The fact that Rev. 16:15 notes Jesus as coming soon like a thief, is difficult to reconcile with the idea that the thief-like coming of Christ already occurred 7 years earlier (as the Pre-Trib Rapture theory supposes).

Instead, the warning (in Rev. 16:15) reinforces in the expectation that Christ’s decisive coming remains future as the world approaches Armageddon.

Revelation 19 then presents Jesus returning in victory.

He does not return as a suffering servant.

He returns as King to rule all the earth.

The Millennial Reign Follows Christ’s Return

After the return of Christ and the defeat of His enemies, Revelation 20 describes the thousand-year reign commonly called the Millennium.

The word millennium simply means one thousand years.

Revelation 20 repeatedly refers to this thousand-year period.

Christ reigns, Satan is restrained, and resurrected saints reign with Jesus.

This fits naturally with the chronology developed throughout the prophetic passages:

Great Tribulation → Second Coming → Rapture and resurrection at His Coming → defeat of Christ’s enemies at Armageddon → Millennial Reign

The Christian hope therefore reaches beyond merely leaving the earth.

God’s plan culminates in Jesus openly ruling as King.

NOTE: Christ is coming TO THIS EARTH, for the purpose of establishing His physical Kingdom ON THE EARTH.

We sing songs like: “Goodbye world, Goodbye” but we should remember, that before we live forever with Jesus in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven (with the New Heaven and New Earth), we will FIRST reign and rule with Christ ON EARTH for 1,000 years.

Then – How should we view the Rapture (in that light)?

Some have said, “It doesn’t make sense, to go UP (i.e., Rapture) just to come down.

Let me help you.

Don’t think of the Rapture as an escape from this world to a different world.

Think of the Rapture as an angelic “plane ride” over to Jerusalem for battle.

The angels are gather us from earth, taking us to meet Jesus in the sky, and we will immediately go with Him to the battle of Armageddon to fight FOR Israel, to win, and then establish Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Think about it. We pray “Thy Kingdom COME, Thy will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven.”

Soon, we will NOT have to pray that prayer any more, for He that SHALL come WILL come, and will NOT tarry.

Jesus is coming (at Armageddon) to fight for Israel, and to establish His Kingdom on earth. But, think about this: the saints are located all around the world (every tribe, tongue, kindred and nation), some will be alive when He returns, others are dead and buried at various place around the world.

How will Jesus amass His armies for Armageddon?

The Rapture.

The Saints throughout the ages will all be resurrected simultaneously and are transformed; we all meet Jesus in the sky, get on our white horses (sporting our new glorified bodies), and we go with him to battle in Jerusalem.

What about the supper of the Lamb?

Ah, good question. Could it be that the supper of the Lamb, is actually the battle of Armageddon?

Revelation 19:17-19 says, ”

⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

¹⁸ That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

¹⁹ And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

Indeed, I too hope there is an actual marriage supper (as I love to eat).

But one this is for sure, I’ve NEVER heard of anyone eating for 7 years long, as the Pre-Trib view supposes.

Why Does the Timing of the Rapture Matter?

The timing of the Rapture is NOT a salvation issue.

I have wonderful friends on both sides of the isle. I don’t think less of anyone who disagrees with the Post-Tribulation Rapture view point, and I recall there was a day when I held that same view.

A person is NOT saved by holding the correct prophetic chart.

We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, upon obedience to the gospel.

Christians who disagree about Rapture timing can still love one another, worship together, share the gospel, and recognize one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

But the issue still matters. How so?

It affects spiritual preparation

If believers may face severe persecution, they should be taught endurance.

It affects how we interpret prophecy

Our assumptions influence how we read Matthew, Thessalonians, Daniel, and Revelation.

It affects how we understand current events

A sound prophetic framework helps us distinguish genuine fulfillment from sensational speculation.

It affects how we think about suffering

Jesus never promised Christians an exemption from persecution.

He promised His presence and ultimate victory.

It affects evangelism

Understanding that history is moving toward the return of Jesus should produce urgency in sharing the gospel.

Further, knowing that the great end-time revival (that many have heard prophesied about) is NOT fiction, but is prophesied in Scripture, should lead us to understand that the world’s greatest end-time revival has NOT already come to pass, but shall come to pass during the final 7 years (cf. Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; Joel 2:23; Rev. 7).

