Luk 17:26-29 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Have you received your ticket to climb upon the Rapture train yet? The next event for Christians is the Rapture of the Church, the Bride of Christ. We should look forward to it as a bride looks forward to her wedding day when she will be joined with her husband forever!
Let’s look on to this glorious reunion about to take place at any moment! Please take a moment to re-read the above Scriptures. While you are reading this passage, ask yourself the “who, what, where and when.” One must wonder why Jesus spoke of the end times (the when) and pointing to Noah and Lot (the who). As we see in today’s Scriptures, the entire earth (the where) was judged and destroyed during Noah’s time. As well, two entire cities were judged and destroyed in Lot’s time. Friend, the entire earth will be affected in the end times by these judgments (the what). But to the born-again Christian, it is a different story!
The difference in views amongst believers today revolve around the timing of the end-time events and when Rapture will actually occur: before, mid or post Tribulation. Those who support the mid and post Tribulation viewpoints miss a very important point. We see this point quite clearly in the two events that Jesus described.
The two things that Noah and Lot had in common were the removal of the righteous and then the unbelievers were judged after. In both cases, God removed the righteous before the destruction. So you must ask yourself, why did Jesus use these two events in history to prophecy an upcoming judgment? Jesus said, “Just as it was in the days of Noah.” He didn’t allude to the fact that the destruction of the earth would occur in a similar way. But He did make it clear that life would be “Just as it was in the days of Noah”!
On a side note: did you know that the ark is also a representation of the Lord Jesus? So what does it have to do with the end times? Let’s first review the significance of the ark. Just as the ark was built of wood, the cross that Christ hung on was made of wood. The pitch inside the ark sealed the wood to protect the eight (Noah and his family) inside from the flood waters of God’s wrath upon the world. Jesus’ blood is the equivalent to the pitch that seals those who come to salvation, His blood also protects us from God’s wrath to come upon the whole world. Noah could not save himself and his family. Only a provision from God (the ark) could save them. God gave Noah instructions on how to build that ark and Noah followed those instructions to a “T”!
Jesus gave us His Word as our instruction Book. It is clear in the Word that we cannot save ourselves. Only the blood of Jesus can save us. There was only one door to the ark: only one way into that ark. Jesus is the door to Heaven and there is just ONE way to Heaven, and that is through Jesus.
(Joh 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(Joh 10:7) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
(Joh 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Although Noah built the ark, God was the one who shut the door! Until the day came when Noah entered the ark, he did not know when God was going to send the rains that He promised would come. After that door was closed by God’s hand, no one else could enter, and Noah and his family were safe in God’s provided protection. They would not experience the judgment of death when the flood waters came.
Gen 7:16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.
After Jesus raptures the Church, the Church is safe in Christ’s protection and won’t experience death from the worse judgment ever to come on all the earth. Just as God shut the door of the Ark to keep Noah and his family safe, so will the door to Heaven be shut after the Rapture.
Rev 3:7-8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (8) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
So now let’s look at Jesus’ account of Lot. Basically, the same thing applies to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although it is not the destruction of the entire earth as in Noah’s day, God was not going to destroy these two cities until Lot and his family were removed from the city. Then, and only then, would the entire destruction of both cities occur. The angels literally had to grab Lot, his wife and daughters, by their hands to pull them out! (Genesis 19:16) They were not left behind when the cities were destroyed. There are two points to both accounts:
(1) Their dwelling place was destroyed, and
(2) The righteous were saved from the destruction. Lot had no idea that the two cities would be destroyed. He found out when the angels came to him. Jesus said that no man knows the day or hour of His return for us.
If the Rapture happens in the middle or at the end of the Tribulation, Christians would know because God gives us an exact number of years/days in the Scriptures that tell us the Tribulation will last seven years. Then the Antichrist will break his covenant with the Jews mid way (1260 days = three and a half years). But with a Pre-tribulation viewpoint of the Rapture, we don’t know the day or the hour because it could happen at any time.
Mat 24:36-42 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (42) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
The Rapture and the Tribulation are two separate events. No hope or encouragement can be given to people who are about to go through the worse time in history! The judgments of the Tribulation are strictly for the enemies of Christ.
Nah 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Granted, there will be those who get saved during the Tribulation. God’s mercy still exists and He provides the Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:3), the 144,000 Jews (Rev. 7:5-8), and finally the angel that goes about the earth with the Gospel (Rev. 14:6). Even through the most horrific time ever, God’s provides mercy!
But the Scriptures say that born-again Christians have hope and that we should encourage each other until Christ comes for us. Knowing that I won’t have to go through the Tribulation excites me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. 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!
Php 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile 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.