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The Rapture vs. The Second Coming – Day 38

On April 6, 2022

In Devotionals, End Times, Rapture, Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Good morning! It’s time to shake off the sleepiness and drink that morning cup of coffee or tea. I must admit that I wouldn’t mind waking up to the view above, wouldn’t you? 😃 On my last post, we covered God’s timing for the Tribulation period and why we believe the Rapture will occur before that great judgment. To sum that up, no man knows the day or the hour of the Rapture, but we can know the signs of the coming of the Tribulation. Christ’s return for the church is imminent: that means it can happen any time. Today, we will look at the Second Coming of Christ and when the Scriptures say that will happen according to the prophecies from the Old Testament.

The prophet Daniel, of the Old Testament, prophesied about this very thing.

Dan 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. (26) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (27) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel prophesied that the antichrist would sign a peace treaty with Israel for one week, which is equal to seven years (he breaks that treaty half way through). It stands to reason that there has to be a reason for the need for a peace treaty; there must be wars and conflicts so bad that Israel longs for peace and will give anything to achieve that peace. Remember, Daniel’s 70th week revolves around Israel. From that point on, the Tribulation begins and God’s prophetic clock starts to tick for the seven years. This tells us that the Second Coming of Jesus won’t happen until those seven years are finished. Therefore, the date of the Second Coming will be known to believers during those seven years! God is very specific and when He says seven biblical years, He means it. A biblical year is 360 days, not 365 as we know it in the West. So all one has to do is to multiply 360 x 7 and you get 2,520 days. Half way through is 1,260.

The Bible continues to tell us that more signs will appear before Christ comes to end the Battle of Armageddon. Read on:

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Dan 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Half way through the Tribulation, the antichrist will break that treaty with Israel and he will remove Israel’s ability to do sacrificing in their temple. Therefore, we know the Tribulation has not started yet for two reasons: (1) there hasn’t been a need for a peace treaty yet, and (2) Israel does not have a temple in Jerusalem. Once Israel realizes that the antichrist is not their Messiah, they will flee to the wilderness:

Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

It is not until these seven years of judgment upon Israel (see Daniel 9:24 above) are over that their true Messiah, King Jesus, will come. Those who fled to the wilderness will be cared for by God and they will recognize their true Messiah when He returns!

Rev 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Jesus and the Church will return at the end of the Tribulation after God has released His wrath upon the disobedient world. We know for a fact that the Church has been in Heaven because of the following verses in Matthew. Jesus said:

Mat 24:29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (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 is not the gathering of saints on earth as some post Tribulation believers say. This is the gathering of the saints already in Heaven! Verse 31 doesn’t say from under heaven; no it is from one end of heaven to the other. Let God’s Word reveal to you the truth, 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!

God’s Goodness

By Kate Plourde

On October 14, 2021

In God's Goodness

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I’ve learned to find the smallest of blessings in the things that God provides for us each and every day. One wouldn’t think that gourds are a blessing but I do. As you look at this photograph, look at the beautiful colors! As Summer comes to an end, we see the Fall foliage and crops pop with their exquisite beauty! I pray this 30-day devotional (written in 2007) will help you to concentrate on God’s creation and see how we can learn about Him through it all.

For the Master’s Use

By Kate Plourde

On October 8, 2021

In For the Master's Use

Are you a Christian ready for the Master to use? Do you allow yourself to be used of Him? So many are aching and in need of a tender touch or kind word in today’s world. This is a two-week devotional originally written 2008 in hopes that a Christian would come across it and find it helpful!

Beside the Still Waters

By Kate Plourde

On October 6, 2021

In Beside the Still Waters, Bible Studies, Christian Living, Christian Walk, Devotionals, Spiritual Growth

There are times when a believer needs to sit by the still waters and be encouraged by God’s Word. The words of life are found in the Scriptures. This devotional was originally done in 2006 and deals with various issues of life. I wrote it to be a blessing for a friend of mine with a chronic illness. Every person needs someone in their life to walk beside them in time of need. Just as we need that Balm of Gilead to heal our wounds, we need the spiritual Balm of Gilead to heal us spiritually.

My prayer is that you will be encouraged.

Word of God Devotional

By Kate Plourde

On September 27, 2021

In Word of God

This devotional was done in December 2007. My desire was to concentrate on God’s word and to help others have that same desire! This is a 28-day devotional strictly dealing with the Bible as God’s Word and how no church doctrine or man’s word can supersede what God hath said.