Therefore, we should not only be in evangelism mode (because we are living in the latter days) but we should also be making plans and gearing up for the last and greatest end-time revival the world has ever known.

Just like fireworks always ends with “the grand finale,” so Almighty God shall end with “the grand finale” of end-time worldwide revival.

It will be suffering and persecution (on a global scale) like the world has never seen.

It will also be MIRACLES and REVIVAL (on a global scale) like the world has never seen.

I envision wars, luting, fighting, and persecution galore.

I simultaneously envision, numerous massive crusades and Spirit outpourings happening globally throughout most of the final 7 years. Preachers and saints of all ages and backgrounds doing great exploits, realizing that if they “Go” they may never return in the flesh, and like Paul – they go anyway for the sake of revival.

Some will never come home. Some will. Some will sleep. Some will be alive and remain.

Both will be victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord, when He comes.

What Should Christians Do Today?

Bible prophecy should always lead to practical discipleship.

If prophetic knowledge produces arrogance, obsession, fear, or endless speculation, something has gone wrong.

Jesus gave prophecy to prepare His people.

Know Jesus Christ personally

The most important preparation for the return of Christ is salvation.

Prophetic knowledge cannot replace repentance, faith, obedience, and a genuine relationship with God.

Know the Bible

Do not build your understanding of prophecy primarily from social media clips, viral videos, or dramatic headlines.

Study Scripture.

Read passages in context.

Compare Scripture with Scripture.

Refuse deception

Jesus’ first warning in Matthew 24 is:

“Take heed that no man deceive you.”

Deception will be one of the defining characteristics of the last days.

Believers must know biblical truth well enough to recognize counterfeit teaching.

Develop spiritual endurance

Jesus said in Matthew 24:13:

“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Endurance is not passive.

It means continuing in faith when obedience becomes costly.

Watch prophetic developments without becoming obsessed

Israel, Jerusalem, geopolitical alliances, movements toward global governance, religious cooperation, economic control, and international conflict can all be evaluated in light of Scripture.

But prophecy should never become headline fortune-telling.

The Bible provides the framework.

Current events provide possible context.

Scripture remains the authority.

Share the gospel

Prophecy should increase evangelistic urgency.

If Jesus is returning, people need to know Him.

The greatest question is not, “Can I identify every prophetic event?”

It is, “Am I ready to meet Jesus Christ?”

Jesus taught (in John 3:3-5) that unless one is “Born Again” they cannot see nor enter the Kingdom of God.

To Learn HOW to be “Born Again” (the Bible way) ==> CLICK HERE.

Common Misunderstandings About the Rapture

“If Christians face the Tribulation, God has failed to protect them.”

Biblical protection does not always mean physical removal.

God protected Noah through the Flood.

God preserved Israel through the plagues in Egypt.

God was with the three Hebrew men in the fiery furnace.

God was with Daniel in the lions’ den.

God can preserve His people spiritually even when they face persecution physically.

Revelation portrays faithful believers overcoming Satan:

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”
Revelation 12:11

Victory sometimes means deliverance from suffering.

Sometimes it means faithfulness through suffering.

“The Church is never mentioned after Revelation 3.”

The English word church becomes less frequent in later chapters of Revelation, but believers are repeatedly present.

They are called saints.

Revelation 13:7 says the beast makes war with the saints.

Revelation 14:12 describes “the patience of the saints” who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

In Revelation 19:7 John wrote: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

No serious biblical scholar would contend that the “wife” of Jesus is not the Church; that notion would defy logic.

There are at least 16 references to the Church mentioned after Revelation 4:1, even though the direct word “Church” is not used.

Changing terminology does not prove the people of God have disappeared.

Some say: “I don’t know of ANY prophecy that must be fulfilled before Jesus Christ returns, because Jesus can return at any second.”

Well, I do.

Christians should always live ready to meet God.

None of us is promised tomorrow.

But personal readiness is not the same thing as saying Scripture reveals no prophetic events before the Second Coming.

Paul explicitly names events that must occur before our gathering to Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2.

Readiness and prophetic sequence are not contradictions.

Examine the Timeline (below) to see how the Bible lays out the Final 7 Years.

Frequently Asked Questions About When the Rapture Will Happen

1. When is the Rapture?

The Rapture occurs at the coming of Jesus Christ, immediately after the Great Tribulation, when the trumpet sounds and believers are gathered to Him.

Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.

2. Is the word “Rapture” in the Bible?

The English word Rapture is not used in most translations, but the event is described clearly. First Thessalonians 4:17 says believers will be “caught up” to meet the Lord.

Some have no problem saying terms like “the prodigal son” or “the great commission” or “the Olivet Discourse” or “The Lord’s Prayer” (none of which are terms used in the Bible), yet for some reason want to make a big deal about the term “Rapture” not being in the Bible. Could it be that in their heart they truly don’t believe in the biblically described event that we often refer to as the Rapture?

Ladies and Gentlemen, we mention “the prodigal” often because it is much quicker and easier to say “the prodigal” than quoting the entire story to get the gist across. The same goes for the BIBLICAL event of our gathering together until Him, meeting Christ in the sky (at the last trump) after being resurrected from the dead, and instantly changed (for those who are alive at the time); notice how that was a mouth-full (and a long sentence). Instead, we simply say “Rapture” to simplify that event which Scripture clearly details.

Supporting Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Matthew 24:29-31, among others.

3. Will Christians see the Antichrist?

Second Thessalonians 2 indicates that the man of sin is revealed BEFORE the coming of Christ and our gathering to Him (i.e.., the Rapture). If we don’t die before it is time for the Antichrist to be revealed, then we will certainly see the Antichrist.

Supporting Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.

4. Does the Rapture happen before the Great Tribulation?

No. Jesus places the gathering of the elect “immediately after the tribulation” (directly referring to “the Great Tribulation).

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 24:15, 21, 29-31.

5. Is the Second Coming and the Rapture the same event?

Yes, sort of.

Both the Second Coming and the Rapture –  happen on the same day, and involve: Christ’s coming, clouds, a trumpet, resurrection (for those who are dead in Christ), and the gathering of believers which are alive in Christ.

We often call this gathering of believers that are escorted angelically into the sky, “the Rapture.” Because the Second Coming, Rapture, and all the other details listed above – all happen near simultaneously and on the same day, it is probably easier to categorize them as the same event. However, some may want to consider them as different events simply because several different things are happening.

Perhaps the most important aspect of biblical prophetic understanding here, is to realize that these events (if categorized as 2 different events) do NOT happen 7 years apart; rather, they happen on “the day [singular] of Christ” (2 Thes. 2:1-2).

Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

6. What is the “Last Trump” in 1 Corinthians 15?

The post-tribulation interpretation connects Paul’s “last trump” with the seventh trumpet of Revelation, when Christ’s kingdom is openly announced.

Supporting Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 11:15-18.

7. Can anyone know the exact date of the Rapture?

Scripture does not authorize believers to set exact dates. Jesus warned that no one knew the day and hour. Christians can, however, recognize prophetic seasons and remain watchful.

NOTE: “No man knoweth” – is in the present-tense form. Jesus actually did NOT say, that no one will ever know, but that no man knoweth (i.e., no one knows at this time). Still, we discourage date setting and instead we promote a heart made (and kept) ready to meet Jesus whenever He decides to come.

Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 24:36, 42; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.

8. Will Christians go through the Mark of the Beast period?

Yes. Revelation portrays saints present during the beast’s persecution and praises those who refuse his mark. That supports the conclusion that believers should be prepared to remain faithful during that period. But, this is NOT the wrath of God (as we are not subject to the Wrath of God), it is the wrath of Satan.

Supporting Scriptures: Revelation 12:12; Revelation 13:7-10; Revelation 14:9-12; Revelation 20:4.

9. Should Christians fear the Great Tribulation?

No. Christians should take prophecy seriously without living in fear. Jesus promised His presence, and Scripture presents the return of Christ as the believer’s blessed hope and final victory.

Supporting Scriptures: John 16:33; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:7; Revelation 12:11.

10. What is the most important preparation for the Rapture?

Be spiritually ready. Know Jesus Christ, obey the Gospel (found in His Word), remain faithful, refuse deception, and live with an eternal perspective.

Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 24:42-46; Matthew 25:1-13; John 3:3-5, 2 Peter 3:11-14.

To ensure your salvation and Learn HOW to be “Born Again” (the Bible way) ==> CLICK HERE.

11. Why are Christians to “pray that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things”? Doesn’t that mean we will be Raptured before the Great Tribulation?

