March 9, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
The writings in Part ONE are helpful in establishing the year of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in 2033, as well as additional information regarding the rapture happening in 2026. Please consider reading that as well if you have not already done so.
Today, I’d like to discuss how we can know that the Rapture will happen PRIOR to the 7-year Tribulation period beginning. There have always been Three different time-perspectives discussed of when the rapture will occur: Pre Trib, Mid Trib, and Post Tribulation. Let’s try to understand the timing of the rapture based upon scripture.
First, let’s briefly learn about what the rapture is.
The Main Rapture Scripture
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (KJV)
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead “in Christ” shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Key points:
- Jesus descends from heaven.
- Dead believers “in Christ” are resurrected first.
- Living believers “in Christ” are “caught up” (raptured).
- We meet the Lord in the air, not on earth.
Here is another scripture that gives us some additional insight into the rapture.
Bodies Changed Instantly
1 Corinthians 15:51–52 (KJV)
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
This teaches:
- Believers who are living (we shall not all sleep) are transformed instantly.
- Our mortal bodies become incorruptible (changed into a perfect state).
Those that believe in Christ and have already died, will be “raptured” first. Their dead bodies will be resurrected, and changed into a perfect state.
Believers of Christ who are alive will NOT be resurrected during the rapture, simply because Resurrection means the dead being raised by God and given a living body again.
However, like we have just learned, those followers of Christ who are living at the time will have their bodies “changed” into a perfected body, which will allow all who are raptured to live with Christ “in the clouds,” having a perfected body.
The Purpose of the Rapture
Knowing the purpose of the rapture helps a person understand the timing of the event. Let’s go back into the scriptures and look at past religious “Rescues” that have happened.
Remember Noah and the Great Flood? God had Noah build an ark, which allowed him and his family to remain safe while the inhabitants of the earth were all killed in the flood.
Through Noah’s revelations from God, He was told to warn the people to repent and turn to God, or they would be destroyed. The flood came, and the wicked people were destroyed, yet God rescued Noah and his family from the flood. He rescued them, because of the ark which He had instructed Noah to build.
God’s “Vengeance” was not with Noah and his family because of their righteousness and faith. God did as He had planned which was to destroy evil and all of its followers, but had rescued His faithful through the process. A sudden removal before God’s Judgment. Hmmm…Interesting.
Another example of “God’s Rescue” happened during the Israelites escaping certain death from the soldiers that were in pursuit of them when the fled Jerusalem. God’s rescue plan for the Israelites was to keep the soldiers at bay using a “burning bush,” as well as parting the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to safely escape.
Exodus 14:22, KJV
“And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”
They had just been rescued by God. We are fully aware not all who were rescued at that time might NOT have been faithful and believers in God, but that was not a requirement of the rescue. God had a purpose for ALL of the people that He rescued.
Here is that purpose:
So, Israel Would Believe and Trust Him
The miracle strengthened Israel’s faith as they began their journey to the promised land.
“Thus the LORD saved Israel that day… and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD.” (Exodus 14:30–31)
The important point here is that God rescued these people in a miraculous way. A way that is impossible for some people to understand. A way in which only God could do.
He has done this miraculous rescue before, and He will perform a miraculous rescue again through the rapture of those “in Christ”.
We know in our studies of the End-Times that the 7-Year Tribulation Period is about to begin. This period of time will be filled with deception, judgment, and global upheaval that prepares the world for the return of Jesus Christ and the defeat of evil. 7 years of hardship, trials and punishments for the inhabitants of the earth.
God has plans to destroy evil with a Vengeance during this 7-year period.
Romans 12:19 (KJV)
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
2 Thessalonians 1:7–8 (KJV)
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 19:11 (KJV)
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”
God plans on pouring out His seven Bowls of Wrath during the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation period, as recorded in scripture.
The 7 Bowls of Wrath
- Painful sores
Painful and grievous sores appear on people who took the mark of the beast.
(Revelation 16:2) - Sea becomes blood
The sea turns to blood and every living thing in the sea dies.
(Revelation 16:3) - Rivers and fountains become blood
Fresh water sources turn to blood.
(Revelation 16:4) - Scorching heat from the sun
The sun burns people with intense heat.
(Revelation 16:8–9) - Darkness on the beast’s kingdom
The kingdom of the beast is plunged into darkness and people suffer greatly.
(Revelation 16:10) - Euphrates River dries up (Already in the process of drying up)
The Euphrates River dries up to prepare the way for eastern armies and the gathering for the final battle. - Global earthquake and massive hail
A massive earthquake shakes the earth and huge hailstones fall as God’s final judgment.
(Revelation 16:17–21)
God’s fight is NOT with the followers of Jesus Christ. He intends to punish and destroy evil with all of the listed punishments above. This is the purpose of the Tribulation Period.
So, what about His followers? How will God keep them safe from these world-wide punishments? Will He rescue them, just as He has rescued people before that we have just read about? If so, how?
God indeed has a rescue plan for His followers to keep them safe from the punishments that He has planned for the wicked. This rescue is referred to as the Rapture of those “in Christ”..
