Signs Preceding The Rapture?

Q

Could you give me a list of the scriptures showing the signs that appear before rapture takes place?

A

The rapture of the Church is called a signless event because there are no signs that must precede it. Based on my understanding of Romans 11:25 I believe the rapture will take place without warning when the Church has reached its full number, a number no one on earth can know.

Of course it’s obvious that God, who knows the end from the beginning, also knows when the rapture will occur. And He can arrange events to make it happen on a particular date if He so desires. But I don’t believe it suits His purpose to reveal its date in advance.

In comparing Romans 11:25 with Acts 15:13-18, I believe the rapture will have to precede the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week. In Acts 15 James told the other apostles that Israel was being set aside while the Lord takes from the Gentiles a people for Himself, after which He’ll restore Israel. I believe the people from the Gentiles refers to the Church, taking us for Himself refers to the rapture, and restoring Israel refers to the missing 7 years of Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27).

That said, there are clues we can look for. People used to say, “When you see Christmas decorations going up in the stores, you know Thanksgiving is right around the corner.” In the same way, when you see signs that the end times judgments are getting close then you know the rapture is right around the corner. Or as Jesus said, “When all these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).