Morning Manna

By Kate Plourde

On September 26, 2021

In Christian Living, Christian Walk, Devotionals, Morning Manna

The title to this devotional came to me when I was doing my morning devotions. I did my devotions before breakfast and realized the importance of feeding my spiritual body. We need that morning manna in order to keep spiritually focused throughout the day. This devotional was originally written in 2007 with a desire to feed my spiritual self. I hope it is a blessing to you!

8 Steps to Living Peaceably With Your Unsaved Husband

By Kate Plourde

On September 22, 2021

In Bible Studies, Christian Living, Christian Walk, Marriage, Submission

Written in October 2006

Don’t look for a way out of this marriage. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. (1Co 7:12)

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. (1Co 7:13)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10)

Ask the Lord to reveal to you how HE wants you to act so He can complete His task through your current situation.

Be practical. Is it practical to think that your dear husband will act like a Christian? Do you expect your dear husband to get saved right now? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Act 1:7)

Rest in this … God is at work in your dh’s life as He promised.

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. (Hab 1:5)

Do you remember why you are married? Do you wonder why God allowed you to become a Christian while you were married to an unbeliever? For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. (1Co 7:14)

The word sanctify means “set apart.” Your husband will receive extra opportunities to witness God’s grace and mercy. Another reason to stay married to your dear husband is for the children. This same verse says children living with a Christian parent are holy rather than unclean. Therefore, remember that your presence in their lives is of great influence.

Concentrate on your behavior. You MUST walk the walk and forget the talk. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1Ti 4:12)

You need to be salt and light in your home. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Mat 5:13)

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Mat 5:14)

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (Mat 5:15)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:16)

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; (1Pe 3:1)

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (1Pe 3:2)

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: (2Co 3:2)

Your life may be the only Bible your dear husband or children will ever read.

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Phi 1:27)

Share your faith. There does come a time when you CAN share your faith but remember to do so “without the word” (1 Pet. 3:1). There are two very appropriate situations when you can verbally witness to your dh:

(1) Dear husband may notice something in your life (an attitude or behavior that glorifies the Lord) and he’ll tell you how much he appreciates you. At this moment, remind him that this was not the way you were before coming to Christ. Explain to him how much better your marriage would be if you could share these changes together.

(2) Wait until your dear husband is struggling with the emptiness in his life or is experiencing difficulty in a relationship with another person. Remind him that you once felt the same way, and this is why you surrendered your life to Christ.

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! (Pro 15:23)

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (Isa 50:4)

Don’t hate your dh. If he continues to resist your words and rejects Christ, be VERY careful not to become resentful or angry toward him. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1Sa 8:7)

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. (Luk 10:16)

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2Co 4:4)

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luk 23:34)

Therefore, give your dear husband a little consideration based on your knowledge of his lost condition. Give him some space and patience, and pray that God will open his eyes.

Pray. Prayer is your greatest tool in the struggle to keep your unequally yoked marriage going. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (Jam 5:16)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luk 10:19)

Pray without ceasing. (1Th 5:17)

Never give up!

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psa 27:14)

Kate Plourde
April 21, 2006

An In-depth Look at the Rapture by Alan Yusko

By Kate Plourde

On September 22, 2021

In Bible Studies, Rapture

Note from Kate: Before you read Mr. Yusko’s study, let me clarify the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint. Post and Mid Tribulation proponents claim that the Pre-Trib theory was only recently “invented,” however, please note the year that Pseudo-Ephraim wrote this Pre-Trib statement in about 300 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 (c. 374-627)

Now on with Bro. Yusko’s study:

Start with Dan 9

– This lays the foundation for all Bible prophecy

– If a person understands the 70 weeks prophecy they will not be confused with all the wrong views of prophecy “out there”.

– We will cover the 70 week prophecy and see where the rapture fits in.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

**Note: notice that the 70 weeks are ‘determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city’. This is the Jewish people of Israel and Jerusalem. (not the Church)

Notice that 70 Weeks of years (490 years) are determined upon the people of Israel accomplish these 5 goals:

– finish the transgression (between God and Israel)
– to make an end of sins
– to make reconciliation for iniquity
– to bring in everlasting righteousness
– to seal up the vision and prophecy
– to anoint the most Holy (The Lord Jesus in the Millennial Kingdom)

All this has NOT yet been fulfilled. It will yet be fulfilled upon the nation of Israel just like Daniel was told.

