1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV — 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
What exactly is awaiting us? One day we are having lunch at our favorite restaurant, the next day, we are locked down while the world goes on pause asking, “What happened?” Imagine what we’ll be asking if, suddenly, millions of people vanished right before our very eyes. What would be the explanation? Is the Rapture on the horizon?
Many have asked, “Is there really a Rapture?” Bible scholars will point to the following passage as one of many confirmations the Rapture is real and will happen soon;
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NKJV — For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…
An intriguing and powerful passage from the Apostle Paul. Intriguing because it entices us to learn more.
Matthew 24:37-42 NKJV — “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, “and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. “Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
In the days preceding the Coronavirus crisis the world was continuing with life in the usual way. Falling into the description of what the prophet Daniel wrote concerning the latter days.
Daniel 12:4 NKJV — “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
A new decade had dawned. Pitchers and catchers had reported for baseball’s spring training and some were planning romantic springtime weddings. Then the world came to a sudden stop. Livelihoods had been disrupted and desperate measures had been taken all because of fear. Fear of the unknown. Despite warning signs of potential dangers and preparations to be taken in case of an emergency, we collectively chose to ignore them and proceeded with our routines.
The unexpected event could very well be a prelude to a more significant one which will happen in the near future. There are many Christians who believe in the Rapture of the Church. An event so extraordinary it could cause the world to plunge into chaos.
In the First Epistle to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul uses the Greek word harpazo (Ancient Greek: ἁρπάζω [arpázo]), meaning “to snatch away” or “to seize,” and explains believers in Jesus Christ will be snatched away from Earth into the air.
The term, “Rapture,” is most frequently used among conservative Christian theologians in the United States.
Differing viewpoints exist about the exact timing of the Rapture and whether Christ’s return will occur in one event or two. Pretribulationism distinguishes the Rapture from the second coming of Jesus Christ to Earth, mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation. This view holds that the Rapture will precede the seven-year Tribulation, which will culminate in Christ’s second coming and be followed by a thousand-year Messianic Kingdom. Believers of this perspective are referred to as premillennial dispensationalists. This theory grew out of the translations of the Bible John Nelson Darby analyzed in 1833. Pretribulationism is the most widely held view in America today, although this view is disputed within the Christian community.
Whatever the timing may be, we need to be prepared for the Lord’s return. We no longer have the luxury of endless time before us. Governments are in constant flux and the ground still shakes to remind us upheaval can happen at any time. The Bible is filled with prophecies regarding future events which will not be under our control.
John 14:2-3 NKJV — “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Jesus has a special place made for you and He will soon be ready to receive you into His Heavenly Kingdom. But will we be working and watching for His return or will we be foolish tending to unnecessary desires and miss the time of His arrival?
Matthew 25:1-12 NKJV — “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. “Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, “but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ “Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. “And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ “But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
There are many who have walked away from the calling God has put on their lives. Attacks have come and their faith has been tested. Many have failed but there is still time to reach out for help.
Matthew 14:25-32 NKJV — Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
The darkness surrounding us is powerless compared to the Light Jesus provides. We must put our trust and faith in the Lord. Believe there is wonder working power in the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross at Calvary.
Matthew 25:13 NKJV — “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
The course of the world is on a direct path to prophetic destiny. We must open our hearts to the Gospel and receive the promise of everlasting life and peace. As stated before, many Bible scholars attribute one particular passage in the New Testament as an indication the Rapture will happen and we as believers and followers of Christ will not experience the Tribulation.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 NKJV — For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
The time is drawing near for the next global event. COVID-19 is only the beginning of calamities which will affect the nations of the world. People are hiding and will not venture out because they feel, no matter what they do to remain “normal,” it is all in vain. They search for an answer when the “Answer” has always been right in front of them. Jesus cautioned us about people who will come, tickle our ears and tell us what we want to hear. They will make us lose focus and in turn, be like the 5 foolish virgins who did not oil their lamps, missing the return of the Bridegroom.
Matthew 24:11-14 NKJV — “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
If we stand our ground and trust God to give us the strength to endure the present and future trials we will be saved. Jesus also told us in the above passage the Gospel will be preached in all the world. A great harvest will be reaped for the Kingdom of God, but then the end will come. Will the Rapture happen at this time? Many Christians believe this to be so.
James 5:7-8 NKJV — Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Although we wait for the Lord’s return, we must not become complacent. Many will still need to be witnessed to and prayed for.
Matthew 24:27 NKJV — “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
This will happen “in a twinkling of an eye.” Today, tomorrow or 20 years from now? No one knows but only God. We must be ready because the times ahead look bleak but only with the grace of God can we be safe and secure as long as we adhere to His commandments and His Holy Word. The Lord will be returning soon to take His people home.
Matthew 24:43-44 NKJV — “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
The world, specifically, the people left behind, will not know how to explain the vanishing of millions and the countless empty garves scattered around the world. Theories will arise, one more outrageous than the next. From “Ancient Aliens” to a new anti-matter vanishing beam, the explanations will be curious at best, but unfortunately, they will all be wrong because they did not prepare themselves for the Lord’s return. They may have been deceived and were told they had plenty of time. Foolishly, they let their “lamps” run dry.
In 1999, a tremendous move of God was taking place in a small country town located 22 miles north of Savannah, Georgia, the little town of Hardeeville, South Carolina. A publication devoted to revivals around the country, The Remnant issued the following report about the revival at Abundant Life Assembly of God.
“It was in January 1999 that Evangelist John Davis came to the church for the first time. It was an event that opened the eyes of the man of God that had come to stir the church. How big was the church — at the time the church could only hold about 200 people, but as Davis began to seek God’s will, he found himself back at the church week after week. Something had to give for space because the house began to fill up.
The new gymnasium was just being completed. The school was known for all the State Baseball titles that it won in high school baseball, but now it began to become a place of refreshing for those who were tired of religion. A Christian television station in Charleston, South Carolina began to broadcast the revival on the cable system in Charleston. As people began to visit by television, God began to send people from all around the southeast to revival…”
For a church who could only hold a small number of worshipers, they were having attendees numbering 700, 800 at times over a thousand at the meetings. Although many were touched by God’s presence, there were some who felt they had plenty of time, for the rapture, they believed, was years away. They would decide later when it was more convenient, or so they believed. A word of caution came to them as the Holy Spirit moved upon the Evangelist to speak, “Some of you may think you’ve got time but you need to ask yourself, are you ready for God tonight?” There was silence among the 1,100 attendees. Then he continued, “Some of you may not make it home tonight. This may be your last night on Earth, you don’t have time to wait for the Rapture, your time is now…don’t wait, ’cause it may be too late. Please, come up to the altar and give your life to God and let Jesus into your heart. “ Many came up front and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The message is the same for today. We have no idea when the trumpet will sound, we have no clue at all. We must be ready now, for the status of the human race has gone from serious to critical and the Lord is the only one who can take your burden away so you may have rest in these perilous times.
We must understand, we need to put God first in our lives and trust in the Lord so He will find us doing the work He commissioned us to perform while waiting for His return.
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