The Revelation of The Rapture
The Lord’s Coming is Near, Even at the Doors. Mark 13:29
“The Spirit and the Bride say, Come” Revelation 22:17
Just what is the Rapture? Many people have heard of the Rapture, but some are not sure just what it means, or if it is real. The Rapture refers to the sudden removal of the believers in Christ, who are daily walking with the Lord, praying, watching, and waiting for His return. The word Rapture means to be “Caught Up.” This will be the next major event on God’s Calendar!
Then the Bible was translated into Latin, and in Latin, this word is “Rapere”, from which "Rapture" is derived. So, Rapture simply means to be “caught up", "gathered", "snatched" or "seized." The translators used the words “caught up” in the English Bible rather than the word Rapture, so that people could more easily understand the concept.
Paul called the Rapture "that blessed hope" in Titus 2:12-13 saying, “We should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
In John 14:3 when Christ said, “I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” the promise He was giving His disciples at the time was not that they would go to heaven when they died, even though that would be true. Jesus was explicitly declaring to them that the day would come when He would personally return to take His living Saints, who were watching for Him, to heaven. This was a totally new revelation to the Christians; no promise like this had ever been made before!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caug
ht up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I show (tell) you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible (imperishable), and we (also) shall be changed.
What a marvelous promise for Christians (dead or living) to be changed instantly. In a moment, in the blink of an eye, they will be changed from mortal bodies into beings with glorified bodies. This means a perfect, immortal body like Christ’s body, which can never be hurt, sick or die again. Then we will be “caught up” into the air to be with the Lord for all Eternity!
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are...willing... to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Christians, who have previously died and have been living with Jesus Christ in the “Present” Heaven, will come back with Him from Heaven and their souls and spirits will rejoin with their resurrected bodies. Then we who are alive and ready at the time of His return, will instantly have our bodies transformed also, quickened by the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, and we will answer the call to "come up here," and be caught up to meet with Christ and all the other saints, somewhere high above the Earth, and then Jesus will personally take us all to Heaven into the presence of His Father and our Father, God.
Revelation 4:1 A door was opened in heaven: and the first voice heard was as it were a t
rumpet talking with me; which said, Come up here…
Romans 8:1 If the (Holy) Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you.
Philippians 3:20-21 We look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body, so that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body...
1 Corinthians 15:41-44 & 49 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star is different from another star in glory. So is the resurrection of the dead… it is raised in incorruption… it is raised in glory… it is raised in power… it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body… we shall bear the image of the heavenly. (Our Lord in Heaven)
Romans 13:11-12 Knowing the time, now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now our salvation (deliverance) is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
This verse shows that the Christians, His Bride, who are watching for the return of Jesus Christ will not be in darkness, and will know when His Return is near!
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 6-7 That day will not come, except there come a falling away (departure) first, and that man (the AntiChrist) of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself as being God. And you know what restrains him (the AntiChrist) now so that he might be revealed in his time... only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
Falling away means departure, and is a reference to the Rapture. The forces of the AntiChrist are restrained on Earth until the Holy Spirit which dwells within God's Saints removes the Bride by the Rapture. With Christ's Bride removed from the scene, the AntiChrist will be released to usher the World headlong into the seven year Tribulation.
Kenneth Wuest, a noted Greek scholar, states in his word studies an interesting point that has much to do with the catching away of the living believers. He states that the phrase “falling away” is a mistranslation of the Greek word apostasia and it should have been translated departure.
According to Wuest, the Apostle Paul refers “to the gathering together of the saints to the Lord at His coming, which is the departure of the congregation from the earth” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. In Paul’s previous letter, he had described that event in the words, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,” which involves a departure from the earth.
The root verb aphistemi is found fifteen times in the New Testament. It is translated as “depart” eleven times. Although it is often found translated in similar meanings, the predominant meaning of this verb in the New Testament … “is that of the act of a person departing from another person or from a place” … Liddell and Scott in their classical lexicon give as the second meaning of apostasia, “a departure, a disappearance.”
Dr. E. Schuyler Engish, is also an authority for the fact that the Greek word means “a departure.” He said there is a strong possibility that 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is speaking of the Rapture. The Greek noun apostasis, usually translated "apostasy," is a reference to the Rapture and should be translated "departure." Thus, this passage would be saying that the day of the Lord will not come until the Rapture comes before it.
