Daniel 12:1-2 “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Comment: There are two passages that relate to the rapture which also relate to the fall of Babylon. In Daniel, Chapter 12 we are told that with the end of the last king in Chapter 11 (the king of Babylon), there comes a time of trouble such as never has been before in the history of this earth. Also, deliverance comes at that time to those whose names are found written in the book. Many, but not all, will rise from the dead. This is a description of the rapture. Some of those raised will go to everlasting life, but some will go to face punishment. This passage does not contradict I Thessalonians 4:14-18, because those verses emphasize that those who have fallen asleep having faith in Christ will be reunited with those going up in the rapture, thus realizing their hope of everlasting life with God and their loved ones. Daniel 12:1-2 is unique, as it adds that the unsaved during the Church Age that will be raised at the same time, with no comfort given with their resurrection. Their resurrection would be to Hades, not the lake of fire, which will come at the end of the tribulation.
Revelation 19:6-9 “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth. Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are true words of God.”
Comment: After the rejoicing in heaven over the judgment of Babylon in Revelation 19:1-5, the next event John sees is the marriage supper of the Lamb. The bride is ready and clothed in the righteous acts of the saints. The Christians are blessed to be welcomed to the marriage supper, instead of enduring the tribulation events transpiring on the earth.
Summary: The Rapture of the Church
The rapture is the subject Christians are expectantly waiting for; the fall of Babylon may be an unexpected surprise. Care should be taken to pay attention to the literal message God has given concerning the context to those receiving it. There does seem to be a connecting link between the fall of Babylon and the rapture. The Scriptures seem to place the rapture after the fall. The followers of Christ will be delivered from God’s wrath; however, they will know the time of trouble is coming.
