Tag: End Times

Revelation at a Glance – Day 9

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, Rapture, Second Coming of Jesus Christ, TribulationLeave a comment

Rev 4:1-2  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.  (2)  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Good morning! As we open our eyes in the morning to a brand new day, let us remember that we are living in exciting times. We will be the ones who experience the Rapture before we die! We must be busy with the Lord’s work in leading as many as we can to Him. Christians have no need to fear what is happening around the world. Why? Because we know that these things must happen in order for Christ to come again. The Rapture is not waiting for a specific event before it can happen. However, for Christ to come as conquering King at the Second Coming, these disturbing times must come to past.

In Revelation 1:19, we see an outline of what the entire Book of Revelation is all about. The Apostle John explained to us those things which he saw (chapter 1) when Jesus spoke to Him. He told us about the things “which are” in chapters 2 and 3. Now we will look at the things which shall be hereafter (chapters 4 through 22).

Rev 1:19  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

The Greek word for hereafter is “meta taut” which starts us here in chapter 4. It is found again in today’s verses, Revelation 4:1. We see that the Apostle John, in his early 90’s and while he was on the island of Patmos, writes: “he looked and a door was opened in heaven.” He was taken by the Lord to heaven where he would behold many terrifying things which would happen in the future.

We see John as a “picture or type” of the church that is raptured prior to chapter 6. I realize many don’t believe in the rapture and their defense is that the word rapture doesn’t appear in the Bible. However, neither does the word “Trinity” but it is a fundamental belief in the foundations of Christianity, amen? Neither is the word “bacon” but we enjoy it with breakfast! We must remember that the New Testament Scriptures were not written in English, but in Greek. The word “harpazo” means to snatch away and when it was translated into Latin, the word “rapturo” was used; this is where the word “rapture” comes from. It is these first two verses of chapter 4 that describes the rapture beautifully.

One notices that a door was opened in heaven in verse 1 and Jesus says, “Come up hither.” Do you recall the letter to Philadelphia? A promise was made to this church:

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.

“Come up here” appears only twice in the New Testament and both times are in the Book of Revelation. It is used again when the Two Witnesses in chapter 11 are raised after being dead in the streets for three days. Jesus tells John to “come up here” so He can show John things which must happen “hereafter.” John was immediately in the spirit and he beheld one sitting on the throne. Can you imagine how John felt as he was looking at what was going on in heaven around the throne???

Why is it believed that this is an indication of the Rapture? We must look at it according to the Scriptures.

  1. The church is not mentioned once after Revelation chapter 3. The word church appears 80 times in the New Testament, seven in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. The word churches is found 37 times in the New Testament, 11 times in chapters 2 and 3 and once in chapter 22. It is nowhere to be found in chapters 4 through 21. The Tribulation is a time period where God deals with Israel and His efforts to draw them back to Him. The church age is over at this point because we are raptured and now the focus is on Israel.
  2. The open door in heaven only appears twice: once here in chapter 4 and then again when the two witnesses are caught up into Heaven in 19:11.
  3. The sound of a trumpet is consistent with: 1 Co 15:51-52  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. 1Th 4:15-16  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: This is not the sound of angels’ trumpets but the trumpet of God!
  4. Invitation to “come up here” appears only twice in the New Testament, both in Revelation, here and Revelation 11:12, when the two witnesses are raptured.
  5. Lastly, the return of the Saints with Christ is found at the end, in chapter 19. The Scriptures which talk about the Saints being with Jesus at the Second Coming are many:

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Jude 14-15  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,  (15)  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

1Th 3:13  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

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.

2Ti 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.

So dear reader, we see that the pre-tribulation Rapture view holds to the test of events. Our next post will continue with John’s visions of what goes on in Heaven before the Tribulation begins: they are exciting times!!! 

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!