Matthew 24:3-7 and Mark 13:4-8 Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars… nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes… these are the beginning of sorrows.
All of the above signs have been happening for years, but now we are seeing the clear visible signs spoken of in Bible prophecy concerning things that will take place during the Tribulation, and these indicate Christ will be returning soon to set up His earthly Kingdom of one thousand years. Since the Rapture will take place first before the Tribulation and Millennial Reign, the Holy Spirit, who dwells within the believers, is confirming to the Bride that Jesus, their Bridegroom, will be coming soon to Rapture them to Heaven.
The Rapture will be followed by a Seven-Year Tribulation Period that will not begin until the signing of a seven year peace treaty with Israel. (There is the possibility that a gap of unknown length may or may not occur between the Rapture and the start of the Tribulation.) At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will visibly appear to win the “Battle of Armageddon” and afterwards begin His earthly Millennial Reign.
Acts 1:11 Why stand you gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven.
Hebrews 10:37 For just a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not delay.
Revelation 22:20 Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The Bible is filled with information about many signs and circumstances that will be happen during the Tribulation, so since the Rapture will occur before the tribulation, we can use these happenings to judge how close we are to the time of the Rapture.
The Rapture will be followed by a Seven-Year Tribulation Period that will not begin until the signing of a seven year peace treaty with Israel. (There is the possibility that a gap of unknown length may or may not occur between the Rapture and the start of the Tribulation.) At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will visibly appear to win the “Battle of Armageddon” and afterwards to begin His earthly Reign.
Hosea 6:1-2 Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for... He will heal us... and He will bind us up. After two days (2000 years) will He revive us (Israel): in the third day (the Millennial) He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.
2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Scriptures tell us that Jesus will return two times…
FIRST, "As a Thief in the Night" to catch away His Bride
SECOND, "Every Eye Shall See Him" at the end of the Tribulation.
Paul speaks of a First-Fruit Rapture and Out-Resurrection
Paul put his all into reaching for this prize and he highly encouraged all Christians to do the same.
Philippians 3:11, 14 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (from among the dead) . . . I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Study both the text and context carefully. Paul declares he was putting forth every effort to be in the out-resurrection. The Greek original reads "the resurrection from among the dead." It was a prize that Paul eagerly sought. But was all this effort put forth by the apostle simply that he might be in the general resurrection of the righteous in which every saved person will participate? "No!" Paul's salvation was settled long ago. As to his personal salvation and assurance of a part in the first resurrection, he said…
2 Timothy 1:12 For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day.
Paul was not seeking salvation by some strenuous and prolonged effort so that he might have a part in the general resurrection. Paul was after the prize of the out-resurrection! Of this, he says…
Philippians 3:8 I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung (rubbish), that I may win Christ ... that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection..
We too may seek for the prize of the Out-Resurrection, or Out-Rapture. Christ is coming for His Bride! Paul was running the race to obtain an imperishable crown! Every young Greek in the days of Paul had a special understanding of the Bema. It was the seat of reward on which the umpire of the games sat, and from which he crowned the winners of events. Paul was striving for this higher honor, to be in the Bride of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that they who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain it. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate (self controlled) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown; but we to obtain an incorruptible (imperishable Crown). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I discipline my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
May we be able to say what the Apostle Paul said...
2 Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love His appearing.
Click this link to read The Bride of Christ
Promises Jesus made to His Bride
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD… for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.
Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perishes (disappears), and no man layeth (ponders) it in their heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest… each one walking in his uprightness.
The verse above is a beautiful description of the righteous being taken in the Rapture away from the evil Tribulation that will come upon the earth. They will enter into peace and rest with their Lord.
Psalm 27:5 In the time of trouble He shall hide me in his pavilion.
Matthew 16:27 he Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.
Acts 10:34-36 God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he (anyone) that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted with Him. (Man, Woman, or Child)
Romans 5:9 Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
1 Corinthians 3:8 Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest (revealed): for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 3:8 & 10 I know your works: Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Because you have kept the word of My patience, (my command to persevere), I also will keep you from the hour of temptation (the Great Tribulation), which shall come upon all the world, to try (test) them that dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcomes, will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne.
