End Times- Rapture- Part 2

            What do you think would happen if millions of people just disappeared? What kind of chaos do you perceive would follow the breakdown of government, communications, food supply, transportation, medical and emergency services, when all these born again people go missing?

Could this be what it would take to reveal the Anti-Christ? A political figure who will rise quickly, appear to have all the answers to everyone's problems and bring about world peace in a matter of months. This is what I believe will occur when the bride of Christ is removed.  For those of you who can not conceive this scenario, this is what the scriptures say.

            A time of judgment has been preordained for the evil one and all those who mock what Jesus purchased with his sinless blood. It can be considered the final call, a second chance for those who didn't take God at his word. The Bible says many will come to Christ during this period. For some, they will experience supernatural protection, while others joyfully giving their lives for Christ, as the Antichrist sets up his kingdom.

            There are those who don't have an opinion either way or don't know what the scriptures say. Here is the reader's digest version. The wrath of God was poured out on Jesus Christ while he died on the Cross. This current age is the time of God's Grace, His excellent favor toward all people. The wrath of God will come against the unregenerate people of the earth when the born-again believers [bride] are removed from the earth, all hell will literally break out. 

I think it's funny that some folks teach against a pre-tribulation rapture, when God has “raptured” in the past. Let's consider Enoch. He enjoyed a close relationship with God throughout his life. Then suddenly he disappeared because God took him. (Genesis 5:23-24). Next, Elijah carried off in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:10-12). So for the Lord to remove [rapture] his people, is nothing new.

Now let's consider the way the Lord has rescued his people before judgment. The first is Noah and his family. “But Noah found favor with the Lord. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on the earth. He consistently followed God will and enjoyed a close relationship with him”. (Genesis 6:8-9). Then there is Lot, who lived in Sodom. Judgment was pronounced on Sodom and Gomorrah.  When the death angels appeared, the angel said to Lot, “hurry! For I can do nothing until you are away.” (Genesis 19: 12-22)

Lest we forget the most famous of all, the Ten Plagues of Egypt, Crossing of the Red Sea, 40 years Desert Trek and the miracles preformed there! The Lord has an impeccable record for protecting and removing his people as he desires. That is the Glory and Goodness and Mercy of the Lord our God!! Praise His Name!!

I've read that some teach the Lord will remove his people mid way through the Great Tribulation, because of Revelation 7:1-14, 15:1-4. The scripture identifies the spirits under the alter as those killed by the Antichrist, they are called “tribulation saints.” These are the ones who accepted Jesus after the rapture and were martyred. Another teaching believes that rapture is when Jesus returns with his saints and the armies of heaven (Revelation 19: 14), kind of a u-turn thing. I believe there will be an instant translation for those saints who manage to survive the tribulation and see Jesus return.

Some scriptures are difficult to understand, but you can't read scripture like a novel. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What he has done in the past is a clue  for future events. The truth is revealed to those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Those who don't have the Holy Spirit can not understand what the Spirit is saying (1 Corinthians 2:14), it all is foolish.

Although it's hard to discern if the last church mentioned in Revelation 3:14-19, will enter the tribulation, simply because they have no real relationship with Jesus. It was the Laodicean church the Lord has pronounced severe discipline. In fact He told them to “buy” certain items. Perhaps this group will be purified by tribulation. One thing we can be sure that all the “fence sitters” will discover they have missed the boat, and will turn to Jesus. 

The rapture is another form of God's grace towards His Beloved. There is a criteria to remember. In the Old Testament, the Lord took those that “walked with God and had close relationship with Him.” There are plenty of people who claim they know Christ, but their lives tell a different story.

It is easy to know that the nation of Israel  will be front and center during the Great Tribulation. When the Antichrist comes into power, they will at first hale him as their long awaited Messiah. Of course he will show his true colors three and half years into his amazing peace agreement. The Lord will raise 144,000 from the nation of Israel, who has accepted Jesus as savior; they will preach the gospel with the same zeal as the apostle Paul.

If you have not made a commitment to Jesus – do it today. Don't take the “wait and see approach” that many have taken. They will be the ones who will mourn and wail when they realize they were sleeping when the Lord came, “like a thief in the night”. Don't be caught asleep. (Luke 21:34).There is a promise to those who are ready and watching that they will be removed before the terrible day of the Lord begins.

With the evidence presented, it's easy to see that I stand firmly in the doctrine of pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. For those who have totally committed their life to Jesus, we are looking for that blessed hope.

 "You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:44)

“And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment” (Romans 5:9)

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