The Rapture is a “designed technology” by God to airlift the Christians to meet Jesus – an escape route from deadly tribulations. Rapture is derived from the Latin word ‘raptus’ and it means: “a carrying off”.
There are different teachings about the rapture and its timing. The pre-tribulation, during-tribulation and post-tribulation doctrines are causing a lot of confusion. I am not introducing a new teaching about the rapture, but I want to show you the clarity on this topic.
Is Rapture a Real Future Event?
The failed predictions of the end-time by some people such as: John Wesley 1836, Margaret Rowen 1925, Jehovah’s Witness 1941, Herbert Armstrong 1943, Pat Robertson 1982 and Harold Camping 2011 could make you become bias about the rapture.
But, I had discovered that the best way to avoid confusion about the second coming of Jesus is to believe the word of Jesus only. Any new prophesy from anyone should be thrown into the ‘trash can’.
Rapture is real. Listen to Jesus in the book of Matthew chapter 24 verses 30 and 31: “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
When is the Rapture?
We’d had enough from our professors (Theologians), prophets and pastors who were very ‘good’ in biblical mathematics! But, none of their dates are correct. This substantiates the statement of Jesus Christ to be true. Jesus says: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
God chose to make the rapture day unknown so that the cheater will not corrupt His judgment. If the date of the second coming of Jesus is known by everyone, some will choose to be unfaithful to God till the last hour.
Funnily, in less than twenty-four hours to the take-off, they will ask for God’s forgiveness and to usher them into the rapture day as a saint… No one can cheat God! Galatians chapter 6 verses 7 and 8 say: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
The information from Jesus did not give a date, but the rapture is certain immediately after the dreadful tribulations.
Jesus says: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven…” (Matthew 24:29 and 30)
The Bitter Pills of Tribulations
Tribulations are unwanted events happening to human beings. And end-time tribulations precede the occurrence of rapture. You might want to ask me if Christians will be a partaker of these tribulations.
Tribulations such as flood, disease outbreak, wars etc. had been in existence before the arrival of Jesus Christ. The tribulations never stopped on earth when He came to shed His blood for our salvation.
Rather, Jesus predicted more tribulations, and He made it known that we would meet many trials and sorrows.
Jesus says in the book of John chapter 16 verses 33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Don’t be scared of tribulations, because the love of God in your life is not quantifiable. The Lord Jesus Christ told us that the end time tribulations will be severed, but the LORD had made provision (rapture) for the saints to survive it.
Jesus says in Matthew chapter 24 verses 21 and 22: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.’’
The difference between Christians (elect) and non-Christians during the tribulations is that only the Christians will overcome in the end-time tribulations.
How to Prepare for the Rapture
- Understand the Purpose of the Rapture
You had found out from the scriptures mentioned earlier that the rapture is a ‘special flight’ for the saints during the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And rapture is designed for the end-time harvest.
First Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 15 to 17 say: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and stay until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
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. 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.”
- Keep your Light Burning
There is no shortcut to get the ticket for rapture. The need includes; accepting Jesus Christ into your life as the Savior. And your daily lifestyle must be controlled by His holy Will.
Sinners cannot catch-up with Jesus during His second coming. So, don’t be enticed into sin by your carnal thoughts, friends, society or the government.
Jesus concluded the story of the ten virgins narrated in the book of Matthew chapter 25 verses 1 to 13 with this advice: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming”.