No. Jesus said (in Luke 21:36) “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Several Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory believers argue this passage is proof of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture allowing us to avoid the time-period known as the Great Tribulation. But in order for that to be true, all prior noted proofs for a Post-Tribulation Rapture must also be proven incorrect.

What then does this verse mean. There are two primary possibilities (from the Post-Tribulation Rapture understanding).

1. First, Revelation 14:13 says “…Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” In this thought, the reason why they “that die in the Lord” are blessed, is because they then escape the intense suffering and hardness of the Great Tribulation events occurring just prior to the battle of Armageddon. It’s almost a prayer for quick martyrdom, so that less suffer will occur.
2. Second, is that perhaps (upon God answering our prayer to help us escape all these things that shall come upon the earth) God will place us in a safe place to endure during the time of the Sixth Trumpet War and the subsequent final seven years. It this view, it is not that we are praying for God to Rapture us up before the Great Tribulation (as we know the Rapture occurs AFTER the Great Tribulation / cf. Matt. 24:15, 21, 29-31); rather, we are praying that God will place us in a location that is safe and out of the reach of the dangers of the Sixth Trumpet War and out of the reach of Antichrist, since we (the Church) will be on earth during all these things. After all, some must be alive and remain until the Second Coming of the Lord. Why not let it be us? If God can prepare a place of protection and nourishment for Israel during the time of the Great Tribulation, certainly He can do the same for the portion of the Bride of Christ who ask Him. Ye have not, because ye ask not. I pray the prayer of Luke 21:36 often, and I also ask God to keep my family together and safe during the time of the Sixth Trumpet War and the final 7 years, and provide for all our needs. I do this, because I know that God needs people on earth throughout the final 7 years to help spread the Gospel, and to fulfill the promise that “we shall not all sleep.” If He wills, I am available for that mission.

When Is the Rapture? The Biblical Conclusion

So, when is the Rapture?

When the primary passages are allowed to interpret one another, the most consistent answer is that the Rapture occurs at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ after the Great Tribulation.

Jesus places the gathering of His elect (i.e., the Rapture) immediately after the Tribulation in Matthew 24.

Paul places our gathering at the [second] coming of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 4.

Paul says our transformation occurs at the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15.

Revelation identifies the seventh trumpet with the transfer of the kingdoms of this world to Jesus Christ.

Second Thessalonians 2 says the Antichrist is revealed before our gathering (Rapture) to Christ.

Revelation 20 places saints who resisted the beast within the first resurrection (Rapture).

The pieces fit together.

This conclusion should not produce fear.

It should produce faithfulness.

The story of Bible prophecy does not end with the Antichrist, the Mark of the Beast, international conflict, persecution, or Armageddon.

It ends with Jesus Christ returning in power and glory.

The dead in Christ will rise.

Living believers will be transformed.

The saints will all be gathered to their King in the sky.

The battle of Armageddon will ensue, with Jesus Christ victorious.

The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ.

Christ will reign.

That is the hope of the Church.

So watch.

Study.

Pray.

Endure.

Share the gospel.

And above all, make sure your life belongs completely to Jesus Christ.

The great promise of the Rapture is not simply that believers leave this world.

The great promise is found in the final words of 1 Thessalonians 4:17:

“So shall we ever be with the Lord.”

That is our hope.

Bibliography

The Holy Bible. Scripture references include Matthew 13; Matthew 24; Matthew 25; John 14; John 16; Romans 8; Romans 11; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2; Colossians 3; 1 Peter 1; 2 Peter 3; Revelation 1; Revelation 9; Revelation 11-14; Revelation 16; Revelation 19-20; Zechariah 12; Zechariah 14; and related passages.

Blue Letter Bible. “G726, harpazō.” Strong’s Greek Lexicon. Consulted for the lexical meaning and New Testament usage of harpazō, translated “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

About the Author

Bryan Smith serves as Content & Teaching Pastor at Endtime Ministries and has been part of the Endtime family for more than 25 years. He has been engaged in pastoral ministry for two decades, served as Academic Dean, Registrar, and Professor for Valor University, and is a frequent teacher of the Understanding the End Time class. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Leadership, has completed advanced studies in the history of prophecy through HarvardX’s certificate program with Harvard University, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Biblical Studies. In addition to hosting The Bible Prophecy Show podcast, Bryan is a regular contributor to Endtime magazine and writes on the intersection of Bible prophecy, theology, and global current events.