In these last days, God's people eagerly await the rapture. We can look around at the world events and see that our time here on earth is very short. There is a great heaven-ward longing for God's people. As we see the events taking place in the world, the Christian can only hope and rejoice at the coming rapture.
Here are some examples:
- wars and rumours of wars using weapons of mass destruction. This would
include nuclear, biological, and chemical bombs.
- massive and deadly plagues. AIDS and many other forms of incurable sexually
transmitted diseases
- major moves toward a one world government. The buzz word for this is the
word globalism. One day (soon) there will be a one world money system, a one
world government, a one world church, and world legal courts. Ultimately,
all this will be run by the antichrist.
- massive weather disasters with unusual storms and unpredictable weather.
This would include tornadoes, floods, droughts, fires, hurricanes,
earthquakes, and other disasters.
This is only a partial list. Open up your Bible and read through Matthew chapter 24 for some more signs that are happening today!
Right now all the pieces are in place and the only thing holding back the antichrist is the rapture of the church. God's people can look around and see that we are near the return of the Lord Jesus. The Bible puts it this way:
Luke 21
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up
your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
God's people will not be taken by surprise when the Lord returns to rapture home His Church. We are not blinded like the lost-hellbound sinner. The day of the rapture is coming and God's people eagerly await that gloriously wonderful day. Here is a verse that says believers will not be surprised: when the rapture occurs:
1 Thess 5
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.
HERE IS ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
God's people are looking forward to the rapture and know it is coming soon. We cannot know the exact date but we know it will be soon.
Here is an interesting thought. What about the Lord Jesus. As you know, He is God manifest in human flesh, the Second Person of the Trinity. We are created in the image of God. He has emotions just like we do. I would say that the Lord Jesus also eagerly looks forward to the rapture. He looks forward to the time when His blood-bought Church will be with Him in Heaven. He looks forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb and to the time when He can present us before the throne of the Father (First Person of the Trinity).
That is a very interesting thought... Isn't it. The Lord Jesus looks forward to the rapture more than we do!
Think on that thought a bit because it gives a different perspective in our wait and yearning for the rapture. Remember the Lord Jesus also looks forward to the rapture as well!
What did the Lord say He would do when He returned to heaven after His ministry on earth? Here is what the Bible says:
John 14
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The Lord Jesus has prepared a place for all His people in heaven! He is looking forward to the day when He will receive and welcome us into our heavenly homes. The Lord has built special mansions in heaven for each of His people. What a great day of joy that will be. Christians world-wide are looking forward to the rapture. How much more must the Lord be looking forward to that great reunion when we are together in the rapture!
Jude 1
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Notice this verse where it mentions that His people will be presented before the Lord with exceeding joy. I would say that the joy will be on both sides! First God's people will have exceeding joy in the presence of the Lord. On the other hand, the Lord Himself will have exceeding joy in the presence of His blood-bought children!
Rev 22
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come
quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
We as Christians do not know the exact day of the return of the Lord. However, we do have the above promise that the Lord will work things out quickly. Right now all the players are in place and the world conditions are ripe for the rise of the antichrist. The only thing that we are waiting for is God's perfect timing. One day it will be "time" for the rapture of the Church. This will remove the restraint and allow the devil to bring to power his antichrist. God knows the exact day when this will happen. But hopefully that day is near!
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