I just think it's cute, lol. Okay, so I thought I would throw in my two cents. I have often struggled with this idea. Please do not misunderstand me, I would LOVE to have a heads-up that the rapture was imminent. I can see where there could be references to an early warning (those given in the old testament before a major event, etc.), but there are also the words of Jesus that come to mind when he tells the pharisees that they can read the weather, but did not interpret the signs of his coming (And again, my mind whirls with the idea that this would be a scolding to the body of Israel and not the church). Enoch walked with God and then he was taken. We do not know if he had a warning. Others were visited by angels or the Lord himself to give warnings and commands of preparation, BUT, this was all before the age of grace (the church age). The church was a mystery. The more I study Paul, the more it seems that we are taken instantly and the world is shocked. So I guess I am on a see-saw about this idea of a warning. I would love one - time given to get my affairs in order, not be driving, and contact those loved ones with a last plead - but I do not see any concrete reference to one given in the New Testament. I would love to hash this out though if y'all have more scriptures to study on this! :feedback Couldn't it be possible that indeed the world will be taken by surprise, and the Bride be given a heads up?! The reason being that the Rapture event is a private and personal moment between Christ and His Bride! Not for the world, or unbelievers! As stated, there has been much precedent which is reflective of the Lord's heart with regards to those He loves! And if we hold to the Jewish marriage traditions, which I believe were given as a template, a boisterous enterage is utilized as the groom approaches his bride to be. Or the constant communications between Solomon and Shulamite bride is in view! God's heart has always been revealed. Prophecy speaks to this as well. It's one of His attributes, as part of His character! What bride was not given the details and location of her upcoming betrothal, let alone it's appointed time? Elijah was given the day and probable nature of his rapture! Just as we are given every detail of our Rapture! In any event, a heads up is not critical to the Rapture's fulfillment, but I can easily see the Lord gifting His bride to be with some advance knowledge of it's timing! We also speak at length to the Lord's exactness in details and His timing historically. Why would this be conveniently altered for the greatest and most intimate moment between two lovers?! TR According to I Thess 5: 2-9 ... I think the clue could actually be in this passage ... I’m leaning towards our heads up might be tied in with the peace deal announcement in June. We are watchers and staying alert so that day will not be a surprise to us. We just need to be on extra high alert and when we hear/read of the actual day and time Trump or Kushner will announce the peace treaty ... then that will give us the warning of how many days and/or hours we might have left to prepare before flying out of here. Granted if we are still here after they announce the deal ... then that means we just need to stay a little while longer until they revise the plan to “please” the many and ... again wait to hear that next date/time for the next announcement. Or am I totally off with this reasoning? I Thess 5:2-9 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, This tie in could be altogether possible, but we will have no way of having it as a definitive sign. The whole idea of an advance warning or heads up is that it will be a supernatural confirmation sent by the throne room of Heaven, specifically for the Bride of Christ. With no room for doubt, speculation or fear! As the scriptures you quoted state, indeed the world shall be taken by surprise not watching or expecting such an event. Yet the Blessed Hope is embraced by the true Church! For the obtaining of our salvation, from the Lord Himself! Yes Virginia, Christmas was real and so is the Rapture! Again to repeat, God has always been proactive regarding keeping His children informed! We see a picture or template of this with Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot and his family were given at most a 12 hr advance warning! So what has changed in the Lord's heart?! Who knows how much time Elijah was given. It was time enough to share with the college of prophets so that they could be there to act as witnesses! It is just as reasonable to believe Enoch was also given the day of His rapture! And Christ himself left witnesses of His ascension!!! Why this premise causes so much difficulty within the body of Christ, is truly beyond me! We embrace every truth and miracle of the Word as gospel, except that of our Blessed Hope! Even Paul, thought the Rapture would occur in his lifetime. His expectation girded his faith! Faith enough for the Rapture, but not for God's divine disclosure. My, my, my! TR Wasn't it Paul who taught, behold I shew you a mystery?! Could the advance warning also be a mystery!? In any event the theme of this thread is to point to what the Lord has done in the past, and to reveal His heart to the saints of God! Again, I am not preaching this as gospel, but rather an I wouldn't be surprised moment! TR I can see how Paul was looking for the rapture during his time since the early church was being persecuted. Plus I don’t think the entire Bible was completed ... or was the book of Revelation available to the early church? And if it were ... would the early church even be able to understand it fully like we do today since it requires electronics, nuclear war, etc. all this would have been foreign to them to comprehend. I absolutely hope y'all are right about a warning. Tenderreed, you made a connection that I did not think about. Yes, the world will be utterly shocked and devastated by the rapture, but that doesn't mean that we won't receive a sign. I am not sure why I had it fixed in my head that it was one or the other. True, Sodom & Gomorrah were shocked (though not for long) by God's judgment, but Lot was warned and snatched from danger. The world was shocked by the flood (though they were warned and mocked that warning - sound familiar), no doubt, but Noah and his family were warned over 100 years before it would occur... hmmm... today of all days, I do need that hope that we will somehow know soon that Jesus is about to call us home. 
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
