What do you really understand or know about the Rapture & Tribulation in Revelations in the Holy Bible? What is it about, and why should you even be concerned about it?
The first thing I can say is that if you are a true Christian (better yet, a Christ follower), then you should have some basic idea about the Rapture and Tribulation, and how it works and what to expect.
For years people have been proclaiming “The end is near.” I’m sure you have seen the pictures of them holding the sign with that warning or something similar.
Recently I was asked about that and what was the point of letting people know about something that still hasn’t happened? The warnings are not specifically about the end time, but to wake everyone up so that they would be scriptural and spiritually prepared when the end does come.
Very unfortunately, many inept churches and preachers never address the rapture or tribulation because they either don’t know enough or understand anything about it.
I have heard that many preachers claim they need to gradually address this topic by teaching all the Bible chapters before Revelations which is the last chapter in the Bible, and that would take a very long time. I’m sensing many years?! Or are they just afraid to speak the truth about the Bible thinking some people will be offended?
In the early days of the church, preachers would tell about the end of days and other things about sin and evil. But sadly today the preachers don’t want to offend anyone.
They are only concerned with “filling seats with people and not filling people with the word of God.”
“… filling seats with people and not filling people with the word of God”
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Wow! Won’t people be offended when they learn they are going to be stuck in an endless hell on earth after all the true Christians are gone? I’m sure that they wish they would have been told by the clergy and then could have scripturally prepared themselves to avoid it?
Oh boy, there’s a lot of pissed off people!
THE TRUE CHRISTIAN
For the true Christian, I feel Revelations, in the Holy Bible, is an important part of the events transpiring in today’s world. The Holy Bible is full of prophecies about the end times, and when you realize what is happening in the world now is actually written and expected, none of it should be a surprise.
You may notice I said, “true Christian” that’s because there are many unregenerated (look this word up if you don’t know it’s meaning) Christians who just go to church, never read the Bible, have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord, Savior and Heavenly Father, or even slightly repented, and barely if at all follow the 10 Commandments. See Exodus 20
And, for those non-Christian and atheist friends you might want to read some of the prophecy verses and compare them to current world events and inform them of upcoming events. Sure, you may not get through to all of them, but you might get a few thinking about it. If that doesn’t open their eyes, all you can do as true Christians is to pray for them.
Anyway, many are not taught about the second return of Jesus Christ and what will happen during the time of the rapture and tribulation in church. Also, many are falsely told that there is no second coming or the tribulation has already happened. The Bible is quite clear about the rapture and tribulation, and of course, you have free-will to believe or not.
There is a lot of information in Revelations, with some of it being a little strange even for my feeble brain, but I am just going to try to clear up a few misconceptions being preached (but mostly not being preached).
THE RAPTURE
According to the Bible, the rapture will happen when everything is just about to literally explode. Meaning the world will be at the beginning of total world war and chaos. This is when the faithful believers (those who have repented and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior) will meet Him in the air. I know it sounds weird, but when you think about it we will safely be ushered away from the battles that will start raging on the earth. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Think of it this way. Your at home and a terrible battle starts in your neighborhood and there is no escape! You’re trapped! There is death, rampant evil, pestilence, and famine gripping the planet everywhere. Your stuck where you are with no escape.
Unless you are a true Christian. Then escape comes quickly through Jesus Christ!
At this point, all that are raptured (brought up in the air) will temporarily remain in heaven. I’m not sure what we will be doing but I do know we will be without pain or disease, or emotional or mental problems.
As a faithful believer, you are swept up and safe from the wars, devastation, famine, pestilence and death of this doomed earthly world.
THE PROTECTION IS REMOVED
Here is a very important part for those who choose to remain behind and have not accepted the word of God. Once the rapture of the church (Jesus’ followers) is done there will be nothing on earth to keep evil at bay.
Why? Because right now evangelical Christians are fighting against evil in many forms and ways. You hear it all the time on TV news how they are fighting against abortion, killings, hate and anger, politics, and false prophets.
“Once those barriers are gone it will cause a flood of evil onto mankind, and you think it’s bad now!”
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For me personally, I don’t want to be here for that destruction, and evil, and will keep my hope and faith in Jesus Christ alive no matter what happens.
Hope is what brings us joy and happiness even in the toughest times. Hope helps us survive. Hope is everlasting life with Jesus Christ.
TIME TO REPENT
But there is hope even for non-believers! Repent now, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and hope will find its way to you in the form of the Holy Spirit. Luke 13:5 / Matthew 3:2 / John 1:9
Imagine no emotional issues, no physical pain or illnesses. That sounds very glorious, wonderful and something we can look forward to! Revelations 21:4
OK, you are wondering what happens next if you decide to stick around as a non-believer.
