Assumptions - Chapter 4

The Sign of Jonah

When Jesus spoke, His words were not only directed to His immediate audience, but they were directed to all time. He knew His words were being recorded. One of the most profound statements Jesus made was to the Pharisees and Sadducees when they came to Him asking for a sign. Referring to His own upcoming resurrection, He told them they would get one last Sign – the 'sign of Jonah'. To illustrate the point regarding the duality of His intent, Jesus addressed this group standing before him as 'a wicked and adulterous generation'. [1]

Then, just as now, some are unwilling to accept the signs and miracles witnessed by others. Then, just as now, sinners would prefer not to give up their ways unless they have proof that they will be held accountable. Jesus had already provided them the proof and yet the religious leaders still asked Jesus to produce yet another sign just for them. Jesus told them then, (as He is telling this wicked and adulterous generation now), that no further sign would be given except the impending, (now historical), Sign of His resurrection; the 'sign of Jonah'. This is fundamental to the concept of salvation. Faith alone is our path to salvation. The Sign of His resurrection, by His own sacrifice, was the last Sign to be given for this purpose.

Simply stated, we have to accept His resurrection as the only Sign . . . until when? – until the last days – until the end times – until the 'signs of the times' leading up to the Tribulation. Why; because Jesus stated in clear terms that the 'sign of Jonah' would be the last Sign given for the purpose of proving His credentials and His way to salvation.

It is important to distinguish what is meant by a sign. It seems simple enough but the meaning is different depending upon the context and timing. This is often the case with the Bible, and it is often a point of contention and misinterpretation. For this reason and for the purposes of this paper, there are three types of signs that will be referenced.

First there is the Sign just referenced. It is the 'sign of Jonah' which is a direct reference to the resurrection of Jesus. It is the last in a group of miracles associated with the life of Jesus. These miracles were given as Signs. According to the words of Jesus, his resurrection was to be the only remaining Sign given to the skeptics standing in front of him and to the wicked unbelieving generations to come. This Sign was a miraculous event that cannot be explained as a natural occurrence. The sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus is the very basis of Christianity.

Another type would be a 'sign of the times'. These are warning signs for the expressed purpose of letting mankind know time is short. A 'sign of the times' can be a natural event such as an earthquake or perhaps climate change. Another example would be the deterioration of the moral fabric of society. The key to discerning the 'signs of the times' is the frequency, magnitude, or concurrence of these events.

Yet another type is 'signs and wonders'. These are miraculous events first performed by the Apostles for the obvious purpose of growing the Church, confirming the leadership of the Church, and spreading the gospel.

It seems that many of us require miracles as signs to stay focused or even to believe. We are now in the End Times and Jesus stated no further Sign would be given to this wicked generation and indeed there are no signs and wonders occurring today as they did 2000 years ago.

It is clear from the Gospel that God's plan for salvation separates those who are willing to accept the free gift of salvation on faith alone from those, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who required more proof; more signs; more miracles. So, where does heaven's patience end and the separation of wheat from chaff begin?[2] We can't know the exact timing, but we know it is associated with the timing of the Tribulation.

It can be asserted that the cataclysmic events that will take place during the Tribulation are not miracles and are not intended to be signs for non-believers. It is war, supernatural war. When God removes His Spirit from the battlefield, Satan moves forward with his plan. Satan fully understands that Man needs signs and he will provide for that need through the Antichrist.

Accepting the resurrection of Jesus as that last Sign to be given, will the Rapture be a public miracle, a Sign?

Based on this clear teaching of Jesus, the Rapture will not be a Sign in the same sense and for the same purpose as those He performed during His ministry. This is contrary to popular perception on the subject, but it is in line with the clear statement by Jesus.

If the Rapture is not to be a Sign to those left behind, then it must somehow be manifested as a private event between Jesus and His own, His bride. Either way, (a spectacular miracle or a seemingly explainable event), a secular society and government, possibly controlled at that time by the Antichrist, will need a viable explanation.

The Rapture will hopefully 'take' millions. Those taken will all have just one thing in common apparent to those left behind – a Christian belief and ethic or an innocence. It should be clear that if something spectacular happens to millions of people all over the world who all hold a common belief, it would be considered nothing less than a miraculous Sign from Heaven.

How then can the Rapture be a Sign? Based on the words of Jesus, this 'wicked and adulterous generation' already received its last Sign 2000 years ago.

The Rapture as a Sign

If the Rapture appears to be a miracle with no natural explanation, it would therefore be perceived as a 'sign from heaven'. If millions of Christians are suddenly 'taken' from all over the earth, the event will be so convincing a Sign that it would cause millions to convert and believe in God and His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. Only the Judeo-Christian Bible predicts this event – this is the book people would turn to in the face of such a miracle. We know the Rapture occurs contemporaneously with the Tribulation. The Antichrist would therefore be faced with the daunting dilemma of discrediting the Bible after it had been supernaturally confirmed.

This is a common problem for Christian authors writing about the Rapture. These authors recognize that the Rapture is not a 'sign of the times' and they realize that they must rationalize the Rapture's impact on the antichrist society. How can it be explained away? How will the Antichrist and the End Times society explain away what has to be the most globally pervasive miracle in the History of mankind? The fact is; they can not. Books and articles written on this subject always stretch for the required explanation but fail to present a viable scenario.

The Rapture either has to be explainable in rational, believable terms, or it cannot take place during the signs of the times and before the Tribulation. The reason is simple. He performed all the miracles we should need in order for us to confirm His credentials and understand His plan for salvation – Jesus said it, I believe it, and this is my purpose here.

