Your question:

Dear Sir,

SHALOM!!!!!!!
Thank you for your insight and for helping build up the Body of Christ!!! I Thank God for the answer and helping me understand things a little bit better. I did not think that God would not leave a select few behind. I am still trying to figure out if this is going to happen before the AntiChrist forces us to take the mark or after (The Rapture that is). I do think that in Gospel of Matthew 24:29-31. It gives you a sign of when He is coming. The scriptures prior to that tell you of what is going to happen....and many have commented that the Body of Christ would be taken before all those things happen....but as I read I get the feeling that we will see an extent...and that is all. If you have more insight I would greatly appreciate your help on this subject.

God Bless you and your ministry!

E. G.-R.

 My answer:

Hi E.,
You are welcome. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated and has been offered up to our LORD!

You said: I did not think that God would not leave a select few behind.

My response: I'm a little confused here and I pray I have not misled you. Bible prophecy makes no mention of people being left behind.

You said: I am still trying to figure out if this is going to happen before the AntiChrist forces us to take the mark or after (The Rapture that is).

My response: The rapture (resurrection) will be on the last day of this age. This will be the day that Jesus comes back and places the resurrection after the mark of the beast is instituted. Many believers will be imprisoned for refusing the mark. For the sake of the elect God will cut short those days.

You said: I do think that in Gospel of Matthew 24:29-31. It gives you a sign of when He is coming. The scriptures prior to that tell you of what is going to happen....and many have commented that the Body of Christ would be taken before all those things happen....but as I read I get the feeling that we will see an extent...and that is all.

My response: I am glad that you are a believer that reads God's word in context. The key verse in the context of the verses you mentioned is the first part of verse 29. It says, "immediately after the distress of those days . . . " What distress? Look at the preceding verses (just as you have done). Verses 4-8 are the birth pains period which come before the desolation, verses 9-14 sum up the desolation (tribulation) period and the end and verses 15-25 give vital details and signs of the desolation. The abomination that causes desolation is the establishment of the antichrist as the false messiah in the rebuilt temple, this will consummate Israel's rebellion against God's covenant and cause her desolation as her punishment. Verses 26-27 are specific signs as to the coming of the LORD so that we will not be deceived. Verse 28 is very specific because it is a picture of the aftermath of the LORD's wrath on the last day, Ezekiel chapter 39 gives a more detailed account of this verse. The greatest signs, second only to the sign of the LORD himself coming on the clouds, are the signs in the sky in verse 29. These signs are spoken of multiple times by the Old testament prophets. Verses 30-31 are obviously the rapture. And there you have it. Unfortunately there are many people teaching a different gospel than the LORD's. The Bible tells us that in the last days men will surround themselves with false teachers who tell them what they want to hear. Everyone wants to hear that the LORD will come part way down and whisk His people away before anything serious happens. The truth is that the body of Christ is to go through this trial on earth to be refined. Should we think ourselves so special that God would never let us witness the tribulation? Or with humble and repentant hearts face the truth of prophecy as true subjects of mercy and grace. The fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom.

I hope this helps if not let me know.

In the service of LORD Jesus,

Randy