Friday, January 8, 2010

Rapture...Fantasy or Reality?


In the second part of my blog posts on the end times Bible Prophecy I am continuing where I left off. If you missed yesterdays blog, I would suggest you start here and then come back.

Because I truly believe in the pre-tribulation theory, my studies are based around those Bible events that lead me to believe that our next major event in Bible history will be the rapture of the church.

What is that you may ask? It is being taken by force as a believe in Jesus Christ, to meet with Him and our loved ones that have gone before us that also are believers to be with Him forever. We will not have to physically die in our bodies.

This will be the ultimate family reunion with our loved ones who have died before us. No more sorrow and sadness and will experience joy in an instant.

In the twinkling of an eye is how quickly this will all take place. That is faster than we can blink. It is actually 1 /1000th of a second. Your mind can't even comprehend just how fast that is. One second your here and the next you are reunited with family and God.

Will we be the generation of believers to see this happen? No one really knows, however quite some time ago believers thought it would have happened already based on world events that were occurring at that time. So why didn't it?

Have you sat in church recently and seen anyone come to God? That is the very reason it hasn't happened yet. God is waiting for that one person to believe and then we are outta here.

2 Peter 3:9 " The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance."

So where does the Bible say all this rapture stuff will happen?
2 Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the coice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead is Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to met the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." Matthew 24:40-42, "Two me 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. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on which day our Lord will come." 1 John 3:2 "But we share know that when He appears we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, "Listen, I tell you a mystery; We will all not sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

Can you imagine just how many current Christian believers are living on the Earth currently among a population of 7 billion? Can you explain how much that would impact the World to have all those people gone from all over the world in an instant?

Can you see how it would set the stage then for the anti-christ to rise up? This can't happen until the church is removed from the world.

Think about how the economies and the businesses would be impacted during that rapture of the believers. This is the perfect time for a charismatic person who is wise in economic and military strategies to come to power and fix everything.

We won't have to worry about a one world currency even though they have been talking about it for years, it will be more likely to see a one world government with a cashless society thanks to where technology has us all headed in the future.

This can not occur until the existing restraining force is removed. What is that? The church through the rapture will provide no more resistance on the Earth.

Christians for the most part are the ones that speak up for what is right and true in the world today. We are the ones helping when natural disasters strike, when the homeless and hurting need help and to restore and hold together families and marriages.

Once that is gone from the face of the Earth, evil can pretty much do what it wants with no one to speak out against what is right or wrong anymore.

So at this time let your thoughts be on heaven and eternity with God.

Here are some of the effects of the Rapture.

1. No death! The generation that witnesses this event will not die a physical death.

2. It will happen in a instant. 1 Corinthians 15:51

3. Transformation - New Bodies, no more aging, health issues or disabilities.

4. Rescue Operation - God's Special Ops Team will come to remove us all to avoid the tribulation period. 1 Thessalonians 1:10, "to wait for his Son from heaven, who he raised from the dead ~ Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." This is where I come to believe in pre-tribulation.

So what is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming? Aren't they the same? No. Here are the differences.

Rapture: will be a stealth event, we will meet Jesus in the air, He comes for His church and before judgement.

Second Coming: It will be a public event, Jesus comes to Earth, with His church, and with Judgement.

So what should we as Christians do? Walk with God. Like Enoch who was the proto-type who experienced a solo rapture.

Genesis 5:24, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." He did not die. He took a walk with God and went home with Him.

That is how we need to live our lives, walking with God, consistently and constantly!

Are you sure you'd be ready when God returns or will you be left? Do you have that ultimate certainty behind any reasonable doubt? If not, let's fix that now!

We need to repent or turn away, stop doing sin filled things and stop living in both worlds even as Christians. It's time to get right or get left. Ready? Pray this prayer!

Lord Jesus,

Come into my life!
I know that I am a sinner!
I thank You for dying on the cross for me and rising again from the dead.
Now fill me up with Your Spirit and write my name in Your Book of Life,
and help me follow You all the days of my life.
Thank you that my sins are forgiven and that I am now going to heaven.
In Jesus Name I pray! ~ AMEN!

If you just prayed that prayer, you are a new creation and a believer in Jesus Christ. This is the reason for His delaying of the rapture of the church. You will now be part of that ultimate family reunion and I can't wait to welcome you when I see you!

Look for what happens when the church is gone and see just why you want to make sure you aren't here for what is coming next tomorrow!

24 comments:

Just Be Real said...

Awesome post Kat!!! I certainly look forward to the day, and hope we are the generation that will be captured up into the heavens! Blessings dear one!!

Kathleen said...

I have long been a student of the prophetic texts. It's undeniable that many today are wondering "what's happening?", and it's equally undeniable that we're witnessing the unfolding of latter day occurrences foretold, but never before seen until this day.

What a blessed hope we have! And, based on a "need to know" basis, our loving Father has made sure we have enough information to look forward, and up in great anticipation!

Blessings,
Kathleen

SusanD said...

Beautifully written and easy to understand. My fav part is that God gave us an example of what it would be like and I love how you phrased it: Enoch who was the proto-type who experienced a solo rapture. Have an awesome weekend. Blessings, SusanD

Danae Hudson said...

