My friend's and brother's IN Christ have certainly done their homework and have what I believe to be a gift from the Holy Spirit in searching the Scriptures.  Richard Stout, who has done key word analysis throughout the Holy Bible has brought to the table a very enlightening and hopeful discovery regarding not only one rapture...but TWO.  There has been much controversy throughout the ages regarding this prophesied phenomenon, but it seems pretty clear throughout their essay of both Mr. Stout and Byron LeBeau that the Holy Bible does describe the "catching away" in great detail and those left behind who come to Christ (and survive the Antichrist) during the Tribulation period will be caught away as well.  Please read on and let me know what you think?

-GM


 

EXODUS I & EXODUS II in THE END TIMES (Revised)

by Richard Stout

{{Edited with commentary by Byron LeBeau. This will be an attempt by Richard to have an eclectic running description via scripture of the events that may happen in the near future by citing all of the actual scriptural passages (that relate to same) in such a way so as to distinguish between two marked events regarding those who have chosen or will choose Jesus Christ, regardless of the consequences-even unto death! The clues are gathered from the inspired writers in such a way so the meanings become clear. Furthermore, it is one thing to say you are saved, but quite another to actually be saved. Part of this treatise is meant to reflect on this difference so that one does not labor under a false sense of security. Suffering is part of enduring unto the end, and according to the scripture as being presented, there are different levels of suffering depending upon your relationship with Jesus Christ. Only Jesus knows which camp you belong to, and if you qualify, you will not suffer anymore than is necessary for your own salvation as per the words of Jesus Himself.

In the SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE SECTION at the end of this treatise, the key scriptural quotes will be listed in order (as drawn from the thesis,) including key concepts.}}

INTRODUCTION: HERE TODAY – GONE TOMORROW

This treatise is an attempt to show through God’s word that there are two escapes (exoduses) which will take place, one just before the beginning of the seven year peace treaty spoken of in Daniel 9:27, or within the first three and one-half years just prior to the Antichrist’s reign (called the ‘hour of trial’ as per Revelation 3.) The other Exodus escape will happen just before the Son of Man (Christ) will make His appearance – (called THE SECOND COMING) and His angels will gather the elect (Mark 13: 26-27.) Study this scripture carefully while I go through a short history of the trumpet, its uses and symbolism in the Bible.

Before we start with the first EXODUS, I would like to begin with 2PETER 1:20-21, as referenced in the NIV Bible. No prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation (v.21,) for prophecy had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The next scriptural citation is taken from 2TIM. 3:16-17, where all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Next is ACTS 17:11, that begins, “For they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see what Paul said was true.” Let’s now consider several KEYS WORDS to see exactly what this means. {{Richard uses KEY WORDS here exactly how he did in our co-authored book, “THE CURS-ED NET,” in order to arrive at the more EXACTING meaning of the words being portrayed, in this case, using “VINE’S COMPLETE EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY."}}

‘Examine’ in Greek = (anakrino) meaning “to investigate” – “of searching or engraving.” The word ‘search’ in Greek (eraunao or ereunao) is “to search, examine-of the Holy Spirit, as searching all things, acting in the spirit of the believer; to search out.”

The word ‘search’ in general is “to explore-scrutinize; to examine in order to find something lost or concealed.” The word ‘concealed’ means “something hidden (as in hidden information within) & examine-to study-analyze.” ‘Analyze’ is “to separate into parts”& ‘analysis’ means” basic principles so as to determine the nature of the whole.” (In short, it is what is being said, or the meaning behind the verse or verses as a whole.) This is why we use KEY WORD ANALYSIS in the Greek, Hebrew & English dictionaries, etc.

{{All the meanings to follow are from either VINE’S, THE AMERICAN HERITAGE COLLEGE DICTIONARY, or NELSON’S BIBLE DICTIONARY.}}

SHORT HISTORY OF THE TRUMPET

According to NELSON’S, the trumpet was first made of metal or bone. It featured a sounding air column, not quite two foot long. This short length gave this instrument a high shrill sound. The tone of the trumpet apparently could be regulated (2CHRON. 5:12.) Some trumpets were probably made from the horn of an animal; the word “horn” is used for this instrument.

One distinctive type of trumpet or horn used by the Hebrew people was the Ram’s horn, also known by the Hebrew name – the “shophar” (HOS. 5:8.) The shophar was the greatest of the Jewish ritual instruments. Eventually the horn of a mountain goat was used for this instrument rather than the horn of a ram. It was basically a signaling instrument, used to assemble the army (JOB 39:24-25,) and to sound an alarm (JER. 6:1; AMOS 3:6.) The sound of the shophar could be heard from a great distance (EXODUS 19: 16,19.)

{{Using VINE’S, p.312, under “horn” we have the following:}} ‘Horn’ (Gr. for Keros) is used in the plural as a symbol of strength; in the apocalyptic visions, (1) on the head of the Lamb as symbolic of Christ (REV. 5:6,) AND (2) on the heads of the beasts as symbolic of national potentates (REV. 12:3; 13:1, 11; 17:3,7, 12, 16; DAN. 7:8; 8:9; ZECH. 1:18.) The horn is also used metaphorically in the singular, as in “a horn of salvation” (LUKE 1:69.)

In the NIV Bible, there is a Bible note for Rev. 8, where, referring to verse 1, it mentions the opening of the 7th seal that initiates the seven trumpets of judgment; thus the trumpet judgments are the 7th seal. They are partial judgments. (The symbolism of these trumpets of God was of judgments, separate from the horn or trumpet of salvation.

{{The following verses apply to a still undetermined time, yet prior to when the man of perdition takes his wrath out on humanity, that will include many of those who need to be bathed in the blood of the Lamb before they win their crowns; this first EXODUS has been promised by Jesus in the third chapter of REVELATION, while speaking to the CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA,’ who are to be spared the wrath that is to come.}}

VERSE 15: According to the Lord’s own word (LUKE 17:34-35 & MATT 24:37-42,) we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep (VERSE 16) for the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (VERSE 17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (VERSE 18) Therefore encourage each other with these words.

We are going to choose key words from these verses to give you a clear idea of what’s taking place. We start with the word ‘asleep’ as per VINE’S. It says the following: “The physical frame of the Christian (the earthly house of the tabernacle, 2COR. 5:1,) is dissolved and returned to the dust; the spiritual part of his higher complex being, the seat of personality, departs to be with Christ (PHIL. 1:23,) and since that state in which the believer, absent from the body, is at home with the Lord (2COR. 5:6-9.) is described as ‘very far better’ than the present state of joy in communion with God and of happy activity in His service, everywhere reflected in Paul’s writings. “

It is evident that the word ‘sleep’ where applied to the departed Christians, is not intended to convey the idea that the spirit is unconscious. So when the dead in Christ rise, their spirit which is with Him, come together with those who are alive to receive their new bodies, (including both those asleep and alive) as per 1COR. 15:53. Christians who have died before and whose spirits are with Christ, meet those who are alive, and then their living bodies have both been given a change, (1COR 15:51) to their final imperishable bodies clothed in white (REV. 19:14.) They will then be with Christ forever!

The next key word here is ‘command,’ and in the Greek (diatasso) signifies “to set in order, appoint.” The word ‘set’ in general means “to put into a specified state” where ‘state’ has the meaning of “a condition.” ‘Set’ in Greek has a meaning (paratithemi) – “to place beside” and the word ‘appoint’ has a meaning in Greek (suntasso) of “to arrange together with.” All this meaning at the loud command, at the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God means that we are summoned to a condition, a specified state bodily, and placed beside those who are dead in Christ. So what does it mean when it says that the flesh is left as in LUKE 17:37, (NIV) where with Christ speaking it says, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather” [?] (In keeping with the first EXODUS, it seems to show that the ones who will be left behind are symbolically "dead," since they have gone after false teaching symbolized by the 'carcass' and will be eaten by their false teachers [symbolize by the eagle/vulture,] who prey on those who accept false teaching.

