I promised several months ago that I would write a post about the Rapture. I haven’t forgotten. I’ve just been distracted with writing my current work-in-progress and pondering how to write about this and a few other subjects. To be continued on those…
The Rapture is a topic, however, that I don’t think can wait. Why do I say that? Because it is one prophetic doctrine that has always been imminent, even as far back as the writings of the apostles in Scripture. It is the Christian’s “blessed hope” spoken of in Titus 2:13.
When I was growing up, the Rapture was a common topic spoken of among believers. Now? Some believers have never even heard of it. That saddens me as it is such a wonderful hope as we know this world will not be here forever.
Back then though, when I was younger, there was also a lot of controversy as to the Rapture’s timing. Because it interested me and I tend to research things I don’t fully understand, I studied the various Rapture views. So first of all – What is the Rapture?
The word “rapture” is not in our English Bibles, so some people don’t think it’s real. But we have to remember that long before English translations appeared, the New Testament was written in Greek and translated into Latin. Apparently the word where we get our English word Rapture does appear in the Latin versions.
In English, we see the teaching of believers being “snatched” or “caught up”. It means the same thing. So in a nutshell, the Rapture of the Church is a time in prophetic history that has not yet happened, where Jesus appears in the clouds and “snatches” His Bride – His Church – up to heaven to keep them from the trial that will soon come upon the earth after they are gone.
Where do we get this “doctrine?” I’m going to quote some Scriptures, so this post could get a little long.
Jesus mentions it in John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (I’m quoting 16-18 but it helps to read it all.) “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 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. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”
Revelation 4:1 (John is called up to heaven. Some believe this is a picture of the church being taken as the church is not mentioned in Revelation again until the end of the book – after the Great Tribulation.) “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”
Revelation 3:10-11a (Letter to the church in Philadelphia, which represents the faithful church today.) “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 (I’m quoting the latter part, which talks about the day of the Lord’s return, which will not be good for those who hate God.) “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
There are more verses, but you get the idea. God promised to anyone who believes in His Son Jesus Christ that they would not suffer His wrath. In my studies of the different views on the Rapture, I found these different points of view.
I believe the first is the most biblically accurate and this is why. If you study Revelation or Matthew 24 or parts of Daniel and the 70th week or any other passages that deal with God’s Day of Judgment – the Day of the Lord – that is coming on the earth – there is nothing about that day that isn’t God’s wrath. From the breaking of the first seal in Revelation until Jesus returns with his Raptured saints to take back the universe from the usurper satan, it’s all wrath. Since God promised His people that they would not suffer His wrath, then the Pre-tribulation Rapture view is the only one that makes sense.
That doesn’t mean believers will not suffer. Paul said that anyone who wants to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. And we see that in our world today and it has always been. Until Jesus returns, His followers will suffer at the hands of men. But they will not suffer the wrath of God. There is a big difference.
There are prophecies in Scripture that have to happen for others to be fulfilled. For instance, Jesus had to come the first time to die for our sins and vanquish sin and its penalty against us so that we could be saved – be with Him forever. Everything had to align for Him to come and Matthew in particular points out many prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in His first coming.
Other things have to happen before His second coming. For one, the third temple has to be built in Jerusalem. Right now that seems like a huge barrier, yes? And only God knows when that will happen. It’s one of many things yet to take place.
But the Rapture of the Church has no prerequisites to be fulfilled before it can happen. Jesus could snatch His church away at any time. Thus the reason for this post.
In Matthew 24, Jesus taught His disciples what was to come at the end of the world. He finished with these words:
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.”
Many believe that the fig tree represents the nation of Israel. When Jesus referred to the fig tree budding and its leaves sprout, scholars believe this represents when Israel became a state in 1948. If that’s true, then the generation who was alive to see that take place will not pass from the scene until all the things that Jesus prophesied in chapter 24 take place.
The Rapture could be very near. Even the apostles considered Jesus’ coming for them something that could happen at any time. All the more today as every day that passes, we are one day closer to prophesy being fulfilled.
The reason I wanted to share all of this with anyone who happens to read my blog post is because the time left for this earth is short. If you don’t believe the God of the Bible or what He says now, one day you will, like it or not. There is far more evidence for the God of the Bible, the Creator, than there is against Him. If you knew Christianity is true, would you become a Christian? If not, then I pray you will reconsider.
I pray every day for the people I know and love who do not believe because I don’t want them to miss the Rapture, but even more I don’t want them to miss eternity with Jesus. If we had even a tiny glimpse of what is to come in eternity, we would see how much God has in store for those who love Him. I hope you love Him or come to love Him soon.
The Tribulation and Great Tribulation (it gets worse halfway through) is going to see a lot of people martyred for their faith. (There will be multitudes who do come to faith in Jesus during that time, but life for them will be exponentially harder than it is today.) It’s going to be a time of horrific calamities the likes of which this world has never seen. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be here.
Let me add one more thought – if you are reading this and The Rapture has already taken place, search for podcasts such as those by Jack Hibbs or Gary Hamrick’s Revelation study particularly chapter 4:1-2 on YouTube or books that talk about this subject and what to expect is to come. Read the Bible! Read the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Read Revelation and Matthew 24 and the book of Ezekiel and Daniel and Zechariah. Don’t be uniformed or misled. Most of all – cry out to the Lord and surrender to Him. Salvation is still offered during this horrific time on earth. While it is a gift, it is still a choice to accept that gift. Don’t miss it!
I pray no one will be misled or deceived even right now because there are many deceivers in the world today. It is not judgmental to be discerning. It is wisdom. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Truth can be found in His Words. I pray that you will read them and believe now before this happens.
Whether I live to experience this – as Enoch and Elijah in the Bible did (so we know it is possible) – or die first, I will still be part of this blessed hope. It is God’s promise, and He always keeps His Word. I pray that you can see that too.
~Selah
The Conversation
You explained that so well!
Thank you!
Amen!
Thanks!