Revelation 19:7-9 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the Marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints… Blessed are they who are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Ephesians 5:27 That He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
2 Peter 3:14 Be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you, when men shall revile (insult or despise) you, and persecute (harass) you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My (Jesus) sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but they put it on a candlestick; then it gives light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:19 Whoever… shall do and teach them (these commandments), the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Revelation 14:4 These are they who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed (chosen) from among men (mankind, male and female), being the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
Revelation 17:14 He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Song of Solomon 2:9-13 My beloved (Christ)… stands… He looks forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice. My beloved (Christ) spoke, and said to me (the Bride), Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away (the Rapture). For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle (dove) is heard in our land; The fig tree (Israel) puts forth her green figs..... Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away (the call to the Bride at the Rapture).
Song of Solomon 4:7 You are fair, my love (the Bride); there is no spot in you.
Song of Solomon 6:3, 9 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine… There are sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and virgins (Christians) without number… My undefiled (the Bride) is but one… The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yes, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
In Psalm 45 the Bridegroom, the Bride, and the Virgins are seen. Notice Verse 10 and what follows. It is the call of the Bride. She was brought to the King, and it was "the Virgins her Companions that follow her."
Psalm 45:9-17 All your garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the
ivory palaces,
whereby they have made you glad. Kings' daughters were among your honorable women: on your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear; forget also your own people, and your father's house; So shall the King greatly desire your beauty: because He is your Lord; worship Him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat your favor. The King's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought to the King in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought to You. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the King's palace.
The Bride Keeps The Bridegrooms Commandments
The Bride obeys the Lord's commandments that have been given to the saints in God’s Word.
Mark 12:30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another
Ephesians 2:8-10 By grace are you saved through faith; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
The Bride knows Salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ and is a free gift from God, and not from doing works. But the Bride also understands that as a child of God, they will do the works that Christ has commanded us to do.
James 2:17-18 & 26 Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.
Mark 16:15 Jesus said, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Luke 9:23 Take up your cross daily, and follow me.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men, so they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 9:4 I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night (Tribulation) comes, when no man can work.
Romans 13:10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Galatians 6:10 Anytime we have the opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.
1 Corinthians 7:29 The time is short: ... both they that have wives (or husbands should) be as though they had none.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Colossians 1:9-10 We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; So that you will walk worthy of the Lord… being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 Be rich in good works.
James 2:14, 17-18, 24 & 26 What does it profit if a man says he has faith, and has no works? Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. A man may say you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Warnings Jesus gave to His Bride
Revelation 3:11 I come quickly: Hold that fast which you have, so that no one takes your Crown.
There is a teaching in most churches that everyone who is saved will participate in the Rapture. The Scriptures teach us just the opposite. It is your own responsibility to Study God’s Word for yourself to see if what you are being told is correct.
The coming of Christ will not only surprise the world, but it will also catch countless Christians completely off-guard. Many Christians assume it may be years before Jesus returns, so they have not paid heed to the many signs that would tell them it is imminent. Others, who attend church regularly, have been taught that all Christians are the Bride of Christ, so they believe everyone will be going in the Rapture.
Millions who assume all Christians go in the Rapture have never felt it was important to keep on the alert. They think, “We’re Christians, we believe in His return so why do we have to be vigilant? After all, when Jesus comes, won’t He just take every Christian anyway, no matter what they are doing, or are not doing, or when they believe He is coming.” You don’t want to be among those who suddenly realize Jesus has come, and the door has been shut.
It will be a sorrowful day for many Christians, when they realize they have missed out on one of the greatest prizes to be won in Heaven. It is a serious mistake for a Christian to think it does not matter if they are either expecting Christ’s Imminent Return, or waiting to see the AntiChrist come on the scene, or waiting to see Israel sign a seven year peace treaty, or just waiting to see Christ return to win the Battle of Armageddon. Once the Rapture has taken place, they will find it did matter!
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly (accurately) dividing (understanding) the Word of truth.
2 Peter 3:13-14 &16-17 We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Therefore… be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. As also in all his (Paul’s) epistles… in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable (in the knowledge of God’s Word) twist, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. You therefore… beware lest you also, be led away with the error of the wicked, and fall from your own steadfastness.
Hebrews 5:12 (By this time) You ought to be teachers, but you have need that someone teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you … have need of milk, and not strong meat. (Comparable to a baby who needs milk and cannot eat solid food.)