As per VINE’S, this “state” of being (condition) from the participle Greek form (ginomai) reflects an understanding of “to become” and the present participle (huparcho) means “to exist” which always involves a pre-existent state, I.E., (the living in Christ of the flesh & also the dead in Christ of the spirit) prior to the fact referred to, and a continuance of the state after the fact, which is (the changing of the living in Christ, or perishable to the imperishable state – a new body, and likewise, in Christ, the spirit form also changed to a new body,) from one state condition to another!

The key word ‘order’ in the Greek (taxis) means “an arranging – to put into a specified order.” This change, (the summon) is a condition brought out by the loud command to the trumpet call. At the LAST TRUMPET the (true) church is snatched up, caught up with the Lord in the air. The word ‘call’ in Greek (kaleo-kal) means “to summon” while (metakaleo) implies change – (as in the perishable to the imperishable.) The process to summon for the meeting of the Lord in the air takes place in the twinkling of an eye.

This process seems to be rapidly happening to call, summon – an arranging together and a state of change from the persons’ old bodies & spirits into the new. Another meaning to follow is “to call from one place to another.” This change is mentioned in 1COR. 15:52 where the Greek (lutrosis) is used of a general sense of deliverance. It means “to rescue” – from bondage or danger. (This, of course, would refer to the coming GREAT TRIBULATION - the period of the Antichrist.) The word ‘deliverance’ in Greek has several different conforming meanings here; for instance, (anadidomi), (ada) means “up” while (apodicdomi) has the idea of “to give up;” also, it means “to give up from” reflecting here the exodus of the true church of Christ from the earth to the air(atmosphere) to meet Christ.

(Apallasso) has the idea of “to change from” which is reflected in 1COR. 15:52. ‘Deliverance’ in the Greek also is (exaireo) which means “to take out” and in the middle voice denotes “to take out for one’s self,” (as in the church into Christ.) Hence it gives the meaning of “to deliver” – “to rescue” – where the key word ‘caught’ in general is a verb meaning “catch” where in Greek (harparo) means “to snatch or catch away.”

TAKE NOTE THAT THERE ARE THREE HEAVENS):

1) The atmosphere – “air” (HOS. 2:18; DAN. 7:13.)

2) The “stars” (GEN. 1:14-18)

3) “Paradise (2COR. 12:3-4; LUKE 23:43; REV. 2:7) God’s abode and home of all departed believers (2COR. 5:8 & PHIL. 1:23.) Its location is not revealed.

Turning now to 1CORINTHIANS 15, we will examine certain verses:

VERSE 51: “Listen, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will be changed______________.”

VERSE 52: “In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound. The dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.”

VERSE 53: “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality.”

VERSE 54: “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with the immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’”

The following key words will show other meanings of what is taking place here, plus will also show the compatibility between 1THESS. 4:15-18 & 1COR. 15: 51-54. Using VINE’S the first word we look at is ‘mystery’ which in Greek (musterion) denotes that which is outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, and can be made known only by divine revelation. It is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illuminated by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense, a mystery implies knowledge withheld; its scriptural significance is TRUTH revealed.

Firstly, this mystery spoken of involves the exodus of Christ’s church just prior to THE GREAT TRIBULATION, which is the last week (of seven years.) The true knowledge of this exodus in scripture is made known by divine revelation – (an uncovering) at a specific appointed time by God, and to those who belong to the true church by His spirit. Does this mean that part of scripture in 1THESS. 4:16 where it says, “with a loud command the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God…” that the body of the true church of Christ will be the only ones hearing this call? By a supernatural intervention of God (Christ) – His true church will literally hear the summon – the command – and the trumpet call!!

The next key word mentioned here is the word ‘changed’ ----------- with a long line after it. This word ‘changed’ in VERSE 51 (of 1COR. 15) in Greek as both a noun & verb (metahesis) means the following: “a transposition or transference from one place to another;” see the word ‘removing.’ As per VINE’S, ‘removing’ is a noun (metathesis) and means “a change of position.” So in VERSE 51 mentioned here, where “we will be changed” means to be transformed from one place to another in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye.’’ The word ‘flash’ in general has the meaning of “instantaneous” and the word ‘twinkling’ in Greek (rhipe) which is akin to (rhipto) has the understanding of “to hurl” as in any rapid movement, as reflected in 1COR. 15:52, which refers to the twinkling of an eye.

