WILL THERE BE A RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

 

When I was a young Christian I overheard two preachers talking about death. One of them said, “I would rather go in the rapture, brother”. I wondered what this “rapture” was by which a person could miss death. I later found out from the Bible that there is an experience spoken of by which certain people will be taken into heaven without even dying. Both of the ministers that I first heard talking about it have passed away without seeing this experience. 

What does the word “rapture” mean? Webster’s New English dictionary says, “The state of being carried away with love, joy, etc.; intense delight, ecstasy”. The Winston dictionary says,

1. The condition or state of being mentally exalted; ecstasy;
2. The act of carrying a person from one place to another, especially to heaven: as Elijah’s rapture to heaven.
3. An expression of intense joy or pleasure.” 

The second meaning given by Winston is the one that is used concerning the rapture of the church.

Some say that they do not believe in the rapture because the word is not in the Bible. Although the word “rapture” is not used in the Bible, the meaning of this word is clearly given in 1^st Thessalonians 4:17 where it says, “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”. The words “caught up” literally mean “raptured”. I know of no other single word in English that would describe the words “caught up” than the word ”raptured”

The Greek word that is translated “caught up” 1st Thessalonians 4:17 is “harpazo”. According to Young’s concordance this means, “to snatch away”. The same word “harpazo” is used in Acts 8:39 when it says that “The Spirit of the Lord “caught away” Philip”. It is also used in Revelation 12:5 concerning the resurrection and ascension of Christ when it says that “her child was “caught up” to God, and to His throne”.

The truth of the rapture is also brought out in John 14:3 where Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and “receive you unto myself” that where I am,” there ye may be also”.  This could also read “ I will come again and rapture you unto myself”. The rapture is also spoken of in 2^nd Thessalonians 2:1 as “our gathering together unto Him”.

Who will go up in the rapture? We are not judges. We could misjudge people, and say that they won’t go up. All we know about it is what the Bible says. In 1^st Thessalonians chapter 4 it is told us that those who are in Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Make sure that you are saved, and in the body of Christ.

In John chapter 14 Jesus is coming back for the genuine Christians. Judas went out in the previous chapter, so Jesus did not promise mansions in heaven for him. He is not coming back for the Judases. Judas was a fake disciple. Make sure that you are genuinely born again, and right with God.

When will Jesus come again to resurrect the Christians who have gone ahead of us, and to catch away the living ones to heaven? Jesus said, in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”

Jesus spoke of the time of His return as being a time of famines, pestilences, and earthquakes; and a time of wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6, 7). All of these things are increasing before our very eyes.

When war in the Middle East is threatening to become a world war, and a peacemaker is needed to settle the dispute, it could be the time for the Lord’s coming. Christ’s coming for His people will be at a time when a false peacemaker will make a seven year peace pact between Israel and her enemies (Daniel 9:27). This plan will allow Israel to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

When Russia, Iran, and their allies are making plans to destroy Israel, the coming of the Lord is very near. The Russian-Iranian attack will apparently happen after the antichrist has brought about a false peace (Ezekiel 38:1-8).  Iran hates Israel, and desires to destroy it. Russia is beginning to help Iran. Things already are shaping up for the Ezekiel chapter 38 battle.

The return of the true Christ, and the ushering in of the antichrist will happen when “transgressors are come to the full”(Daniel 8:23). We are now approaching that peak of wickedness. The wickedness is “as in the days of Noah”(Luke 17:26, Genesis 6:5). The perversion in the world is “as it was in the days of Lot”(Luke 17:17:26, Genesis 19:5).

Jesus will not return ahead of time, nor after the proper time. He will return when the fullness of time is come as He did when He first came.(Galatians 4:4).

Prepare for the coming of the Lord. Repent, and take Jesus as your Saviour, and surrender your life to live for Him. There will be no time to get ready when He comes. Those who reject the true Christ will believe the antichrist, and be doomed with him. (2^nd Thessalonians 2:11).

Yes there will be a rapture of the church! We need to be “looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ”.(Titus 2:13)

What should Christians do while they are waiting for Jesus to come and catch away His people? Let’s not sit idly by and say that we are saved by grace, and neglect to live a holy life. We are to turn away from sexual sins, alcohol, drugs, and dishonesty. In Titus 2:11-13 we are told, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us THAT DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE AND GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST”

Jesus said, “Watch ye therefore; for ye know not what hour the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning”(Mark 13:35).

Remember that when Jesus comes for His people we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and give account of the deeds done in our body, whether it be good or bad (2^nd Corinthians 5:10). Peter said in 1^st Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, “what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” (This shows that the later judgment of the lost at the great white throne of judgment will be more severe (Revelation 20:11-15)

We not only prepare for the coming of the Lord by getting saved, but also by living a holy life afterwards. 1^st Thessalonians 5:23 says, “And the very God of peace SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Jesus saves our souls and is working on our spirits and bodies to get us further ready for His return. We are saved by grace alone, but this grace of God produces a life of holiness in us as we watch for the appearing of Christ to catch away His saints (1^st John 3: 2-3).

 

“The child of God who is alive when Jesus comes will be taken by the Upper-taker, instead of the undertaker.