📖 Summary of Ezekiel

God commands Ezekiel to prophesy against Gog, from the land of Magog.

Gog is presented as the leader of a coalition of nations coming to attack Israel.

Several peoples are mentioned as allies:

Persia → Iran

Cush → Sudan / Ethiopia

Put → Libya

Gomer → regions associated with Turkey

Togarmah → Armenia / eastern Turkey 👇

The attack takes place while Israel is living in safety. God declares that He will bring Gog against His people in order to reveal His glory before the nations. A great divine wrath will break out against the invaders.

God will send:

1) a great earthquake

2) confusion among the armies

3) pestilence and bloodshed

4) torrential rain

5) hailstones, fire, and brimstone

The chapter ends with the declaration that the nations will know that the Lord is God.

Central passage

Book of Ezekiel — Ezekiel 38:22–23 (KJV):

“And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.”

✝️  THE RAPTURE

What Is the Rapture?

Who Will Be Taken?

When Will the Rapture Happen?

Signs of the Rapture?

How to Prepare for the Rapture?

Can You Miss the Rapture?

What Happen After the Rapture?

🌍  END TIMES

Are We Living in the End Times?

Gog and Magog

Who Is the Antichrist ?

The Mark of the Beast (666)

The False Prophet

The 7 Seals of Revelation

The 7 Trumpets of Revelation

The 7 Bowls of Revelation

End Times Timeline

Armageddon

📖  UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

Who Is Jesus?

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

How to Read the Bible

How to Pray

The Prayer of Faith

How to Recognize God’s Voice

Science and the Bible

Are Biblical Prophecies Reliable?

📖  What Is the Church?

The Church is made up of all who truly belong to Jesus Christ—those who have placed their faith in Him, have been born again, have a personal relationship with Him, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and remain faithful until His return. According to this understanding, the Rapture does not include everyone who claims to be a Christian, but only the true members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

📖  The Last Trumpet

The “Last Trumpet” of the Rapture and the Seven Trumpets of Revelation

A common confusion when studying the Rapture is that Paul speaks of a “last trumpet” in 1 Corinthians 15:52, while the Book of Revelation describes seven trumpets during the Tribulation. Some therefore conclude that Paul’s “last trumpet” must necessarily be the seventh trumpet of Revelation. However, the context of the two passages shows that they describe different events.

The Last Trumpet Announced by Paul

Paul writes:

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

(1 Corinthians 15:52)

Let us look carefully at what this trumpet announces. Paul is not speaking about a judgment on the earth, a catastrophe, or an event that will strike the nations. He is speaking about the transformation of the Church.

At this trumpet, the dead in Jesus will be raised with incorruptible bodies, and then the members of the Church who are still alive will be transformed. This event corresponds to what Paul also describes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: the dead in Jesus will rise first, and then those who are still alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

The “last trumpet” is therefore directly associated with the Rapture of the Church and the transformation of its members. It announces victory over death and corruption, not a judgment directed at the world.

The Seven Trumpets of Revelation

The seven trumpets described in Revelation 8–11 have a completely different purpose. They occur during the Tribulation and announce a succession of God’s judgments upon the earth.

When the angels sound the trumpets, terrible events take place: part of the vegetation is destroyed, the seas are struck, the waters become bitter, darkness affects the heavenly bodies, and increasingly severe judgments fall upon humanity.

The seventh trumpet, in Revelation 11:15, announces another major stage in the unfolding of God’s prophetic plan. It does not describe the transformation of the members of the Church or their being caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

Why Does “Last” Not Mean “Seventh”?

This is the essential point to understand.

Paul says “the last trumpet,” but he does not say “the seventh trumpet of Revelation.” His statement appears in a different context, addressed to the Church and focused on the resurrection and transformation of the body.

The simple fact that two passages mention a trumpet is therefore not enough to conclude that they describe the same event. The Bible can use similar images or expressions in different contexts.

We can compare this to two events that both use the word “judgment” without necessarily referring to the same judgment. It is the context and what each event accomplishes that allows us to understand its true meaning.

An Essential Difference

The difference becomes very clear when we compare the results:

The Last Trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:

1) concerns the Church  

2) accompanies the resurrection of the dead in Jesus  

3) transforms the members of the Church who are still alive  

4) gives them incorruptible and immortal bodies  

5) leads to their meeting with Jesus in the air.

The Seven Trumpets of Revelation:

1) occur during the Tribulation

2) announce God’s judgments

3) strike the earth and its inhabitants 

4) progressively intensify the suffering in the world

5) form part of the sequence of prophetic judgments.

It would therefore be difficult to consider these two series of trumpets as one and the same event, since their context, purpose, and consequences are different.

Why This Distinction Matters

This distinction also helps us understand why the Rapture of the Church should not be confused with the judgments of the seven trumpets. In 1 Corinthians 15, the trumpet announces a glorious transformation: death is defeated, and the members of the Church receive incorruptible bodies.

In Revelation, by contrast, the seven trumpets announce judgments that strike the world during the Tribulation.

Therefore, even though both passages use the image of a trumpet, they do not describe the same event. Paul’s “last trumpet” is connected with the Rapture and the transformation of the Church, while the seven trumpets of Revelation belong to the judgments of the Tribulation.

This distinction is essential for understanding the place of the Rapture of the Church in the unfolding of prophetic events and for avoiding confusion between the promise given to the Church and the judgments that will subsequently come upon the earth.

📖  The Church = the Bride

The Church as the Bride of Christ

In the Bible, the Church is presented as the Bride of Christ. This image draws on the marriage customs of biblical times and helps explain why the Rapture is presented as the moment when Christ comes to take His Bride to Himself.

The Marriage Picture in the Bible

In the marriage customs of ancient Israel, the father of the bridegroom had an important role in the marriage arrangement. After the engagement, the bridegroom would leave to prepare a place for his future bride.

He would later return at the appointed time to take her to himself. The bride therefore had to remain ready and wait for the bridegroom’s arrival. This imagery helps us understand the words of Jesus:

“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” — John 14:3

Jesus is the Bridegroom, and the Church is His Bride. It is therefore significant that He says He will return to receive His Bride to Himself.

The Role of the Father

Jesus also spoke about the exact timing of His coming:

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” — Matthew 24:36

Within the marriage imagery, this corresponds to the traditional role of the father in determining when the son would go to receive his bride. The Son knew that He would return, but the exact timing was in the Father’s hands.

However, an important distinction should be made: the Bible does not explicitly state that Christian marriage reproduces every detail of an ancient Jewish wedding ceremony. Rather, these similarities help us understand the biblical imagery surrounding Christ and His Church.

Why This Concerns the Church

This picture also explains why it is important not to simply use the expression “all believers” when speaking about the Rapture.

The Church is the Bride of Christ. Jesus will come to take His Bride so that she may be with Him. People who turn to Jesus Christ during the Tribulation can still be saved, but they will not become part of the Church that has already been raptured.

The Rapture can therefore be understood as the moment when the Bridegroom comes to receive His Bride. The Church Age then comes to an end, while God continues His prophetic plan concerning Israel and the nations.

This also gives special meaning to Revelation 19:7:

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

The picture is therefore consistent: Christ is the Bridegroom, the Church is His Bride, the Rapture is the gathering of the Bride to her Bridegroom, and the marriage of the Lamb follows.

✝️  EL ARREBATAMIENTO

¿Qué es el Arrebatamiento?

¿Quién será llevado?

¿Cuándo tendrá lugar el Arrebatamiento?

¿Se puede perder el Arrebatamiento?

¿Qué sucederá después del Arrebatamiento?

🌍  FIN DE LOS TIEMPOS

Cronología final

La Gran Tribulación

El Anticristo

La marca (666)

Armagedón

Regreso de Jesús

Apocalipsis explicado

📖  COMPRENDER LA BIBLIA

¿Quién es Jesús?

¿Cómo leer la Biblia?

¿Cómo orar?

Comenzar con Dios

¿Quién es el Espíritu Santo?

📖  1Tesalonicenses 4:16-17

16 Porque el Señor mismo descenderá del cielo con voz de mando, con voz de arcángel, y con trompeta de Dios; y los muertos en Cristo resucitarán primero:

17 Luego nosotros, los que vivimos y permanecemos, seremos arrebatados juntamente con ellos en las nubes para recibir al Señor en el aire, y así estaremos siempre con el Señor.

En este pasaje, Pablo describe claramente el Arrebatamiento de la Iglesia. Jesucristo descenderá del cielo, los muertos en Cristo resucitarán primero, y luego aquellos que pertenecen a Cristo y forman parte de Su Iglesia, que aún estén vivos, serán arrebatados juntamente con ellos para encontrarse con el Señor en el aire. La Iglesia es la Esposa de Cristo: le pertenece a Él y será unida con su Esposo en el Arrebatamiento.

Este acontecimiento tendrá lugar antes del comienzo de la Tribulación de siete años. Jesucristo se encontrará con Su Iglesia en el aire y la llevará consigo. Es importante aclarar que no todos los creyentes serán arrebatados: el Arrebatamiento concierne a aquellos que pertenecen a Cristo y forman parte de Su Iglesia. Después del Arrebatamiento, otras personas todavía podrán creer en Jesucristo durante la Tribulación, pero no formarán parte de la Iglesia, porque la Iglesia ya habrá sido arrebatada. La era de la Iglesia llegará así a su fin con el Arrebatamiento, después del cual Dios continuará Su plan profético con respecto a Israel y a las naciones.

