Maranatha – Awaiting Christ's Return – Page 7 – 1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Any Day Now – Day 51

On June 28, 2024

As we continue on the topic of the different Rapture viewpoints, all but one of them involve Bible prophecy’s timing. The one which does not is the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint. It is imminent – it can happen at any time.

Different views:

Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Today, we’ll cover the one called the Pre-Wrath Tribulation Rapture. It is very similar to the Mid-Tribulation viewpoint but this viewpoint claims they will be raptured right before God’s wrath is poured out in the Trumpet and Vial judgments. They don’t believe that the seals are God’s wrath but are viewed as the wrath of the Antichrist. They believe this because there is no indication of God’s wrath until after the sixth seal is broken. They believe that the first seal judgments are the same as what Jesus said in Matthew 24:4-7 and are the beginning of birth pains.

Let’s read what the Seal Judgments involve:

Rev 6:1-17 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (2) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (3) And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. (4) And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. (5) And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. (6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (7) And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. (8) And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (9) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (11) And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (12) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; (13) And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. (14) And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. (15) And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; (16) And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: (17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

After reading about the seals, how can one say that these judgments are those of the Antichrist? The very first first tells us that it is the Lamb that opens the seals! Just because verse 16 talks about the wrath of the Lamb does not mean that the previous judgments weren’t from God. I believe this is when people come to realize that all these events are caused by God! The Antichrist makes peace for Israel in verse 6:2 and he doesn’t cause war with Israel until later. One fourth of the world’s population dies due to famine, wars and beasts of the earth (read through 6:8). As well, Christians during the Tribulation are martyred during the fifth seal.

The Antichrist’s wrath cannot be responsible for the great earthquake that occurs in verses 12-14. These judgments are from the very hand of God upon the earth and the heavens. Pre-Wrath proponents do not consider the first five Seals to be severe and interpret them as the birth pangs of Matthew 24. But how can one surmise this when one-fourth of the population dies? One-fourth may not sound like a lot of lives, but when you put it into perspective, it truly is! The population today is 8.1 billion souls so one-fourth is 2.03 billion people! I would definitely say that this is more than a birth pang. The birth pangs of Matthew 24 are what we are seeing today. We are seeing a culmination of the events that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 24.

They too mistaken the Tribulation saints with the Church in Matthew 24:22 and 31. It cannot be the Church as Jesus says that she should pray that their flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day in verse 24:20. The church is not under the Law, therefore this references the Jews. Also, the souls under the altar in Revelation 6:11 were given white robes. The Church, Christ’s Bride, is given fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. (Revelation 19:8)

We will cover the last viewpoint in the next study. Are you ready for the Rapture? You must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 50

By Kate Plourde

On June 26, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Let’s review the different views of the Rapture. All but one of them involve Bible prophecy’s timing. Why is timing so important? If you were expecting your parents to come visit from 3,000 miles, you would be looking forward to it. You would be preparing the guest room, making plans to take them places, as well as planning meals.

Different views:

Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Today we are going to cover the viewpoint that says the Rapture will occur in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation period.

Mid Tribulation

The Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint believes that the rapture will occur at the last trumpet of the 7 trumpet judgments of Revelation 11. This belief says that the Church will live through the first three and a half years of the Tribulation.

Why do you think they believe that? They interpret Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians 15:52 “the last trump” to be the last trumpet of the judgment.