Continuing with at the last trumpet, that means “at the sounding of this trumpet,” this change, this instantaneous rapid movement takes place. This next mention of the word ‘change’ (without the line after it) means the following: From the Greek (allasso) it has the meaning of” to make other than it is;” “to transform, change.” And from VINE’S, it adds “of the effect, on the body of the believer at this time,” as it relates to 1COR. 15:51-52. So at the last trumpet sound the dead in Christ and the living in Christ both will be transferred instantaneously by a rapid movement from one place to another. (The dead in Christ from their spirit form from paradise, God’s abode and the living in Christ on the earth also taken in spirit to meet the Lord in the air ‘atmosphere’ as per the meaning of VERSE 53 of 1COR. 15.)

At this time, those who were in spirit (‘imperishable’) and then the living (‘perishable to the imperishable’) now in the spirit will receive their new bodies before Christ in the air. If we look at LUKE 17:34-35, (NIV) this is an example of what will take place at the last trumpet. It reads as follows with Christ speaking in VERSE 34: “I tell you on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.” VERSE 35: “Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” This is the instantaneous and rapid transfer from one place to the other spoken of earlier.

{{In Genesis, the “night” always preceded the “day” so here again we get a sequential clue as to why EXODUS I precedes EXODUS II; also symbolically, the Chruch is taken at night just before the DAY OF THE LORD.}}

THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA

{{This is the very church that clues us into the different types of people in their respective relationship with Jesus Christ as alluded to before which actually dictates more than one exodus in the end times. Richard now explains this in full.}}

We look now to REVELATION 3 where we encounter the church of Philadelphia. This is the true church of Christ. -alive today! (True Christians who have given their lives , heart, mind, spirit and strength, are the very ones who have faith in Christ, and therefore serve & love Him above all things!) We look at VERSE 10 in which it says, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who will live on the earth.” {{You will note that by testing those who remain is a sure sign that some will choose wisely but may need to forfeit their very lives in so doing, while the remainder will follow the BEAST that will surely entail awful consequences.}}

Continuing forward, Richard suggests using key words to get a general idea of this most important concept. Firstly, the word ‘keep’ in Greek (nosphizo) means “to set apart,” and “to remove;” it signifies in the middle voice “to set apart the true church for one’s self, to purloin.” ‘Purloin’ in general means “to steal” and in middle English means “to remove.” ‘Remove’ in Greek (paraphero) means literally, “to bring to or before.” (Look at 1THESS. 4:17, where it says, “to meet the Lord in the air.”)

Continuing on with the word ‘besides’ (para) we have the Greek (phero) = “to carry” & “to take or carry away,” and is translated “remove.” The next key word here is ‘hour’ which in Greek (hora) primarily denotes “any time or period.” ‘Period’ in general means “an interval of time characterized by the occurrence of a certain event or phenomenon.” (THE GREAT TRIBULATION is both an event & phenomenon encompassing the supernatural world of the FALSE PROPHET during this time. This is the hour of trial.)

The interval of the “hour” could be the WHOLE TRIBULATION – I.E. 7 YEARS, or the hour of trial. (Where the Antichrist is present, it is represented by the second (3 & ½ years) which I, Richard believe, since Christ says that He will keep the church from the “hour of trial.” If we look in REV. 14:7, it says, “He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory because the “hour” of his judgment has come.’”

Since the Antichrist enters in chapter 13 of Revelation, when the word “hour” is used in chapter 14, it states that because of the presence of the Antichrist is here, and the trial of judgment has begun. THEREFORE - hour ‘’must represent’’ 3 & ½ years - the amount of time allotted to the Antichrist.

CAN THIS POSITION BE SUPPORTED ELSEWHERE IN SCRIPTURE?

If we look to REV. 17:12 (NIV) it states the following: “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast (the Antichrist.) Another proof of the “hour” spoken of in REVELATION 3 is as being the last 3 & ½ years of Tribulation. Christ did not make mention of keeping the church from the whole tribulation of seven years – but just the “hour” of trial, I.E., the second half 3 & ½ year reign of the beast. The word ‘trial’ in Greek (dokime) for which we see the word “experience” as well as “the process of proving.” ‘Proof’ in Greek (dokimion) means “a TEST” OR “A PROOF” OR “A TRYING.”