Revelation at a Glance – Day 8

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, Rapture, Second Coming of Jesus Christ, TribulationLeave a comment

Rev 3:14-22  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  (15)  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  (18)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  (19)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  (20)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  (21)  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  (22)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Good morning, reader! I hope this series stirs your heart to tell others about Christ so they won’t have to live through the most terrible period in earth’s history. I know it stirs the embers in my own heart! I also pray that this series would prick the lukewarm heart to be set on fire for God’s Word and repent from complacency.

Today’s church is the Laodicean church and we are hard pressed to find anything in this church that it is doing right. In fact, Christ cannot commend it for one thing! Even though He can’t, He still encourages them to repent! In fact, He prefaces that statement with the fact that those He loves, He reproves and disciplines them. What great compassion our Saviour has!

This church in history was a wealthy church. It was known for its sheep that had glossy black wool which they used for fine expensive coats. Their medical school also invented an eye disease salve which we still use today, called boric acid. I found that quite interesting. They didn’t have good drinking water so they piped in their water by aqueduct from Hierapolis. This water came from their hot water spring and by the time it arrived to Laodicea, it was lukewarm. I love how the Lord uses their “commodities” in a spiritual light. It is located near Denizli, Turkey today. They were nearly destroyed in 60AD by an earthquake. In fact, the government offered them subsidies to rebuild (sound familiar?) but they rejected it and said they could handle it on their own. They were self sufficient, which I also find interesting. They didn’t need any help from God!

In the church timeline, Laodicea existed from the 1900’s and this church will go through the Tribulation period. It runs simultaneously with the church at Philadelphia but it is not evangelistic at all. In fact, this church is an apostate church. It’s interesting to read how Jesus uses His reprimands with what this church holds dear.

Jesus tells them that they are lukewarm considering the waters from the aqueduct coming into their city being lukewarm! I love the analogy! They are not on fire for the Lord nor cold and indifferent. Jesus also tells them that they are known for their eye salve yet they are spiritually blind! They’re known for their black shining expensive wool but they will be naked before Him. He encourages them to have white raiment so they will be clothed. They have plenty of gold but the Lord tells them to buy from Him gold tried by fire!

This church has allowed the world into it and has no spiritual power at all. At the turn of the 20th Century, scholars of the day promoted heresies which started turning the hearts of Christian churches. One such man was Harry Emerson Fosdick. According to Wikipedia,

Fosdick became a central figure in the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s and was one of the most prominent liberal ministers of the early 20th century.

In his sermon at the Northern Baptists Convention in 1922, he said that Christianity didn’t need:

“intolerance of fundamentalists, but rather the tolerance of diverse beliefs practiced by enlightened modernists.”

Today, a tolerating of sin under the banner of love is promoted in this apostate church rather than addressing sin under the banner of truth and grace so that people could experience genuine forgiveness! It is liberal theologians like this who infiltrated the church and this church becomes known as the apostate church at Laodicea. Both churches, Philadelphia and Laodicea, exist today but the church at Philadelphia will be gloriously raptured! The Laodicean church, however, will go through the Tribulation and will be used by the Antichrist. He will succeed in deceiving many through this church.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks and asks them to let Him in. This church has not invited Jesus into their church. The Lord doesn’t force His way in. It continues to be a personal invitation to us all, not just this church, amen? We must all have our own personal experience with the Lord. We must all be born again and live for the Lord as our time is short!

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!

Revelation at a Glance – Day 7

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, Rapture, Second Coming of Jesus Christ, TribulationLeave a comment

Rev 3:7-13  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;  (8)  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  (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.  (11)  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  (12)  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.  (13)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Good morning, reader! Pull up a chair, open your Bible and sit a while with your favorite morning beverage. We are about to read the letter to the Church at Philadelphia. This church is especially a blessing to read because it represents our current Church age! This is the age where believers have the blessed hope of being raptured before that great and horrifying day of the Lord.

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

The horrifying seven-year Tribulation will be like none that has ever occurred on this earth. As mankind has grown more wicked, it will take more judgments and wrath from God in order to get their attention. The more one sins, the harder the heart is toward the things of God. It is going to be a period of great fear and destruction. This is the very topic that led me to the Saviour and I have rejoiced daily that I am going to be included in this blessed event, unless the Lord calls me Home before.