Christians confuse the Bride of Christ with the Church. The Church is the body of Christ as a whole, all those who have trusted in Jesus to save them from the “Second Death” (Hell). The Bride is part of the Christian Church, but they have kept themselves ready, always watching and striving everyday to build a deeper relationship with Jesus. So, while in a certain sense, the whole Church is the body of Christ, there is a group within the group that makes up the Bride of Christ, the firstfruits to God.
In 1 Corinthians 15:22-24 Paul told that there is an order to the resurrection, he said, “In Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the Firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.”
Christ was the first of the Firstfruits, but His Bride will also be a part of the Firstfruits, and then at the end of the tribulation, when Christ Comes, He will send out His Angels to gather up the rest of the Christians who are still alive. All the other Christians who have died during the Tribulation have been in Heaven and are already with the saints.
The Bride abides in the Lord, praying, excited for the Lord to return, reaching out to tell others about Christ, doing for others with a giving heart and love for the lost. They have produced fruit because they are doing the things Christ said to do. The Bride is alert and discerning, ever watching for the Bridegroom, and keeping her “lamp light” burning.
Until the Rapture of the Bride takes place, any Christian can strive to be in this called out group. The door is open, but once the Rapture takes place, the door will be shut, and a large remnant of Christians will have to endure the Tribulation that will then come upon the entire World to try them and test them to see if they will choose to live for Christ, even to their death. Those who do not deny Christ during this terrible time will be saved! How sad to make Heaven your home, only to find that you missed out on God’s best for you.
Millions of Christians and Jews will be killed during the tribulation for their belief in Jesus. It will eventually become so bad, that the Bible says blessed are those who die in the Lord from that point in time, because the moment they die for not denying Christ, they will immediately be in Heaven.
Revelation 14:13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth (from this day forward): Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works will follow them.
In the following verses, Christ is Warning His Church to take heed, watch, pray, be sober, abide in Him, look for Him, keep their spiritual garments of salvation and righteousness, because He is coming for a Bride who has kept themselves from the things of the world, and once the Rapture has taken place, the Lord will shut the door.
Matthew 25:10-12 The bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came the other virgins (Christians), saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said… I know you not.
Luke 13:25 When once the Master of the house is risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; and He shall say to you, I know you not…
Matthew 24:40-42 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come.
Notice, the two who are in the field and the two at the mill are all His Servants, Christians, they both know their Lord will return! They both are busily doing their Lord’s work… but only one was ready.
Mark 13:33-37 Take heed (be alert), watch and pray: for you know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and gave to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch therefore: for you do not know when the master of the house may come, in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning, Lest coming suddenly He find you (spiritually) sleeping: And what I say to you I say to all, Watch!
Luke 12:35-40 Let your loins be girded about (be in readiness, dressed as for a journey), and your lights burning; And you yourself be like men who wait for their Lord… That when He comes and knocks, they may open to Him immediately. Blessed are those servants, who the Lord when He comes shall find watching… And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman (Servant of God) of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ready also: for the Son of Man comes at an hour when you think not.
Luke 12:45-47 If that servant says in his heart, My Lord delays His coming… The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looks not for Him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and… will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers (hypocrites). And that servant, who knew His Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten…
Matthew 24:51 adds that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Notice that the Lord was not talking to unbelievers when He said, “will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” He was warning the Christians that they could be in danger of being left to endure the Tribulation with the unbelievers. If the servant were already an unbeliever, he would have expected to be left! These are Christians who do not expect to be left!
Luke 21:34-36 But take heed to yourselves (be alert), lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness (the pleasures of food and wine), and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober (clear-headed), and watch with prayer.
Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain…
Revelation 3:3 If you do not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come... Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.
Revelation 3:5 He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment …
Revelation 2:26-27 He that overcomes, and keeps (does) my works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And He shall rule them with a rod of iron.