The word ‘test’ as mentioned in REV. 3:10, in general has a meaning of an “evaluation or judgment” as in REV. 14:7, “BECAUSE THE ‘HOUR’ OF HIS JUDGMENT HAS COME.” This can only mean the second half of the Tribulation period – the reign of the Antichrist. This is what Christ is referring to as keeping the church from. A ‘trying’ in general means “to subject to great strain or hardship, to undergo.” ‘Test’ has the idea of “a procedure for critical evaluation,” (being subjected to the wrath of the Antichrist and God’s judgments during this time period or “hour.) So Christ is saying in REV. 3:10 that He will keep His true church from these things, I.E., the proving, the testing, the trying, the hardship & judgments.

THE UNEXPECTED COMING OF THE SON OF MAN

This is cited from MATTHEW 24: 37-42 (NIV)

VERSE 37: “As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man” (This is NOT the second coming as mentioned in REV. 19: 11-15.)

VERSE 38: For in those days before the Flood, (meaning here an actual flood, but also symbolic of the coming Tribulation period,) people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the Ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. (A spiritual destitution from God.)

((LET’S STOP HERE AND ANALYZE THIS PART OF SCRIPTURE)):

As life was going on in those days of Noah, so our lives go on each and every day now. So when the Flood came, it caught the unbelieving by surprise as to its outcome. Christ says that our lives will be moving along as normal (just as) many unbelievers were not aware of the coming Flood (period of Tribulation) which was stated in VERSE 37: “The coming of the Son of Man before the Flood,” which comes after Christ comes (and not His second coming mentioned in REV. 19:11-15, but a coming.)

If we look at the word ‘Flood’ here, it is symbolic; ‘flood’ in Greek (kataklusmos) is “a deluge” (and in the English, equates to ‘cataclysm.’) which is akin to (katakluzo) “to inundate.” ‘Cataclysm’ in general is a violent upheaval that causes great destruction or brings about a fundamental change. The word ‘inundate’ in general is “to overwhelm” as the word ‘deluge’ also is something that overwhelms.

‘To overwhelm’ generally means “to defeat completely and decisively;” it also means “to affect deeply in the mind or emotion.” These meanings pertain to the Antichrist in REV. 13:7-8. (The violent upheaval is the GREAT TRIBULATION – the second half of the seven-year period when the Antichrist reigns.) This upheaval causes great destruction mentioned under the word ‘cataclysm.’ If we look at this word ‘destruction’ in the Greek, it is (apollumi) which in middle voice means “to perish.” It is used metaphorically of spiritual destitution. (The belief IS BY SOME that the Antichrist is God by those who accept him as such and therefore accept the Beast’s number!)

In VINE’S, another meaning in Greek under destruction is (suntrimma) which is “a shattering.;” hence, ‘ruin’ & ‘destruction’ are compounded from (sun) where, together, with (trimma) is “a rubbing or wearing away.” (Could this be the power to sway man’s beliefs?) Another word (tribo) ‘to beat’ is derived from a root, signifying “to rub, wear away” – hence in English we have ‘tribulation’ & ‘trouble.’

Also in VINE’S, regarding REV. 7:14, as THE GREAT TRIBULATION) ’tribulation’ in Greek is (thlipsis) where you are directed to see the word ‘affliction.’ A book note in VINE’S states the following: “In REV. 7:14 Great Tribulation, it indicates a definite period spoken of by the Lord in MATT. 24:21, 29; MARK 13:19-24, where the time is mentioned as preceding His second advent. ( This would be Christ’s second coming, so the coming of the ‘’Son of Man’’ Christ happens before the Flood – which is symbolic of the GREAT TRIBULATION period. The Flood precedes His second coming advent!

