Posted in Faith Builders
I posted a video earlier today, but I didn't have time to make many comments about it. I am posting it again, this time I hope to have enough time to explain it to those who may not understand what it is about. Here is the Video, it is only 1 minute and 3 seconds long so I encourage you to look at it, if the sound is too low, drag the second slider button over to the right, also don't forget to pause my music player in the right hand sidebar so that you can hear the videos:areyouready-avi.avi
Now the video asked a question at the end, it asked, "Are you ready." Many probably know exactly what it meant, but some may be standing there scratching you head thinking, "I don't get it, where did the people go?"
Scripture teaches that "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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
This event is commonly known as the "rapture", and while some Christians are in disagreement of the time when it will take place, most agree that it will be before the 7 year period known as the "Tribulation", the time when the Antichrist will take over the world.
Now, although the majority of Scholars agree that it will be prior to the tribulation, it is not what the most people say that matters when in comes to spiritual things. It is what Scripture says that really matters. So what scriptural support is there for this Pre-tribulation Rapture?
Well there are several scriptures that indicate it will happen before, and not after the tribulation, the first are the ones that were spoken from our Lord's mouth:
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Scripture teaches that "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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
This event is commonly known as the "rapture", and while some Christians are in disagreement of the time when it will take place, most agree that it will be before the 7 year period known as the "Tribulation", the time when the Antichrist will take over the world.
Now, although the majority of Scholars agree that it will be prior to the tribulation, it is not what the most people say that matters when in comes to spiritual things. It is what Scripture says that really matters. So what scriptural support is there for this Pre-tribulation Rapture?
Well there are several scriptures that indicate it will happen before, and not after the tribulation, the first are the ones that were spoken from our Lord's mouth:
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:20-28
Note a few different things here, first notice that He doesn't say, "When all these things are finished, look up, for your redemption draws near." He says "when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” The interesting thing is that if you look around the world right now, these things are beginning to happen! Then He goes on to explain things that will indicate desolation. Note that this desolation is listed after the redemption He mentioned.
Now the thing about the fig tree touches on another issue, the only thing I want to point out here is that when He said "this generation" He was speaking of the generation that saw those things, not necessarily about the disciples He was walking with at the time. This verse causes many skeptics to question the validity of the entire Bible, and it wouldn't if they would just read it in context, and think about what He is saying.
On to my point, here is another statement that indicates that the plan is for God to rescue His children before this time: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
There are other verses too, if we look into the book of Revelation Chapter 3 verses 7 through 10, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 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."
Scholars generally understand the letters to the Churches in the first three chapters of Revelation, to have dual meaning. They were both letters to real churches at the time when John wrote this, and they were also written prophetically the entire Church (all denominations collectively) down through History. The church of Philadelphia is believed to be the church that will taken up in the rapture, because of that statement about being kept from the hour of trial that shall come upon the whole world.
There is another church mentioned after this, just a few verses away in the book of Revelation, it is the the Church of the Laodiceans, it seems that this would be those left behind at the Rapture. They were neither "cold nor hot" says Jesus, but "Lukewarm", and in danger of being, "spewed out of His mouth". Those who are have not completely given themselves over to the Lord at the time of the Rapture, those who are straddling the fence, unsure of whether to commit, will find themselves left behind. The Scripture is warning us not to be lukewarm, but to be on fire for the Lord! To make up our minds who we are serving. I don't want anyone left behind.
This leads me to my next video, this song will give you a hint about what it will be like for those who are left behind:
Note a few different things here, first notice that He doesn't say, "When all these things are finished, look up, for your redemption draws near." He says "when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” The interesting thing is that if you look around the world right now, these things are beginning to happen! Then He goes on to explain things that will indicate desolation. Note that this desolation is listed after the redemption He mentioned.
Now the thing about the fig tree touches on another issue, the only thing I want to point out here is that when He said "this generation" He was speaking of the generation that saw those things, not necessarily about the disciples He was walking with at the time. This verse causes many skeptics to question the validity of the entire Bible, and it wouldn't if they would just read it in context, and think about what He is saying.
On to my point, here is another statement that indicates that the plan is for God to rescue His children before this time: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
There are other verses too, if we look into the book of Revelation Chapter 3 verses 7 through 10, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 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."
Scholars generally understand the letters to the Churches in the first three chapters of Revelation, to have dual meaning. They were both letters to real churches at the time when John wrote this, and they were also written prophetically the entire Church (all denominations collectively) down through History. The church of Philadelphia is believed to be the church that will taken up in the rapture, because of that statement about being kept from the hour of trial that shall come upon the whole world.
There is another church mentioned after this, just a few verses away in the book of Revelation, it is the the Church of the Laodiceans, it seems that this would be those left behind at the Rapture. They were neither "cold nor hot" says Jesus, but "Lukewarm", and in danger of being, "spewed out of His mouth". Those who are have not completely given themselves over to the Lord at the time of the Rapture, those who are straddling the fence, unsure of whether to commit, will find themselves left behind. The Scripture is warning us not to be lukewarm, but to be on fire for the Lord! To make up our minds who we are serving. I don't want anyone left behind.
This leads me to my next video, this song will give you a hint about what it will be like for those who are left behind:
After that test, if you are still not sure how to be ready, click the red "Ready" button below:
Get ready!
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