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

However, the trumpets of Revelation are judgment trumpets. There is nothing good about any of the seven trumpets. There is no blessed hope in them as they all involve judgment. Let’s take a look at them in Revelation chapters 8, 9 and 11:

Trumpet #1 – Revelation 8:2 says that these trumpets were given to angels. Verse 6 tells us that it is the angels who will sound these trumpets. However we see here: 1Th 4:16-18 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: (17) 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. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Lord Himself is the one who shouts and the Lord has the trump OF GOD. The Word says that “the trump of God,” which is a call of grace, calling the Church home. It is not a trump of judgment. This is the only time we see the phrase, “trump of God,” used in the Scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament. It is not one of judgment. The first trumpet judgment brings hail and fire mingled with blood and one third of the trees and grass are destroyed.
The second trumpet in verse 8 destroys one third of sea life and ships on the seas.
The third trumpet in verse 10 destroys one third of the rivers and fountains of water and poisons them.
The fourth trumpet in verse 12 darkens one third of the sun, moon and stars.
The fifth trumpet in 9:1 releases the first woe which opens the bottomless pit and the horrible effects of the demonic locusts.
The sixth trumpet in verse 13 makes releases the second woe which releases the four angels bound in the Euphrates who kill one third of all mankind. It is here where the Two Prophets preach and do miracles.
The seventh trumpet is found in 11:15 which reveals Christ’s reign to come.

Lastly, the seven trumpet judgments do not contain the last trumpet in Revelation. The last trumpet was spoken of by Jesus and is actually found in Matthew 24:31 where Jesus sends his angels out to gather his elect “from one end of HEAVEN to the other” at his Second Coming.

Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This verse refers to Christ’s Second Coming to earth with His Bride. This trumpet is used to sound a call to the Bride to gather together with Him for the final battle.

So we can see that there is no comfort in this viewpoint as pointed out in Paul’s writings about the Rapture:

1Thess 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1Thess 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

The comfort for the Bride, the Church, is knowing that we will be spared the Trumpet Judgments. Judgment is for those who have not received Christ as their Saviour. Judgment is for those who disobeyed God’s Word:

Ephesians 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:

Ephesians 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.

Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

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.

Now let’s look at the timing of the Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Luk 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Notice that NO ONE knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return for His Bride. When the Father tells His Son to go get His Bride, it will be like the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five had oil (the Holy Spirit) and five did not. The five who were sealed unto the day of redemption went into the marriage and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10) This privilege was for the Church as shown us in Revelation 3:7:

Rev 3:7 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;

The door to Heaven is the Shepherd’s door for His sheep; the sheep who knew His voice. The sheep that He knew by name. (John 10:3, 27) Once we are raptured, that door is shut by Christ alone, the Bridegroom. No man can open that door after it is shut. This privilege is given to the Church (the Philadelphia Church). They will witness from Heaven all the judgments which will come upon the earth.

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

We will cover the next viewpoint in the next post. Are you ready for the Rapture? You must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 49

By Kate Plourde

On June 24, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

The Different Views of the Rapture

Before one can better defend the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint, one must know the differences of each viewpoint. All but one of them involve Bible prophecy’s timing. Why is timing so important? If you were expecting your parents to come visit from 3,000 miles, you would be looking forward to it. You would be preparing the guest room, making plans to take them places, as well as planning meals.

So let’s cover the different views and see where this takes us. There are four viewpoints when it comes to the Rapture. They are:

Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

We will cover the pre-Tribulation view first so that it will help to spot what makes it different from the others. Jesus gave us a beautiful example of His return in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Let’s review it together:

Mat 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (3) They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: (4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. ( 8 ) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Pre-Tribulation

The Parable above is a beautiful example of the Bride waiting for her Groom! Here we learn that there are ten virgins. They all had lamps but five of them, the foolish ones of verses 2-3, took no oil with them. Oil was not only used for lamps but was used when anointing someone for a task. This oil is representative of the Holy Spirit. We see that in:

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The wise virgins had oil for their lamps. They had received the Holy Spirit when they were born again. Those virgins were sealed by the Holy Spirit with an anointing – that anointing is given to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The unwise virgins did not have any oil. Some claim that these virgins had to have oil to begin with since they had lamps. But notice in verse 4 that the wise virgins did take oil for their lamps. We see that the ten virgins are part of a group that claim to be a part of the Bride. All ten arose when they heard the cry that the bridegroom was coming. All ten trimmed their lamps. We can see this in our churches today. Some are “playing” church and appear to be saved. They have their lamps, they do the works but they do not possess the Holy Spirit. We also see that five wise virgins had taken their oil. These are the ones in the church that do have that oil. They possess the Holy Spirit – this is their proof that seals them unto the day of redemption.

