The RAPTURE!

God gives the best to them who leave the choices up to Him!
I strongly believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture after which there will be 7 years of great sorrow and the war or Armageddon. I know there are a lot who disagree with me strongly about a pre-trib. rapture but please be sure to read my profile and my blog and see why I think there will be a Rapture before the tribulation. I’ve studied Biblical prophecy for quite a while and I hate to be the barer of good news but the Bible does teach a pre-tribulation Rapture.
The book/movie 'Left Behind' gives the impression of most if not all Christians 'disappearing' in a pre-tribulation rapture. The Bible however is clear that that is not going to be the case. Most Christians are going to be left behind. Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation are 7 short letters to the 7 early churches, written by the Apostle John as directed by the Holy Spirit. By the time you've finished reading these letters it is quite clear – God is not pleased with most Christians. In fact he warns Christians that if they're 'lukewarm', he is going to 'spit' them out of his mouth (Rev. 3:16).
The pre-tribulation rapture is only for the Christians who have purified themselves through sanctification by the Holy Spirit, who have already endured trials and tribulations and having OVERCOME SIN, now present themselves as a Holy and Blameless church (Ephesians 5, Revelation 3:10).
What is the Rapture?
The rapture is an event that will take place sometime in the near future. Jesus will come in the air, catch up the Church from the earth, and then return to heaven with the Church. The Apostle Paul gave a clear description of the rapture event in his letters to the Thessalonians and Corinthians.
"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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thess, 4:16-18).
“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-53).
The word “rapture” comes from Paul's "caught up" remark in verse 17. The words “caught up” are translated from the Greek word harpazo, which means "to carry off," "snatch up," or "grasp hastily." The translation from harpazo to “rapture” involved two steps: first, harpazo became the Latin word raptus; second, raptus became the English word “rapture.”
Modern-day society has witnessed some rather distressing events over the past century. We've seen the assassination of world leaders, national and international wars, and disasters of every sort. All of these events have left deep scars on the psyche of humanity. However, I think these events will pale in comparison to the panic that will be caused by the Rapture.
The rapture will someday give a new meaning to the word “shock.” For the U.S., the attack on Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terrorist attacks currently rank as the most startling events in our nation's history. When the rapture takes place, I am convinced it will be 100 times more shocking than Pearl Harbor and September 11 combined.
The purpose of this profile is to show believers and non-believers that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon. The Rapture is imminent and can occur any day now. Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled as we speak. But unfortunately there are so many people who claim to be Christians, religious even born again people who are absolutely living their lives for the world and not for Christ. They speak like the world, dress like the world, smell like the world, act like the world and turn to God only when they are in trouble.
If you claim to be a Christian and yet you are doing all these things and don’t put what God wants first in your life, then you should start questioning if you have truly been born again. John 5:18 “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin”.
The Benefits of Being Rapture Ready
One of the most obvious benefits of being ready for the rapture is not having to suffer through the tribulation. Here are four passages that indicate that believers will not be left to suffer the outpouring of God's wrath:
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36).
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10). "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
"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 " (Revelation 3:10).
If you're included in the rapture, you will be taken to heaven--the place that is a synonym for happiness. The Bible tells us that in heaven there are no health problems, moral failures, economic hardships, or marital difficulties.
I want all Christians to be able to say this about themselves and live it out.
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dice has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.
My face is set, my gait is narrow, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meandor in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up for the cause of CHRIST! I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go 'til He comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'til all know, and work 'til He stops me. And when He comes of His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear, I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
God's Time
I BELIEVE WE WILL NEVER KNOW THE EXACT DAY OF CHRIST’S RETURN FOR HIS CHURCH. IT IS GOD’S NATURE TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY FROM MAN’S THINKING. IF HE RETURNED ON A DATE THAT SOMEONE HAD FIGURES OUT, THAT PERSON WOULD DEPRIVE GOD OF HIS TRIUMPH. WHEN IT COMES TO HIS GLORY, GOD DOESN’T SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT WITH ANYONE.
You are blessed
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.
You are blessed
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.
You are blessed
If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.
You are blessed
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
You are blessed
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
You are blessed
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States.
You are blessed
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
You are blessed
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.
You are blessed
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.
You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.
Let us count our blessings and thank God for providing us with everything we have in life.
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children- Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one MAKER.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank GOD you're alive and still around.
Satan's Meeting
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church." "We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth." "We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Saviour." "Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken." "So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish-dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ." "This is what I want you to do," said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!" "How shall we do this?" his demons shouted. "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow." "Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles." "Keep them from spending time with their children." "As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!" "Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice." "Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." "To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly." "This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ." "Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers." "Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day." "Invade their driving moments with billboards." "Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes." "Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. " "Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night." "Give them headaches too!" "If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere." "That will fragment their families quickly!" "Give them Santa Clause to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas." "Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death." "Even in their recreation, let them be excessive." "Have them return from their recreation exhausted." "Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead." "Keep them busy, busy, busy!" "And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences." "Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus." "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause." "It will work!" "It will work!" It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives. I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes? You be the judge!!!!!
What Should Christians Be Doing?
We watch with baited breath as the world jumps into the hand-basket that is taking it to hell, waiting-waiting-waiting for the Rapture. Maybe I’m not the only one literally looking skywards some days, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus on the horizon.
It’s a wonderful thing to anticipate. I literally get a little thrill in my soul when it really hits me that we could all be in heaven soon and our earthly fight will be over. But it isn’t like waiting on Christmas—we can’t just sit here making a list of all the great things we’re going to do and the questions we’re going to ask when we get to heaven. We need to seriously consider what we each can be doing while we wait, and it won’t be the same for everyone, but there should be something. Personally, I worry about how much treasure I’m storing up in heaven—not because I expect to find a giant pile of Angel Gold so I can go shopping or anything. I don’t want to get up there and have only a tiny pile of glitter to show my Father simply because I spent so much of my life wasting time by waiting with my hands in my lap.
I’ll never make a huge impact on the world. But I hope that when I finally get to meet my Father and look Him in the eye I won’t be completely ashamed of my efforts. I want Him to place His hand on my head and smile and tell me I did alright—that I didn’t disappoint Him as I fear that I do.
In addition to your personal walk with God, the desire to immerse yourself in His Word and your responsibility to keep yourself accountable and growing in knowledge of Scripture, I feel Christians should as true believers, seek to do the perfect will of our Father in Heaven all the time.
Acts 2:42 says, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." We are supposed to do these things and insulate ourselves from the world!
Matthew 28:19-20; "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen." That by the way is a little thing known as a commandment, from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. We have, to reach out in the Spirit and truth of God to the lost and give them the Gospel. That isn't always easy when you consider that most of them don't want it. There is really no excuse for not doing so.
Live a life of integrity - the most effective witness that we provide to the people around us is when we live a life of integrity so as to not diminish Christ and His sacrifice for us in any way. People might not want to hear about Jesus but you can still use your life and how you act and talk to be a witness to non-believers.
Constantly be challenging yourself and others around you to live as though Jesus could come a second from now.
Advance your knowledge in Scripture by participating in Bible classes or in depth Bible studies. Be active in your local church. Whether distributing tracts from the church, inviting people to come with you, actively participating in Sunday School, or ministries within the church. Just do something.
Pray for the lost. James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
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