Events leading to the Day of the Lord

Central Thesis:

Sam Shamoun argues that the Day of the Lord, the resurrection of the dead, the rapture of believers, and the destruction of the wicked all happen in one unified event—not in separate phases. He rejects the idea of a secret pre-tribulation rapture and emphasizes that the return of Christ is public, final, and glorious.

Key Scriptures and Explanations:

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

“Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (v.17)

• This is the classic “rapture” passage.

• Sam emphasizes that this event is not secret—it’s loud, visible, and final.

• The “shout,” “voice of the archangel,” and “trumpet of God” all point to a public event.

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3

“The Day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief in the night.”

• Paul connects the rapture (ch. 4) directly to the Day of the Lord (ch. 5).

• There is no gap between the rapture and judgment.

3. 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10

“When the Lord Jesus appears from heaven… He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment…”

• Jesus returns once, and at that moment:

  • He judges the wicked

  • He glorifies the saints

• No second chance. No delay.

4. 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4

“That day will not come until there is a great rebellion and the man of lawlessness is revealed…”

• Paul warns believers not to be deceived into thinking the Day of the Lord has already come.

• The Antichrist must appear first—this contradicts pre-trib rapture teaching.

5. Matthew 24:29–31

“Immediately after the anguish of those days… the Son of Man will appear… and He will send out His angels with a mighty blast of a trumpet…”

• Jesus places the gathering of the elect after the tribulation.

• The trumpet here matches the one in 1 Thessalonians 4.

6. John 5:28–29

“All who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out…”

• One resurrection for both the righteous and the wicked.

• No split timeline.

7. John 6:39–40, 44, 54

“I will raise them up at the last day.”

• Jesus repeats this four times.

• The resurrection of believers happens at the last day, not before a tribulation.

8. Acts 24:15

“There will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.”

• Again, one resurrection event.

9. Revelation 20:11–15

“The dead, both great and small, stood before God’s throne…”

• Final judgment.

• No mention of a separate rapture or secret escape.

Final Sequence According to Sam Shamoun:

1. The Antichrist is revealed (highlighted because it leads into the next question to AI)

2. Great tribulation occurs (highlighted because it leads into the next question to AI)

3. Jesus returns visibly with angels

4. The dead in Christ are raised

5. Living believers are transformed and caught up

6. The wicked are judged and destroyed

7. The earth is purified for Christ’s reign

What He Rejects:

• Pre-tribulation rapture

• Secret escape for believers

• Two-stage return of Christ

• Second chances after the rapture

So according to Sam Shamoun, he says scripture shows the The Antichrist is revealed and THEN the Great tribulation occurs leading to the Day of the Lord. But there's a problem with that...

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