ARE YOU READY FOR THE RAPTURE?
The events that are taking place in our country, and around the world, politically, socially, economically and in the church, are moving us toward the final days of all things, beginning with a war that will produce the “Man of Sin”, the Antichrist. I want to share some things that are prophetic correct; the rapture of the church is coming.
I believe that we are on the cutting edge of the coming of the Lord, the catching away of the body of Christ. I Corinthians 15: 51/54 “Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed [transformed]. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality”.
Those who have been born again will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16/17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive remain on the earth will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.”
You will notice that this verse tells us the rapture trumpet is going to be the “Trumpet of God”. Therefore, those angelic trumpets of Revelation cannot be the Rapture Trumpets!
Jesus gave this promise to the church stating, “Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the HOUR of temptation, which shall come upon the entire world, to try them that dwell upon the Earth.” This verse convinces me that the church will be caught up (raptured) and it will take place before the seven-year tribulation.
Do not be deceived on this matter; the 7-year Tribulation Period does not begin when Antichrist arises, but only when he confirms the covenant with the Jews.
Jesus promised that he would keep us from that HOUR. You will remember that Noah was kept from God’s judgment through flood, but passed through the HOUR. Lot was saved from the fire and brimstone of Sodom but he passed through the HOUR.
Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were saved in the fiery furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar, but they passed through the HOUR of the trial.
The only way that Jesus can fulfill His promise is to pull the Church out of this dimension, just as these wonderful verses, above promised. We are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation. “Suddenly, in one swift, intense instant, we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.”
CAUGHT UP? Who can picture it? While men and women walk the busy streets, they shall be caught up! While they bow in their secret chamber of prayer, they shall be caught up! While burning hearts ponder the Word that tells of His coming, they shall be caught up! While patient, lie on beds of pain, they shall be caught up! Those in the graves shall be caught up! And, as the world wonders what has happened, the only records left shall be that of Enoch’s ---
“AND THEY WALKED WITH GOD, AND WERE NOT FOR GOD TOOK THEM!”
This world will witness the revelation of the Antichrist as he arises out of the smoke and dust of all that is taking place one the earth and the RAPTURE will have occur.
I ask the question, are you spiritually ready?
The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will usher in a time of refreshing and bring restitution of all things. The purpose of His return is to complete the salvation of the saints, to destroy the works of the enemy, to judge the nations and to rule and reign with His people.
Jesus said, “I go away to prepare a place for you and if I go, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.”
The two men in white apparel told the Galileans gazer’ that He would return just as they saw Him taking up. He will come as a thief in the night; He’s coming with a shout and the voice of the archangel to gather His people, declaring that time shall be no more.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Titus in chapter two, beginning with verse eleven. “For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
His coming could be in the early morn, as the sun begins to appear over the horizon; it may be at high noon, when the world is too busy to hear His voice; or it may be at night time when we have fallen asleep. It matters not; no man knows the hour the Lord is coming.
I believe each generation has waited with patience, for the return of the Lord. Knowing not what hour their mortal flesh would feel the Master’s touch and be changed into His likeness.
We are to “comfort one another with the words of his coming.” The next time you are feeling lonely, remember that each day brings the Rapture closer than it was the day before!
As you pass through your trials and tribulations and you tire of all the bad news “comfort one someone with these words, Behold he cometh”!
Rather than being discouraged by the news of the day, remember that prophecy is being fulfilled and we have a great responsibly to tell the good news to this lost and dying world.
As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man. In Noah’s day, they bought, they sold, they planted, they reaped, and they married and were given in marriage, not heading the call that was given.
As it was in the days of Lot, so shall it also be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man. We are headed for the New World Order; the Kingdom of the Antichrist is at hand, but we are not moved by all of this, because we are built upon the Rock, a sure foundation.
Jesus told Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” And He will keep us from the HOUR of temptation that is coming upon this world.
Paul tells us in Second Thessalonians chapter two and beginning with verse six, “For the mystery of iniquity does already work; only he who now hinders will hinder, until he be taken out of the way, and then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
The Body of Christ is the power that is holding back the revelation of the Anti-Christ, and when the church, which is the Body of Christ is removed from planet earth the Anti-Christ will be revealed. He will make a covenant of peace with the Jews. But in the middle of Daniels sevenths’ week, the Anti-Christ will break the covenant, and this will be the beginning of what is called the time of Jacob’s trouble.
But we are not appointed unto wrath but to obtain salvation, and He will keep us from the HOUR which is coming upon the earth.
There is an old song that I use to sing, “Many times I’m tried and tested as I travel day by day, oft I meet with pain sorrow and there is trouble in my way. But I have this sweet assurance, that in Him alone I see there is peace, love and joy for every need.
Oh His grace is sufficient for me, and His love is abounding and free. O what joy fills my soul just to know, just to know that His grace is sufficient for me.
When the tempter brings confusion and I don’t know what to do, on my knees I turn to Jesus for I know He’ll see me through. Then each prayer is changed to victory, every cloud just fades away, and in Him there is strength for every day.
The Lord Jesus is coming, and He will give us grace to face the days that are ahead. So hold on my child, joy comes in the morning, weeping only last for a day. What a day of rejoicing that will be when we gather around the Throne of God and begin to sing the song of the redeemed, a song that the angels cannot to sing. And He takes us by the hand, and will lead us though the promise land, what a day glorious day that will be.
