The Old Testament is full of types and shadows of spiritual truths that are revealed in the New Testament:
(Col 2:16-17) "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of
the new moons, or of the sabbath days:
Which are a shadow of things to come;"
(Heb 8:4-5) "For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,"
(Heb 10:1) "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image."
Also types and shadows are allegories or similes, in which things have a symbolic or figurative meaning, and where an earthly
type or shadow indicates, or compares with, some
spiritual truth. Therefore, whenever we study out any doctrine from the New Testament, one principle of correct interpretation requires that
we compare what we find in the New Testament, with the types and shadows in the Old Testament. Types
and shadows, are not the basis of true doctrine by themselves, but they do confirm and illustrate it. All scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Tim 3:16), and God
does not change (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8; Jam 1:17), so if we are correct concerning whether there is a
pre tribulation rapture or no pre tribulation rapture, we should find
a great deal of agreement between the Old Testament types, and the New Testament teaching. This study, concerning the rapture and the second coming
of Jesus Christ, will therefore begin by looking at three Old Testament types concerning the rapture, and Jesus'
second coming.
GENESIS 7:11-13
11 In the sixth hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, in the
seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains
of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of
Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
MATTHEW 24:37-41 (Jesus)
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so
shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
LUKE 17:26-27, 30-37 (Jesus)
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and
destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which
shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down
to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men
in one bed; the one shall be taken and the other left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is,
thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Note:
These scriptures do not refer to a pre-tribulation rapture or event as some falsely
believe, but to the actual second coming of Jesus, at the end of this
pre-millennial age. This can be seen by examining the phrase "the coming of
the son of man" (Matthew 24:37, 39), in which the word "coming" (Gr. parousia,
Gtr. parousia) is singular, as it is elsewhere in the New Testament (#3.2 Note). The use of the Greek word "parousia"
when destroying "the Beast" (2 Thessalonians 2:8) also refutes the erroneous teaching of some, that the "parousia"
refers to a pre-tribulation rapture. The word "comings" does not appear in
the New Testament at all, showing that Jesus is only coming back one more time
during this age. That is when he will rapture the church (Matthew 24:40-41; Luke
17:34-36; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), on the last day of this present age (#3.1),
after the tribulation (#3.4). These scriptures make several other points that confirm this:
(1) The same day that Noah
entered the ark (Gen 7:13), was the same day that it began to rain (Gen 7:11).
Notice God's established pattern, which is to first ensure that his people
reach safety, and then immediately destroy the wicked.
(2) The wicked did not
undergo a prolonged period of tribulation after this event, but they were
destroyed (Luke 17:27). This is the same pattern as when the wicked were
destroyed in the day Lot escaped Sodom (See #1.2), and as the Egyptians were
in the Red Sea when the Israelites reached the other side (See #1.3).
Similarly, the wicked will also be destroyed when Jesus returns (Isa 66:15-16; Zec 14:12; Mal 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Pet 2:10).
(3) All of God's chosen people entered the ark at the same time, on the same day.
This is a type of the events of the last day, when all of God's chosen people who are alive
will be taken to safety before they are raptured on the last day of this present age (#3.1),
at Jesus second coming (#3.2),
after the tribulation (#3.4),
after the sun and moon have been darkened (#3.5),
after the heavens are shaken and the stars fall from heaven (#3.6),
after the heavens be no more (#3.7),
and after the seventh trumpet judgement (#3.8). This Old Testament type therefore disproves
any pre-tribulation rapture, or mid-tribulation rapture of the church.
GENESIS 19:15-26
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed
in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of
his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not
behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast
shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a
little one: Oh, let me escape thither,(is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou become thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 And the sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
25 And he ovethrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
LUKE 17:28-37 (Jesus)
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down
to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken and the other left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said
unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Note: These scriptures do not refer to a pre-tribulation event as some falsely
believe, but to the actual second coming of Jesus, at the end of this pre-millennial age. This can be seen by examining the phrase "when the son
of man is revealed." (Luke 17:30), in which the verb "is revealed" (Gr. apokaluptw,
Gtr. apokaluptō) is used. The equivalent noun (Gr. apokaluyij,
Gtr. apokalupsis) is often used of the second coming of Jesus:
(1 Cor 1:7) "waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
(2 Thessalonians 1:7) "when the Lord shall
be revealed (Lit. in the revelation) from heaven with his mighty angels,"
(1 Peter 1:7) "at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
(1 Peter 1:13) "at the revelation of Jesus Christ;".
The idea that "apokalupsis" may refer only to a pre-tribulation rapture is
refuted by its use (2 Thessalonians 1:7) where the wicked are destroyed at the same
time (v8). The idea that "apokalupsis" does not refer to the rapture of
the church is refuted by its use (1 Cor 1:7) where this is clearly what the
church is waiting for. Jesus is only coming back one more time during this
age, and that is when he raptures the church (Matthew 24:40-41; Luke 17:34-36; 1
Thessalonians 4:15-17), on the last day of this present age (#3.1),
after the tribulation (#3.4).
