Being Ready
Are you ready for Jesus to return at any minute?! Waiting for it with great anticipation? Or are you into a bias that discounts it’s reality?
See: Normalcy Bias says – “Rapture can’t happen now!”
Throughout the New Testament there are references to “being ready” for the return of Christ. When Jesus left the planet at the completion of His mission, He alludes to that event, saying “I will come [back] to you”.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans
[comfortless, bereaved, and helpless];
I will come [back] to you.”
Is He coming back… for you? Or, as the parable of Jesus teaches us, will He reject you like the bridegroom rejects the five virgins who ran out of oil (Matthew 25:1-13)? Scary thought.
The Mystery of the Rapture
The Rapture is a mystery to us. God designed it that way. The main passage that tells us we will be raptured is this one:
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
I am telling you a [w]mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;
for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised [x]imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this [y]perishable must put on [z]the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Two almost simultaneous events take place at “the Rapture”. It’s not just one thing:
(1) First, all saints who have died in the past will be resurrected, and then
(2) All saints alive on earth will suddenly be snatched alive from earth.
And so… we together will meet Jesus in the air. Wow! I want to be in on that ride!
Paul refers to the Rapture in 1 Corinthians 15:22-26. Look at verse 23: “then those who are Christ’s [own will be resurrected with incorruptible, immortal bodies] at His coming.”
This refers to the Rapture (not the Second Coming). We know this because at the Second Coming He comes with all His saints. They were already in Heaven with Him, and then go with Him. Whereas in verse 23 Paul says the saints are resurrected “at His coming”. They had not been resurrected yet.
We will already have been resurrected prior to the Second Coming, as we return with Him. Here it says “After that comes the end (completion)“, referring to after the Rapture’s resurrection event.
22 For just as [d]in Adam all die, so also [e]in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s [own will be resurrected with incorruptible, immortal bodies] at His coming.
24 After that comes the end (completion), when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has made inoperative and abolished every ruler and every authority and power.
25 For Christ must reign [as King] until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be abolished and put to an end is death.
In Hebrews we are told that Christ “will appear a second time [when he returns to earth], not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.” That is a reference to the Rapture.
What is known as “the Second Coming” is when He returns with power and glory and deals with sin. It is known as “Second…” but…
The “second coming” of Jesus is actually split into two events: (1) the Rapture is first, then, seven years later (at the end of The Great Tribulation), (2) His Coming in glory with power. – Source: Normalcy Bias says – “Rapture can’t happen now!”
See:
Theophanise | Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times |
| What we know about the Rapture |
“not to deal with sin,
but to bring salvation
to those who are
eagerly and confidently
waiting for Him.” (v28)
Hebrews 9:27-28 … 27 And just as it is appointed and destined for all men to die once and after this [comes certain] judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once and once for all to bear [as a burden] [e]the sins of many,
will appear a second time [when he returns to earth], not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.
Theophanies… in the Old Testament
The Bible tells us there were other times when Christ was on earth, physically – back in Old Testament times. So if you count them – Christ “returned” many times (but not “as Christ”).
Theophanies, in the Old Testament, we believe were episodes where Jesus made “in-person” appearances, “incarnations”, or “Christophanies” – often as “The Angel of the Lord”. – Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times
Waiting for it
We are told it is Jesus “who rescues us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). That is not just wishful “escapism” thinking. It is what the Bible teaches. It is His plan for the end:
The cauldron will begin to boil – the moment all His saints escape (Luke 21:36).
– Source: Half-a-day without the Holy Spirit
Presently we are to wait patiently, with expectancy – alert and ready for His return. Luke 21:36 tells us:
36 But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].”
– Luke 21:36
Oh the joy set before us! (See: Hebrews 12:1-3)
FOR MORE:
The Rapture is mentioned throughout the New Testament. Are you ready for it?
___________
Half-a-day without the Holy Spirit
Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times
Excerpt: Starting with His birth as baby Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph, there are three biblical references to Jesus coming to earth – “in the name of Jesus” (as Christ, the Messiah). We believe there were other appearances, where God walked the earth, in the Old Testament, what are called “theophanies”, but those were never “in the name of Jesus“.
Another hint about the Rapture… in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
What joy and exhilaration – soon
Salvation in Christ is beyond huge
Excerpt: “…soon, very soon, in “the end” as Jesus called it (Matthew 24:14), Jesus is returning as promised (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; Luke 21:36; Revelation 3:10-11)– to destroy all who stand against Him in Armegeddon. And He promises Hell to all who oppose Him – those who choose to refuse His grace (Deuteronomy 29:14-21).”
Normalcy Bias says – “Rapture can’t happen now!”
Why “the end” Jesus foretold is now
Jesus promises an end time Rapture
Turning away from God Deuteronomy 29:14-21
It’s all okay Excerpt:
…It’s okay. It’s okay, right?
But wait: God has spoken
get it right with Him, yah?
Or don’t you care to spend
a day with Him and ever after?
Blessed by forgiveness by The Hand of God our Savior
Forgiveness for evil deeds done
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