As we continue with MATT. 24:39, it reads that that is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ‘Coming’ in Greek (parousia) as a literary category = “a presence.” (Para) = “with” and ‘(ousia) = “being” (from ‘eime’ – “to be.”) This denotes both an ‘arrival’ and a consequent ‘presence with.’ Thus, ‘parousia’ is used to describe the presence of Christ when used in the return of Christ, which some call the “rapture” of the church, (an certainly a non-scriptural term) but we prefer to call it the exodus of the church (#1) - since it signifies not merely His momentary “coming” for His saints (church) but His presence with them from that moment until His revelation (revealing) and manifestation to the world (and what is referred to as Christ’s Second Coming.)

To further prove this as the “coming,” for the church, we continue with VERSE 40:”Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.” VERSE 41: “Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” ‘Taken’ in the Greek (analambano) signifies “to take up” while (ana) indicates “to take to one’s self.” As reflected in 1THESS. 4:17, and continuing with VERSE 42: “therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” {{Of course, both these verses in Thessalonians & Matthew (according to Richard’s analysis) refer to EXODUS I. And to be sure, when this does happen, the GREAT TRIBULATION will not be far behind!}}

The word ‘stand’ here in Greek (anistemi) means “to raise” and transitively “to rise” which is translated “to rise up” (as in 1THESS.4:16-17, where the dead in Christ will rise and will be caught up, which also means to rise; therefore it has the sense of standing before the Son of Man in the air.) The word ‘up’ above in the meaning of “to stand up” in the Greek (anatello) means “to rise.” So LUKE 21:36 is saying to be spiritually watching and praying to remain in Christ; run the race and you will be able to escape THE TRIBULATION.

LUKE 12:39: You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him (as mentioned in MATT. 24:36; the unexpected is coming!)

The following is the combining of 1THESS. 4:15-18, 1COR. 15:51-54, & LUKE 24:38-39. The verses will be penned in their correct running manner as in the Bible, but interjections of verses will be labeled where left off. You will therefore see a running story

•  
  • unfold to show how these three different chapters and verses all mean the same thing yet worded – differently!


1COR. 15:51: Listen, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will be changed--------------.


1THESS. 4:15: According to the Lord’s own word (LUKE 17:34-35 & MATT. 24:37-42) we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God..


1COR. 15:52: In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.


LUKE 17:34-35: I tell you, on that

night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left. {{NOTE: Previously, Richard had shown that MATT. 24:37-42 reflects the same idea as in the present LUKE 17th chapter, although Luke uses the word night which I believe is a “code” showing that those involved in the first EXODUS will literally precede those of the second EXODUS, just as the night preceded the day in the Book of Genesis; Matthew does not have this detail, but then again, it was Luke who showed the bloodline from David to Mary, through Nathan, rather than Matthew’s David to Joseph through Solomon, showing a more correct and pure bloodline regarding the coming messiah. This is the beauty of searching the scripture daily for the details of what has been and what is still to come.}}

1COR. 15:52 (CONTINUED) For the trumpet will sound; the dead will be raised.

1THESS. 4:16 And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1COR. 15:52 (CONTINUED) the dead will be raised imperishable.

1THESS. 4:17 After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together.

1COR. 15:52 (CONTINUED) And we will be changed.

1THESS. 4:17 (CONTINUED) Together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

1COR. 15:53-54 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality; when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’

1THESS. 4:17 (CONTINUED) & verse 18 And so we will be with the Lord forever; therefore encourage each other with these words.

Could you put these words together like this if they did not mean the same thing?

REV. 4:1-2: These verses are symbolic of the first EXODUS; it reads as follows: After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet (symbolic of 1THESS. 4 & 1COR. 15,) said, (with Christ speaking here): “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. At once I was in the spirit, (at the EXODUS I the spirits of the dead in Christ come together with the taken spirit of the living Christ.) And before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

PART TWO

THE SECOND EXODUS

[MATT. 24: 30-31 (NIV)]

VERSE 30: At the time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

NOTE: In the first EXODUS, the coming of Christ is not known & is unexpected as entitled in MATT. 24:36. Yet above He will be seen coming. MATT. 24:36 is entitled “The Unexpected coming of the Son of Man” where here the Son of Man (Christ) is seen coming throughout all the world. Just prior to this, His angels are sent out to gather His elect – the second EXODUS!

The meaning in general of the word ‘unexpected’ is “unforeseen,” the unforeseen coming of Christ for His church (and NOT the second coming.) The first EXODUS, Christ is unexpected. He is not seen! The second EXODUS, He is seen coming, and just prior to this the angels gather the elect (the true church of Christ established during the Tribulation.) In LUKE 7:24 (NIV) it states, “For the Son of Man is his day will be like lightning which flashes and lights up the sky.” Let’s check out some key words from MATT. 24:30-31, to get a better understanding.

MATTHEW 24

The word ‘send’ (v.31) in Greek (apostello) from the literary means “to send forth.” Which is akin to (apostolos) – “an apostle,” that denotes “to send on service, or with a commission.” ‘Commission’ is general is “to carry out a particular task or duty” (as in the gathering of the elect) – so a task so authorized (by Christ.)

‘Trumpet call’ (v.31) means “to summon.” ‘Gather’ in Greek (sullego) is “to collect & gather up or out,” as in (sun) “with” + (lego) “to pick out.” (Also it has the understanding of a taking up (out of the elect to be with Christ.} The Greek (episunagoge) means “a gathering together.” The word ‘elect’ in Greek is (eklektos) that means “chosen,” & “picked out” as distinguished from (those who are not believers, who themselves have accepted the mark of the Beast.) This latter group are those who do not belong to the GREAT TRIBULATION CHURCH.

The word ‘sign’ (v.30) in the Greek (semeion) is “a sign, mark, indication;” it also is of “miraculous acts” (meaning of the nature of a miracle) and continues the sign of the Son of Man who Himself is the sign!

THE SECOND EXODUS as seen in MARK 13 (NIV)

VERSE 26: At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power & glory. VERSE 27: And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

In the first EXODUS, Christ personally comes for His church! In the second EXODUS, He sends His angels to gather those THE ELECT who are those believers, (together with the 144,000) that are to be taken up to be with Christ as He returns.

CLARIFYING THE GROUPS OF THE ELECT

The following scripture mentions the elect who – just prior to Christ’s second coming, have been gathered by His angels. This part of scripture PROVES that there are two EXODUSES, because it tells of those who had to go through the GREAT TRIBULATION – and is not the church which Christ personally came for in 1THESS. 4 & 1COR. 15. It reads as follows from REV. 20:4 (NIV):

“I saw thrones (“I” is John from Rev. 4) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

The souls of REV. 20:4 include the 144,000 (REV. 7) and all those who accepted Christ as their savior, other than the 144,000. Those people who by hearing the gospel preached by the 144,000, who take up the role (banner) of the main church of which was caught up with Christ in the air previously (as in 1THESS. 4 & 1COR. 15,) will ALL be inclusively called the ”ELECT” and they will all make up the established true church of Christ upon the completion of the GREAT TRIBULATION.

REV. 7:14 (NIV) states the following: “They have come out of the great tribulation” They went through it, became ‘’saved’’ and were taken out, just prior to Christ’s second coming (as per MATT. 24: 30-31 & MARK 13:26-27.) This, therefore, is the second EXODUS!

FINAL COMMENTS BY Byron LeBeau

So there you have it folks ~ Richard, clearly showing through scripture WHO will be taken by the Lord Jesus personally and WHO will be gathered by the angels from the four winds at the bidding of Jesus subsequently. Because of what was stated very clearly in REVELATION 3, there will be those who have already crucified their flesh by dying daily, and have been bathed in the Lamb of God, so there is no need for them to suffer any more, and therefore, they will escape the GREAT TRIBULATION, while others from the other churches (as enumerated in REVELATION 2 & 3) will have to show (even unto death) that they would rather choose death than accept the mark of the Beast since Jesus still had something against them, and they need to whiten themselves from their guilt.
I hope this treatise by Richard gives all Christians a sense of hope, without giving them a sense of false security; since the time of the END TIMES may be at hand, it is important to give our lives to Jesus – 100% - so we can be viewed as those of the church of Philadelphia; however, for those who fall short, all is not lost so pray always not to lose your faith or your resolve to do what Jesus asks us to do: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF and LOVE THE LORD OUR GOD WITH OUR WHOLE HEART, OUR WHOLE MIND, OUR WHOLE SOUL and WITH ALL OUR STRENGTH and TO PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END!
REMEMBER, Richard only did what has been strongly suggested in the HOLY SCRIPTURES to do: Search the scriptures daily to see if these things are so [ACTS 17:11.] He did just that, and I for one am extremely grateful for his voluntary effort along these lines as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Below is a scriptural sketch so you may easily see if you will belong to EXODUS I or EXODUS II. Pray that you do belong!

