Revelation 11:11-12
“But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.”
In verse 11, God breathed life into His two witnesses (who had been dead for three and a half days) and resurrected them, while those who killed them, mocked them and rejoiced at their deaths, watched. This created great fear among the people concerning what these two may do next.
This second verse (12) has been considered as, the time when the “rapture” of the church will occur. That these two witnesses are taken up is indeed, a “rapture” for them, however it does not say that all are raised to heaven at this time. However, it is not “when” the rapture occurs that should be as important to us as “who” will be included in it.
It is very clear here that the enemies watched as the faithful were taken into Glory. The same thing will occur when rapture occurs, the faithful will be taken while unbelievers watch.
The Truth
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
