Many of those who acknowledge the Son of God believe in the “Rapture”, but there is disagreement amongst them as to when it occurs. But if it does occur, would you be ready to be taken by the Son of God?
I was sceptical once about biblical understandings, but as my life changed, I read and reread the bible over many years to get a better understanding of myself and where my life was going. However, the so called “Rapture” had me puzzled.
There is nothing definitive in the Bible about the “Rapture”, but there is a lot about redemption and being redeemed. The “Rapture” and its understandings has been debated by the church elders since the Wycliffe Bible of 1395 AD and by the church followers since the King James Bible of 1611 AD. Today the “Rapture” is mainly an eschatological, theological position, held by many Christians, particularly within branches of American evangelicalism.
The Rapture
The “Rapture” is primarily based on three statements in the New Testament, ie:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-52
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (New King James Version – NKJV)
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (Or: through Jesus sleep).
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep (dead).
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (New King James Version – NKJV)
The Day of the Lord
5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober (self-controlled).
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort (Or: encourage) each other and edify one another (build one another up), just as you also are doing.
1 Corinthians 15:50-52 (New King James Version – NKJV)
Our Final Victory
15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery (hidden truth): We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The Meaning of Rapture
The word “Rapture” comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:17, in the phrase “shall be caught up “.
It was stated as harpazō in the original Greek Manuscripts. The KJV translates Strong’s G726 of harpazō in the following manner: catch up, take by force, catch away, pluck, catch and pull. In Biblical usage harpazō means:
– to seize, carry off by force.
– to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly.
– to snatch out or away.
Now with the reading and rereading of the New Testament statements of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 many have concluded that the “Rapture” is a reality in the End Time Prophecies. That is the Lord (Messiah, Son of God, Yahusha) will rapture the believers before the wrath of God (Yahuah) is experienced.
The sentences of 1 Thessalonians 5:3 “For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape”, indicates a time around the beginning of the Tribulation. Or could it be the Great Tribulation due to destruction and woe? The sentence in 1 Corinthians 15:52 “at the last trumpet” indicates a time when the Kingdom is proclaimed.
It all depends upon the interpretation of the other related prophecies.
The Problems With The Rapture
When is it really?
End Time biblical prophecy can be traced back to the prophet Obadiah of a time between 873 and 841 BC. The prophets since Obadiah have also made End Time predictions. These predictions have been proven over time by historical accounts up until a certain point of understanding. Yes! Biblical Prophecy has eventuated. It is held true to date.
The point of understanding reached in the End Time prophecies is up to the catalyst that causes Tribulation. Is the “Rapture” this catalyst? Or is it war and/or the threat of the annihilation of Jerusalem that results in a Seven Year Covenant of Peace. Peace? Well! Many will think so at first.
The understandings of “Tribulation” are based on assumptions made on and about the End Time prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments. These assumptions, although thought to be true, will only be proven by time. However, the clock is still clicking and time appears to racing away. Soon time will run out for one’s redemption.
According to one’s own assumption of Tribulation, the Rapture could be Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib or even Post-Trib. Tribulation is a seven-year period, which is divided into two 3.5 year parts. The first 3.5 years is referred to as “Birth Pains” as it leads up to the Great Tribulation of the last 3.5 years. Peace has truly evaporated by the time of the Great Tribulation.
Tribulation begins with the opening of the “First Seal”. There are seven seals of anguish, the last seal ushers in Trumpets. There are seven trumpets that herald great trouble. The last three trumpets bring woe upon mankind. The seventh trumpet proclaims the Kingdom of the Lord (Yahusha), which ushers in the Seven Bowl Judgements. I really hope that you are one with God (Yahuah) long before all this. These judgements are horrendous.
In the case of Pre-Trib, will the “Rapture” take place either before Tribulation or when the Seven Year Covenant of (false) Peace is signed or just as the “First Seal” is broken? No body really knows when. But, it is only a matter of time. Will you be ready if and when it happens?
In the case of Mid-Trib, will it take place just after the Great Tribulation commences and hopefully before the “Fourth Seal” is broken? I for one do not want to be around when there is widespread death on earth! A fourth of Earth’s population will perish. I hope you seek God (Yahuah) and accept the Messiah (Yahusha) long before this.
Post-Trib is about the time of the “Fifth Trumpet” and/or the “Seventh Trumpet”. At this point of time, the “Day of Wrath” has come and/or the Kingdom is proclaimed. It has been hell on earth since the “Fourth Seal”. I can understand why people are praying for a Pre-Trib Rapture.
What Are You Willing To Believe?
I have news for you. Good news for some, bad news for others. Tribulation is knocking on the door of time. Biblical prophecy and history indicate this. It is soon to come. Very soon!
If and when does the “Rapture” actually takes place? I honestly do not know, but I know what happens in the Seven Year Tribulation. So! If the “Rapture” is to be, then I hope the sooner the better.
I myself can tolerate some hardship, but the Tribulation is a time of horrendous distress. If the “Rapture” is a gift of God (Yahuah) to get one over and/or out of the Tribulation experience, then one should prepare themself accordingly.
Redemption and redeeming is mentioned throughout the bible. All God (Yahuah) wants one to do is accept Him as their fatherly God. To love Him and walk in the way of His Son!
The Son of God (Yahusha) died through crucifixion for the redemption of ones sins. The Messiah, the Son of God, is your Saviour. So! Accept the grace of God (Yahuah) and walk in the “Way” of the Messiah (Yahusha). The Messiah abided by the Ten Commandments and taught the benefits of love and how to show it.
Well! Are You Ready?
Don’t miss out on God’s (Yahuah’s) grace of salvation. If the Rapture is to take place prior to Tribulation, make yourself ready to be taken. It could happen any time now. So! Don’t miss out.
Redeeming and redemption occurs throughout Tribulation until the Fifth Trumpet and after that if you have not obtained the seal of God (Yahuah) you will face the three Woes and suffer the Seven Bowls of Judgement. Do you want to chance this? Reject God (Yahuah) at your peril.
Don’t miss out on being raptured by God. For God’s love abounds. Be sealed and blessed by God (Yahuah) today. Seek the love of the Messiah (Yahusha) and prepare yourself for the Second Coming.
Don’t be foolish and loose your soul. Tribulation is a spiritual battle about worship and the works of one’s faith. Have faith in God (Yahuah) and the Messiah (Yahusha). Take part in the first resurrection and don’t worry about the second death of the Great White Judgement. Be with the Saints and the Messiah as they reign for a thousand years.
Well! Are you ready?
If not, seek God and the Messiah today.
If you are, then I will probably see you in the near future.
Anyway be sealed and blessed by God (Yahuah) and enjoy the millennial reign.