The Church of Philadelphia is not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures. It, too, was nearly destroyed by the great earthquake of 17AD and it never fully recovered. It was known for its principle crop of grapes. Ironically, the unbelievers worshipped Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

Bacchus was the unrestrained Roman god of wine and revelry, religious ecstasy, and frenzied creativity. The Romans believed that Bacchus inspired his worshipers in their drunken state, freeing them to think and act in new ways.

mythopedia.com

This city was built by Philadelphus, King of Pergamum. It was eventually taken by Bajazet in 1390. It is now the town named Allahshar, and Islam is the only religion. How sad that Christianity faded!

Historically, the Church at Philadelphia covers the period from 1750 until the Rapture. this time frame is also occupied by the Church at Laodicea covering the time span between the 1900’s through the Tribulation. Do you wonder why two Churches run side by side? Apparently the Church in the 1900’s branched off into two and resulted in the evangelistic Church and the liberal, apostate church. The liberal “thinkers” became prominent during the 1900’s and this liberalism crept into the Church. But as usual, there was a holy remnant who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ from 1750 until today. We see the continuation of John Wesley’s preaching as well as Jonathan Edwards, who was also prominent. There were four segments to the Great Awakening:

  1. Starting at the end of the last Church from 1730-1740, Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were leading many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
  2. From 1790-1840, America was spiritually awakened. It is said that 10,000 souls per week were won to the Lord in New York City alone! Oh that this would happen today! The awakening spread throughout New England and Baptists baptized over a million converts. The gospel’s effects were felt for 40 years after that!
  3. A Welsh revival occurred from 1855 to 1930 and entire towns were transformed. Bars closed down and lives were literally changed. It was said that the coal production industry went down because the donkeys wouldn’t move when the townsmen told them to move! Why? The donkeys were accustomed to being cursed at and the townsmen were no longer cursing! Now THAT is a changed life, amen? (2 Cor. 5:17 was truly accomplished)
  4. From 1960-1980, America saw an awakening with Billy Graham’s evangelistic tours. Hearts were stirred at this time. I’m not promoting his work as his doctrine was different than what I believe; however, one cannot deny the hearts that came to Christ because of his ministry. In fact, I was born again in 1980, not because of Billy Graham but because of a faithful servant who shared the Gospel with me. At that time, many were going door to door spreading the Gospel. Today, going door to door could get you arrested for not being “woke”!

The Church at Philadelphia is alive and well today. Because of its evangelism, souls have been saved and there are still a few good churches around the world. These are the churches who did not close down during the epidemic and Pastors refused to obey the government’s mandates for closure. These are the churches who preach the whole counsel of God and win souls and not churches who have a “life coach” that only speaks in generalities.

This is the second Church that Jesus didn’t reprimand (the Church at Smyrna being the other). This Church’s faithfulness will be rewarded with the Rapture and they won’t have to go through the Tribulation.

Rev 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.

This is a wonderful promise which is taught throughout the New Testament and brings encouragement to all believers. The Apostle Paul did not want us to be ignorant in the area of the end times. The last series covering the Rapture goes into the details and Scriptures – if you haven’t read it, you can access it here. Despite the wickedness and fear displayed by the world today, born-again Christians all over are awaiting their Blessed Hope and appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet us in the air! I, for one, am encouraged by the “signs” of His return! I’m not afraid of what will happen and how bad things are getting. The war between Russia and Ukraine doesn’t bother me in the least. The rising inflation and threats of economic collapse don’t frighten me at all. Why? Because the Lord has promised that this generation will not pass away before He comes for us. Israel (the fig tree) became a nation in May 1948 and the generation alive to see this is the final generation before the Tribulation.

Luk 21:29-33  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.

Dear reader, are you going to be one of those who will experience the Rapture? If not, wouldn’t you want to be a part of it? It excites me that the Rapture might occur before I die! I will get to go up into the clouds to meet Jesus. As I’m going up, my earthly body will be changed to an eternal body! Jesus was able to be touched by His disciples and He also ate. Just as the body of Jesus after His resurrection was changed, so will ours! Praise the Lord God Almighty!

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!

Revelation at a Glance – Day 6

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, Rapture, Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Thoughts and Meditations, TribulationLeave a comment

Rev 3:1-6  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  (2)  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  (3)  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  (4)  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  (5)  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  (6)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

It’s a beautiful day here – the sun is shining and warmer days are ahead! Winter’s cold days dissipate as Spring’s beauty unfolds. How I love Spring! It’s a beautiful analogy of the new life that is given to us at the moment of salvation, amen? This new life should produce a heart that desires to please God as well as to be a good ambassador for His kingdom!

I praise the Lord that He has given us His Word to learn what is about to happen to the entire planet and those who dwell on it. Friend, this is no laughing matter, nor is it one that is to be taken lightly. We are currently going over the letters dictated by Jesus to the Apostle John to the churches of the day located in Asia Minor. Each letter not only had specific instructions to a particular church, but also the letters were for a specific time in church history. Today’s churches can glean from the teachings they hold and about what the Lord Jesus warns us.

Today’s letter is to the Church in Sardis. The church age for this church is from 1517-1750 AD. This church was not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures. It was a wealthy city which worshiped Artemis, the goddess of fertility (one of their many gods). They were also known for the largest graveyard which was named the cemetery on a thousand hills. This city was destroyed by a major earthquake in 17AD and was not fully restored to its original state. Today, it is known as Sart with a population of approximately 5,300.

Many other doctrines were introduced and way too many to list here. It is this “church” that Jesus warns us about. The reader should do some studying on the many things that were introduced by the Roman Catholic Church and compare it with Scripture. I’m not trying to pick on Catholicism here. It is important for the reader to learn about church history according to early writers and historians; not just literature from the Catholic church, which I might add is skewed. You will be surprised to discover that many of the Catholic beliefs are not biblically sound. During this period, a Gregorian monk by the name of Martin Luther, posted his objections to the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrines in his famous 95 Theses on October 31, 1517. He posted this on the Castle Church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. This is when the Protestant Reformation (protestors) began. God’s holy remnant began to question Catholic doctrine and they compared these doctrines with Scripture. This is what everyone should do.

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Protestant Reformation began toward the end of this Church age. It was known as the age of the “Great Awakening.” Men of God saw the heresies in the church and sought to remove themselves from it. Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were prominent preachers in the early 1700’s. In fact, John Wesley started preaching in 1738; it is said that he covered over 250,000 miles on horseback! Hearts were on fire to hear God’s Word. The push to have a printed Bible began during this timeframe as well. The first printed Bible in English was printed in 1611 and known as the King James Bible. This edition of the Bible was commissioned in 1604 by King James I. Now we can see why this period was called the Great Awakening. The age went from a time of trusting the clergy (also known as the appropriately named Dark Ages) to reading for one’s self what the Bible had to say. The Bible was forbidden to be read by lay people up until this point. It was taught that only priests could interpret it. What joy it must have been for the average person to be able to read the Scriptures!

This church had a holy remnant left in its midst and they were commended by Jesus for this. Jesus also told them that He had something against them: they were alive in reputation, dead in actuality and incomplete in deeds.

They were not living according to His Word and how it directed them to live. However, to the holy remnant, He said they would be dressed in white and their names would be found in the Book of Life! We see a common theme in these letters – there was always a holy remnant who stuck to Christ’s teachings and separated themselves from the world. The rest were known for works for reputation’s sake only when in reality, they were dead inside. Their works were not a result of salvation but they were done in order to gain salvation. This is taught by many different religions today. Having been raised Catholic, I was taught this very thing.

So, therefore, these “practices (or dogma)” were added to their initial doctrine, bit by bit. In the year 1010, the rosary was added – “invented” by Peter the Hermit. (I was raised believing that the virgin Mary made an appearance and taught us to say the rosary.) In 1215, the practice of transubstantiation was added (the actual turning of the wine and bread to Christ’s blood and body). In 1229, the Bible was forbidden to laymen. We see the results in today’s Roman Catholic Church. More and more burdens were added to the salvation message and no longer was faith and mercy a part of it. It was now a religion of works:

Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

So what do we have to learn from this Church? Even though we are in the end times and things are occurring on a daily basis which reveal the devil is hard at work as his time is short, we must remember this:

  • Remember that we are alive in Christ – we must share this “life” with the dead, the lost: Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 1 Pet 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
  • Remember those deeds as a believer in Christ – tell others about salvation through Christ alone; we must care for the poor, the fatherless and the widows. More importantly, the deeds are not to be done for our glory but for the glory of God alone! It is not our works that get us to Heaven but only Christ’s work is sufficient, amen?

As an afterthought, it’s interesting that the word “catholic” means universal. As we will see in later chapters, the one-world (universal) church will be located in a city on seven hills. Rome is the only city that fulfills this geographic location. I pray that if you are Catholic, you will not see these posts as negative comments or attacks on your church. Instead, I pray that your eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit of God before it’s eternally too late.

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!

The Rapture vs. The Second Coming – Day 38

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, Rapture, Second Coming of Jesus Christ1 Comment
Photography by Bob Sabo

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!

The Rapture vs. The Second Coming – Day 32

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, Rapture, Second Coming of Jesus ChristLeave a comment
Photography by Chris Michaud

Rise and shine, dear reader! Isn’t today’s picture beautiful? The photographer has captured exactly what is on my heart this morning. Seeing the rays of sun reminds me of what believers will see at the Rapture when we are caught up to be with the Lord forever! I see the fog, on the other hand, as hiding this blessed event from the rest of the world. Just as you can’t see beyond the fog, the world won’t be able to witness the Rapture; that event will be seen by the Church only. Who knows what leaders will say is responsible for this disappearance! But as my friend Bruce once said, the unbelieving world needs to be warned about what will happen so they can recognize what is happening.

So let’s dive into this topic so the Holy Spirit can teach us that there is a difference between the Rapture and Christ’s Second Coming. The Bible is clear on both points but it is up to you to study the matter out for yourself and not read after whomever agrees with your point of view. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible so why not get it from the Source Himself? I don’t want you to form an opinion based on what I write here. I want you to dig into your Bible and let the Holy Spirit of God teach you.

2 Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Apostle James tells us that we CAN know and we CAN ask for wisdom from the One who provides it liberally!

Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

So let’s ask the Lord for wisdom as we read the Scriptures and allow His Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us. What do the Scriptures say about the differences between the Rapture and Christ’s Second Coming? This will go on for a couple of weeks or so. I will attempt to keep the posts under 5-15 minutes of reading time.

What does the Old Testament and New Testament say on the subject of the Rapture? The New Testament says that the Rapture is a “mystery.”

1 Cor 15:50-55  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  (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.  (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?

If you do a search for the word “mystery” throughout the Bible (I use the King James Version), you will find that the word only appears in the New Testament. A mystery was not revealed in the Old Testament. At times, a mystery was referred to but not revealed; as we see in Old Testament prophecy. I read a quote that explains it more clearly:

The New Testament is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.

Attributed to St. Augustine (early 400’s AD)

Christians today can see some truths in the Old Testament Scriptures hiding in plain sight because Christ’s birth, death and resurrection have already occurred. It seems obvious to believers, but not so to the Jews. Israel didn’t have these truths revealed to them – it was concealed from them because, to them, their Messiah has yet to come. They missed His first coming and are looking to His second comingI hope that makes sense to you.

The Apostle Paul tells us that he’s about to explain to us a “mystery.” Paul was a Jew from the sect called Pharisees. He knew the Old Testament inside and out. After Paul became a Christian, he discovered that the Christians were not trying to eliminate the Old Testament but instead, they were embracing it as the preface to Messiah’s coming. After Paul received the knowledge of the Scriptures according to Christ, he taught his followers how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of His first coming. We must remember that the New Testament Scriptures were not yet in written form at that time. Jesus and the Apostles all quoted from the Old Testament. The Rapture was not taught in the Old Testament because Israel was not going to take part in it. They were disobedient and rebelled against God’s word and God paused Israel’s judgment to give the Gentiles a chance to be saved! Praise Him!! We have Israel to thank for the salvation that came to the Gentile world!