25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

These verses are talking about the 7 weeks and 62 weeks of years which add up to 69 weeks.

Verse 26… at the end of the 69th week the Messiah will be cut off.

27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Points to consider:

– The prophetic 70 weeks stopped at the rejection and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Messiah.

– That occurred after 69 weeks or 483 years.

– There is a gap between the 69th and 70th week. Unknown to Daniel but known to us today

– The church began at Pentecost where the Holy Spirit infilled believers. Believers became the body and bride with the Lord Jesus as the head.

– God has been using the Church (invisible body of Christ) during this gap as the salt of the earth and the restrainer of evil. The antichrist cannot rise to power with the church in the world.

– After the rapture the restrainer of evil is removed and the antichrist rises to power and Israel enters their 70th week. This time is also referred to as the time of Jacobs trouble or the Tribulation period. The restrainer is the Holy Spirit working in and through the Church.

– The Holy Spirit is omnipresent and cannot be removed. The Church is not and will be removed at the rapture.

– The existence of the church in the world prevents the 70th week from beginning. If the antichrist cannot rise to power the 70th week cannot begin.

WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?

What exactly is the rapture and what does the Bible say about it?

Most Christians have heard the term and the unsaved don’t know what a Christian is talking about.

Here are the foundational verses in the Bible that describe the rapture:

1 Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
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 is the rapture? The answer is this: It is a description of an event that will occur when God removes His Church supernaturally from the earth. Christians will literally disappear as they are called up to the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. There will be one generation living on earth that will not know physical death but will be instantly translated into the very presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the rapture each Christian will be transformed and receive their eternal resurrection body.

Lets look a bit more closely at the Scriptures previously quoted about the rapture starting with 1 Thess 4:

1 Thess 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.

This verse is by the “word of the Lord”. The event of the rapture is a fact and it is coming by the authority of the Word of the Lord.

Next, we are told that there will be some Christians alive when the Lord Jesus returns at the rapture. This verse also mentions Christians that are asleep or who have previously died.

This hints at a great reunion at the rapture. Those living will meet their Christian loved ones and friends who have previously died.

There is also an order to the rapture where God will honor the dead in Christ first. The order is this:
1) first the dead in Christ are resurrected
2) second those who are alive on earth are resurrected.

The Lord is very detailed. The rapture will occur very fast. In just a fraction of a second, it will be over. Yet the Lord will order those who will be raptured/resurrected first and second. This shows the amazing precision of the Lord as He exercises His almighty power.

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:

Here we are told that the dead in Christ will be given their eternal resurrection bodies first. Remember the order of events hinted at in verse 15 First the dead in Christ then secondly the living.

We are also told that the Lord Jesus will come Himself and will give a shout – a command: possibly ‘come up hither’ see Rev 4. The rapture occurs as a result of a command from the Lord.

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.

We are told that Christians still alive will be given their resurrection body as well in the rapture. All the raptured Christians (alive and previously dead) will meet in the air in the clouds. There Christians will meet the Lord Jesus and have a great reunion with each other.

This verse also uses the term “caught up” when referring to the living Christians in the rapture. What does ‘caught up’ mean? It literally means to be caught up, to snatch out, or to seize. God will use His almighty power in the rapture!

Here is another thought to consider. Some may say that the word ‘rapture’ is not found in the Bible therefore, it cannot be true. Consider this, the word ‘Bible’ and the word ‘Trinity’ is not found in the Bible either. However, the concepts certainly are found in the Bible. The rapture describes a Biblical event. The concept of the rapture is found in the Bible even though the actual word ‘rapture’ is not. In verse 17 above the rapture is described by the words “caught up”. A person would be correct by calling this Biblical event the catching up of the Church. However, the term rapture is shorter and it describes the same concept.

In the rapture, the Lord Jesus will not set foot on earth but will rather call Christians up to Himself in the clouds to meet Him there. This can be contrasted with His second coming when the Lord will set foot on earth at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. At that time everyone saved and lost will see Him return. However, at the rapture, only blood bought Spirit reborn saved Christians will see the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds. As a result, we clearly have two separate events

1) The rapture when Jesus meets the Church in the air and takes them to heaven and
2) The Second Coming which occurs at the battle of Armageddon. At the battle of Armageddon, the Lord Jesus comes back to earth at the mount of Olives in Jerusalem and sets up His Kingdom.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

-This teaching of the rapture is a comfort to God’s people
– comfort in trials of all kinds
– comfort with the death of loved ones

Next, lets look at the rapture in 1 Cor 15:

1 Corinthians 15
51 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.

1 Corinthians 15
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

The rapture is a mystery that God through the Apostle Paul has revealed.

The next question is: What is a mystery? Well a mystery is a new truth. Something not previously known or revealed. Further thoughts on the mystery of the rapture are:

– Could the mystery be the second coming of Jesus? No as the disciples and Christians already knew that Jesus would return again. Look at Acts 1:9-11 where the Lord Jesus is taken to heaven. The Lord will return in like manner, bodily, physically. His Second coming is nothing new.

– Could the mystery be the general resurrection of all believers? No! God had already revealed that: See Daniel 12:2, Heb 11:17-19 Job 19:25-27. It was general knowledge that there would be a general resurrection of the righteous and the damned.

So then what is the mystery, the new truth that God through Paul is revealing? Verse 51 tells what the mystery is. ‘We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed’.

1) We shall not all sleep. This means there is a generation of believers that will not die physically but will go straight to heaven. That is certainly new and unrevealed information!

Here is an interesting point….. What does sleep mean? Why did the Lord Jesus and His disciples use the term sleep as opposed to dead? Well the word sleep in their culture also included the fact that the dead person had a future. Death is not a final thing but there is a glorious future for the believer after physical death.

2) we shall all be changed. This literally means we shall be transformed. All born again, blood bought Christians will be given a new body. It will be a resurrected body of flesh and bones. The believer will have a heavenly body just like the Lord Jesus had after His resurrection.

So to sum up verse 51…. what is the mystery? The mystery is that there is one generation that will not die physical death but will be instantly transformed into their resurrection body as they meet the Lord in the clouds at the rapture. What a glorious way to go to heaven!

If you had a choice, which way would you prefer to go to heaven?…by death or rapture? What a glorious new truth and a blessed hope!

Lets look at another aspect of the rapture: How long will the rapture take?

Verse 52 answers this question:

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.

How long will the rapture take? The rapture will be just a moment or a twinkling of an eye. How long is a moment or a twinkling of an eye? It will be so quick that the time frame cannot be humanly divided. The rapture will be instant in a small fraction of a second! For example take 1 second and divide it up into 1000 tiny sections of time. The rapture will be faster that 1 of those small sections of time! Remember the precision of the rapture.

RAISED and CHANGED

The dead = raised
We the living = changed

We are given new resurrection bodies suited for heaven

A body just like the Lord Jesus had after His resurrection.

Therefore: rapture is joy and a hope.
– new body (no sickness, pain, death)
– Forever with the Lord and see Him face to face to face!

Lets read further:

1 Corinthians 15
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.

Our new bodies will be eternal, incorruptible, and glorious! This is compared to our current mortal and corruptible bodies prone to sickness, pain, and death.

Death will be no more. This is what that statement “Death is swallowed up in victory” means.

The rapture is a blessed hope and the rapture is going to occur soon!

WHO WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RAPTURE?

The answer is simple. Only those who have trusted/accepted the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will be a part of the rapture. In this world there are only two types of people: SAVED or LOST. Which category do you fit in? Only the saved people will be going up in the rapture.

John 3
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
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 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.

Notice that only those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus are saved.

All others are lost and will die in their sins and perish forever in the lake of fire. The rapture is only for saved people who have their sins washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus. Saved people have trusted in the Lord Jesus alone for salvation!

So, all saved people will be included in the rapture. The lost will be left behind to go through the terrible reign of the antichrist and all the judgments of God found in the book of Revelation.

Only requirement for the rapture is salvation. All saved people will be raptured

1 John 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.

– Look at the word … all
– what does all mean
– how many sins were future when the Lord Jesus died

Rom 4
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

– this talks of imputed righteousness
– The Lord Jesus bore our sin on the cross – we have imputed righteousness.
– we all stand before God because of the merits of the Lord Jesus

WATCH AND BE READY! NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR THE HOUR

The Bible speaks of an unknown time when the Lord Jesus will return. Many will be found asleep and caught by surprise. These people thought the Lord would delay His coming and got distracted with the things of the world such as: the quest for wealth and money, love of entertainment, and other worldly pursuits. The end result is the sudden return of the Lord Jesus!