Now let’s get back to why I know the five foolish virgins were not saved. The wise virgins told them to go to the market to buy oil. While they were grone, the Groom came. A bridegroom would recognize his bride when she comes down the aisle, amen? So will our Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. The bridegroom definitely has something to say to those he does not recognize in this Parable. His Bride goes with the Groom to the marriage (verse 10) and the door was shut. What happens after? The five foolish virgins come along and beg Him to open the door (verse 11). The Groom’s response will surprise those who do not hold to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Jesus knows who are His.

Joh 10:2-5 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (4) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (5) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jesus knows who are His. He knows each of us by name! The fact that He tells the five foolish virgins that I know you not, proves to us that they were not His to begin with.

Another sure fire fact that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint is correct is that it is imminent. It can happen at any time without anything having to happen prior. We can know the seasons but we do not know the hour of Christ’s return for His Bride!

Mar 13:32-33 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (33) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

1Th 4:17 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.

Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luk 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

The Rapture itself is a time of anticipation for all believers. The Church longs for the day, and even more so as we see the end times unfolding:

Rom 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The Second Coming of Jesus to the earth occurs at the end of the Tribulation period. (Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6–18) This return is not imminent as we know exactly when this will occur: which is at the end of seven year Tribulation period.

Any Day Now – Day 48

By Kate Plourde

On June 21, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

The dispute amongst Christians as to the timing of the Rapture is a divisive one. :'( It should not be, but it is. But there is one verse in Scripture that cannot be explained away by any other viewpoint than the pre-Tribulation Rapture’s viewpoint.

Today’s verse is one of my favorite verses. It cannot possibly be about Christ’s Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation because the Word says:

“escape all these things that shall come to pass”

What things? Let’s see what Jesus says:

Luk 21:6-35 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (7) And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? ( 8 ) And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. (9) But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. (10) Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (11) And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (12) But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. (13) And it shall turn to you for a testimony. (14) Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: (15) For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (16) And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (17) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. (18) But there shall not an hair of your head perish. (19) In your patience possess ye your souls. (20) And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (21) Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. (22) For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. (23) But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (26) Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (27) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (28) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (29) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

We see that at the end of the Tribulation, all those things mentioned above have already come to pass. Therefore, there is nothing to escape! Furthermore, why would we pray that we may be counted worthy to escape all these things? The only thing happening after the Tribulation is the start of the Millennial reign of our Saviour, Lord, our King Jesus! The Bible provides us with several promises to the Church, Christ’s Bride. First let’s see why Jesus would not allow His Bride to go through the Tribulation.

Eph 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Eph 5:29-30 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

We have all heard that the Church is the body of Christ. He is the head of the Church. The Apostle Paul compares the body of Christ as members of an actual body. Why would Christ bring wrath on Himself as we see in Revelation 6:16? Why would Tribulation saints plead to hide from the face of Christ, their Saviour???

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

1 Cor 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (14) For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Cor 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

If we are indeed the body of Christ, why would Christ allow His own body to go through the Father’s wrath? (Ephesians 5:29) Jesus Christ is God and, therefore, won’t bring wrath upon Himself. It makes perfect sense! We must understand this teaching in order to believe in the promise of a pre-Tribulation Rapture.

As we learned in the study on the Book of Revelation, the Church at Philadelphia was promised that she would be kept from a time of trial to come upon all the earth.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Not since Noah’s flood has a trial come upon the entire world. This verse must, therefore, refer to the Tribulation period. Furthermore, that same verse says: “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation.” The Greek for the word “from” is “ek.”