The following verses have blessed me as I read them with the Rapture in mind. At the time they were written, the reader had no idea that the verses would be speaking of the Rapture in the Old Testament. But as we believers look back at Christ’s first coming and look forward to the rapture of His Bride, the verses below have more meaning! Some may argue that they refer to the Rapture event, but that’s OK.

Song of Solomon 2:10-13  My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.  (11)  For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;  (12)  The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;  (13)  The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Zep 2:2-3  Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.  (3)  Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.

Isa 26:19-21  Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.  (20)  Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.  (21)  For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Isa 64:4-5  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.  (5)  Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

If you are born-again and a believer in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, don’t these verses excite you? This event is to occur at a time that no one knows, not even Christ Himself. If you are not certain whether or not you believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, remember that it is all about timing. Jesus said that NO ONE knows the hour of His return. That means the Rapture is imminent – to occur at anytime. If the Rapture were to occur in the middle or end of the Tribulation, then man WOULD know the day because the Tribulation lasts seven years.

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.

Friend, we know the exact date of the Messiah’s return to earth at the Second Coming! The first day of the seven year Tribulation begins when the antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. That starts the prophetic clock for the seven year Tribulation:

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.

Daniel’s 70th week of God’s judgments on Israel for their rebellion against Him begins with a peace treaty with the antichrist. The 70th week is comprised of seven years of 360 days each. The Jewish calendar consists of 360 days per year, not 365 like the West’s. The Tribulation will last a total of 2,520 days from the signing of that peace treaty. Therefore, if you believe in the post Tribulation Rapture, you would have an exact date. If you believe in the mid Tribulation Rapture, that would be 1,260 days after the signing of the peace treaty. Again, you have a date. Jesus is God and if the Rapture were to occur in the middle or at the end of the Tribulation, He would know the date! But the pre-Tribulation Rapture belief fits perfectly.

Israel will be enthralled with the antichrist. They will be deceived by him and will be fooled to think that he is their Messiah.

For those of you who believe that Christians will go through the Tribulation or that we are currently in the Tribulation, you have set a date. That means that you must know more than the Lord because He does not know the hour He is coming for His Bride. Mark 13:32 says otherwise “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

Dan 7:13-14  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  (14)  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

The Second Coming of Jesus will be to reign as the King of Kings. He will come to Jerusalem and will stand on the Mount of Olives. He will be seen by the entire earth! His coming for the Church happens in the clouds, not on earth.

Zec 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

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.

When the Lord returns at the end of the Tribulation, He will be coming with His church, the saints, who met Him in the air, in the clouds seven years earlier! The Church, Christ’s Bride, will return with Him because she is never more to be separated from Him.

Jude 1:14-15  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,  (15)  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

The ten thousands of his saints cannot be angels. Angels do not need salvation and, therefore, cannot be saints. These saints refer to those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Messiah.

Rev 19:6-8  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  (7)  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.

If you never learned about the Rapture and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that these devotionals have been a blessing to you. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Rapture – Day 17

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, RaptureLeave a comment
Photography by Bonnie Cipriani

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.

Good morning, reader! As we discussed in a previous post, when Jesus returns in Revelation 19, an army follows Him. He is riding on a white horse, and His army is clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. Who is this army?

In verse 8, the Scriptures say that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-trib rapture view because the Tribulation has not yet ended, and yet here the saints are coming with Christ to wage war.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

One cannot base a viewpoint on Scripture’s teachings on just a few verses. This is why I repeat myself and quote Scriptures throughout this whole series. One must take ALL of Scripture into account. One must determine who the judgments are meant for. It is clear that the church is not under judgment.