These scriptures make several other points that confirm this:
(1) The same day that Lot left Sodom (Gen 19:23; Luke 17:29)
was the same day that God rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24; Luke 17:29). Notice God's
established pattern again, which is to first ensure that his people reach
safety, and then immediately destroy the wicked. The angel could not destroy
Sodom until Lot escaped, as he said to Lot, "Haste thee, escape thither; for
I cannot do anything till thou become thither." (Gen 19:22).
(2) The wicked did not
undergo a prolonged period of tribulation after this event, Sodom was "overthrown
in a moment" (Lamentations 4:6), and the wicked were destroyed (Luke 17:29). This is
the same pattern as when the wicked were destroyed in the day Noah escaped
into the ark (See #1.1), and as the Egyptians were destroyed in the Red Sea
when the Israelites reached the other side (See #1.3). This is the same as the
wicked will be destroyed when Jesus returns (Isa 66:15-16; Zec 14:12; Mal 4:1;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Pet 2:10).
(3) All of God's chosen
people, Lot and his family, escaped Sodom at the same time, on the same day.
This is a type of the events of the last day, when all of God's chosen people who are alive
will be taken to safety before they are raptured on the last day of this present age (#3.1),
at Jesus' second coming (#3.2),
after the tribulation (#3.4),
after the sun and moon have been darkened (#3.5),
after the heavens are shaken and the stars fall from heaven (#3.6),
after the heavens be no more (#3.7),
and after the seventh trumpet judgement (#3.8). This Old Testament type therefore disproves
any pre-tribulation rapture, or mid-tribulation rapture of the church.
EXODUS 14:21-30
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land,
and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the
pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.
25 And took off their chariot wheels, and they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee
from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the
Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning
appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not
so much as one of them.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them, on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
Note 1: In this Old Testament type of the last
day when Jesus returns, the Israelites are a type of the church, and the
Egyptians are symbolic of the people of the world. The persecution that came
on Israel before they escaped Egypt is a type of the persecution that will
come on the church under the fifth seal (Revelation 6:9-11). Pharaoh is a type of the
beast, and Pharaoh's army is like the army of the beast which will gather at
Armageddon (Revelation 19:19). The crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of
Pharaoh and his host are a type of the events of the day of Armageddon, when
the Beast and his army will be destroyed (Revelation 19:20-21), which will occur on
the last day of this age (#3.1),
after the tribulation (#3.4).
These scriptures make several other points to confirm this:
(1) The same day that the Israelites crossed the red sea, was the same day that God destroyed Pharaoh
and his host. Notice God's established pattern again, which is to first ensure that his people reach safety, and then immediately destroy the wicked.
(2) Pharaoh and his host did not undergo a prolonged period of tribulation at this time, they were
destroyed as soon as the Israelites were safe across the sea, on the very same day. This is the same pattern as they were destroyed in the days of Noah (#1.1),
and in the days of Lot (#1.2).
(3) All of God's chosen
people crossed the Red Sea at the same time, on the same day.
This is a type of the events of the last day, when all of God's chosen people who are alive
will be taken to safety before they are raptured on the last day of this present age (#3.1),
at Jesus' second coming (#3.2),
after the tribulation (#3.4),
after the sun and moon have been darkened (#3.5),
after the heavens are shaken and the stars fall from heaven (#3.6),
after the heavens be no more (#3.7),
and after the seventh trumpet judgement (#3.8).
Note 2: There are also other considerations to support this:
(1) The Israelites were not
taken out of Egypt before the plagues came, but were there throughout, and
protected by God (Exo 8:20-24; 9:3-6; 9:22-26; 10:21-23; 12:21-23,29-30). In
the same way the remnant church will still be here during the plagues which
come on the earth in the last days, from which they will also be protected by
the seal of God (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2 Tim 2:19; Revelation 7:2-8), and the
plagues will only come on the wicked (Zec 14:12; Dan 9:27; Revelation 9:4; 16:2; See #3.1).
(2) The Israelites and the Gentiles who escaped Egypt with them (Exo 12:38; Num 11:4) did not cross the
red sea separately, but all went together at the same time. Even so, when Jesus returns, because there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, they
are all part of the same body of Christ (Acts 15:8-11; Rom 1:16; 2:26-27;
10:12; Gal 3:26-29; Col 3:9-11; Eph 2:11-22; 3:5-6; 4:4; See #7.),
they also will be taken to safety before they are raptured on the last day of this
present age (#3.1), at Jesus' second coming (#3.2),
after the tribulation (#3.4),
after the sun and moon have been darkened (#3.5),
after the heavens are shaken and the stars fall from heaven (#3.6),
after the heavens be no more (#3.7),
and after the seventh trumpet judgement (#3.8).This Old Testament type therefore disproves
any pre-tribulation rapture, or mid-tribulation rapture of the church.
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This is the end of this bible study about the Evidence for the Rapture from the Old Testament Types and Shadows