ἐκ, ἐξ

ek ex

ek, ex

A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote)

Secondly, what do you think Jesus meant by saying “thou has kept the word of my patience”? The Lord has appointed a specific time for His wrath to take place. He has given us the Bible to learn from and to teach others. God’s patience will soon end and His wrath will finally come on the children of disobedience. (See Ephesians 2:2, 5:6; and Colossians 3:6)

Jesus also told the Church at Philadelphia (the Church of brotherly love) that He had an open door for them:

Rev 3:8 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.

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Who shut the door to Noah’s Ark? It was God who shut the door. As we see in Revelation, 3:10, a door is open that NO MAN can shut. Only God can shut this door. We see this in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:10), when the Bride and Bridegroom went in for the marriage.

The “Come up hither” makes perfect sense that the Rapture occurs here. Why do I think so? The Apostle Paul explains that a trumpet, more specifically, the trump of God, will sound to announce the Rapture. This is the only occurrence where a trumpet of God is used in the entire Bible:

1Thess 4:16 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:

A door is opened in heaven and a “voice like a trumpet” speaks to the Apostle John. That voice says “Come up hither” and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. So this voice, which sounded like a trumpet (the trump of God), said to “come up hither” AND He will show John what would happen AFTER John “went up hither”! Where was hither? We see in the next verse that John saw the throne of God and the Lord began to tell John all the things that would happen during the Tribulation.

What a beautiful example of the Rapture. Prior to chapter 4, the word “church” is found seven times in the Book of Revelation. Seven is God’s number for perfection. The word “churches” is found in 12 verses in the same book. This website defines the number 12 as:

The number 12 is one of the foundations of Scripture. The meaning of 12 is that it symbolizes God’s power and authority, as well as serving as a perfect governmental foundation. It can also symbolize completeness or the nation of Israel as a whole.
www.biblestudy.org

The perfect church, the body of Christ and His Bride, began with the twelve Apostles who will be the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem. (See Revelation 3:12)

The word “church(es)” is not found at all after chapter 3:22 of Revelation. It reappears in Revelation 22:16-17 when it is also referred to as the Bride! What husband would allow his wife to be tortured, possibly beheaded, as well as allow her to suffer the wrath of God? None would, especially our Lord, our Groom!!

Do you see how when all the verses are put together, they form the pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint? Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 47

By Kate Plourde

On June 19, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Imminent … just what does that mean? As I have said before, the definitions I use come from Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. He defines it as:

IM’MINENT, a. [L. imminens, from immineo, to hang over; in and minor, to threaten. See Menace.]
Literally, shooting over; hence, hanging over; impending; threatening; near; appearing as if about to fall on; used of evils; as imminent danger; imminent judgments, evils or death.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

The timing of the Rapture is argued in Christian circles, I am sad to say. But the pre-tribulation Rapture is the only one whose timing is imminent. The other views depend on signs to occur.

If a man knew that a thief was going to come to his house at 8:00 p.m. on a given night, he would be prepared. But what did Jesus say?

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Just as in the Galilean weddings of Jesus’ day, the groom did not know when he was going to return for his bride until his father told him he could go. How perfectly that fits to the pre-tribulation Rapture! Jesus’ return is as a thief in the night. No one will expect Him at a given time!

Mat 24:42-44 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The Tribulation period is filled with timing: it’s seven years long; the Antichrist defiles the temple after three and a half years, etc. Since we do not know the timing of the Rapture, it makes sense that it would occur before the Tribulation. It can’t possibly happen after the Tribulation, because then we would have a time. God is specific throughout the Bible, even to the day! Because of this, that is why He tells us to watch!

No where in the New Testament Scriptures do we find suggestions on how to prepare to live through the Tribulation. Instead, we are told to comfort one another.

