The Rapture! – The coming of the Lord!
For quite some time now, we have known that Jesus Christ is close to coming again to get his bride, the Church. The true, sanctified believers that pretty much know the Scriptures and study Bible prophecy see the signs coming together. With all the “convergence” jigsaw pieces of the puzzle falling in place, it appears the return of the Lord and the rapture will be soon.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the Trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
It’s like you can tell with that sixth sense that something is on the horizon, and this feeling is good; in fact, it’s a grand feeling! It’s in the air like a cool breeze or that wonderful gut feeling a person gets. Jesus gave us many clues in the four Gospels, and the Apostle Paul did also in his epistles. When you put all these pieces together, they add up to one indelible conclusion: the Rapture, or “parousia” which means in Greek, presence or arrival. In this context, it’s the return or catching up and away of the bride of Christ. We look at this as an example of a Jewish wedding.
The scriptural signs are coming closer to fruition, with many end-time biblical scholars and laymen stating this. Just last week, the White House announced it is sending its negotiator, Jared Kushner, to the Mideast to bring its unveiled Israeli/Palestinian peace plan to Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
We appear to be getting ever closer to that “confirming” of “a covenant with many” (Daniel 9:27) by the Antichrist who will come from the revived Roman Empire. He will confirm a treaty that already exists. Then the Arabs could possibly be in agreement with him when he allows the Jews to build their third Temple. They are chomping at the bit to begin that. They almost have everything ready to start.
Of course, there are many significant parts involved at this point that make us so sure we are close to departing this earth. And we know the antichrist has to have a temple to go into 3 ½ years into the seven-year tribulation to desecrate it and proclaim himself to be God.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God , or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
It’s our belief that Scripture shows the Rapture will be before the seven-year Tribulation (at the end of the Church Age). Scripture also tells us that the antichrist’s confirming of a “peace” agreement with the Jews (Israel) will begin the Tribulation.
Can you realize this? We will not be here. This could happen today. The Lord could delay his return for a while of course; no one knows the day or the hour.
Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
SCRIPTURES AND SIGNS
For the Bible believers that aren’t in church and/or serving, what are the commands or precepts that you should be doing? Read this verse:
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much more, as ye see the “day approaching.” Get busy!
Here are but a few of the end-time signs that we are near to His coming:
Fig tree, Israel, born again: May 1948 (Isaiah 66:8)
Apostasy: falling away of the church (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
2 Timothy 2:1-5 “perilous times” (oh wow, if this isn’t a brutal reality, I don’t know what is). I’m in the old crowd now, and this is so true in these days. Read these verses!
The lining up and “in our face” are the scriptures coming to revelation right now in our lifetime. Get that King James 1611 Authorized Word of God out now and be awed. It’s the Living Word. I admit, I am flawed, but God’s Word, isn’t it?
All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the 1611 King James Version.
Here are a few more scriptural references:
The nations coming against Israel (Psalms 83:4-5)
The destruction of Damascus overnight (Isaiah 17:1)
Sodom and Gomorrah/Lot (2 Peter 2:1-7; Luke 17:28-29)
Days of Noah (Luke 17:26-27)
I could write all these out for you, but take the time to dig into God’s Word. Remember, Jesus told the Jews (could have been the religious authorities; we are not sure) in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
The point is, look at these scriptures and others, and you will see how all these puzzle pieces are coming together. It’s according to God’s perfect plan for humankind as we “see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Note: There are differences regarding this scripture with scholars and laymen as to whether this Hebrews verse applies to the Rapture or Second Coming of Christ. We, as born-again, Bible-believing saints, need to continue to be the salt and light in this world that is rapidly darkening, until the Time of the Gentiles is fulfilled (Luke 21:24). Jesus said the Gospel will be preached to all nations; and with the technology today, it’s probably been done.
DECISION TIME
For those who read this and are not born again by the blood of Jesus, I pray you make a decision now to place your faith and trust in Him (John 11:25).
If some of you are not absolutely sure of your salvation, email me or one of the other writers, and get that assurance. Don’t get left behind to go through that terrible Tribulation that the book of Revelation and other Scriptures mention, that no words can express. We all have a set time to die naturally, or when Jesus comes for us. We don’t know which one it will be.
Have you ever heard born once, die twice? Born twice, die once?
Born physically in your mother’s womb once, die twice: physical and spiritual death – in the lake of fire forever.
Born twice, physical birth, and spiritual birth – putting your faith in Christ; die once – then with the Lord forever.
Eternal salvation with the lord is a free gift (Romans 6:23). There’s nothing you have to do. You can’t earn or buy it. Jesus paid that debt for you. Just accept it and become a child of God.
Note: This is my first writing, and I hope it’s a wake-up call, but also a wonderful Blessing to you. May God Bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you.
Clay Smith
Email: Clay02789@att.net