Just over two years ago, I was able to post a message about “Knowing You’ll Be There,” and I included a song made famous by the Gather Vocal Band to go with it. Since that time, numerous events have taken place that makes my longing for Home even more intense. Some loved ones have passed into eternity, and the condition of this world is deteriorating at a pace that accelerates almost daily. The song lyrics are again included in this message for those who missed it before. (any emphasis mine)

In the past, we relied on news media that took pride in bringing us the latest events, and for the most part, were honest and straightforward. Today, it’s nearly impossible to find any media that is unbiased and honest. Stories are slanted to depict what they want us to believe rather than what is the actual truth. Some are so far off-center from the real truth that it is amazing anyone actually believes them. The “delusion” of 2 Thessalonians 2 is obviously here now for those who will refuse to believe what is about to take place.

This shows that false prophets and antichrists are increasing, just as the Bible said (1 John). We are getting to the “season” Jesus spoke of that would usher in the 7-year tribulation, giving Satan almost unlimited free reign over this earth. It’s a time that God will allow the events to happen for the discipline of His chosen people. At the end of this terrible time, all will believe that Jesus is the true Messiah (Matthew 24; Luke 21; 1 John 2-5; Romans 11:25-27). The sad part of this is that almost 2/3 of the population will perish in that tribulation period, according to Zechariah 13:8.

For true believers worldwide today, we take heart in Luke 21:28; “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” All the signs given by Jesus, Paul, John, Peter and others are here right now.

There is a definite falling away from Jesus, just as He and others said there would be (Matthew 24:10; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11). Satanic activity is out in the open as never before. The preparation for the appearance of the ultimate evil antichrist is gaining support from many places, including a significant number in our government. The younger generation is more susceptible to the new world order, and the majority are turning away from anything to do with the gospel.

Israel is being set up by our current government and the rest of the world to be totally on their own. They are about to face the Ezekiel 38 war as the coalition of Russia, Iran and Turkey is in place for the first time ever. Though there isn’t a complete bond between them yet, God is placing “hooks in their jaws,” as given in Ezekiel 38:4. All three are having financial problems, and there sits tiny Israel with all those assets just waiting to be taken. God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 is being totally ignored.

The coming out of the antichrist is very near, as there will be a “perfect 7-year peace plan” at the end of the Ezekiel 38 conflict. Before he can appear, the event described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 has to take place. That is known as the Rapture, or the taking up of all true believers in Jesus to meet Him in the air. The reason we must go first is given in 2 Thessalonians 2. The “man of lawlessness” cannot come forth until the “Restrainer” is removed. That would be the Holy Spirit that indwells all who have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior. All who have not received and accepted Jesus will remain here, at least for the beginning of that terrible tribulation period.

For us, to go up to meet Jesus in the air has many rewards. Not only do we get to see our Blessed Savior for the first time, but we also get new forever bodies and a new mindset that will be immune from Satan’s temptations. The song “I Can Only Imagine” has a good line that says, “Will I be able to stand at all?” It’s hard to imagine what our reaction will be when we are finally in His presence.

Another remarkable event will be when we are reunited with our loved ones that left the earth before us. All who were “in Christ” when they passed will receive their new bodies just a second before those who are still alive, and we will all be together in the presence of our Lord and Savior. All the evil, hurt, suffering and death we experienced here will be forgotten. Just knowing what a glorious reception that believers – the flock of the Shepherd – will experience puts a longing within us to be Home.

AS the song says, “Knowing you’ll be there makes it easy to go Home.”

(1) The other day I passed the place you always liked to go. And I picked up the phone because I thought you’d want to know. But I forgot you weren’t there; I miss you all these days, but I’m reminded of your smile and the funny things you’d say.

(2) I see you most at Christmas; you were like a little kid. You always loved a good surprise, and now I must admit that I long more for Heaven than I ever did before. You gave me one more reason, and each day I want it more.

(ref) Knowing we can spend a lifetime reminiscing on the past. Knowing I will see your face again where tender moments last. It makes me want to go there, knowing I won’t be alone. Knowing you’ll be there makes it easy to go Home.

(3) You left a group of fishermen; somehow, you left me too. Though I have felt you many times and know you saw me through. I’ve always longed to feel your arms and look into your eyes, and talk forever, me and you, somewhere in paradise. (ref)

To be certain that you will be at that glorious celebration and reunion, the ABCs of Salvation explain what is to be done. No one who rejects the free gift of God that was paid for by His Son Jesus at Calvary will be there. Their destiny will be the judgment at the Great White Throne and then the lake of fire forever.