1 Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Why would Paul tell the Thessalonians to comfort and edify one another if they had to go through the Tribulation? There is no comfort in knowing about the horrific things that were going to happen during those seven years! The beginning of the Church was not a time of peaceful existence but was a time of great persecution. Because they believed that the Rapture could happen at any time, they were encouraged to comfort each other as they waited for the Blessed Hope. (Titus 2:13)

One point I’d like to make is to those procrastinators out there. If you knew that Jesus would come at a certain date, you would wait until the last minute to get into “spiritual shape.” You would wait to witness to that lost relative. HOWEVER, because you do not know the time of His return, you stand ready because you are always watching!

You may have come across those who believe that the pre-Tribulation Rapture is a new theory invented in the early 1800’s. However, they stop there. The have not researched any further into earlier writings. Recently, biblical researchers have found several writings from early Church fathers who clearly held a pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

The First Epistle of Clement, 23 (written around 96 A.D. by Clement, a prominent leader of the church at Rome who knew some of the apostles personally and probably is the Clement referred to in Phil. 4:3): “Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, ‘speedily will He come, and will not tarry.’”

As early as 70 – 180 AD, The Didache, chapter 16, section 1, says, “‘Be vigilant over your life; let your lamps not be extinguished, or your loins ungirded, but be prepared, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come.”

“But what a spectacle is that fast-approaching advent of our Lord, now owned by all, now highly exalted, now a triumphant One!” (Tertullian 155 – 245 AD).

All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins” (Pseudo-Ephraem (374-627 AD).

John Calvin, the reformer at Geneva during the 1500s and founder of the Presbyterian Church, made the following statements in some of his commentaries on books of the Bible: “Be prepared to expect Him every day, or rather every moment.” “As He has promised that He will return to us, we ought to hold ourselves prepared, at every moment to receive Him.”

The Westminster Confession, written by the Puritans of England during the 1600s, declared that men should “shake off all carnal security and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come.”

“I say, somewhat more because the dead saints will be raised, and the living changed at Christ’s ‘appearing in the air’ (1 Thess 4:17); and this will be about three years and a half before the millennium, as we shall see hereafter: but will he and they abide in the air all that time? No: they will ascend to paradise, or to some one of those many ‘mansions in the father’s house’ (John 14:2), and so disappear during the foresaid period of time.” (Morgan Edwards 1742-44).
I’m not much of a fan of relying on what scholarly men write about the Bible.

The Dark Ages (from about 450 AD to the 1600’s) were named for the condition of a spiritually dark world. Mankind was not allowed to read the Bible as it could only be interpreted by a priest. The Roman Catholic church was the universal church during that time. It was during this time frame that the church believed they were living during the millennium! This is called amillennialism and does not allow for a pre-Tribulation Rapture. It was not until the early 1600’s did we see premillennialism and the pre-Tribulation Rapture view reappear.

The “When” of the Rapture is the nucleus of the pre-Tribulation viewpoint. The Bible is its best interpreter. Scripture upon scripture, verse upon verse! The imminent return of the Lord Jesus to gather His Bride to Him is clear as you read the following verses:

Matt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matt 25:1-6 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

Mark 13:33-37 Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Rom 13:11-12 Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

1 Cor 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Tim 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13 Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Heb 10:24-25 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching.

Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

James 5:7-9 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Tribulation is preceded by many signs as seen clearly in Matthew 24:3-51, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and 2 Peter 3:3-4. That is why many believers today are sounding out the warnings of Christ’s return! His return is closer than when the Scriptures were written so look up for your redemption draweth nigh!

Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Jas 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 46

By Kate Plourde

On June 17, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

We have covered the “What and Who” of the Rapture. Today we are covering the “Where”! The Rapture and the Second Coming are not the same event. The Church meets Jesus Christ in the air, not on earth.

Act 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 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.

1Th 4:17 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.

When Jesus Christ comes to end World Word III at the end of the Tribulation, He actually and literally steps foot on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

So the Rapture is not going to happen after the Tribulation. The Church meets Jesus in the air. Harpazo, the Greek word for Rapture, is defined as “caught up or to snatch away.” The Church will be caught up and snatched away into the clouds to meet Jesus there. Then we will go to Heaven with Him!

