FOUR STAGES BEFORE THE RAPTURE - Prophetically Speaking

1 BEFORE the RAPTURE Setting the stage four STAGES Copyright 2013 Eleanor Schultz 40 four STAGES BEFORE THE RAPTURE As I began to shift my presentation in an effort to simplify the pre- RAPTURE message, The World Crisis and Israel s Crisis brought into focus four distinct STAGES . All pre- RAPTURE events fall within them. The RAPTURE brings the fourth stage to completion. We do not know how long any of them will last because there are no dates associated with any events BEFORE the RAPTURE . So, if the prophets attach a time period to a prophecy, that prophecy will take place after the RAPTURE . The four STAGES that must play out BEFORE the RAPTURE are four time periods. The church often overlooks the many prophecies that are still unfulfilled. Many of them cannot happen after the RAPTURE ; therefore, they must happen BEFORE . We need to allow sufficient time for all things to develop as the Bible says they will.

2 I have chosen names for the four STAGES based on the predominant characteristic of each. It was difficult to decide what to call them as all STAGES carry many of the same elements. These four characteristics are the driving forces that result in the happenings of each stage . The following is a brief overview of the STAGES . stage One: Positioning stage One is in progress as this book is being written and will continue until the earth is threatened with destruction. Its purpose is to produce the circumstances that will usher in the Antichrist. At this point in history, there are no major prophecies taking place on the world scene, because the world is positioning itself for the rise of the Antichrist. All events that we are seeing now are simply positioning. BEFORE the RAPTURE Setting the stage four STAGES Copyright 2013 Eleanor Schultz 41 stage One began somewhere around the time of the Holocaust.

3 Wrong teaching in the churches and deception are major issues throughout stage One. On the positive side, the church has been active and involved in much missionary work. Its position of favor with the world has begun to slip somewhat, but the work continues. The World Crisis will signal the end of stage One. stage Two: Peace stage Two begins with the solution to The World Crisis. That will result in a peace that will allow countries to work together, and we will see free trade begin to develop and escalate. Peace is the conduit that will enable the world to advance financially and commercially. The country, from which the Antichrist will emerge, will provide the solution to The World Crisis. Shortly thereafter, the man will make his appearance under the guise of peacemaker and will establish himself as a world leader. His crusade to conquer all nations will enforce peace, even while toppling the countries in his path.

4 No doubt, his crusade will play a major role in his decision to attack Israel. His dislike for the Jews will become evident as this stage progresses. We may see them persecuted in many nations, and some may even be sent to the desert of Egypt. The attack on Israel (Israel s Crisis) will bring stage Two to a close. stage Three: Prophecies Fulfilled stage Three is a period in which much Bible prophecy will be fulfilled. It begins with the experiences of the Jews while they are back in Egypt; its highlight is their return to their homeland for the second time. That will light an evangelistic fire under the church, and the Gospel will be taken to the whole world during this time. BEFORE the RAPTURE Setting the stage four STAGES Copyright 2013 Eleanor Schultz 42 An influx of people to the Middle East will cause new countries to form and magnificent cities to be built.

5 The Middle East will become the commercial, political, and religious center of the world. Many prophecies that begin in stage Two will be established in stage Three. Eventually, the world will settle into a comfortable lifestyle and it would appear that the new world order is working well. stage Three may last for quite some time. Gradually, it will morph into stage four as this stage has no definitive closing event. stage four : Prosperity stage four does not have a unique event that marks its beginning because the world will gradually drift into complacency. People will have attained a level of prosperity previously unknown. They will be at rest, and satisfied that they are living in the best of times. Many will think this is a permanent situation, and that we have attained the standard of living we were meant to have. They are unaware that the world has plunged into darkness.

6 The RAPTURE will not be expected and there will be those who question that there will be such a thing. The Apostle Peter called them scoffers. stage four will have an abrupt ending that few will expect: the RAPTURE .