1 John 2:28 Abide in Him; so that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His Coming.
Hebrews 9:28 To them that look for Him shall he appear the second time…
Revelation 3:4-5 You have a few … who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment…
Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold tried in the fire: and white raiment, that you may be clothed, so that the shame of your nakedness do not appear (be seen by others); and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
The Bride is always on continuous watch for the coming of the Bridegroom because she knows His Return is Imminent. The Bride keeps her spiritual garments of salvation and righteousness white with prayer and by obeying all His commandments. Take heed lest you be found walking without your garments, and suddenly find that you have missed the Rapture of the Bride. To miss the Rapture is the shame a person will feel when other people begin to question why they are still here when they were expecting to be Raptured.
Matthew 22:8-9 Then said He to His servants, the Wedding is ready, but they who were invited are not worthy. Go therefore to the highways, and as many as you find, bid them to the Marriage.
Go out, share or tell others about Christ, and invite them to come in!
Zephaniah 2:2-3 Before the day of the LORD's anger comes upon you, Seek the LORD, all you meek of the Earth, who have wrought (upheld) His judgment (justice); Seek righteousness, seek meekness (humility): So that you may be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.
Isaiah 26:20-21 Come, my people, enter into your chambers, and shut your doors behind you: hide yourself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation (the great Tribulation) is past. For, behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity…
Ephesians 6:10-18 Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the w
hole armor of God, that you may be able to stand (resist) against the wiles (trickery)of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (human opponents), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (different ranks of evil spirits). Wherefore take to you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication (requests) in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We are to be in fervent intercession for all the saints, our brothers and sisters in the Lord, that they may do the will of God, and be steadfast to the end.
Song of Solomon 6:10 Who is she (the Bride) that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
When the Rapture occurs, many will be left behind full of surprise and shock at the disappearances of their loved ones and friends. With the Bride of Christ gone, the AntiChrist will quickly appear and none will stand in the way of a world religion that deifies man, and a one world government that will criminalize belief in God.
Revelation 14:13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… they may rest from their labors; and their works will follow them.
Revelation 20:12 I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Fear of Being Labeled a Fanatic
Some Christians hesitate to talk about the Rapture because they would be embarrassed if they were labeled a fanatic for this hope that Christians have had since Paul penned those words nearly two thousand years ago.
Mark 8:38 Whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the Holy Angels.
God fully intended for us to have this blessed hope of the Rapture burning within us. Christ warned us time and again to not be deceived, and to watch and be ready. He wanted us to be excited about His glorious appearing, and to share this good news with everyone.
Statistics tell us that for every second that passes, two people die, that means 160,000 people every day walk out of this life and into Eternity! Someone, somewhere, has just taken their final breath. Time is short; there may not be a tomorrow for someone in your life, your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and people you pass in the stores. Share Christ and His Words, talk to people, give out gospel books, audio, or tracts. Don’t be ashamed to witness for the Lord! Be so excited about the coming of your Lord that you share your faith with everyone, everywhere you go. For the night is coming when no one will be able to work for the Lord.
John 9:4 Work… while it is day: the night (Tribulation) comes, when no man can work.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes on them… and they shall not escape.
Christians With Their Heads in the Sand
As one well known Minister said, when it comes to the message of the Coming of the Lord, a lot of Christians bury their heads in the sand and don’t want to hear about it. Another Minister said when he asked some folks what they thought about the end times, they said they don’t think about it! There are over 10,000 verses in the Bible about Christ’s Return to the earth, so God’s people should want to hear about it!! One out of every four verses in the Bible deals with the soon coming of our Lord and Savior. Every child of God should be anxious to observe the signs pointing to Christ’s Return. It’s a comforting hope! It’s a blessed hope!
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air… Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Why would anyone not want to hear about Christ’s Coming? Think about it, what happens when He comes, “They shall see His face”, the precious face of Jesus who died for us. For those who are looking for His Return, there is a special “Crown of Righteousness” given, which the Lord shall give to all who love His appearing. That’s why the Bible says repeatedly watch, watch, watch therefore!
Revelation 22:4 And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.
2 Timothy 4:8 There is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord… shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also who love His appearing.
Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
A lot of Christians don’t want Christ to come because they’re so wrapped up in their present lives. Some have beautiful homes and cars, while others want to finish school, college, get married, have children or go on that great vacation they have planned. Some even think if they knew for sure that He was coming soon, they would go out and buy stuff they have always wanted. They don’t even consider God’s plan for their immediate life or study their Bible to find out about Heaven or God’s eternal plan for all mankind.
Let’s look for His Coming!
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