At that moment, believers will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Their earthly bodies will be changed into eternal bodies, just as Jesus had when He rose from the dead. The world will not see the changing of the old body to the new body as one cannot even measure the “twinkling of an eye.” Now the world might see us rising away from the earth, but they won’t see that change from earthly body to eternal body.

1Co 15:51-55 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [Heaven cannot accept an earthly, corrupt body. This is why a change has to be made.] (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1Th 4:14-18 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [Jesus will bring the souls of those believers who died before the Rapture to meet their glorified body in the air.] (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. (16) 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: (17) 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. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What a glorious event it will be indeed! I have been waiting for the Rapture since April 1980. I longingly await the blessed hope of Titus 2:13! Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 45

By Kate Plourde

On June 14, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Joh 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) 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. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

These three verses in John are a preview of what is in store for the Church. It answers the question of “Who” will participate in the Rapture. The Rapture is not the same as the Second Coming of Christ when He returns to earth to destroy the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Nor will He establish His earthly kingdom at the time of the Rapture. No, the Rapture is the first phase of the end times to happen right before the Tribulation begins.

Exactly who will take part in the Rapture? The Apostle John tells us in:

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The born-again believer is promised everlasting life and we do not experience God’s wrath. We are not condemned like those who do not believe.

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.

The Apostle Paul makes it quite clear in the verses below that God’s wrath is to be received by those who do not believe in salvation and who do not obey God’s Word in order to receive it.

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: [Born-again believers “in time past” walked in disobedience, but after salvation, they ceased.]

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:

God’s wrath is not intended for the Church. Each person who gets saved is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That promise is our inheritance, the gift from Jesus Christ to His Bride!

Eph 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. [That inheritance is given to us when the day of redemption arrives.]

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [When IS that day of redemption? Jesus encouraged His followers to be aware of the “end time signs”!

Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

The Apostle Paul compared the Church to Christ’s Bride.

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [Paul tells us that the believers who died in his day would be raised up along with those alive to be presented.]

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. [The Bride is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Here we were both the Spirit and the bride speaking. The Bride is in Heaven during the Tribulation.]

Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

There are so many other verses but I think you can now understand the “who” in those who will participate in the Rapture. It will be the Groom, Jesus Christ, and the Bride, the Church. I love how Paul compares the Church to ambassadors.

2Co 5:19-21 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Every country has an ambassador who represents and communicates his leader’s wishes to the world. We represent Christ and it is our duty to communicate Christ’s wishes. He wishes that all be reconciled to God. We see this desire in John 3:16! When that country is about to go to war, the first thing that happens is that the ambassador is called home. So will we be called home before God’s wrath comes upon the earth during the Tribulation.

The only way to be a part of the Bride of Christ is to be born again. It is salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 44

By Kate Plourde

On June 12, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

This is the subject of controversy today in Christian circles. Just who is God’s wrath going to fall upon? Why is His wrath going to be dispensed? When is God’s wrath going to be unleashed?

1 Th 5:9-11 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1Th 5:1-8 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. ( 8 ) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

First, let’s take a look at who will receive the wrath of God. Mid-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Tribulation and Post-Tribulation believers claim that the church will go through part of the Tribulation. However, once we take a look at who is destined to receive God’s wrath, one can only conclude that the Church will not be present during that wrath.

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_3:4-6 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; (6) fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

If there are “children of disobedience” then there must be “children of obedience”! What’s the difference between them? We see in Colossians 3:4-6 that the children of disobedience practice the sins mentioned in verse 6. But to the born-again believer, the child of obedience, has obeyed the Gospel and is forgiven!

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

So we see that only the children of the disobedience must suffer the wrath of God. It is an unrepentant heart that receives the wrath of God:

Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

The Church has repented and received Christ as her Saviour. She is covered by Christ’s blood and is saved from God’s wrath upon the earth on that great and horrible day! The Apostle Paul outlined it beautifully in his epistles to the churches. The born-again believer receives the Holy Spirit of God and that believer is sealed unto the day of redemption!

