Christ will gather His Elect at the last trump. This doctrine or teaching of Christ that is also referred to as the rapture, is believed to occur before the great tribulation, but is this the correct understanding?

Essential doctrines for true Christians, represent all of the teachings of Yahshua the Messiah. This absolutely includes all passages related to who He gathers and when this transpires.

In essentials unity and in non-essentials liberty, must be recognized as a precursor unto deception. According to many false teachers in the Christian church, the timing of when Yahshua gathers His Elect happens to be one of the non-essential teachings of the Word of God.

When Yahshua does return He will also reward the chosen ones with the gift of Salvation.

It is not just the timing of Yahshua’s return that is essential to understand. The reason for His coming, as well as the identity of those He gathers, is of the utmost importance.

Rev 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Yahshua will gather his elect after the great tribulation

Yahshua put away or conquered sin on the cross. Even so, He made a one time offering to bear the sins of many. This same Yahshua will appear a second time to those who patiently wait for His return (Heb 7:27, 9:26-28).

Matt 24:29 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.

Yahshua will indeed gather together His faithful followers after the great tribulation, the duration of which is three and a half years. The article entitled, confirm the covenant with many for one week, will dispel the myth of a seven-year tribulation.

The gathering (referred to as the rapture) takes place at the last trump. This eliminates the possibility of a pre-tribulation rapture (1 Cor 15:52).

The pre-tribulation rapture is a man-made heretical teaching that is not expressed or implied anywhere within the Word of God. It reflects the deceptive doctrines of men (Math 15:9). This is one of many beliefs adhered to by those who are led astray by the false teachers within the Christian church.

Matt 24:31 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.

The Son of man shall come in the glory of the Father Himself with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to their works (Matt 16:27). This is the promise spoken of, in which Yahshua shall gathers His flock when He returns to the earth a second time.

A rapture before the tribulation would require a third advent of the Messiah. This nonsensical theory represents a deadly deceptive teaching.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

At the second coming Yahshua gathers His flock

2 Tim 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, even the Lord Yahshua the Messiah, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.

There are several crucial doctrines that Paul alludes to in this single verse:

• The promise revealed in the Lord’s prayer will be revealed as Yahshua will reign on earth for a thousand years (Rev 20:4-6).

• Thy kingdom come, does not suggest that we are raptured or caught up to Heaven. Christ will gather his Elect at His second coming, as it has been determined that the kingdom on earth will be given unto the Saints of the most High (Dan 7:27).
• Christ returns to reward the Saints who love his appearing, and He also brings all of the Saints with Him (1 Thess 3:13, Jude 1:14).

2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

• All who are born again are Sealed unto the day of Redemption. Those who are alive and remain towards the end of the great tribulation will know that their Redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).
• Paul’s hope is that he too will receive the crown of Righteousness, at the same time as all those that love Yahshua’s appearing do. To suggest that Yahshua would gather His Elect and reward them with eternal life before the tribulation, while the apostle waits until the end of the tribulation for his is utterly absurd (1 Peter 5:4, Rev 2:10).

2 Tim 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, even the Lord Yahshua the Messiah, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.

Christ will return to establish an earthly kingdom with His Elect at His second coming. If there is a pre-tribulation rapture or gathering, these people would escape His judgment. All shall stand before the judgment seat of Yahshua (Rom 14:10).

The dead in Christ are the first ones to put on incorruption and immortality. The pre-tribulation rapture theory represents the exact opposite of what He taught. Yahshua descends from heaven with the Saints, they do not ascend up to Him (John 3:13, 1 Cor 15:42-53, 1 Thes 4:13-17).

1 Thess 4:16 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

The following verses are in reference to the last trumpet. This is when the Elect will be raised up unto incorruptibility and immortality at the end of the tribulation period.

Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, even of Christ himself; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

1 Cor 15:52 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.