For our part, it’s a free-will choice. Admit we have sinned and will sin until we receive our glorified bodies (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). When we confess our sins to the Savior and ask His forgiveness, He will not turn us away, and the Father will grant forgiveness based on His Son.

Believe Jesus died in our place to satisfy our only complete sin sacrifice that the Father could accept. God raised Him from the dead to conquer sin and death for all who would accept Jesus as their Savior (Romans 10:9-12).

Finally, Call on the name of the Lord to be our Savior, and we are promised we will be saved (Romans 10:13).

From that moment on, our destiny is set. Our eternal address will be at the place prepared for us by Jesus’ own hand (John 14:1-3).

This world is not going to get any better, no matter what any faux news tells us. To avoid the worst 7-year period of time this world will ever see, and more importantly, to avoid being separated from the Savior forever, call on Him today. His call – the Trumpet of God and the shout from an archangel – could be at any moment now.

Choose not to lose but to gain the prize of eternity with Jesus our Lord and Savior and to be with all the saints that will be with us. To wait for later could be the worst mistake anyone could ever make.

Come, Lord Jesus – Longing to Go Home!

huebshman46@gmail.com

You wouldn’t know it to listen to a debate on the subject, but all three parties in the Rapture Debate believe that they are the ones who have the right position and have the Scriptures to back them up.

Whenever I write on the subject of the Rapture, I get email from those holding a different view, and it never ceases to amaze me how nasty some of them are.

I’ve been called a false prophet (for the record, I’m not any kind of prophet, false or otherwise), a false teacher, a liar, a purveyor of the doctrines of demons, and more.

More than one has accused me outright of knowing the truth (their position, naturally) and deliberately spreading deception to some nefarious end that never quite gets explained to me.

But the fact is that those who believe in a pre-Tribulation Rapture are no more sincere than those who believe the Rapture comes at the midpoint in the Tribulation.

The mid-tribulational view divides the Tribulation into two periods of 1,260 days each, according to Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 12:7, and sees the Rapture of the Church occurring at that mid-point.

There are plenty of Scripture verses that can be used to support a mid-Trib Rapture. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:9-13).

It would seem to indicate here that Jesus is exhorting us to “endure to the end,” tying our endurance to being saved from the Great Tribulation.

Similarly, Jesus’ reference to the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15) is followed by a warning to flee, (21) “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

(40-41) “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

The mid-tribulationist equates the beginning of the Great Tribulation when the antichrist abolishes Temple worship and begins his persecution of Israel with the Rapture.

The problem with the mid-Tribulation view is it fails to explain WHY the Church endures the first half of the Rapture. The final week of Daniel is clearly set aside for the national redemption of Israel (Daniel 9:24).

In order to make the mid-tribulational view work, Jesus must be speaking to the Church when He is answering the question posed Him in Matthew 24:3; “What will be the sign of Thy Coming and of the end of the world?”

If Jesus were addressing the Church in the last days, why would He say, “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.” (20)

Jesus makes plain the perspective from which He was speaking and to Whom, saying, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in JUDAEA flee into the mountains.” (15-16)

Jesus’ warning of being delivered up to be afflicted, and killed, and to be hated of all nations for His Name’s sake isn’t a reference to the Church. He is addressing Israel, who has been delivered to affliction for 2,000 years as ‘Christ-killers.’

He is NOT addressing the Church. The Church is not here at that time.

But Jesus WAS addressing the Church when He said, “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. 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” (John 14:2-3).

In Rev. 2 and 3, we have Jesus talking to the Seven Churches, but what I want you to notice is where Jesus is in relation to these churches. “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.”

Now, from Chapter 4 to 19, Jesus is no longer on earth, but in heaven. So, if Jesus is no longer on the earth during the Tribulation period, and He promised us we would always be with him, it would seem to indicate that we are going to be in Heaven with Jesus during the Tribulation period.

No matter how many ways I look at it, I just can’t overcome a few problems reconciling Scripture with the mid-tribulation view.

What purpose is served by having the Church participate in the first half of the Tribulation but not the second if the whole ‘week’ is set aside for Israel? Why have a Rapture at all?

Why would Jesus be positionally in the midst of the 7 Churches for the entire Church Age, but positionally in heaven from Revelation 4:1 forward if the seven golden candlesticks remain on earth during Daniel’s 70th Week?

Why is there no reference to the Church from Revelation 4:1 and forward?

These are serious problems from my perspective.

But again, that is not to say that those who hold to a mid-tribulational Rapture haven’t searched the Scriptures and found answers that satisfy those questions in their minds. They are as sincere as I. We simply disagree.

In the next issue, we’ll look at the post-tribulational view and how it lines up with Scripture.

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The late Jack Kinsella’s articles can be found in the Omega Letter archives at this link.