Rom 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Church prior to the Rapture will be kept from this judgment that God will impose upon all the unbelieving world. Since Christ went to Heaven, there has not been any judgment that has come upon the entire earth. Jesus promised to keep His church from that time:

Rev 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.

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Praise the Lord! \o/ Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Rapture – Day 16

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, RaptureLeave a comment
Photography by Jill Petrillo

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.

Good morning!😀 Today’s post is a bit long and I pray that you will bear with me and read/study it in its entirety.

The Book of Revelation used to be a difficult book for me. But as I read it, I learned to interpret it correctly. The Lord promised a blessing to those who read, hear and keep the words written in it. It is the only book of the Bible that promises a blessing! Therefore, let’s dive in this morning and get blessed! 😀

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

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

Many years ago in my researching, I learned that whatever image the Apostle John saw, if it seemed like it was something out of Star Trek and not believable, it should be interpreted as a symbol. A good example of this is:

Rev 9:7  And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

This is definitely a good example, isn’t it? But when other verses seemed to be realistic to me, I should interpret it as literal. A good example of this is:

Rev 8:10-11  And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;  (11)  And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

The star could mean a comet or an asteroid. A few years after I was saved and before the internet, I read an actual news article which stated that a comet had been spotted which was named Wormwood. Unfortunately, I can’t find that article online – it was one read in the newspaper. It could be likely that Wormwood will be discovered by NASA at some point in the near future. The word wormwood is defined by Noah Webster as:

WORMWOOD, n. [G.] A plant, the artemisia. It has a bitter nauseous taste;

So we can interpret the verses above literally. A comet will fall to earth and destroy a third part of the rivers and fountains of waters (fresh water) and make the waters bitter and undrinkable. So now we know what to take literally and what to take symbolically.

Let’s get back on track now and discuss the Pre-Tribulation Rapture as it relates to Revelation. If we are to believe the mid or post tribulation viewpoint, then the Church would have a lot of warning and instruction. The Apostle John would have instructions for the Church. How then does one explain that the church is never mentioned after chapter three??? This is key here! The word “church” is mentioned seven times in chapter two and the word “churches” is mentioned 11 times in chapters one through three. That’s a total of 18 times that “church” appears in just three chapters! The word “church or churches” is not mentioned again until the last chapter, Chapter 22, in verse 16!

Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

It is also interesting to note that in Revelation 3:22 (the last verse in this chapter) is the last use of the word churches. Immediately right after in Revelation 4:1, “a door is opened in heaven” and Jesus says “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” When the Bible was first written, there were no chapters and verses. The assigning of chapters and verses was finished in the year 1551. How exciting is that? Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 4:1 were originally one verse apart. One is referring to the churches and the very next verse speaks of a door opening. Following Rev. 4:1, there is no other mention of the church. It means a lot more when you look at it like that, doesn’t it?

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

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.

Jesus is not coming to earth in Rev. 4:1. However, John is brought up to where Jesus is located. Secondly, Jesus says He will show John what must be hereafter. None of the judgments have begun yet at this point. The rest of chapter 4 and chapter 5 discuss Heaven and events going on there. One of these events is chapter 4:4

Rev 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Believers earn crowns for their salvation and the way they conduct themselves on earth. They receive these crowns in Heaven and cast them at Christ’s feet.

Rev 4:10-11  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

So the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint fits in perfectly: the Church goes up to where Jesus is (in the clouds as the Apostle John goes to Jesus) and the judgments begin after the Church goes up.

Just as Noah was kept by the ark, Jesus is our Ark. We are safe in Him from judgment that is to come upon the whole earth.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Just as Noah lived by faith and remained faithful while building the ark, he was protected from the judgment of the flood which would come to the entire earth. Just as Noah returned from the waters onto the mountains of Ararat and a new earth was his home, so will we return with Christ to live on a revitalized earth and Christ will reign in Jerusalem.

No man knows the hour that Jesus will take us up in the Rapture. Just as Noah didn’t know when the rains would come, neither will we know when Jesus will take us away. This is the ONLY version of the Rapture that makes sense. Mid-trib has its exact days (1260) and Post-trib as well. But Pre-Tribulation is imminent and can happen at any time. Once God shuts the door (of our Ark), that’s it!

