#1047 0109 08W

          Christ returns for believers according to the Bible.  (Daniel 7:13) "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.”  (Matthew 24:30) "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:17) “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”  (Revelation 1:7) “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.”

          The return of Christ for His true followers (in which He instantly catches them up in the clouds without experiencing physical death) is called the rapture.  (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) “I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed [transformed NLT]—in a flash, in the twinkling [blinking] of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

          This rapture could take place before, in the middle, or after the Tribulation because the Bible does not state exactly when this takes place.  Most Christians believe in the sudden departure of God’s people from the earth, but there are different opinions on when it will take place.  A pre-Tribulation rapture is supported most in Scripture.

          This viewpoint is, first the rapture (which happens suddenly) and Jesus appearing only in the clouds.  Then seven-years of horrible conditions on earth called the tribulation (God’s wrath).  At the end of those seven years, Christ returns to the earth to set up His millennial kingdom.  (1 Corinthians 15:23-24) “This will happen to each in the right order—Christ having been the first to rise, and afterwards Christ's people rising at His return.  Later on, comes the End, when He is to surrender the Kingship to God, the Father, when He shall have overthrown all other government and all other authority and power.”

          The seven-year Tribulation will be the most devastating natural disasters, plagues, deception, death and persecution this world has ever seen.  The wrath of God will be unleashed on a wicked, rebellious, and unrepentant world.  Anyone who is not a true believer, (because their heart was not sincere in trusting Jesus), will be left behind to go through the tribulation horrors.

          Jesus explained about this sudden disappearance at a private meeting with His disciples.  After referring to the Flood in Noah’s day and how they were taken by surprise, Jesus said (Matthew 24:40-41)”That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”  The rapture is sudden so Jesus says “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (42).  Those who are ready will be those who have placed a trusting faith in the atonement work of Christ.

          When the disciples asked “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3), the Lord replied that they would not see Him again until He returned—adding "Watch out that no one deceives you” (4).  Many will turn away from the faith because of deception and false teaching.  Jesus referred to the leaves of a tree opening.

          The first Advent included His humble birth, living in Nazareth, His public ministry, the brutal beating, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.  The Second Advent will consist of the rapture, devastating plagues, divine judgment, and a one thousand-year kingdom on earth.  (1 Thessalonians 3:13) “May [Jesus] strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus appears with all his holy ones.”

          We are not to set dates, but we must be ready (by having a repentant heart, a forgiving spirit, and a trusting faith in the atonement work of Christ for the cleansing of our heart).  "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). 

          Prior to the world-wide flood (when the unbelieving and unprepared were swept away), the world was evil, rebellious and wicked—(just like today).  “The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [totally evil NLT] all the time” (Genesis 6:5).

          News reports of earthquakes, terrorist attacks, suicide bombers, wild fires, devastating floods, food shortages, severe hurricanes, and military conflicts warn us of the coming rapture—in the blink of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52).  Jesus said that people will be working, eating and going about their lives with little thought of judgment.  (Matthew 24:39) They “knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away” –(taken by surprise because they did not heed the warning).

          The Flood began on the day Noah entered the Ark.  Jesus said "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26) “The flood came and destroyed them all” (27).  These are serious warnings of the need to repent, to forgive, to hold on to faith, and to keep trusting in the atonement power of the cross.  We should be watchful and praying because only by trusting in the blood sacrifice of Christ, are we forgiven and cleansed.  “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

          Today’s world is one of rampant crime, hatred, rebellion and unbelief.  As we follow God’s Word and keep our faith in Jesus every day, we will be ready for the rapture.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade‑‑kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

          A trusting faith in the cleansing work of the cross is vital.  We have a Great Priest over the house of God so “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).  When a trusting faith is in the Lord Jesus, the promises of God cannot be denied.  “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

          In Noah’s time there were those inside the ark (because of their trust on God), and those outside the ark (because of no faith in Him).  Christ is everyone’s Savior and Judge so He knows who believe on Him and who is trusting in His atonement sacrifice.  (Matthew 24:40-41) “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”

          When we place ourselves under the shed blood of Christ we are being watchful, and when we keep a trusting faith in His atonement for sins we are ready for His return.  We do not know the day but we do know that Jesus stands at the door.  God has given His Son (who alone can save sinners) and for that we are eternally grateful.  (1 Thessalonians 5:4) “You are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.”

          To be ready “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.  That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat” (2 Peter 3:12).  We are to be repentant in heart, ready to forgive, and keeping a trusting faith in the perfect sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

          Jesus said "Watch out that no one deceives you.”  The only way to be watchful is to have the Holy Spirit protect us from deceit and false prophets.  To be ready, is to be forgiven by God and faithfully trusting in the atonement of Christ through every test of faith.  (Revelation 2:10) “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  We must have the Holy Spirit within to protect us from evil influences surrounding us today.

          The Rapture is a very important event and we must allow God to prepare us to meet His Son by retaining a position of trust, and maintaining a believing faith in His Atonement for our sins.

We are ready for the rapture when we love God with all our heart and keep a trusting and believing faith on the Blood sacrifice of the cross.  (1 John 3:21) “If our hearts do not condemn us [If our conscience is clear NLT], we have confidence before God.”  If we faithfully trust God for all life issues—divine healing, protection, provisions, justice, and everything else in lifew, He will be faithful to His promise to cleanse our heart from sin.  We must (1 John 2:28) “Continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”

†††