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.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

So now we have discovered through God’s Word that the Church is not the object of God’s wrath. So what exactly does “salvation” mean in today’s verse? (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) The Greek word for salvation is:

σωτηρία
sōtēria
so-tay-ree’-ah
Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): – deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

Salvation does not necessarily refer only to being saved from sin and having eternal life through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) In the case of 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul is giving a message on the topic of the Rapture. We must keep it in context.

1Th 5:1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. ( 8 ) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Friend, the Church is not mentioned after chapter 3 of Revelation. From the moment John was told to “Come up hither,” and was shown what things “which must be hereafter,” the Church is not mentioned. That same door that mentioned in Revelation 3:8,10 was only shown to the Church at Philadelphia and then revealed in Revelation 4:1. That door is only mentioned three times in Revelation.

Rev 3:8-10 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. (9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

That door is shut after the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, comes for His bride, the Church to take her to the marriage. Christ gave us an example of it in Matthew 25.

Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

After that door is shut at the Rapture, no one else can enter in. They all have to go through the wrath of God. We see the beautiful depiction of what is to happen in Heaven in chapter 5 of Revelation.

Revelation chapter 6 reveals the Seven Seals of judgment. It is a clear depiction of who is suffering the wrath of the Lamb!

Rev 6:16-17 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: (17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Who shall be able to stand? If the Church was to go through part of the Tribulation, she would be able to stand. But not according to this verse! Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 43

By Kate Plourde

On June 10, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

I’ve always loved this verse in Revelation because of the promise Jesus gives us! Jesus gives the promise that He will keep us from the hour of temptation. Why? He tells us it is because we have “kept the word of His patience.”

Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Rom 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The person who has authentically been born again looks for Christ’s coming to rapture us. What do I mean by authentically born again? It is one who has experienced the new birth and has repented of his sins. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Until the Rapture arrives, we are to “occupy” doing the work of the Lord. That wordy “occupy” means to busy oneself with leading others to Christ, be part of the body (your church) and be used of the Holy Spirit to accomplish Christ’s work.

Now let’s go back and look at Revelation 3:10. Jesus says that He will keep us “from” the hour of “temptation.” There are two things here that I want you to look at:

The Greek word for “from” is “ek,” which means “out of.” This where we get our word exit. Strong’s defines it as “A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote) This does not mean that God will protect the Church through the Tribulation period, as some believe. Jesus said He will keep us out of the Tribulation period.
Secondly, the word temptation is used in the verse. This is not referring to being tempted to sin. The word temptation here is referring to a trial. Greek word is “peirasmos” which Strong’s defines as: From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: – temptation, X try. Jesus is saying that the Tribulation period will be a time that the world will experience extreme evil. It is a trial that no would willingly want to go through if they knew what was to come.

Just as God protected Noah and his family (a total of eight people in the entire corrupt world), He will protect the Church. Think about it for a moment. The Bible says that we are the Bride of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2 reminds us that we, the Church, are betrothed to one husband as a chaste virgin to Christ. He is our Husband. What husband would allow his wife to be away from Him while destruction comes to the earth? What husband would allow his wife to be beaten and beheaded? Ephesians 5:25-27 gives us a beautiful depiction of what a husband should do for his wife and the Lord is no exception.

In a future post, we will cover why the Church won’t go through God’s wrath. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 42

By Kate Plourde

On June 7, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Are you paying attention to today’s news? Even just a little bit, you have to come to the conclusion that our world has drastically changed. It appears to have lots its mind! If you have noticed, I’m in total agreement with your conclusion and it is absolutely spot on, reader! Today’s world is not the same world as back in the first decade of this millennium! So what do you think has changed? More importantly, what do you think has caused this change?