Mat 24:36-42  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  (37)  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (38)  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  (39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (40)  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (41)  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (42)  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

It is worth repeating: after Revelation 4:1, the church is no longer mentioned (until Rev. 22:16). That is because we have been raptured and are already with Christ. At the beginning of the Tribulation (which occurs when the Antichrist comes to power), God’s focus goes back to Israel’s judgment. After Revelation 4:1, the Old Testament’s prophecies about the time of Jacob’s Troubles come into play. “Come up hither,” is a beautiful depiction of the rapture of the Church. It is prefaced by the wonderful teaching of the Church age in chapters one through three. After the shout to “come up hither,” the Church is not mentioned during the judgments. If the Church were to go through the Tribulation, it would be mentioned. But the focus from that point on is now on Israel.

Jer 30:3-7  For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.  (4)  And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.  (5)  For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.  (6)  Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?  (7)  Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Believers need to realize that there are two groups of people that God especially loves! He loves the whole world but the faithful are close to His heart. God loves Israel and God loves Christians. God dealt with Israel throughout the Old Testament. Because they would not obey, God opened the door to all mankind to accept salvation. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us all from our sins; this includes non-Jews, the Gentiles. It’s as though God in His mercy took a “break” from dealing with Israel, to open the door to the Gentile, and put Israel’s judgment on hold. The Church Age began with Christ and the Age of Law was paused (this ended Daniel’s 69th week and began Daniel’s 70th week). The Rapture of the church takes us out of the picture and God returns His focus to Israel, Daniel’s 70th week. During this time, called the Tribulation, the Antichrist will make a pact with Israel and half-way through the seven years will break that pact.

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.

I know today’s post is a lot to absorb but it sure packs a wallop! Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Rapture – Day 15

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, RaptureLeave a comment
Photography by Chris Michaud

Good morning! Today, let’s tackle the belief in some churches that share that Jesus will come back after the Tribulation. If He were to do this, Jesus would have to rapture all the saints and kill all the ungodly. Who, then, would be left to populate the earth during the millennium? It makes no sense at all.

The only belief that fits this viewpoint of the timing of the Rapture is when it occurs before the Tribulation. Then, during the Tribulation, souls will come to salvation through the work of the two witnesses and the 144,000. Those who do not die for their faith and remain until Christ’s return to earth will be the ones left to populate the earth.

Those who make it through the tribulation go into the millennium while those who took the mark of the beast are cast into hell.

Rev 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Rapture – Day 14

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, RaptureLeave a comment
Photography by Bob Sabo

Luk 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.

Good morning! How exciting it is for me to review the Rapture! It bubbles up within me like a spring!! We’ve been going over the various reasons supporting the Rapture occurring before the Tribulation begins. Another one of the reasons is the marriage supper of the Lamb.

When Christ returns, He will be returning from a wedding. So let’s look at Revelation 19:7-8, where we read about the marriage supper. According to Jewish custom, the marriage supper takes place before the marriage. First there is a marriage contract, which includes a dowry. That dowry is drawn up first.

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.

How can we apply this to the church? The contract is a comparison to when we trust Jesus to be our Savior. The dowry is His life, which was used to purchase us. Nothing we do can ever be enough to take us to Heaven. Only Jesus’ life can do this!

Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

When it’s time for the wedding, the groom goes to the bride’s house unannounced. She comes out to meet him, and then he takes her to his father’s house. This fits in with the Pre-Tribulation beliefs. Jesus, our Groom, comes down from heaven to the clouds and calls up the church, His Bride. After meeting in the air, the Groom and the bride return to His Father’s house which is Heaven. The marriage supper itself will take place there, while down here on earth the final events of the tribulation will be playing out.

After the marriage supper of Jewish tradition, the bride and groom are presented to the world as man and wife. This corresponds to the time when Jesus returns to earth accompanied by an army “clothed in fine linen, white and clean”!!! Glory!!! \o/

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!