· If the Rapture is not intended to be a Sign, it may occur before the Tribulation. In order for the Rapture not to appear as a Sign, it would have to appear natural and explainable.[3]

· If the Rapture appears to be a Sign from heaven, then it will not happen before the Tribulation because this wicked and adulterous generation has already received its last sign; the “sign of Jonah”.

· If the Rapture is manifested as a Sign from heaven during the Tribulation, the intended earthly audience would be Satan and his followers and neither purpose would include their salvation.

These points are contrary to popular perception and yet the logic is based on scripture.

The Timing of the Rapture

All, excepting an uncompromising few, will tell you that we cannot know His timing for the Rapture. We can only know that the timing is associated with the 'season' of the End Times. However, there are many who will tell you in no uncertain terms that the Rapture will occur prior to the Tribulation. This is called a "pre-trib" view.

Based on all evidence, I now believe the Rapture will occur prior to the Tribulation. Matthew 16:4 came to me in a daily devotional during a revision of this paper. The significance of the 'sign of Jonah' with respect to the Rapture became clear. If the Rapture is manifested as a Sign, it would necessarily take place during the Tribulation and not before. If the Rapture is not manifested as a Sign, it must be a private event that can be rationally explained and could take place at any time including pre-Tribulation.

This Generation

A popular series of books portrayed the Rapture as a pre-Tribulation Sign that converted many "left behind". In that fictional portrayal, those left behind who accepted God's plan also did it through faith, but they had the advantage of seeing God's hand at work in a spectacular miracle. Remember; some who reject God's plan want or need miracles. In this fictional case, their decision was made easy. Is it God's plan to make the decision easy for those who reject Him? In the End Times, God is separating wheat from chaff; He is not necessarily handing out free passes. This is not to say that many left behind would not put 2 and 2 together!

Although a pre-Tribulation Rapture is logical, it has been shown that a pre-Tribulation Sign is apparently not. Here is what we know or can assume:

· Many will be deceived.[4]

· The Rapture is the removal of His people according to His will at His chosen time. God always removes and protects His people before His judgment. [5]

· The Rapture could be a Sign but apparently not if it occurs before the Tribulation. Before the Tribulation it would be a private event between Jesus and His own, and the manifestation must be secularly explainable.[6]

· The Antichrist progressively takes out his wrath on Christians throughout the 7-year Tribulation period.[7] Some will turn to God during the Tribulation despite the persecution. God’s wrath occurs during the last half but God protects His own from His wrath.

· The generation that sees the re-birth of Israel will not pass before the Tribulation is finished and God's plan for dealing with a rebellious mankind is implemented. [8]

· Always remember that physical death is never our end, and it is not necessarily a punishment.

· Many will be deceived (again, for emphasis).

It is my firm belief that the generation that saw the rebirth of Israel as a nation will be the last full-term generation of the church age. All generations have been wicked and adulterous. Can there be any doubt that we live in possibly the most wicked and the most adulterous post-flood generation ever?

The 'sign of Jonah' was the last sign we were given up until the fulfillment of prophesy regarding the rebirth of Israel. I believe that event in 1947-48 to be the first sign of the times and the clock is now ticking. The Rapture is clearly not intended to be a sign of the times, but will it be a Sign? Personally, I think not. I fear that many misinformed or lukewarm Christians will not recognize the Antichrist because they will firmly believe in a publicly miraculous, pre-Tribulation Rapture.

Let me voice my fears again. If you the reader are firm in your belief that the Rapture must occur as a great physical disappearance before the Tribulation and it does not happen that way, you may find yourself in the Tribulation and not recognize the Antichrist. He will deceive many.

I simply state; keep an open mind. Accepting God's salvation during the Tribulation will be much more difficult than it is now. In those times, accepting Christ will be harder than rejecting Islam; both will carry the same penalty.

The Rapture can happen at any time – at any time! Nothing is required to change in government, in the European Union, in Russia, or anywhere else for that matter. There are no prerequisites for the Rapture except the rebirth of Israel. I was born into that generation and I’m getting old and so time is running out.

I hope the Rapture occurs soon and before the Tribulation. I would like to think the Rapture will be a wake-up call to many of those left behind; however, that scenario simply does not appear scriptural. God’s love will always be there but don’t expect a loving God in the End Times. Jesus is preparing for war and this war will be carried through to completion just as prophesied.

The Rapture is the clearing of innocents from the battlefield – those left behind are not innocent. Those left behind have rejected salvation, or they are in need of discipline, or they are left to serve His purposes.

It is His plan, and it is still a secret so don’t listen to anyone who gives you absolutes or tells you what you want to hear.[9] Be prepared with an open mind and edify yourself with scripture so that you can not be deceived.

JR Lawrence Sr.

[2] The Christian Bible can be characterized as a documentary of God's patience with a creation given the ability to choose between right and wrong.

[3] There have been several references to the need for an acceptable explanation for the Rapture such that it would not be a Sign. In "The Manifestation of the Rapture", I offer a viable explanation of how the Rapture could occur and appear to be a natural "act of God", (in the secular vernacular).

[4] Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:11, 2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 John 4:11

[5] God’s wrath occurs during the 2^nd half of the Tribulation. This 2^nd period of 3.5 years is called the Great Tribulation.

[6] See "The Manifestation of the Rapture" for a possible explanation.

[7] It may start slowly but when Antichrist’s religion is introduced – no other will be acceptable. However, it will encompass and accept false religions and possibly some Christian denominations.