God will literally call those “in Christ” up to meet Jesus Christ in the air, so that they can “forever be with Him.” With “His Church” safe with Christ, God can then proceed with the 7-year Tribulation period as He has already planned. The battle with the antichrist, and all evil which is upon the earth.
This scripture confirms what I have explained.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV)
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We know that God does not begin pouring out His Bowls of wrath until 3.5 years into the tribulation period. So, we can conclude that this rescue of the rapture will indeed be prior to the final 3.5 years on earth.
But, let’s continue to dig into the scriptures to see if we can get addition information regarding the timing of the rapture.
If you’ve read yesterday’s writing, you know that the antichrist will be introduced to the world at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation period. He will be a part of the signing of the 7-year peace agreement which will come from the President Trump’s “Board of Peace” that was just established in January of 2026.
Let’s learn about the signing of this 7-year peace agreement that will start the Tribulation Period.
Daniel 9:27:
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
Brief Explanation
Many Bible students understand this verse to describe the Antichrist during the final 7-year tribulation:
- “Confirm the covenant with many for one week”
- “One week” in Daniel’s prophecy represents 7 years.
- The Antichrist makes or enforces a peace agreement, often associated with Israel and surrounding nations
- “In the midst of the week” (after 3½ years)
- He stops the temple sacrifices, which implies a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
- “Overspreading of abominations”
- This is the Abomination of Desolation, when the Antichrist desecrates the temple and declares himself to be God.
- Final outcome
- God eventually brings judgment and destruction upon him at the end of the tribulation.
From this very important scripture, we can see that the antichrist will be revealed to the world at the start of the 7-year Tribulation period. He will be one of the signers of this 7-year peace agreement…and this peace agreement STARTS the 7-year Tribulation period. It is key to understand this, for it reveals the timing of the rapture.
Scripture further teaches us that the antichrist can not be revealed to the world until the “Restrainer” is removed from the earth. Let’s learn more about the restrainer.
The Main Passage – The Restrainer Removed
Second Epistle to the Thessalonians 2:6–8 (KJV)
“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
This scripture starts out very confusing, and hard to understand. Let’s try to break it down:
“what withholdeth” means something (or someone) is restraining something that God wants us to know about.
“he might be revealed in his time” This someone is described as… “he” is going to be revealed, “in his time”
“only he who now letteth will let” What “letteth” Means. Wow… this is complex. Let’s continue learning. In 1611 King James English, the word “let” meant to hinder, restrain, or hold back — not “allow” like we use today. The one who is restraining evil will continue restraining until it is removed.
Using our new understanding of the scripture, one could write the meaning of the scripture something like this, (yes, I am filling in blanks because I want you to understand the scripture):
“And now we know what is restraining the antichrist from being revealed until its time for God to allow him to be revealed. The one who is restraining evil will continue restraining the antichrist until it is removed.”
So, what is restraining the antichrist from being revealed? Is it a person: some kind of force? This too is critical to understand for it will complete the picture and the timing of the rapture. Let’s learn what this “force” is that is keeping the antichrist from being revealed.
This restraining force is described as:
“What withholdeth” = what is currently holding the Antichrist back from appearing.
- “what withholdeth” (neuter)
- “he who now letteth” (masculine)
This shift suggests a power and a person.
Many believe this restraining power is the Spirit of God, which makes perfect sense. The restrainer could be the Holy Spirit for several reasons:
A. Only God has power to restrain Satan
The Antichrist is empowered by Satan:
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan…”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:9
No human government or angel could permanently restrain this level of evil.
Only God can hold back Satan’s plan.
B. The Spirit currently restrains sin in the world
Scripture shows the Spirit restrains evil:
“My spirit shall not always strive with man…”
— Genesis 6:3
The Spirit convicts and restrains sin in the world today.
C. The Antichrist appears after the restrainer is removed
Immediately after the restrainer is removed:
“And then shall that Wicked be revealed…”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:8
So, the restrainer must be present now and removed before the Antichrist appears.
3. How this relates to the Rapture
We know through our studies that the antichrist will soon be revealed as he will sign the 7-year peace agreement with Israel and the surrounding nations, which begins the 7 year Tribulation Period.
Currently God’s Holy Spirit dwells in believers. THIS IS THE SOURCE of power that is restraining, or holding back the antichrist from being revealed.
When Christ’s Church, “those people in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit” is taken at the rapture, the Spirit’s restraining ministry through the church is removed. Then the Antichrist can be revealed.
Understanding this complex teaching helps a person know that the rapture is NECESSARY, and will occur BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation Period.
Summation of these two writings Part’s One and Two.
We’ve learned in yesterday’s writing that the rapture will take place in the year 2026, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be in the year 2033.
Today, we have been taught confirming information that the purpose of the rapture is TWO Fold:
1.God plans to rescue His followers from the wrath that He intends to pour out onto the inhabitants of the earth during the Tribulation Period.
2.It’s also His plan to remove the restrainer from the earth, His Spirit which resides withing His believers, so that the antichrist can be revealed.
Please join me for PART Three, and we specifically define how someone can KNOW that they will be included in the Rapture. I’ll see you there.
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