Let’s take a look at what the Apostle Paul warned Timothy would happen when this world would reach its near end:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Anyone who reads this passage can see that each and every one of the things Paul warns us about is occurring today. Yes, they’ve been going on for hundreds of year, but not all together at the same time! I challenge you to take each one of the underlined words and study what God has to say about it. Look up the definitions, and write down what you see in the world around you which defines it to a “T”! There are some words which were vague to me as I didn’t know exactly their definition. But after I researched them, my eyes were opened.

Living in these days is quite exciting, at least it can be if you look at it with anticipation that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Jews’ Yeshua Messiah, is about to Rapture His Church! The Rapture is a mystery that was not revealed in the Old Testament. However, just because it was not, we can clearly see that it is beautifully revealed in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul would have brought up the Old Testament prophecies if it had been prophesied.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Paul begins to teach on the Rapture by informing the Corinthian Church that not everyone will sleep when the Rapture occurs. What do you mean, Paul? Christians who have already died, are in Heaven with Jesus. Their souls are with Him but will unite with their incorruptible body at the Rapture.

2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

So what actually is Paul referring to in 1 Corinthians 15:52? Paul is saying that at the time of the Rapture, those who are “asleep” (dead in Christ) will be changed just as those who are alive at the time of the Rapture. Paul says twice in today’s passage that we shall be changed. Changed into what? As you know, Scripture interprets Scripture and we see that interpretation in the verses following this change.

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The physical mortal bodies of every born-again believer cannot enter Heaven because our bodies are corruptible. Those who are in the grave at the time of the Rapture can attest to that. But what about those who are alive at that time? Our bodies are still as corrupt as the ones who are in the grave. Corrupt with what? The answer to that is sin. We were born into sin and have a sinful nature. Because of that sin, our bodies die. If Adam and Eve had never sinned, the sin nature would not have been passed on to every generation and death would not have followed. Therefore, our sinful bodies cannot enter into Heaven. Corruption cannot be in an eternal heavenly body so our body must be assigned an incorruptible body like Jesus had at His resurrection from the dead!

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Not only did physical death occur at the time of the first sin, but spiritual death as well. That is the whole purpose of Jesus’ ministry! When we are born, we are born with a sinful nature. The life of the unsaved person is already destined for Hell. We can only change that destination by believing on Jesus Christ!

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Once a person is born again, that person will live eternally whether he dies before the Rapture or is alive at the time of the Rapture. No corruptible body of sin can enter Heaven. The born-again believer has become part of the body of Christ, the Church/Bride, and at the Rapture, that body will join the Head of the Church, her Lord/Groom! Jesus Christ will not allow His own body, the Bride, to go through any part of the terrible Tribulation period. He calls her out of the world to join Him in the clouds so He can protect her from it.

That is the whole purpose of the Rapture! It is not to judge the church because Jesus took that judgment upon Himself.

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 we are in Christ Jesus, then we are counted worthy because HE is worthy! Jesus Himself gave us a glimpse of this when He spoke of the end times in Luke 21:5-36. The key verse is:

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

What is Jesus referring to when He says “all these things”? The response is all the things from verse Luke 21:5 through 35! He is speaking of the end times! Just as God gave Noah and his family protection, as well as Lot and his family, He is providing protection to His Church, His Bride; His own flesh and blood!

As we learned in the last post, the word Rapture doesn’t appear in the King James Bible. The New Testament was initially written in Greek. It was translated into Latin from which the English translation came.

The Greeks’ word for rapture was “harpazo”;
when it was translated into Latin, that word was translated to “rapturo” which is where today we get our English word rapture;
but when the word was translated into English, it was translated as “caught up.”

Paul tells us that this “Rapture” will occur in the twinkling of an eye. Our physical bodies will be changed into the same type of body that Jesus had at His resurrection. (Luke 24:36-39) When we receive this new body, we can then have what it takes to enter Heaven with Jesus. Be encouraged, reader!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!