Here are some verses that describe the unknown time of the return of the Lord Jesus:

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

– datesetter warning
– fancy date model, plug in stuff out comes a date (always wrong)

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.

– rapture will be on a routine day
– the battle of armageddon will not be routine after the 7 seals 7 trumpets and 7 bowls of God’s wrath are poured out upon the earth.

down to verse 42

42 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.

– watch and be ready
– do not be caught sleeping with eyes on worldly affairs, affections, or treasures
– like the arrival of a thief

This command to watch and be ready is repeated again and again. The Lord does not want His people to be caught by surprise. Therefore, God’s people are warned to watch and be ready.

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

Mark 13
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
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.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 [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.
35 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:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH.

v36 another warning not to be found sleeping

Here is another point that the Lord reveals in the below verses.

Luke 12
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37 Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants.
39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40 BE YE THEREFORE READY ALSO: FOR THE SON OF MAN COMETH AT AN HOUR WHEN YE THINK NOT.

Notice verse 40. The Lord warns that He will come at a time when He is not expected. This means life will be routine when the rapture occurs.

The Lord will not come in the midst of a nuclear war when things are falling apart and massive numbers of people are dying.

Instead, the Lord will return on a routine day. People will get up after a night’s sleep and get ready for the activities of that day. They may work, buy, sell, marry or whatever. Others will still be sleeping in the middle of the night! Life will be normal and routine. The strong warning from the Lord is to watch and be ready because on such a day He will suddenly return to rapture home His people.

– Verse 37 above says “Blessed” are those servants who are ready and watching when the Lord suddenly returns. This means that not everyone will be sleeping and caught up with worldly pursuits. Some of God’s people will be wide awake and watching for the return of their Lord.

To those people the Lord says: Blessed!

A CROWN FOR WATCHING FOR THE RAPTURE

– after the rapture — resurrection and great renuion
– bema reward judgment (not for sins – the blood covers that)
– crowns are one such reward

Paul speaking…
2 Tim 4
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The above verse states that everyone who watches, waits, and loves His appearing will receive a crown of righteousness. This is a great blessing from the Lord! All that is required to receive this crown is for Christians to watch, wait, and look forward to the return of the Lord Jesus.

– I want everyone to get that crown at the bema judgment!

SEE THE DAY COMING!

Below is another unique promise in the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 5
1 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.

Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us WATCH AND BE SOBER.

– verse 4 where we are told that that day (the return of the Lord) should not overtake us like a thief. Here is what it means. Even though we cannot know the exact day, we can see the day coming. As we look at Bible prophecy and world events we can see the final prophecies getting ready to be fulfilled. This means the rapture must be very close!

Christians have great incentive to stay awake and watch for the return of the Lord because Christians can see the setups of the end time Bible prophecies. All this points to the nearness of the rapture. Therefore, watch and be ready!

1 Peter 4
7 BUT THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND: be ye therefore sober, and WATCH UNTO PRAYER.

CONCLUSION

We covered:
– basics of the rapture including Dan 9
– how long will it take
– who will be included in the rapture
– the exhortation to watch and be ready because the rapture will occur suddenly and unexpectedly.

THE RAPTURE IS OUR BLESSED HOPE

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

The rapture is a blessed hope to the Christian. Watching for and expecting the rapture is a blessed hope that encourages a person to stay close to the Lord.

A person watching daily for the rapture will go on with life but be constantly looking for the return of the Lord each day. This blessed hope also has a purifying effect. A person will not get caught up in worldliness or wrong things if he thinks His Lord could come back at any moment.

This message covers the blessing for a Christian who will be found by the Lord watching when the rapture occurs.

The Lord calls that person, “blessed”! I would say it is a good personal goal for ones life! Make it your hearts goal and desire to be ready and watching when the rapture occurs. This way you will not be caught by surprise when the rapture occurs in the very near future!

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

Prov 14
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

The time is short! Feel free to post this on web pages, to mail it to people, print it, publically teach it, or to send it into email newsgroups on the internet. This means it may be freely posted, printed, or transmitted in any way. Use it for the glory of the Lord!

Get the message out! Judgment is coming and it has already started! It is long past time to repent and get right with God! The Lord Jesus (second person of the Trinity and God in human flesh) is the Only Saviour. Come to Him today before it is too late for you!

