For those moments/hours immediately after the Rapture, and the Great Tribulation is about to begin…
Much has been said recently about the Christianity claim of a “Rapture,” meaning a catching away of persons who have believed and surrendered their life to Jesus Christ as the human representation of God here on earth – sinless but died for our sins, God the Father raised Him from the dead, then returned to heaven. Yes, many scoff and mock such a concept as being unrealistic. But now the reports are worldwide – graves open and empty, some urns undisturbed, some open and empty, dead bodies missing at the morgues and funeral homes, children missing, and countless people suddenly missing.
Many theories are being promoted to explain it all away. But the whole event was instantaneous worldwide and totally specific – no human or alien event could possibly do this.
Also, people expected to be taken in such an event are still here, and people you would not suspect as candidates for this phenomenon – they are missing! This was the ‘Rapture’ – it has happened, and next comes the fierce series of tribulations.
BIG IDEA: GO FIND A BIBLE AND DIRECTLY READ THE SCRIPTURES. USE A PENCIL TO DRAW A LINE IN THE MARGINS OF KEYNOTE/HALLMARK VERSES THAT SHOUT THE TRUTH OF DIVINE INFORMATION; BELIEVE THAT BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. PRAY TO GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOUR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE. EXPECT YOU WILL BE KILLED FOR THAT STAND, BUT YOU WILL GAIN ETERNITY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD!
Luke 9:24 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
I might suggest you begin with the Gospel of John and read to the end of the New Testament – Revelation. Then, go back to the other Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Continue with the Old Testament, starting with Psalms and reading to the end, then back to the beginning with Genesis, and read the rest of the Bible. Read as if your present and future life depend on it! Use a pencil to draw a line along the margin of each key verse that especially alerts or alarms you. Start praying for enlightenment.
Repeat the process again to grasp the whole scripture and cement those truths in your mind and heart.
Some specifics…
Only the Bible claims direct authorship by God and creates spiritual changes:
II Timothy 3: 16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Only repentant believers in Christ, Son of the living God, whether deceased (asleep as opposed to perished) or still living at the unknown time of His call-up, will be ‘caught up together’ with the Lord.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. 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 precede them which are asleep.
“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.”
All this has now happened!
God the Father sent His Son Jesus in human but sinless form as a servant:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The specifics of Christ’s birth, sinless life, manner of death, and resurrection are prophesied throughout the Old Testament.
While here on earth, Jesus Christ claims that only He can save, but no other human or spirit can achieve such.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
Again, God in Christ makes it clear that there will not be peace even within a household, but that the perishing unsaved will be against those who accept salvation in Christ and no other.
“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
Part of the prophetic background is a great falling away from the scriptural truths:
2 Thessalonians 2: 3-4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first [great apostasy] and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
To avoid becoming part of these falsified doctrines (precepts of man), the local church is commanded to preach the word:
Matthew 15:8-9 “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the precepts [commandments] of men.”
II Timothy 4:2 “…preach the word…”
Yes, there will be precious souls saved during the 7-year Tribulation, likely murdered in their physical life but gaining eternal life in the presence of God for eternity future.
Revelation 20:4 “And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
His promise to us as mortal humans:
Romans 10: 9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Many multitudes will be stunned, shocked, that they were not taken at this ‘Rapture Event’ but have been ‘left behind.’ The reason for this is found in the Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness].”
Those taken in the ‘Rapture’ are those who have surrendered self, repented, and accepted His requirements. The little ones who haven’t rebelled and defied the Lord – not yet at the age of accountability – are also taken in His mercies.
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Jesus’ instructions on prayer put all things in perspective:
Matthew 6:9-15 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts [sins], as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses [sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
A widely distributed gospel tract from the Billy Graham organization called “Steps to Peace with God’ includes many of the above references, plus: Romans 5:1, Proverbs 14:12, Isaiah 59:2, I Timothy 2:5, I Peter 3:18, Romans 5:8, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12, I John 5: 12-13. Look up these verses as well, as you pursue your faith and surrender to Christ Jesus!
We can only hope you read this BEFORE the event and do business with God on His terms, affirming your repentance or confessing your sins for the first time, and by His grace becoming part of His eternal family, justified by His finished work – it is God that gives the increase per I Corinthians 3:6-9.
Luke 21:36 “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 Him.”
***
Scriptures cited are from King James version, in public domain.