To be or not to be? That is the question. I have already established why I believe there will be a rapture in part one of this topic. In this blog I will answer two questions:
- What do we know?
- When will it happen?
WHAT DO WE KNOW?
God did not appoint us to face his anger. His anger is for those who deny Jesus as the Messiah and refuse to live His way. 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1:10. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. He is the restrainer on the earth. When we pray by His leading, we hold back the enemies of God on the earth. When we are raptured, He will go with us. The 7 year period of God's anger is for unbelievers who remain on the earth. The presence of evil will increase and wickedness grows.
The Tribulation of Seven Years is about a decree that was passed. The angel Gabriel brought the answer to Daniel. Since then 69 weeks have passed, we wait on the the 70th week. One week is seven days and represents seven years. For now pay attention to your people and your holy city. I will review this in more detail in another blog soon.
Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress. Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Daniel 9:24-26
Jesus said what to look out for. I know that the fig tree in Matthew 24 is Israel as stated by Jesus Himself. Jesus gave signs of when to expect the rapture. This means that the church does not replace Israel. Israel is a sign for when the rapture will take place. It is possible that the rapture will happen before, during or after the pre-tribulation war. The rapture will add to the chaos and despair many will feel when they are left behind. Other signs are given in the blog Pre-Tribulation War and Pre-Tribulation Settings
WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN?
Have you ever watched a wrestling match? When the opponent is held in a choke hold or a grip that is too painful or threatens to cause bodily harm, he can tap out. The referee's job is to monitor the hold and evaluate if there is potential for harm. The rapture is like that.
God created an out for us. You might think that people are being killed for being Christians and this is enough reason for God to have raptured us already. However, if that had happened before then where would you be?
If God had raptured the body of Christ when the disciples were persecuted, boiled in hot oil, turned upside and murdered, we would not have that hope today of being raptured. If the rapture had happened yesterday would you have been taken? Would you still be here? Are you ready?
Travis Greene sang a song, You waited. I fully appreciate this song. I have many loved ones still to be saved. There are millions of people still to know who Christ is and the hope of eternal life with Him. We have to trust God to know when it is enough. Many people mix up the Second Coming with the rapture.
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. And they were oblivious, until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Matthew 24:36-41
Taken away or caught up, means the church will be taken to heaven for a time to wait with Jesus for the timing of His Second Coming. They will return with Him, Revelations 17:14.
The believers will know when to expect the Second Coming of Christ. When the anti-Christ claims he is god and takes over the Temple, count 1260 days. Do not be distracted and do not be deceived by this world. It is easier to accept Jesus today.
I pray that you have a deeper understanding of the word of God. I pray that you are filled with the anointing of The Holy Spirit and affect others to pull down darkness in their lives in Jesus name.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you.
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