One of the passages cited by rapture believers is Matthew 24:37-41
However, they get it mixed up between which type of people were taken and which were left by the flood.
In the pro-rapture theology, it is the unsaved people who are left behind, but if you look at how Jesus relates the story, the people left behind after the flood are the righteous.
You will have to go through this passage very slowly and carefully with them, but it’s worth the effort. Take time to flip back to the OT with Noah before continuing with the gospel passage.
The Holy Spirit will work wonders with the smallest seed you plant in their minds.
Go back slowly and read it again. People ate and were merry, etc., and then the tribulation(flood) came and swept them away while the 144,000 of Gods chosen of Israel(Noah) ride out the tribulation. We both know both saved and unsaved die throughout the tribulation. Its at the end of the tribulation when the nations are gathered at the sheep and goats judgement(Matt25:31-46) happens to those who are alive. And if you use your noggin, there are 3 types of people at that judgement, Jesus’ brethern , the sheep who cared for his brethern, and the goats, who did not. Compare this the prophecy when the nations are judged in **Joel 3-
"In those days and at that time,
when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
I will gather all nations
and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
There I will enter into judgment against them
concerning my inheritance, my people Israel,
for they scattered my people among the nations
and divided up my land.
They cast lots for my people
and traded boys for prostitutes;
they sold girls for wine
that they might drink. **
Looks like Israel is still in the prophetic picture and not some watered down-“God will save a few Jews at the end times.”
So then there is the 1000 year kingdom on earth with Jesus ruling from his throne in Jerusalem. Plenty of OT scripture explaining this one. Then in Revelation it is explained what happens at the end of the 1000 year Kingdom reign of Jesus on this earth.
But where is the part where he comes for his bride to marry her? The Church knows he comes for her at an hour she knows not. This is an clear promise to God that there will be an event where he secretly comes for his bride and takes her away to be married.
This rapture event is foretold all over scripture, at the same time, another event of how the hard hearts of Israel will be broken when Messiah comes for her is also told.
It is obvious the rapture is for the remnant of Israel(Church) and the second coming is for the full and final restoration of Israel, like Josephs brothers who sold him into slavery, they will finally see their Messiah, who is Jesus.
Here is an early reference to the bridegroom coming for the bride-
**Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Listen! My lover!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice.
My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."**
so,there…