An in-depth look at the Rapture!
By Alan Yusko

– feel free to copy, print, or to use this sermon outline as a sermon message.

Are You Moving Forward?

By Kate Plourde

On September 22, 2021

In Bible Studies, Christian Living, Christian Walk, Spiritual Growth

Written in April 2008

Backsliding – we’ve all heard the term and some Christians are even in this state as I’m writing this. The term is not used in the New Testament but is found in Jeremiah:

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. ~Jeremiah 8:5

According to Noah Webster, the word perpetual means:

1. Never ceasing; continuing forever in future time; destined to be eternal; as a perpetual covenant; a perpetual statute

Notice Jeremiah uses the terms perpetual, holding fast to deceit, refusing to return. The born-again Christian who is stirred by the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, will be under conviction when he/she sins against God. It is when we quench the Holy Spirit that we find ourselves in a state such as this. We all go through a dry spell from time to time. But when one is in this state all the time, it is very dangerous. We blaspheme the Word of God with our actions.

A Christian will either be moving forward for the Lord as he submits himself to God’s will for his life, or he will be standing still or moving backwards. Standing still can be just as bad as going in reverse, my friend. Neither one of these produces anything positive for the Lord. A believer who is stirred in his spirit by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit cannot stand still and will not go backward. He will move forward as he submits to the hand of the Potter. The stagnant believer, as well as the one who is going back to his old ways, is submitting to the work of the devil in his life.

~James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (7) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ( 8 ) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. (9) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (10)

The reason we get this is way is because we have strayed from God – we have not submitted ourselves totally to His will for our lives. That is why the devil can “have his way” in our lives. Verse 7 says that if we submit to God and resist the devil’s tactics in our lives, he (the devil) will flee from us. James was writing to believers and, therefore, he is not talking about being demon possessed here. The devil can influence us with distractions – he can cause the lust of our flesh to work against us. The devil can even use God’s work to distract us. If we are all consumed with doing the Lord’s work yet leaving our spiritual life aside, it is a distraction and it is keeping us away from our First Love!

Notice verse 8: Many quote the first part of this verse but they fail to quote the rest, which is what we must do to draw nigh to a Holy God: Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners – I don’t believe the Lord is telling us to wash our hands here – I believe He is asking us to examine our lives and wash away what is unpleasing to Him: ungodly music, unacceptable TV programming, etc. (you know what your weaknesses are). ~ James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Purify your hearts – Christ must be at the center of our hearts after salvation. Purify (according to Noah Webster) is to free ourselves from pollution. What is polluting your life today? It could be the things you discovered about yourself in the previous verse. It could be your walk with the Lord. Are you praying? Are you reading the Word? If not, go back to 12 o’clock in your spiritual walk and start over. Again, remember your First Love. When you don’t feed your body food, it becomes weak and you waste away. If you do not feed your spiritual body the Heavenly manna found in the Word and follow its convictions, you starve spiritually and your spiritual self will waste away. To the believer, conviction should be hard at work in the heart at this point. Don’t just listen to conviction but apply conviction to your life. This is the only way you will experience change and forward movement in your spiritual walk.
Ye double minded – When you are away from the Word long enough, you become double minded. You do not hold the same “standards and convictions” as before. You begin to doubt your convictions or slack off. You are unsettled in your thoughts. God provides your with conviction and you do not heed His command for you. This is not of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. That is why you are unsettled in your heart and you are not at peace.

So what do you do to get out of this rutt?

~Rev 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (4) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (5)

Return to the joy of your salvation day. Remember when you were in the Word every chance you got and you obeyed the voice of God when He told you to repent from a certain sin? Get back into the Word – obey His voice. As you start your new plan, don’t over schedule your time in the Word to the point where you will fail. Some people have the right intentions and spend 2-3 hours in the Word right from the git go. Although this is admirable, it may not be what is needed right here and now to keep you motivated and continuing to move forward. The devil will see your intentions and will cause all kinds of distractions to come your way. Instead, until you have re-established your habit, keep your time in the Word manageable. Schedule it like any appointment in your life. A scheduled appointment is more likely to be kept than to face the day with a list of things to do and no rhyme nor reason in its timing.

