3.3.2021
…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. (Acts 1:11)
Last time, we discussed our philosophy of, or approach to, the study of Bible prophecy. If you did not get a chance to read this, I would urge you to do so before continuing. It will be helpful for you to understand the approach that we plan to take as we study this interesting and important biblical topic.
The next event on God’s prophetic calendar appears to be the Rapture. We will define what it is, focus on its certainty, its timing, purposes, and our needed response.
What is the Rapture? The word ‘rapture’ means ‘to seize by force.’ It comes from the Latin. Though the word itself is not found in the Bible, the idea is clearly there: ‘to catch away.’
In a nutshell, one of these days, Jesus Christ is going to return to the skies. He will call all of those who have died since He rose from the dead to rise also. Just following, those of us who are still alive and who have accepted the gift of eternal life will be caught up (seized by force/raptured/caught away) into the air to meet the Lord Jesus and our fellow believers. We will then go to heaven. Forever we will be with the Lord!
The earth will then experience a seven-year period the Bible refers to as the Tribulation.
It will be a time of chaos and destruction like this world has never seen. We will discuss this in more detail in future articles.
The Rapture is a certain event. Jesus said that He was coming again “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-4) Note that Jesus clearly said: “I will come again.”
Likewise, according to our opening text, the angels promised that He is coming again in the same manner in which He had left. Did you hear what the angels said? This same Jesus will so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.
Jesus repeated His promise at the end of the Bible, Surely, I come quickly. John agreed, and urged Him to come soon: Amen! Even so come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)
When will the Rapture occur? We do not know. We are not told. We must be careful not to make any predictions. All of those who have given a date for Christ’s return have been proven to be foolish. Jesus clearly said that we “can know neither the day nor the hour” (Mark 13:33).
There are signs that point to His soon return. The Lord Jesus told us to consider the signs. They include: famines, pestilences, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, etc.
At this point in earth’s history, nothing needs to happen prior to the occurrence of the Rapture. It could occur at any moment. The NT believers expected it in their lifetime. Believers today are to look up, for their redemption draws nigh.
Next time we will consider more closely the signs of the times. As we end today, I plead with you to give your heart to the Son of God if you have never done so. He patiently waits.