THE ANTICHRIST REIGNS
Well, wars consume the world, and the Antichrist and Satan eventually takes charge with the “one world order” which you have heard about so many times from many people, so it should not be a big surprise.
Thought they were making it up… right? They might not be Holy Bible people but they were speaking of the one world order reality.
The antichrist is the person that will rule over the world with Satan. He will be in charge of everything and will wage war on those who don’t accept him as the sole savior of the whole world. Matthew 24:15-27
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
The armies of the Antichrist and the resistance (to his ways and rule) will battle with the largest armies ever seen on earth and last for years. This will also include nuclear weapons and a massive death toll. Millions a day. Do you want to be here for that?
The Antichrist will force people to be branded with the mark of the beast to be able to purchase or sell any and all products, and will have to uphold his laws with death to those who disobey. Revelations 14: 9-11
Unfortunately, having the Antichrist’s mark of the beast (an actual mark on the hand or forehead) will eliminate you from ever being saved or entering heaven, even if you change your mind. Revelations 13:16-17. Do you want to be here for that?
Satan has wanted to rule heaven but was exiled to earth which he has been ruling since the beginning of time. But, fear not for his time will (7 years) end quickly in defeat and imprisonment in the bowels of the earth. Revelations 12:7-9 / Revelations 13:16-18 / Daniel 7:23
THE 144,000 EVANGELISTS
It just so happens, that there are 144,000 special raptured Jews that will be sent back to the earth (with their foreheads specially marked by the Lord) during this terrible time to teach and convert those who wish to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Those who don’t will remain in the raging battles, famine, pestilence, death, and hell on earth until Jesus Christ returns for final judgment. Revelations 8:9-12 / Revelations 14:1-5
“This information is not to frighten you, but to bring you hope for a new, and eternal life in Jesus Christ without pain and suffering.“
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THE SECOND COMING
Eventually, Jesus will come down to the earth for HIS second coming and do battle with all the armies of the earth. After the wars are done and the Antichrist and Satan defeated, Jesus will make Jerusalem the kingdom of the earth.
And all evildoers and non-believers (because they did not repent the evil in their hearts) will be gone from the earth and be put in turmoil forever. Jeremiah 3:17 / Revelations 21:1-5
TIME FOR JUDGMENT
The Bible indicates that after the seven year Tribulation, Jesus will return to bring swift and terrible judgment (Revelations 19:11-21) to the armies and inhabitants of the earth. Do you want to be here for that?
Oh, that’s right, as a true Christian, you will be gone from the earth and be in heaven until the battles are over. Then you will return to live on the new earth. I love that.
THE NEW KINGDOM
After Jesus creates the new Jerusalem kingdom on earth, He will reign on the earth for a thousand years. He will make the earth as new as it was in the garden of Eden. The animals and people will get along with each other and true peace will finally rule the world. Revelations 20:1-6
Imagine not having to be afraid of wild animals (Isaiah 11:5-10) that are nearby, and everything you need is readily available. There is even mention of the streets being lined with gold (Revelations 21:21), but don’t think about it. Gold has no value, so you can’t add it to your bank account (besides you won’t have or need one).
John 14:2
This is all found in Revelations, so you should take the time to read the whole chapter if you want to know many more details not found in the post. And there are a lot of details.
So, when you read it don’t let it depress you because as a follower of Jesus Christ you won’t be here for any of it, except to know that you were raptured because the tribulation had started.
TIME TO RECONSIDER
However, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior, there is still time to re-think your present thinking otherwise you will be here for the Tribulation and the Seven Trumpets. To learn about the 7 trumpets read Revelations 8-12
But as some non-believers and atheists might say, “This is just to force us to convert.” That thought is farthest from the truth since you do have free-will. Sure, God would love all His children to be with Him, but He also knows many will perish and few will survive and they will suffer for many years. Do you want to be here for that?
True Christians know that they want to go to the Lord and not be caught up in the hate, anger, and wars on earth that will rage for years. Even today, things are getting worse with sin and hate becoming more rampant and wars are slowly spreading, while rumors of wars are everywhere. Matthew 24:4-8
NO ONE SHOULD PERISH
All this sounds scary, but as a true believer, it is the hope that you will be raptured and saved from the devastation that will succumb to the earth and the unfortunate, remaining inhabitants. However, the remaining inhabitants will still have a way to redemption through the 144,000 teachers and because God wishes that no one shall perish and turn their heart to Him. 2 Peter 3:9
Accepting Jesus Christ is bringing hope, redemption, and the Kingdom of God into your life, and remove you from the pain, agony, death, pestilence and destruction that is surely coming.
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We hope and pray this information will give you direction, peace and you will find your way to Jesus Christ. But keep in mind that once you die without accepting HIM, there is no way to eternal life.
If you need help finding your way, please let us know and we will help you. Our email is info@ourdividedworld.com.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
John & Jean
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