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE SECTION** for EXODUS I & EXODUS II

[They will be listed in the order in which it appears in the text, including key concepts.]

EXODUS I

1THESS. 4:15 >>the dead in Christ will preced the alive "caught up.

1COR. 15:52>>in a twinkling at the last trumpet

LUKE 17: 34-35*** >>in the night there will be two in bed/grinding and only one taken

1COR. 15:52 (CONTINUED)>>the last trumpet will sound

1THESS. 4:16>>the Lord Himself (Jesus) will descend/cry a command

and the dead (in Christ) will rise first

1COR. 15:52 (CONTINUED)>>and the dead will be raised imperishable

1THESS. 4:17>>and the alive (in

Christ) will be caught up in the air

with the dead who were just raised previously to be

with Christ

1COR. 15:52 (CONTINUED)>>and we shall be changed (both dead

& alive (in Christ) to new spiritual bodies

1THESS. 4:17 (CONTINUED)>>and meet the Lord (Jesus) in the

air

1COR. 15:53-54>>perishable/mortal will put on imperishable/immortal

1THESS. 4:17-18 >> we shall always be with the Lord so comfort one

another with these words

REV. 4:1-2 >>John sees what must be ‘’in the spirit’’

SUPPORT VERSES FOR EXODUS I ***

LUKE 21:36 >> Pray that you will escape the coming tribulation

{{by being apart of the church of Philadelphia}}

LUKE 12:39-40 >> the Son of Man will come for His own at a

Time unexpected – so WATCH ALWAYS!

***MATT: 24: 37-42 ~~ which parallels LUKE 17: 34-35 and it

will be like in the days of Noah

EXODUS II

MATT. 24:30-31 >> and all men will see the Son of Man & He

(through His angels) will gather the elect from four
corners of the earth

MARK 13:26-27 >> confirms that it is the angels who will gather

the Elect (for the second EXODUS)

REV. 20:4 >> John saw the souls who were beheaded

(during Tribulation) since they would not bow to the beast…and

they too came alive to rule with Christ for 1000 years

REV. 7:14 >> a comment on those who would come out of the

GREAT TRIBULATION by making their robes white in the blood of the

lamb (I.E., had to suffer to gain their crowns, unlike the Church of Philadelphia who were caught up before this great

event.)

SUPPORT VERSES FOR EXODUS II

REV. 17:12 >> ten kings who would only receive their

Authority with the beast for one hour (which we have indicated
is the hour of trial the time the Antichrist would be

attempting to destroy the remaining saints (as in those

beheaded above)

REV. 3:10 >>some will be kept from the hour of

trial (as in EXODUS I) while others will be severely tested (as in

EXODUS II)

NOTE:

DANIEL 9:27 (RSV) divides the sequence of events between EXODUS I & EXODUS II since it may well have to do with a FALSE PEACE TREATY that we believe will transpire in the not-too-distant future. It states the following:

“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week;
7 years and for half of the week 3 & ½ YEARS he shall cause sacrifice and offering to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolation, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

It may do one well to reflect on a possible clue as to what will precede the hour of trial. In Matthew 24:27-28, it says the following:
“

For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

If there are suddenly a lot of dead bodies around that are being eaten by the eagles (vultures) and there is no good explanation for it, it may very well be a sign that the hour of trial'' is close, even at the door! Remember, Jesus will come (as the Son of Man) to collect His own first, (both the dead and the alive in Christ,) but their bodies may very well be left behind for the eagles to eat.** This will all happen very suddenly – like lightning! The other bodies (with souls) will be left to face the Antichrist!

WATCH! BE EVER VIGILANT! THE TIME MAY BE CLOSER THAN WE CAN IMAGINE.