Este pasaje es una de las promesas más claras acerca del Arrebatamiento de la Iglesia. Trae una esperanza especial a aquellos que pertenecen a Cristo y forman parte de Su Iglesia: serán reunidos con los que han resucitado y estarán con el Señor para siempre.

📖  1Corintios 15:52

« En un momento, en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, a la final trompeta; porque se tocará la trompeta, y los muertos serán resucitados incorruptibles, y nosotros seremos transformados. »

En este versículo, Pablo describe la transformación milagrosa que tendrá lugar en el Arrebatamiento de la Iglesia. En un instante, los muertos en Jesús serán resucitados incorruptibles, mientras que los miembros de la Iglesia que pertenezcan a Jesús y que aún estén vivos serán transformados. Sus cuerpos mortales se convertirán en cuerpos incorruptibles e inmortales.

La palabra «nosotros» es especialmente importante. Pablo se incluye cuando dice: «nosotros seremos transformados». De este modo, se coloca entre aquellos que podrían estar vivos cuando tenga lugar el Arrebatamiento. Pablo sirvió fielmente a Jesús y vivió esperando Su venida. Este pasaje, por tanto, no se refiere simplemente a todos los creyentes, sino a quienes, como Pablo, pertenecen a Jesús y forman parte de Su Iglesia.

Este versículo destaca el poder de Dios sobre la muerte y la corrupción. En el Arrebatamiento, Jesús transformará a quienes le pertenecen y forman parte de Su Iglesia, dándoles cuerpos incorruptibles e inmortales para que estén para siempre con su Señor.

📖  Apocalipsis 3:10

« Por cuanto has guardado la palabra de mi paciencia, yo también te guardaré de la hora de la prueba que ha de venir sobre el mundo entero, para probar a los que moran sobre la tierra. »

En este versículo, Jesucristo habla a la iglesia de Filadelfia y promete guardarla de la hora de la prueba que vendrá sobre todo el mundo. Este período mundial de prueba corresponde a la Tribulación de siete años, durante la cual los habitantes de la tierra experimentarán los juicios anunciados en la profecía bíblica.

Esta promesa no se refiere a todos los creyentes en general, sino específicamente a la Iglesia. La Iglesia es la Esposa de Cristo: está formada por aquellos que pertenecen a Jesucristo y forman Su cuerpo espiritual en la tierra. Su misión es proclamar el Evangelio, hacer discípulos, dar testimonio de Jesucristo y brillar como una luz en el mundo. Es esta Iglesia que Jesucristo vendrá a buscar en el Arrebatamiento, antes del período de prueba mundial descrito aquí.

Después del Arrebatamiento, las personas todavía podrán creer en Jesucristo durante la Tribulación, pero no formarán parte de la Iglesia, porque la Iglesia ya habrá sido arrebatada. La era de la Iglesia llegará a su fin con el Arrebatamiento, después del cual Dios continuará Su plan profético con respecto a Israel y a las naciones.

📖  Juan 14:3

« Y si me fuere y os preparare lugar, vendré otra vez, y os tomaré a Mí mismo; para que donde Yo estoy, vosotros también estéis. »

Y si me fuere y os preparare lugar, vendré otra vez, y os tomaré a Mí mismo; para que donde Yo estoy, vosotros también estéis.

En este versículo, Jesucristo les dice a Sus discípulos que regresará para llevarlos consigo. Esta promesa apunta al Arrebatamiento de la Iglesia: Jesús vendrá por Su Iglesia, que es Su Esposa, para que ella pueda estar con Él.

Las palabras «vendré otra vez, y os tomaré a Mí mismo» son especialmente importantes. Jesús hablaba directamente a Sus discípulos, hombres que habían elegido seguirle, servirle y dedicar sus vidas a proclamar Su mensaje. Por tanto, esta promesa se refiere a aquellos que verdaderamente pertenecen a Jesús y forman parte de Su Iglesia, no simplemente a todos los que se consideran creyentes. La misión de la Iglesia es proclamar el Evangelio, hacer discípulos, dar testimonio de Jesús y servirle en el mundo.

Esta promesa se cumplirá antes de la Tribulación de siete años. Jesucristo vendrá por Su Iglesia y la llevará consigo. Después del Arrebatamiento, las personas todavía podrán creer en Jesucristo durante la Tribulación, pero no formarán parte de la Iglesia, porque la Era de la Iglesia habrá terminado con el Arrebatamiento.

Este versículo revela el deseo de Jesucristo de estar para siempre con Su Iglesia. Por tanto, el Arrebatamiento no es simplemente una liberación de la Tribulación; es el cumplimiento de la promesa de Jesús a Su Esposa de que vendrá para llevarla consigo, para que ella esté con Él para siempre.