What’s a “Rapture”? :: by Don Twobears

I have been hearing a lot of talk about the Rapture (harpazo) that is soon to take place. Problem is, all the talk is actually questions instead of discussion about where we are at this very moment in time. So, I decided to make things a little easier to conceive in ones mind, concerning the Rapture (harpazo).

First of all, we need to be very aware of the state of Israel─Gods chosen people. We need to know what they think about all the geo-political happenings in this world. It is more than sufficient to say, Israel is alone! The USA, once a staunch supporter of Israel, is teetering on the brink of becoming a “stumbling block” for Israel.

Genesis 12.1-4:

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.”

This is the covenant that God made with Abraham, the known human Father of Israel. What is so surprising is that so very few people understand what this covenant really means. I emboldened the verse above and must make it clearly understood that God means exactly what HE stated there, concerning the “blessing” or the “curse.” This is not meant to be only a guide — it means exactly what is said. It is truly unfortunate that the leaders of the USA are NOT taking this seriously as it was stated by God.

If there has ever been a time when we need the blessings of the Lord, it is now! The sheer number of people desperately searching for a job is incredible! The number of people that are now homeless is even worse and yet there are many that will be in that position in the near future. That being the case, then why do so many turn their collective backs on this covenant, or the Holy Word of God in general?

Very few understand to turn your back on God is to deny yourself the advice and protection of a living God for your life today and into the future. Our present leaders have allowed the laws against prayer in schools, then wonder why we have so many problems with abortion, teen pregnancies, teen suicide, and teen crime. Ask yourself, “Have I had a hand in this, in any way?”

2 Timothy 3.1-7: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

These verses speak volumes of the general state of affairs for people throughout the world today. The most narcissistic phrase that the vast majority of people have for themselves is, “It’s all about ME” which I have spoken many times on in past articles. Will the general population of this world change? The simple answer is NO! The Bible states this narcissistic attitude will grow and become more of the norm, than at any other time than before. What is so disastrous to think of is how “focused” people are in this endeavor already! Just to lend credence to this, go to “Yahoo Answers,” under “Social Cultures-Religion and Spirituality.”

Find an honest question there concerning a problem and how it needs to be dealt with according to the Scriptures. Then write your answer using some Bible verses and your experience. Watch as people “flame” you for your adherence to God’s Word. It truly requires a great deal of abdominal fortitude to read the answers given by MOST people for answers given according to the Scriptures! You be the judge, then.

2 Timothy 3.12-14, emphasis added:

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thoum hast learned them.”

Now we see where the future of man is headed, right down the toilet and the question then is, “Why have we allowed this, to get this far and so bad?” In the deceiving and being deceived part we have but to turn on the television and go to so called “religious” channels to hear blasphemy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from the pulpit!!! “The blessed Mary, mother of God.” (Give me a break!) There is none but God and His name is Jesus Christ! Then we have those that want you to “plant a seed!”

“Oh yeah…God needs your dollars! We need the money to reach the unsaved for Christ!” Liars, because the money is going in their pockets! “God wants you to be happy! God wants you to prosper financially, so grab whatever money you have, lay it on the coffee table in front of you and we will pray over it! Then send it to (whatever their address) and you will receive it back seven fold…ten FOLD!!”

You never hear them say, “I am wearing this thousand dollar suit and guess what? YOU paid for it, so thank you very much!” But this is exactly what is happening all across this nation of ours. This, my friends is taking the name of the Lord God in VAIN! It is deceitful, dishonest, and I can NOT think of what they will have to deal with after standing in front of Jesus Christ and having to admit to this sacrilege!!

This is only the beginning and the worst is yet to come after the Rapture when God removes the church of Jesus Christ to heaven! There are going to be people who will be face to face with the knowledge that they were left behind because their lives were never inline with Jesus Christ. The sheer fear that will overflow in their hearts and minds will bring many of them to commit suicide, thinking, that way they won’t have to face the consequences for their lack of faith and submission to Jesus Christ. Instead they “believed” they were saved, that they were too good for God not to accept them! Piously sitting in the pew every Sunday and at Bible study and staunchly denying Jesus Christ in their hearts!

I continually keep saying that salvation is quick and so easy…”Lord, I am a sinner! I come to you and ask if you would forgive me of my sin, cleanse me and make me whole. I give you my heart, my soul, and my spirit, because they were yours before I was ever thought of. In Jesus’ Name I pray, for your honor and glory Father. Amen!”

And now you’re done, you never had to raise a finger, but this prayer must be from the depths of your soul! There is NO other way to the Father or heaven or eternal life…than through Jesus Christ! It must be clearly understood that you will not be part of the Rapture without salvation in Jesus Christ. Salvation in Christ is the reason for the entire New Testament. One can never hope to know Jesus Christ, without ever knowing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. How does one ever learn to have faith in Jesus Christ…if you have never met HIM? My experience with the Bible is that we read from the beginning and soak up all that we can, then you will notice the Bible will lead you to the book of Revelation.

Once you get that far, you will notice something happening! The New Testament will send you back to the Old Testament and then you will find yourself going back and forth, time and time again. This is one part of the Bible verifying another part of the Bible, time and time again. Anyone can read the Bible, but for those who never ask the Lord for HIS wisdom, they will never understand anything worthwhile in it.

When you do ask the Lord for HIS wisdom, the verses that you read before will suddenly have a deeper meaning for you and you will begin to understand more. Suddenly the Bible will have more verses, with even greater meaning than you ever imagined and yet will still be the same verses you first read. Your level of understanding will expand! This is the point where the Bible takes on a life of it’s own, it comes alive. It speaks things you had never heard before, just to you, for just your particular situation.

And what about the unbeliever? They will never see this happen, they will staunchly stick with their saying, “The Bible is too old and outdated! Is that true? Absolutely NOT! The Bible was written with the “believer” in mind, thus the need for those called to the Great Commission! Marantha, Lord!