I also liked God having a Special Ops team. It made me think, 'Go! Go! Go!'

Thanks. I've never had it laid out like that and it was a lot easier to understand.

Mari said...

Excellent post. Living through the tribulation sounds horrible - going through that time and having the believers gone would be soooo much worse. All the more reason to be ready!

RCUBEs said...

Sounds scary sister Kat...But only for those who doesn't know Jesus and His wonderful promises.

Last night, I had a weird dream. I don't like to go into interpreting dreams but I thought I'd share it with you since you mentioned this important prophecy.

I don't know why I was with Oprah [I don't even watch too much tv], somewhere in Florida. All of a sudden, everyone started running, panicky. Why not? When I saw a huge very dark clouds on top, with "12" huge funnels about to merge into one gigantic, not of this world sort of tornado! Then I woke up but I wasn't afraid even in my dream.

So, I know Oprah doesn't believe in Christ? [Correct me if I'm wrong]...And "12" means completion from the Bible. Relating to your post, maybe the Lord wants Oprah to believe in Him so others who follow her will also believe in His truth? Not sure if it's funny. But that's my intention. I just want you to laugh. But the dream was true! Have a great weekend sister Kat! Keeping you in my prayers. God bless.

He & Me + 3 said...

i am so waiting for that day but occupying until He comes. Everytime I see a beautiful sky in the EAst I think...He is going to split that sky one day. Can't WAIT!

Darcie said...

You wrote the two very important words...consistently and constanstly. That is how we must walk with God. It is not just a one time repentance but an everyday repentance for where we fall short. I am so thankful that every morning His mercies are new...because me being the human that I am...I need them.

Thank you for your post Kat and for calling attention to what is promised to come...we all need to remember this daily.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Heckety said...

This is a great 'double post', thank you for it.
Thing I can't figure is all these people saying 'what's happening to the world' but refuse point blank to accept or even consider the answers which the Bible gives. To me that is too daft for words- if one wants answers doesn't one look for them?

Deborah Ann said...

In the twinking of an eye, we shall all be changed. Amen!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I feel confident that I will be going. What I need to work on are the people I love, I want them to join me.

Charlotte said...

Beautifully written Kat! Keep looking up...Blessings to you and Steve. Charlotte

Saleslady371 said...

yes, may the last one get saved so we can all go!

Heidi said...

I sure have been hearing a lot about this lately. You've done a good job writing on the subject here.

Thanks for the encouraging word over at my place recently. I appreciated that very much.

Beth Herring said...

Great post Kat! I agree that we are almost surely in the end times. Things seem to be escalating quickly and scarily, I might add!

The world that we have always known, is not present anymore. It is corrupt and evil and I think that most Christians are ready for the return of Jesus..

Let's continue to be spreaders of the gospel so that all who hear can have the chance to experience life eternal!

Love to you sweet friend,
Beth

Terry said...

Howdy Kat
Love this post parts I and II .
You did a fabulous job and I am so thankful to you for posting this one.
Your words were annointed that is for sure.
God is simple not complicated .
What a bright future we have .
May God direct all who are pondering your way to read and understand and embrace His words that they may be set free from bondage.
May the Lord bless you with abundant peace,joy,hope,health and all good things today and in the coming week.
Hugs
Happy Trails

christy rose said...

This is such a great post Kat! You explained this so well. I am excited for that day!

Mich said...

Amen.

Great post. It makes my blood pump a little faster everytime I read something on the end times.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Great post...and worded well.......I have a fun giveaway on my blog...a $100 prize ..comments will be closed on Monday night, but today's entries get extra chances...so stop by and join in the fun.

Elle Bee said...

Kat, this is great. I'm often confused by the 2nd coming and being raptured. Thank you for clearing some of it up and for the Thessalonian 1:10 scripture--I will be reading that tonight!

LisaShaw said...

Hi Kat,

Not much more I need to say. Kathleen (Sassy Granny) and Mimi (He, Me and 3) said my thoughts very well.

Waiting on HIS return for us and until then I'm loving and serving and living in and through HIM.

I stopped by to love on you as I'm finally blog visiting. I also wanted you to know I'm praying for your health.

I love you.

Laura said...

If we lived our lives like we really believed He could come back at any moment......boy would our decisions be different! We could choose to forgive instead of getting offended. We would give and prefer instead of being selfish. We would walk in love!! Thank you for the great reminder!

Nina said...

Again, Amen. We must again Faithfully, Diligently turn our lives over and ready ourselves. We must always be ready as we will not know the exact time. People throughout history have tried to predict the future... it cannot be done, therefore, we must Faithfully await the future. Blessings. Love and Light, Nina P.

wife.mom.nurse said...

Kat,

I am so sorry that you have been feeling so poorly. I pray that your doctors will have answers and a cure soon.

I am not sure if you were aware of my health crisis last year. I did not suffer as you are...physically. I did think that I was not long for this earth.

God took away my burden.

I truly pray He will take away yours too.

With Love and Prayer,
Julie