It’s O.K. to say no to too many commitments. After all, we don’t have to do everything that we are asked to do. Saying no is not that bad Look over what things you have committed to. See if some can be eliminated. If you’re in a quandry as to which one to eliminate, ask your husband or a spiritual adviser and get their opinion. A wife’s primary role in life is the Lord – right after that, she is to be a helpmeet to her husband. Then next on her list is to be a good mother. Church activities, ladies meetings, etc. must not take priority over these. When we have our priorities in order, everything else falls into place. If you must say no, simply say, “I would love to do this, however, I will have to say no at this time.” Simple – to the point – and usually no one pushes for a better answer after they hear no.

Don’t delay – don’t procrastinate – don’t give up! You’re under conviction for a reason and that is because of the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart. Once you are back in the Word, being nourished by the Spirit and heeding His convictions, you will see this discouragement melt away!

Will I Come Forth As Gold

By Kate Plourde

On September 22, 2021

In Bible Studies, Christian Living, Christian Walk, Spiritual Growth, Trials

(Job 23:10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

I’ve seen study after study and devotion after devotion on this verse. But until you personally experience a series of trials in your own life, and experience this verse, you really can’t fully appreciate what others are trying to explain. So it was for me! Although I was greatly blessed by reading those studies, I have to admit that it wasn’t until recently that I have fully appreciated Job 23:10! For those of you who do not know, I have two sons. Aaron just joined the U.S. Army and is at Basic Combat Training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Adam is a U.S. Marine and is wrapping up his MOS training in Coronado, CA. My husband and I recently sold our house and downsized to a two-bedroom apartment! We were planning our retirement and were scheduled to leave Virginia after May 1st. That is, until we found out a couple of weeks ago that John has been diagnosed with cancer. Radiation, chemo, surgery and follow-up treatments are what lie in store. I truly praise the Lord that at least I have my sons and my husband! I have not suffered as Job suffered, that is for sure! But I can surely sympathize with him and understand his account so much more as I go through these trials.

It is the first part of the verse that spoke to my heart, actually. The Lord knows the way that I take! This brings me much comfort knowing that my Shepherd knows my way. He has seen the future and knows the results of all that is going on in my life! My Creator, who has numbered the very hairs on my head, knows me intimately and cares for me. No matter how discouraged I may get, I can turn to the Word and the Lord gives me something that encourages my heart! (Psa 61:2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Our Heavenly Father hears our pleas of despair and comes to our rescue! (Psa 18:6) In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Thank You, Lord! I glorify Your Name on high!

Job’s reputation has followed him through the ages because he was able to claim this verse in the Bible. Even to this day, we hear the phrase “He has the patience of Job.” The trials that this man suffered are unbelievable, aren’t they? Job was attacked on every side by ole slew foot! The devil attacked Job’s character, he attacked Job’s belongings (cattle, etc.), he attacked Job’s servants, he attacked Job’s family, and he attacked Job’s own body! There is no one, that I know of personally, who has been through each of these in his life time – let alone within just a few weeks! I have learned that the Lord never gives us more than we can bear! With each burden, he provides us encouragement along the way. It is up to us to search out that encouragement! The Word should be our main source of encouragement! The title of my blog shows who that Source is: (Psa 121:1) [A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psa 121:2) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

I also noticed that Job did not get to the point where he cursed the day he was born until after his friends came to “comfort” him! The devil kept attacking him and saw that he could not succeed so he sent along people he could “use” to accomplish his goal – discouragement. Where do you sit today, my friend? Are you one in need of encouragement or are you to be used of God to do the encouraging? Are you the type of friend that Job had? As I searched my heart, I realized that although I was experiencing trials of my own, there are many out there who are going through things that make mine look like child’s play! What kind of friend am I to those dear ones who are suffering?

If you are one who is experiencing trials today, do you surround yourself with whiners, complainers and nay sayers? It is these types of friends who will drag you down spiritually. Surround yourself with people who love the Lord, will pray for you and are there to lend an ear just in case you need one. Turn to your spiritual mentors who will not allow you to wallow in self-pity but will help you out of the pit of despair. You cannot expect someone who cannot swim to rescue you from drowning! Therefore, do not turn to those Christians who will nurture your discouragement instead of lifting you up in the Lord.

I don’t know why the Lord laid this on my heart today. Maybe I will need this down the road – or maybe you are going through a similar trial and need to be encouraged! With that said, won’t you say as Job did, (Job 23:10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.