The primary purpose of the rapture, which is a term not actually found in the Bible, but is meant to define what being "caught up" is. The actual physical manifestation of the event is further dramatized by a mystery which Paul declares in 1Corinthians 15: 51-55 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
These two biblical statements are the strongest in support of the rapture. It is a mystery doctrine simply because no time is given of it's occurrence. It is also a doctrine of a supernatural phenomenon reflecting God's gift to believers in Christ at that time. And while no day or date is given we ought to marvel at the power of God's word to create and sustain hope in the return of Christ. For such a doctrine which demonstrates incredible power by God on a level the human mind can hardly grasp is to occur would be an awakening. It will be those left behind as witnesses of such an event that will be made to see at last. Though they did not believe by faith, they now may be willing to live and die in Jesus name based on the reality of God. God demonstrate himself and magnifies His Word before all the earth and it will be to His glory.
Our knowing a day isn't important but scripture warns us to watch and know the season. However there is a sign that is given to indicate the probable nearness of it's happening. Apostle Paul after speaking about that "we that are alive and remain shall be caught up" to be with the Lord in 1 Thess 5:1-6 Paul continues with "But of the times and the seasons, ye have no need that I write unto you..for the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. For when they say Peace and Safety then sudden destruction shall come upon them....but don't let that day overtake you as a thief...be as children in the light..be watchful and be sober...not slumbering...etc" (I highlighted the key parts of this section).
Our knowing a day isn't important but scripture warns us to watch and know the season. However there is a sign that is given to indicate the probable nearness of it's happening. Apostle Paul after speaking about that "we that are alive and remain shall be caught up" to be with the Lord in 1 Thess 5:1-6 Paul continues with "But of the times and the seasons, ye have no need that I write unto you..for the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. For when they say Peace and Safety then sudden destruction shall come upon them....but don't let that day overtake you as a thief...be as children in the light..be watchful and be sober...not slumbering...etc" (I highlighted the key parts of this section).
Sometimes the numbering of chapter and verses can interfere with the flow of the writers message. The original letters did not have numbers. Paul's reference to "peace and safety" is exactly what is going on intensely with Israel and the Arab nations. Here is another role where Israel plays a central part in the prophetic landscape. There has been what seems like a never ending effort in peace negotiations since Israel was restored as a nation in 1948 in some sense. There has been a few peace deals with some of the Arab nations such as Egypt, Jordan and perhaps a few others but none has met the "seven year" criteria that is to bring a universal peace among all the Arab nations.
Many Arab nations has staunchly refused a peace agreement with Israel with Syria being it's most defiant. It is the term of conditions that present the problem particularly with the city Jerusalem. Include also the fact that a policy of annihilation exist even within some of the Arab's govt. decree surely don't help. Clearly this peace agreement when it is finally achieved, and it will because the scripture states it, the world will be elated and think themselves better than God. The world will be elated over the success but Christians will be alarmed because of biblical prophecy fulfillment. This success will be recognized far beyond the borders of the Arab nation but a world stamp of approval. The problem isn't Islam, but from a biblical perspective it's unbelieving Gentiles around the world. Perhaps, we won't be here to see the actual signing. I am only saying that as the discussion heats up in the middle East peace negotiations and the reality of it becomes possible, look up because our redemption do in fact draw near!
Ultimately, it will be a peace settlement that will collapse because of it being a false peace, probably built upon a false concept of who God is or is not! It will probably be evident that the peace terms contradict with basic tenets of teh Bible as we have known it. Then both Jew and Gentile will be demonstrating their unbelief in the God through a formal statement published before the throne of Heaven from Earth!!
That's as far as I go with knowing when the rapture will occur. The Apostle Paul is giving a sign but not a day so let us not ignore the sign we do have before us. It is time to make the Bride ready with expectation by getting the house of the Lord in order. There seems to be too many saints sleeping. Which I think infers a person's heart being in doubt of the reality of Christ coming. How sad to be so close to receiving the promise of God and yet so many in the churches across America are consumed with so much other stuff that adds nothing to their spiritual growth in Christ.
Therefore, it is important for us to interpret the sign in accordance with scripture and not
in accordance with world view. No man knows the day but when they say peace and safety know that our Lord is even in the clouds. For as the terms become defined and is set to be signed so the decree can be, God wants his Church to be ready for the promise by sounding at last....the Trumpet of Departure and so we will hear the sound of His Trump!
Gregory A Booker @ copyright 2012
My book titled "Seven Letters Detailing the Prophetic Framework of the Return of Christ" is available on AuthorHouse.com and Amazon.com The book expands on the purpose of the Rapture and to comfort the saints in their patient waiting as it is intended for and so much more is provided to see the vision of Christ coming for us in these perilous times.
Yes Brother anytime now, the signs are everywhere, and these are the times for the Church to wake up and do what they have not done before because the time is at hand.
ReplyDeleteWe MUST pray for laborers to multiply in these last days, to do what where are here to do, Christ that it was lacking even in His time here to earth in the flesh, and spoke about how 'the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.'
We can ask our selves these questions, is it any better today than it was then, when it comes to sowing, feeding and watering seeds? Are we doing our best? Or are we too busy with our own lives? Are we taking every opportunity we get/see to add to His Kingdom?
Maranatha! Shalom!
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ReplyDeleteWide is the gate to heaven but few are those that walk between them. The devil loves to create doubt so I don't give in. We may never know if we are doing our best but this we do know.... we are doing something right! Per the scriptures we are planting and it will be God who does the watering and we may not even see the growth in their rejection of our words before them. But it will be the power unto God that many will yet receive Him from words of faith and hope they heard first from us! If not before the rapture then after! Thanks for the kudos....
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