WHAT IF
What if the world as we know it is coming to an end?
What if this is your last day on this earth?
What if the Bible is true?
What if there really is a rapture?
This generation has never seen such tumultuous times that we are presently living in. The one question laying heavily on my mind recently is:
What if the Rapture is a reward and we do not have to partake in the tribulation period that is coming upon this earth?
If you are new to Christianity, you may be asking
What is the Rapture?
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
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.
The words “caught up” here is why we refer to the Rapture. The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the word rapture as “spiritual ecstasy”. In the thesaurus section, synonyms for ecstasy are “Heaven, rapture, seventh Heaven, transport.” (An excerpt taken from “Tea Time With God”)
When does the rapture take place?
1 Corinthians 15:52 – It will all happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For there will be a trumpet blast from the sky, and all the Christians who have died will suddenly become alive, with new bodies that will never, never die; and then we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too.
How can we assure we will be “caught up”?
- Know Jesus as your personal Savior. Ask Him into your heart today.
- Live for Jesus every day. Get to know Him intimately more and more.
- Love and Trust God, the Father.
- Love and Trust Jesus, the Son, the Savior of the world.
- Love and Trust God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
- Allow this trinity to guide every step you take, every word you speak; obey their every command.
- Overcome and Persevere; Keep the Faith!
In Revelation 3:10 Jesus was talking to the Philadelphia church, who He referred to as the Faithful Church, when He said, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
Was Jesus talking about the Rapture when He said He would keep believers “from the hour of trial”? Was He referring to the tribulation period when He said, “the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world”?
Yes, that is why I believe the rapture is our reward for persevering. This does not mean we will not endure trials and tribulations beforehand, but we do not have to participate in the Great Tribulation period the world will see.
A Pastor we know recently reported in his message that the type of persecution we hear of in other countries will one day come to America and he believes that day is near. As we look at the chaos in our nation today, I would have to agree with this Pastor. As I contemplate his message, I ask myself the question, “How many of us will stand firm in our faith if and when we are tested to the point of being beheaded?” This thought reinforces my hope and prayer in Romans 5:9 that says Jesus will save us from all of God’s wrath to come.
The word rapture in Thesaurus says it is “joy, bliss, ecstasy, delight, euphoria”. Won’t it be all that and more when we see Jesus face to face? And won’t it be worth it all?
Although I believe that you will go to Heaven by believing in Jesus and giving your heart to Him, my fear still remains that many will not make the Rapture. I am concerned that we are not taught how to live once we give our heart to Jesus. If we do not read God’s Word for ourselves, how will we know what is expected of us in God’s eyes? If we rely on a preacher one day a week to tell us how to live, do we allow the enemy of our soul to steal that word the other six days in a week? (For more clarification, please read James 2).
The scripture that follows tells me that 50% of believers will not make the Rapture. But it also tells us how to ensure that we will make it. Be ready, be prepared.
– Matthew 24:40-42 – Matthew 25:1-13
Still undecided about my remarks? Jesus taught about the narrow way in Luke 13:22-30. I encourage you to sit in His presence and allow Him to speak to you through these passages.
Hebrews 3:15TLB – 15 But now is the time. Never forget the warning, today if you hear God’s voice speaking to you, do not harden your hearts against Him…” (Italics are mine)
Why the urgency in my tone?
Jesus is speaking in Revelation 3:11-13
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Matthew 24:13 – But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
My husband’s famous words as he taught the book of Revelation this year was: “Fall in love with Jesus!” God alone knows our hearts and we will be judged accordingly.
I encourage you today to look forward to Heaven and watch for the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! May the living God, the God of all gods, penetrate your heart to be ready!
Join me in making Romans 5:9 your hope and prayer. “And since by his blood he did all this for us as sinners, how much more will he do for us now that he has declared us not guilty? Now he will save us from all of God’s wrath to come.”TLB
Notes:
- You can find more information on the Rapture and the Tribulation PerioQud in Chapter 32 of “Tea Time With God”.
- All scripture is taken from BibleGateway, NJKV, unless otherwise noted.
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