The main thing that should encourage a believer today is that God does not leave His children to despair during these times. The times are changing so rapidly and there’s fear in the hearts of mankind: fear of the unknown! When is the next pandemic going to happen and where is it going to lead us? What are these orbs we’re seeing in the skies? Will the new world order happen in our lifetime? Will citizens lose their freedoms in order to corral them? Americans, and the world for that matter, have no idea what is to come. But the born-again Christian isn’t looking to this world for his hope. We look to Christ! Why? Let’s look and see.
The Rapture is an event that will most definitely happen. The timing of the Rapture is uncertain but the event itself is most surely going to happen. This is why it is considered to be imminent. The Thessalonians thought it had already happened and Paul addresses that in 2 Thessalonians.
2 Thess 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) 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. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
However, the Scriptures below tell us that it is as definite as Christ’s resurrection. Without Christ’s resurrection, one would have no hope!
1 Thess 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
It is the Word of God, reader! Paul taught them about the Rapture and God saw fit to include this topic in the Bible through His Holy Spirit. (John 14:26) Friend, Christ does not leave us hopeless! He left us with His Word to encourage us during these end times! If we are blessed enough to be alive at the time of the Rapture, we will not see death! How exciting is that!
1 Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
There are approximately 365 promises in the Old Testament about Jesus’ first coming. Every single one of them was fulfilled. God keeps His promises. Therefore, we can rest assured that He will keep His promises of Jesus’ Second Coming! Every single detail in God’s Word will be fulfilled.
Matt. 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
It is said that 6,000 prophecies in the Bible, and nearly 70% of those prophecies have occurred without failure or error. The remaining nearly 30% will be fulfilled because God’s Word in Matthew and Luke above say so. The comfort that comes from this is that God keeps His promises and we can rest assured that the future ones will be kept to the letter! The Church experienced God’s mercy and grace by providing Himself as the Saviour through Jesus Christ. But God’s judgment must still take place because it is part of His Word. He magnifies His Word above His name!
Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
This truly defines how important that every single thing in God’s Word must be fulfilled! The Rapture is no different. The Rapture is only for those who are truly born-again, live accordingly and long for His coming. To the one who claims he is a “Christian” but does not separate himself from sin, he is not a true believer. One isn’t a true believer just because one goes to church. If he is consistently disobedient to the Word, then he is considered a part of the children of disobedience.
Eph. 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph. 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Col. 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Anyone can believe in God – in fact, the devils believe in Him, but that does not make them saved! In fact, they tremble!
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Check yourself, reader. If you have indeed been born again, you will strive to live the Christian life according to the Bible. You won’t be sinless, but you will sin LESS. (1 John 1:9-10) If you are not, sure, make sure! If you know that you are not living according to the Bible, then you are considered as part of the children of disobedience. A born-again believer walks after the Holy Spirit’s influence. This is why the Church will not be experiencing the Tribulation’s wrath of God.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
If you are a born-again Christian and have never studied this out, I hope you are blessed by it and encouraged in your heart. If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!