THE REALITY OF THE RAPTURE

The most exciting event the world has ever known since the past 2000 years is about to take place. This event is called “THE RAPTURE.”

 The world’s clock is ticking and biblical prophecies warn us that the rapture could occur at any moment.

 Are there any signs for the RAPTURE of the saints? No! No! All the signs of the coming of Christ point to the Second Advent and not to the rapture. The Rapture itself is one of the last signs of the Second Coming of Christ. There will be 7 years between the two events.

In case you are wondering whether Jesus is really coming back as He promised or not, the Scriptures prove the certainty of His coming to rapture the church. We read about the Rapture in:

1. In Acts 1:11 the angels said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”
2. In Luke 21:34-36 Jesus said, "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
3. 35 "For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.”
4. 36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
5. In John 14:2-3 Jesus said, "In My Father's house [dwelling place] are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will COME AGAIN, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. "
6. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 reads, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

4. 52 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 [transformed].”
5. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

6. In 2 Corinthians 12:1 Paul said, “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
7. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one CAUGHT UP to the third heaven.
8. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
9. 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
10. Ephesians 5:25-27 says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,
11. 27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (at His coming for the saints)”
12. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
13. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Paul said, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,
14. In 2 Thessalonians 2:2 Paul said, “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” 
15. Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”
16. 1 John 2:28 says, “And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
17. In Revelations 2:25 Jesus said, "But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
18. In Revelations 3:11 Jesus said, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man takes thy crown.”

 

Picture this: in a blink of an eye, millions of people will be transformed following the promise found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

 

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17). 

 

Have you ever stopped to think of what this truly means to your life? Time is running out, and as Christians, we need to be ready for this crucial event.

 

Also, in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul describes this event in detail: “Behold, I shew 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”(1 Cor. 15:51-53).

 

But we will all be changed (transformed) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…. This transformation is a mystery that should inspire us to live with expectation and faith.

 

The expectation of Christ’s return is described in John 14:2-3. Jesus said, “In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

 

This promise assures us that there is a place prepared for those who believe. 

 

Jesus’ promise is clear. He will return (Acts 1:11) to take us to be with Him forever. Also, don’t forget Philippians 3:20-21 which says, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile (worthless) body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.”

 

This reminds us that our citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly await the transformation of our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. This reality should move and encourage us to live according to the principles of the Scriptures.

 

In Luke 17:34-36 Jesus gives us the final warnings making us reflect on where we will be at this crucial moment.

“I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord? And He said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together” (Lk. 17:34-37).

 

Therefore, be prepared, because at any moment the rapture could take place. 

 

The question that remains is: Are you ready for this call? The decision you make now will determine where you will be when the trumpet sounds. So, stay vigilant and prepared because Christ’s return may be closer than we think.

 

Time is running out, beloved! Today, you have a great opportunity to change your eternal destiny. Your name must be in the Lamb’s Book of Life for you to qualify for the rapture. You are not going to be raptured because you are acting nice. You are not going to be raptured because your name is in a church register. You are not going to be raptured because you are a leader in the church. You will be raptured only on these conditions: (1) you MUST be saved (Jn. 3:3; Mk. 16:16), and (2) live a life of righteousness and holiness (Heb. 12:14). 

 

Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (NASU).  

 

So, hurry, and make peace with God right now! Tomorrow may be too late.

 

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

 

·      Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor)