“…wait for His Son from [f]heaven…
Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 9-10 NASB
Jesus will rescue us soon from the wrath to come
Introduction
Jesus will rapture us off this earth
The message to us who have turned to God is very definite:
“wait for His Son from [f]heaven”
—Jesus who rescues us
from the wrath to come.”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10NASB
Those of us who have already been born again, born of God, changed forever, saved from His wrath: We are waiting “excitedly” for Him to return and take us to eternity!
But we have to wait for it. True followers of Christ have been freed from a righteous “God Damn”, but we have to wait.
We have to wait (1:) until death takes us out of here, or (2:) until Jesus raptures us suddenly. Are you ready for either one of these events to happen to you?
Are you ready to meet Your Maker? Or are you going to lose it all?
– Source: Waiting for it!
God’s Wrath is Coming
“There is a whole lot of wrath coming. And it is from God Himself. God is going to pour it on — on all the world. God is going to crash the earth with His extreme wrath (“anger”).
He will show all mankind that He is powerful – and displeased with those who reject His amazing grace of salvation. He has done this in the past. He has been displeased before — but nothing compares to this time around!
“The Great Tribulation is going to be a horrible period of time (coming soon) during which God will pour out His wrath on the face of the earth. There will be no escaping His wrath – unless Jesus rescues you.”
– Adapted Source: Waiting for it!
So then, the question here is:
When is that “wrath of God” going to be released upon the earth?
We do not know the date, but we do know the “rescue” is coming prior to the period of wrath. Right?
“I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.”
– Revelation 3:10-11
The “hour of trial” is commonly interpreted as being “The Great Tribulation“. That indicates that God “will keep you [safe] from“…The Great Tribulation. We do not see any mention of us going through the seven year Tribulation period with some kind of special protection to keep believers safe.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite. All who come to Christ for salvation during The Great Tribulation will be beheaded for their faith. According to Revelation 3:10-11 true believers will need to be Raptured (rescued) before “that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world“. If not, well then the promise of “rescue” would be null and void. But God keeps His Word.
He will rescue us
That “rescue”? That is what we call the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). Now we understand why the Rapture is necessary. It is part of God’s plan for the End Times – to carryout His purposes.
See: | Dealing with the consequences of missing the Rapture |
| Waiting may get you beheaded – sooner than you think |
| Chrislam is ready for you – the One World Religion |
Option: Read ahead about the wrath of God, below:
The Wrath to Come.
Then Return here: He Will Rescue Us
Return to Directory
What God asks of us
The very personal question for each of us is: Have you turned to Jesus?
Turn from sin – Turn to Jesus with repentance.
That is what God asks of us, and once we turn to Him for salvation? We learn this here in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. Read more of these 4 verses this time:
“you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God,
10 and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead
—Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].“
– 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
See: | Escape all these things that are going to take place |
| “I will protect you from the time of testing” (Revelation 3:10-11) |
He only rescues His own
Coming soon, on that day of the Rapture, Jesus will only snatch away those who truly follow Him. Right?
Would He take anyone up with Him that is a slave to sin, you think? (See: John 8:34, Romans 6:5-22.) If you are a slave to sin… the Bible says God is asking you to repent, and become a slave to righteousness. You can’t have it both ways! Do not get left behind.
Daniel 12:1 The Time of the End
“Now at that [end] time Michael, the great [angelic] prince who stands guard over the children of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; but at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the Book [of Life], will be rescued.
That “time of distress” is The Great Tribulation. If you are a true follower — you “will be rescued”, taken up, snatched… before the Wrath. You will be Raptured.
Is your name written in the Book of Life? Read more about what clearly saves and what obviously does not save. What saves you, you think?
Forever on a higher level
We are not called to turn from sin and then go back to it as it’s slave. Sounds to me like the seeds in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:18-23). We follow Jesus. We’ve been called by Jesus to be forever on a higher level. That life on a higher plane — starts here! We are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
“follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]….“
7 For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. 8 So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].
As a follower of Jesus, are you purposely planning your week to “excel even more and more“?
Or are you not a follower? Don’t be a rejector. Don’t be one of those who reject His amazing grace and mercy. Too many (as in ‘more than one’) live inside a modern life of spiritual adultery Jeremiah 5:7.
In their worldview bubble they are rejecting what Jesus stands for and what He taught, conforming to what they prefer, swearing allegiance “by those who are not gods” Jeremiah 5:7.
Oh what regret there will be.
These wannabe Christians – are actually idolaters. They practice their “faith” like the unfaithful Jews of Jeremiah’s day, finding pleasure in modern “houses of prostitutes (idols)” Jeremiah 5:7, serving their own idols of the day Ephesians 5:5 — things that have taken the rightful place of God in their attentions.
Are you ready to be suddenly snatched up and rescued by Jesus? Or have you lived your faith in vain? Paul, the biggest sinner of all (1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8), got saved, and said:
10 But by the grace of God
I am what I am,
and His grace toward me
did not prove vain….”
– 1 Corinthians 15:10
Jesus Himself said He is not going to allow His saints to suffer His wrath. They would most certainly suffer His wrath if they were to go through The Great Tribulation. He promised to rescue us beforehand (in Galatians 1:4, and 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10NASB). That is a promise from God. But He will only rescue His own.
Jesus rescues us,
not from trials and persecution,
but from His wrath.
– Source: Waiting for it
“…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
Here is a major clue in our study, as to why Jesus is coming back, making a special return visit, what is called the “Rapture”.
A basic tenet of the faith 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 9-10
Are you looking forward to The Rapture? The Rapture is a basic tenet of the Christian faith. Believe it.
If you have not seen the Rapture in Scripture, that is fine. But please read on. If you teach against it, well, read on also.
Just look at the Scriptures telling us about the Rapture. The apostles knew about it. The Bible tells us about it. We are told about it explicitly throughout the New Testament. Do you believe all about it, yet?
Why turn to God
We learn a lot about the Rapture in this passage here in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 AMP, and verse 3. The Rapture is in the WHAT FOR “you turned to God from idols”. We also learn the WHY FOR.
Why did you turn to God,
and what for?
Authentic followers of Jesus have given all their heart to God.
#1. Why? To SERVE. “To serve the living and true God” (v9), and
#2. What for? To PERSEVERE. “To [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven” (v10AMP). “To wait for His Son from heaven” NASB
Return to: Dead or alive
Return to Directory
In the introduction to 1 Thessalonians (v1), three men, “Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy” see three things in “the church of the Thessalonians“. Do you see these three things in yourself?
“your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ.”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Are you motivated?
Followers of Jesus are motivated to serve God: (1) by love, and (2) by our hope for His return. What kind of “hope” is given if His return will not arrive till after we go through 7 years of horror (The Great Tribulation)? I’d say: Not much hope.
I’d say there is a whole lot of hope if His return is to rescue us “from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Galatians 1:4). And THAT is what the New Testament teaches us.
The expectancy of the believer
These translation versions help us better understand the expectancy of the believer.
1 Thessalonians 1:3:
“your strong faith and steady looking forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.” TLB
“perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” NASB
“patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” MEV
This is how the Complete Jewish Bible translates it:
“what our Lord
Yeshua the Messiah
has brought about in you
— how your trust produces action,
your love hard work,
and your hope perseverance.” CJB
Let’s expand this more. This unauthorized expanded explanation (of the CJB) emphasizes
what trust in Yeshua brings about in new believers:
(1) your trust produces action,
(2) your love produces hard work, and
(3) your hope produces perseverance.
Persevere in hope *See verses on perseverance NASB
Part of growing into our “natural new life in Christ” is perseverance. And part of our perseverance in the faith is …living with an expectant excitement that Jesus could return at any moment! Revelation 2:3 speaks of “endurance” in the faith, persevering to the end:
“and you have perseverance
and have endured
on account of My name,
and have not become weary.”
– Revelation 2:3
1 Thessalonians 1:3, 9-10…unwavering hope
The “unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 3), is a reference to verse 10. It is not referring to The Second Coming. Christ already has His saints (and angels) with Him when He returns to defeat Satan at Armegeddon. But this passage speaks of the Rapture return, a “rescue” – not a conquering King defeating all the enemy.
“—Jesus, who [personally]
rescues us
from the coming wrath”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:10
(See verse 10 in all translations)
Two very distinct events
A close examination of biblical references to Jesus returning (“the return”, etc), shows us there are two very distinct returns of Christ. In the Second Coming Jesus returns with… whereas in the Rapture Jesus gathers to meet. Big distinction.
Here are two lists of references (see the images of both events) prepared by John Barnett, one of my favorite YouTube teachers. Hear him on his totally biblically correct YouTube Channel, DTBM.
Reading through these verses convinces me: There are two “returns” of Jesus in our future. The Bible presents two very distinct events: * The Rapture and * The Second Coming.
*1) There is a Rapture return of Jesus Christ where He comes to get His saints and prepares earth for His Wrath. It is at this time that the Holy Spirit, The Restrainer, leaves earth also (Hebrews 9:28, 2 Thessalonians 2:1).
Option: See section below – The Restrainer Removed.
Then Return here: Two very distinct events
*2) There is another return popularly called The Second Coming, where Christ comes back as King with power with all His saints and angels – to conquer at Armegeddon and judge all nations.
If you read these lists of Bible verses, I think you will also become convinced. Let’s look at more details about this.
Event Differences
To me the most convincing evidence for the veracity of a coming Rapture event — is the differences found in Scripture describing the two events: The Rapture and The Second Coming.
When I read these references delineating the differences between them – it is absolutely convincing: The references indubitably contain two separate events. These are two completely different events that we look forward to – not just one return, but two.
Examine this graph which describes both events: Two Events?
This Describes The Rapture (See list: Two Events?)
* Translation of believers into the air to meet Jesus
* Translated saints go to Heaven after meeting Jesus
* Earth not judged – not involved in the Rapture
* Imminent, any moment, with no signs prior
* Preceded by the beginning “Birth Pangs”
*Not in the Old Testament (except for Allusions)
* Believers only – not fake believers
* Before the Day of Wrath
* To escape His wrath – coming at The Great Tribulation
This Describes The 2nd Coming (See list: Two Events?)
* No translation involved: Saints come back with Jesus and His angels
* Translated saints return to earth with Jesus
* “All the nations will be gathered before Him” (Matthew 25:32)
* Earth is judged – all nations: goats and sheep separated (Matthew 25:32)
* Follows definite predicted signs
* Predicted in Old Testament
* Affects all mankind on the earth – is a worldwide visible event
* Concludes the Day of Wrath
We will be changed
As Christians we have “turned to God”! Why? “To serve Him”.
And in our day to day living? In our daily living the result of our trust in Him is: we naturally, expectantly “wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven“. With His Rapture return – we will be changed forever. Now THAT’s something to look forward to!
Who on earth does not want this temp body to be changed into an incorruptible – eternal – body! At the Rapture, the dead in Christ are resurrected up, and the living saints are raised up into the air to be changed!
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown [p in corruption]a perishable body, it is raised [q in incorruption]an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
– 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 1
16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the [b]archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!
– 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
What happens to the Raptured
So, if you are already dead (well, not now, but dead by the time He returns…you know) or alive at that time: What do you “get” as one of the Raptured? All the dead in Christ, and all those alive at His coming: What happens to them? According to 1 Corinthians 15:42-58: and 1 Thessalonians 4:17 we see:
- first, the dead are raised in glory and power (not weakness)
- the dead will be raised imperishable
- second, those alive rise into the air suddenly
- all will meet Jesus in the air
- all are instantly changed for all eternity
- all will get a brand new imperishable body “put on immortality”
- all are raised in power
- all are raised a spiritual body
- we will also bear the image of the heavenly (v49)
- all will no longer have a “temp” body – but a glorified body!
That makes me want that day to come sooner than later! This “coming of His Son from heaven“, something that we look forward to so very much, is that blessed Rapture experience when Jesus personally “rescues us from the coming wrath“. (We will discuss the Second Coming later.)
With His Rapture return
– we will be changed forever
*Click here to jump ahead where we will discuss
His coming wrath further down in this post.
Then return: What happens to the Raptured
“…you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—
—Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath….”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 AMP
When on earth I’m done and gone – I want it said of me by Jesus, “he did not become weary.” Do you have “unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ”? 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Jesus promises an End Time Rapture John 14:3
There is a promise made to those who persevere in the faith. That promise is — the Rapture! What an exciting ride. We look forward to being in on that! Jesus said:
“I also will keep you from the hour of the testing.” Revelation 3:10
His comforting promise
This is His comforting promise to us. “Because you have…, I also will….”
“Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth.” – Revelation 3:10
18 Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died]. – 1 Thessalonians 4:18AMP
“The whole world” will be shown the power of God with the pouring-out of His wrath during “the hour of the testing”, known as the Great Tribulation period. They experience the horror. We do not – because He promised His wrath is not ever going to fall on His redeemed ones.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, [g]encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Paul says this promise of the Rapture is a comfort to us all. We should use this Rapture promise to encourage the living, and to comfort the troubled and the dying.
That Rapture promise is also emphasized in chapter 4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18AMP. Start at verse 16:
NASB16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a [d]shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, [e]comfort one another with these words.
– 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18NASB
We know Jesus will return
Jesus Himself said He will return. What could be more certain than Jesus’ own words? We know Jesus will return. Many passages indicate how this will be accomplished. Here are a few key passages about the Rapture:
“I will come back again
and I will take you
to Myself,
so that where I am
you may be also.”
– Verses 2-3 of John 14
_____________
“Because you have
kept the word of My endurance
[My command to persevere],
I will keep you [safe]
from the hour of trial,
that hour which is
about to come
on the whole [inhabited] world,
to test those who live on the earth.”
– Revelation 3:10 AMP
33 “Be on guard and
stay constantly alert [b][and pray];
for you do not know
when the appointed time will come….”
– Mark 13:28-37 AMP
When will this happen?
So, when will this happen? When will be – “[the coming of] His Son from heaven“? (v10) Actually? We do not know the date.
But we know Jesus Himself said, “I will come back again….” John 14:3 And He gave us signs of the times that will indicate His return is soon to happen.
So it is a sure thing. We know Jesus will return. That is His promise! This promise is the Rapture:
“Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!”
– 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Excerpt from “The last days dangerous times”…have come:
Apparently His plan for this Rapture is to have us escape His wrath against evil. He takes us away before His great wrath is poured out on the earth in the Great Tribulation:
“…the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet Him.”
– 2 Thessalonians 2:1
– Source: “The last days dangerous times”…have come
In the Second Coming Jesus returns with… whereas in the Rapture He gathers to meet. Big distinction.
Some erroneous speculations
Some say Jesus raptures us during The Great Tribulation. But that is when God pours out His wrath on the whole earth. That’s not happenin’ during that!
Option. See below: The Wrath to Come. Then return here with: Return to section: Some erroneous speculations)
Some say Jesus raptures us after The Great Tribulation. They say it happens at His great and powerful Second Coming. But that is problematic.
If Jesus is coming after The Great Tribulation: Where then is “the wrath to come”?
“…wait for His Son from [f]heaven…
Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 9-10 NASB
The Rapture has to happen before Jesus rescues us from “the wrath to come”. That wrath of God will be poured out during The Great Tribulation. Therefore Jesus will rapture us before The Great Tribulation. Thus the Pre-Trib view of Eschatology.
Fear-driven escapists Allegation or Integral to the Gospel?
This is another erroneous speculation. Some folks rant about the Rapture as merely a fear-driven escapist’s fabricated story — propelled by fear of the coming Great Tribulation period. Just a bunch of weak escapists, they say!
But, contrary to some detractors who misinterpret and are confused… a careful examination of Scripture shows us clearly that: the Rapture was an integral part of the faith for the early church. How could it be evidenced and spoken of… by the apostle’s writings otherwise?
Just look at Scripture. We see clearly that the Rapture is not a fabricated story. Christians should not be afraid of the future. Not at all.
11 For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not [a- according to man]of human invention. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
– Galatians 1:11-12
The Rapture teaching comes to us “through a revelation of Jesus Christ” to Paul. It is an integral part of the Gospel. We do not make-up such an escape. God has a reason for taking us out and up. He’s getting ready for what’s coming next. We see it in Scripture.
“Your redemption is drawing near”
Elsewhere in this article: I mention the erroneous interpretation of Hebrews 9:28.
It’s interesting that Hebrews 9:28 says He “will appear a second time [when he returns to earth]”… and so here is where we get the term “The Second Coming”. But here, Hebrews is actually referring to saving believers from His wrath.
This passage in Hebrews 9:28 speaks of a special event where we will be taken off the earth “Harpazo” to meet Him in the air. There is this unique special “rescue” event, here called “a salvation” Hebrews 9:28, coming soon in these End Times. Read:
“not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.“
This is a type of “salvation” that saves us from His wrath. This “salvation” is the Rapture “rescue” of believers.
God does not need to return “a second time” in order to “bring” the salvation of saving grace. That’s been done. The world already has His salvation that saves us from our sins. It is at hand, ready for them – brought to us the first time — when Jesus was born, sacrificed and raised from the dead.
Jesus will appear “a second time” in order to set-up for The Great Tribulation period where Satan will have no restraint from God, and God’s wrath is poured out on all the earth.
6 And you know what restrains him now [from being revealed]; it is so that he will be revealed at his own [appointed] time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.
– 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
Two more “returns” of Jesus
It is a misnomer to only speak of The Second Coming. There was a “First”, and… a “Third” is coming, not just a “Second”. It gets confusing, so bear with me in this. (It’s like the “Who’s on First” comedy routine by Abbott and Costello!):
* 1- His “first coming” was His birth on earth as a little baby human.
* 2- His next coming is The Rapture, called the “second” in Hebrews 9:28 (His first return).
* 3- And then: His Return As Conquering King, which is His third coming (His second return). Here Jesus comes back “with power and great glory” (Matthew 25:31). This is what is often called “The Second Coming“…but is actually the third coming (or His Return #2). My favorite is to just call this Jesus Returns As Conquering King.
We are told of “His Return As Conquering King” here in Matthew 25:31-32
“31…when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him” (Option: see verses 31-46)
So, we see in Scripture that, from our present perspective, there are actually two more (2) “returns” of Jesus in the End Times: The Rapture return, and His Return As Conquering King.
See: Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times
It’s interesting that Hebrews 9:28 says He “will appear a second time [when he returns to earth]”… and so here is where we get the term “The Second Coming”. But here, Hebrews is actually referring to saving believers from His wrath. (It refers to the Rapture — not what is popularly called “The Second Coming”, which I prefer referring to as Jesus Returns As Conquering King.
It is an event – not speaking of the salvation of “getting saved”. Hebrews calls it a salvation “not to deal with sin”(AMP version). What it does is — it “rescues” us from wrath. (Rescues is a form of “salvation”.) Luke 21:34-36 puts it this way in verse 36: we “escape all these things that are going to take place“. (Escape here is a form of “salvation”.)
34 “But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life,
and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 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 21:34-36 (“rescues us”…in 1 Thessalonians 1:10)
So, think about it.
What are “all these things that are going to take place“? Those numerous “things” are the many horrors of The Great Tribulation. We will escape those horrible horrors.
The “all these things” certainly cannot refer to The Second Coming. Jesus comes as Conquering King to wreak havoc at Armageddon and judge all nations. That is just basically only “two things”.
___________________
Two reasons for the Rapture “escape”
God has at least two reasons for the Rapture “escape”: (1) To rescue us from His wrath to come, and (2) To allow for the Restrainer to be taken out of the way — so that Satan has unrestricted (unrestrained) dominion over the earth, so that evil will skyrocket.
The first time we “stand in the presence of” Jesus — is in the air as we meet Him for the first time. How exciting will that be!
This passage, Hebrews 9:28, points to the Rapture event, where He will save us from the Great Tribulation – a salvation “without reference to sin“ (NASB version).
28 so Christ, having been offered once and once for all to bear [as a burden] [a]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. – Hebrews 9:28
If you are just going to die, get buried — and then go to Heaven some day after now – to meet Him: Why would we be told to be “eagerly and confidently waiting for Him” now? We misunderstand Scripture when we dismiss the Rapture. Jesus is our Hope, and our expectant hope is the Rapture – His Return to take us up before we die! We are eager for that!
Hebrews 9:28 [See Is 53:10-12] points to the cross where He, “having been offered once and once for all” — bore “[as a burden] the sins of many”. Then he pointedly refers to an event (The Rapture) where He will “bring salvation…” but “not to deal with sin” — an event for the already-saved-from-sin saints, “those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him”. This is the Rapture event.
a salvation “without reference to sin” (NASB version)
This reference to “salvation” of Hebrews 9:28 is the “rescue” (Rapture) which will save us from the Great Tribulation wrath.
“…wait for His Son
from [f]heaven… Jesus
who rescues us from
the wrath to come.”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10NASB
The Purpose of the Rapture
The purpose of the Rapture is to get us out of the way (take us off the planet; “taken out of the way” 2 Thessalonians 2:7) so He can then pour out His wrath on the whole earth. We find this stated in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10.
The Absolutely Scintillating Resurrection-Rapture Moment is a ride that only the truly redeemed will be on. We are exhorted to examine our faith to be sure you are saved. Even in the Old Testament there are allusions MirWebster to what we can now see may be prophetic Rapture references.
What we know because of New Testament teachings – opens our understanding of what very much look like Old Testament references to the Rapture.
See more about this in the section below: Rapture Allusions in the Old Testament
Zephaniah 2:3, for example, seems to refer to the Rapture with prophetic nuance – exhorting people of faith to “search diligently for Him”. “Perhaps” you may be rescued, Zephaniah said:
“Perhaps you will
be hidden
[and pardoned and rescued]
In the day of
the Lord’s anger.”
As we see with this graph by John Barnett on his DTBM YouTube channel, in the Bible there are 7 instances mentioned when God will soon or has before snatched people out of where they were and translated them elsewhere.
The term Harpazo is used in 4 of the 7 Rapture instances: Enoch, Elijah, Jesus, Philip the disciple, Paul the apostle, John the disciple, and soon the total Body of Christ. *An 8th reference is in Acts 1:verses 1-2.
So the fact that God has used “harpazos” in the past… supports the introduction by the New Testament of an End Times “harpazo” of the total Body of Christ. It is weird, but not unprecedented.
How weird to suddenly disappear and instantly reappear elsewhere! Read about it in those “Raptures” references.
An event for saints…”who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him”
Some might say Hebrews 9:28 seems to limit the Rapture as being only for the saints “who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him“. But 2 Thessalonians 2:7 does not allow for that interpretation.
It may be that there will be “negligent saints”. They are truly saved ones, but, some say, “Will they be left behind because they were not ready? They were NOT waiting with eagerness and confidence. Does this teach that they will still go to Heaven – but later…?”
For this interpretation we would perhaps interpret the parable of the ten virgins (in Matthew 25) as showing 10 saints (with the oil of the Holy Spirit), but five get left out because they were not ready. “Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless]….” (v2)
Return to Two very distinct events
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The Restrainer Removed
The problem with limiting who is raptured (leaving behind “negligent saints”) is: The Holy Spirit is in them too, so how can that happen? The Restrainer, “he that restrains” (2 Thessalonians 2:6), will be removing Himself from the planet:
6 And you know what restrains him now [from being revealed]; it is so that he will be revealed at his own [appointed] time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work;
[but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way. 8 Then the lawless one [the Antichrist] will be revealed….”
– 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8
The Holy Spirit must leave the planet in order for God’s plan to proceed. The Spirit is holding-back the tide of evil in all the world. God will remove His presence on earth… so that Satan is then freely able to bring about his evils. Satan will then establish the Antichrist and his unholy system of the Tribulation period.
All saints are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. All of them. See: The Holy Spirit in you? And thus all saints must be taken off the planet at the same time as when “the Restrainer” is removed (v7). Can’t leave even one truly saved, indwelt, believer!
The reasoning is: God promised to never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). 2 How could the Holy Spirit be removed from the earth, leaving some Christians jilted, still on earth – when He promised to never leave us?!
The answer? He won’t. He will not ever leave us. He keeps His Word. We leave when He leaves.
As Jesus comes and snatches us away, the Holy Spirit also “is taken out of the way….” With the Holy Spirit still residing in us, Jesus raptures us, leaving the earth bereft of God’s restraining power.
Sin will thus increase exponentially! What a most horrible time, most ever horrible time, to be alive on planet earth – without God restraining evil whatsoever! So — you do not want to wait until the Rapture to then get saved. Get saved now.
Led one by one by Jesus? No.
I’d like to clarify this. Jesus said “I will take you to Myself” only within the context of the Rapture, found in John 14:3. This phrase (“I will take you to Myself“) is never used in the context of personally taking the dead to Heaven one by one. (I just heard this taught by a preacher on YouTube – saying that Jesus takes us one by one to Heaven!) Boy are there lots of perspectives out there!
We cannot biblically teach this: That Jesus Himself comes to take each believer to Heaven every single time one of them dies, one by one! That is false.
The fact is, the bodies of all the dead stay in their grave until Jesus Raptures them! And then: At the Rapture — ALL OF THE DEAD IN CHRIST are resurrected all at once — together, not one by one. Only the Rapture is the moment in time when Jesus “…will take you to Myself“. 3
See: Time as it really is. Read my understanding of “time”. It helps better understand how events in God’s calendar transpire.
John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.
Isaiah 26:19 (See Rapture Allusions in the Old Testament.)
Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.
You have made my days
as handbreadths,
And my lifetime
as nothing
in Your sight;
Surely every man
at his best
is a mere breath.
– Psalm 39:4-5
We are “in the last time”
By all the signs, (given by Jesus), we are “in the last time”, as Peter called it. It is apparent we are right now in the timeframe during which Jesus will return (1 Peter 1:5 “at the revelation of Jesus Christ” v5,13). Paul says to “[look forward and confidently] wait” for it. Wait with confidence.
His return for us is ready. The Rapure, “your redemption…drawing near”, will “be revealed in the last time”, when He decides He is ready to do it.
28 Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21:28
“who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
– 1 Peter 1:5 NASB
Times will be greatly distressing just prior to the Rapture, according to Scripture. Actually – today’s evil dark times are already now fearfully evil! Can you feel it now?
But fear not, believers, for the Lord is our refuge and strength.
Unbelievers: Fear the wrath that come after the Rapture. Fear this more.
The term “Harpazo”
We will be “caught up” just as Jesus was, as recorded in Acts 1:9-11. Jesus “will return in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven“.
The term here is “Harpazo” in the Greek original. In English it is translated as: caught up, seized, carried off by force, taken up or snatched – or raptured.
Don’t believe it when some believers say the Rapture isn’t even in the Bible! Quite to the contrary. See: List of References to the Rapture. We read about the event all over the New Testament, like here in Acts:
9 And after He said these things,
He was caught up Harpazo as they looked on,
and a cloud took Him up out of their sight.
10 While they were looking intently into the sky
as He was going,
two men in white clothing suddenly stood beside them,
11 who said, “Men of Galilee,
why do you stand looking into the sky?
This [same] Jesus,
who has been taken up Harpazo from you into heaven,
will return
in just the same way
as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
– Acts 1:9-11
With this graph we can see the term “Harpazo” is used in these passages using NASB. The notes are as taught by John Barnett at his YouTube Channel (DTBM):
The Harpazo
The Promise in John 14:1-3…“I am coming again and will take you to Myself“
The Process in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18…”we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”
The Purpose in 1 Corinthians 15:50-55…”this mortal must put on immortality“; “I am telling you a [c secret]mystery; we will not all sleep“; “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet“
The Prophetic Profile in the Old Testament. See section below: Rapture Allusions in the Old Testament. Return here with “R
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Acts 1:verses 1-2 speaks of Jesus, of “the day in which he was taken up“. In like manner we will be “taken up”.
all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up
– Acts 1:verses 1-2
Snatched by God
This passage in Hebrews 9:28 speaks of a special event where we will be taken off the earth “Harpazo” to meet Him in the air. There is this unique special event, here called “a salvation” Hebrews 9:28, coming soon in these End Times. Read:
“not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.“
This is a type of “salvation” that saves us from His wrath. This “salvation” is the Rapture of believers.
God does not need to return “a second time” in order to “bring” the salvation of saving grace. That’s been done. The world already has His salvation at hand, ready for them – brought to us the first time — when Jesus was born, sacrificed and raised from the dead. This is a reference to the salvation of a rescue.
Why the Rapture
One reason for the Rapture is that the Holy Spirit will be taken out of the way… so that the Antichrist can freely do his evil on the earth. And since the Spirit resides in all the saints — all the saints must also be taken off the earth.
“For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.
– 2 Thessalonians 2:7
The following is an excerpt from: Normalcy Bias says – “Rapture can’t happen now!”
The Birth Pains period now
The “Rapture window” is now. We could say: “We are running out of normal”, as Pete Garcia put it (of rev310.net, formerly of the Omega Letter). Times are getting scarier and scarier. The Rapture apparently will have to come before “normal” type days are over, before all hell breaks loose with the Great Reset.
His coming wrath
Before these days explode with agonies… Jesus will come to snatch us away, to “rescue us” (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Galatians 1:4😉 from those “not normal days” which are coming so quickly upon us all. He will rapture us out before “that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world”.
– Source: Normalcy Bias says – “Rapture can’t happen now!” | by |Based on video presentation Convergence (2:17:33 min) at rev310.net with Pete Garcia and Tyler.
The Wrath To Come
| …His coming wrath |
“the hour of trial” | “is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world” | “…like a trap” | “Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath” | “I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial” |
Read below: Revelation 3:10-11, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, and Luke 21:36:
10 Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere],
I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial,
that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world,
to test those who live on the earth.
11 I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith].
– Revelation 3:10-11
“…[look forward
and confidently] wait
for [the coming of]
His Son from heaven,
whom He raised from the dead
—Jesus, who [personally] rescues us….”
– 1 Thessalonians 1:10
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34 “But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.
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 21:34-36
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“We are running out of normal”
– Pete Garcia | rev310.net | formerly in the Omega Letter).
Return to section: What God asks of us
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God’s Wrath…past and future
God’s wrath is not going to fall on His followers. Ever. His salvation saved us from His wrath.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ….” – 1 Thessalonians 5:9
This is how 1 Thessalonians 5 puts it:
verse 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.
verse 8 But since we are of the day…
verse 9-10 God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us,
verse 10 …so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
Why Escape?
In the context of the Rapture scene, indicated by “whether we are awake or asleep“, Paul shows us that we will not experience the wrath of The Tribulation period. We will be rescued, taken up beforehand. Why? What is the reason for the rescue?
Two Reasons:
(1) His wrath is coming — and we believers absolutely cannot go through His wrath. So therefore: He rescues us. Plus:
(2) The Holy Spirit will at that time be “taken out of the way.” This is God’s plan to allow Satan to freely wreak his havoc.
God’s past wrath is shown throughout the Old Testament (148 OT references of “wrath”). It comes upon the wicked, like with these accounts:
“Should you help the wicked
and love those who hate the Lord,
and by doing so
bring wrath on yourself
from the Lord?
– 2 Chronicles 19:2
God’s future wrath described.
In the future God’s wrath will come upon those who have rejected His loving offer of salvation. Here are three descriptions:
1.The wrath of God will come upon all who have rejected His salvation.
18 For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth” – Romans 1:18. Also see the context: Romans 1:18-23, and 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.
Do this word search (“wrath of God”) in the Bible for (77) references.
2. The wrath of God will be poured out upon “…the whole [inhabited] world…” during the ongoing Great Tribulation. See this in Revelation 3:10-11 “…the whole [inhabited] world…”
“…those who are perishing, because they did not welcome the love of the truth [of the gospel] so as to be saved [they were spiritually blind, and rejected the truth that would have saved them]. 11 Because of this God will send upon them a misleading influence, [an activity of error and deception] so they will believe the lie….”
– 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11
See Isaiah 26:21 and its context, Isaiah 26:19-21.
and…
3. The wrath of God that ends the world as we know it – will be poured out upon the enemies at Armaggedon.
Return to section: When will this happen?
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How to Escape the wrath of God
The only way to escape the wrath of God? Believe in the Son and obey the Son. Get your name written in the Book of Life.
Daniel 12:1 The Time of the End
“Now at that [end] time Michael, the great [angelic] prince who stands guard over the children of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; but at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the Book [of Life], will be rescued.
Double doubles
Salvation is “double-effective”. Salvation (1) saves you for eternity, and (2) it will keep you from going through the Tribulation period.
Salvation is also “double-duty”, so to speak. Salvation requires that you (1) Believe in the Name of Jesus, and (2) Follow Him. Our “faith” and “works” go together!
That means giving your heart 100% to Jesus. Obviously not 100% sinless, but given-over to Him completely, with not even “one thing” held back.
Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of your “one thing…“? Are you that “foolish [spiritually shallow] person” (James 2:20) with works showing you to be NOT following Jesus?
If all you have is a confession of faith… What good is that?! Words and convictions do not save. What saves you?
See: | What saves you |
| We know what Jesus believes. Do you agree with Him? |
| Full Chapter | Other Translations
| Full Chapter | Other Translations
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There are many who do not believe in “the Rapture”. And that’s fine. We are not saved by what we know, nor are we damned by what we don’t know. Having erroneous beliefs does not disqualify one from Heaven. It just makes us dunderheads! MirWebster I strive to be “approved unto God… (2 Timothy 2:15).”
See: This does not save you (a section within the post – What saves you).
But, how is it that many others, like myself, come to the conclusion that Jesus really did speak of it? The Rapture and The Second Coming, the two events described in Scripture, are so very different. And why are there obvious references to the Rapture event found throughout the Bible? Check it out.
Rapture References…in the Bible
There is an umpteen amount of Scriptures referring to the Rapture. We just need to practice basic hermeneutical principles: read them in context and “interpret Scripture with Scripture”.
Discern for yourself. I do not mean “make them mean whatever you want”! Obviously. But what I mean is: Be a Berean. Discern what is what by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you.
See: List of references to the Rapture
Let’s look into this list of verses and understand better what-all is said. Let’s examine the passages that have led many of us to believe Jesus will rapture us off this earth. What has God said to us in the Bible – about The Rapture?
I’d suggest a quick dive into the subject – reading these passages, doing a little pre-study of your own. These are the major passages from which we learn about the Rapture. See all in one link or look-em-up:
Matthew 24:36, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Timothy 4:1, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, Hebrews 10:24-25, John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-53, 1 Corinthians 16:22, 1 Timothy 6:14, 2 Timothy 4:1, Titus 2:13, Colossians 3:4, Philippians 3:20-21, Romans 8:19, James 5:7-8, 1 Peter 1:7,13, 1 John 2:28-3:2, James 5:7-9, Jude 21, Revelation 2:25, Matthew 24.
Rapture Allusions in the Old Testament One link or: Isaiah 26:19 | Zephaniah 2:3 | Psalm 27:5
Psalm 27:5
“For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.”
Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek the Lord ,
All you humble of the land
Who have practiced His ordinances and have kept His commandments;
Seek righteousness, seek humility [regard them as vital].
Perhaps you will be hidden [and pardoned and rescued]
In the day of the Lord’s anger.”
Isaiah 26:19 (“And the earth will [c]give birth to the [d]departed spirits.“)
19 Your dead will live;
[a]Their corpses will rise.
You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy,
For your dew is as the dew of the [b]dawn,
And the earth will [c]give birth to the [d]departed spirits.
20 Come, my people, enter your rooms
And close your doors behind you;
Hide for a little [e]while
Until indignation [f]runs its course.
21 For behold, the Lord is about to come out from His place
To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their wrongdoing;
And the earth will reveal her bloodshed
And will no longer cover her slain.”
My favorite Allusion lines:
“Perhaps you will be
hidden [and pardoned and rescued]
In the day of the Lord’s anger.”
“For in the day of trouble
He will hide me in His shelter”.
“Hide for a little while
Until indignation runs its course.”
Do those sound like references to the day of Jesus’ Rapture, or what? Amazing!
Return to: Absolutely Scintillating
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In Conclusion
Reading the Bible carefully – there are major conclusions we come to about the Rapture.
The Rapture happens
* before His wrath pours out upon the earth during the Great Tribulation
* before Armegeddon
* before Jesus returns in great power and glory with all His saints and all His angels
* before He returns to defeat all His enemies at Armegeddon
The Rapture is a big mystery (Verse 51: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55):
* We will not all die (“sleep”), “but we will all be changed” (Verse 51: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
* Some of us will be living-out our lives like always… when Jesus suddenly snatches us up (Verse 51: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
* It happens “at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound“. (Verse 52: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
*Instantly “the dead will be raised [d]imperishable, and we will be changed.” (Verse 52: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
* All the dead in Christ precede us, rising from the dead, and then we meet them with Jesus.
* When He returns we all will be changed in a flash! In the time it takes for an eye to twinkle – we will be snatched up by Jesus to meet Him in the air. That fast! (Verse 52: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
* All the true saints still alive, living on earth when He returns – will be simultaneously snapped up together into the air (at the very same “twinkling of an eye”).
* All saints must be taken off the planet at the same time as when “the Restrainer” is removed (v7).
* “The Restrainer” leaves earth by God’s design, thus enabling Satan to accomplish his end days evils… as permitted by God.
* We can see the day approaching because of the signs He has told us about.
“…as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching“
– Hebrews 10:24-25
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Dead or alive
All believers will be gathered together here – in the air – with Jesus, when He returns to Rapture us.
- Those who are dead will be resurrected and will rise up first to meet Jesus in the air.
- Those who are at that moment still alive on earth will rise up after the dead to meet Jesus in the air.
This has never happened in the past, and it will never happen again: Jesus gathers all His saints to meet Him in the air. This is The Absolutely Scintillating Resurrection-Rapture Moment!
The waiting will soon be over. Praise God! What a hope we have — this hope that Jesus will return at any moment.
By what God has revealed to us about this great event, we can understand fairly well why He is going to do things this way.
The Rapture
is in the WHAT FOR
“you turned to God
from idols”.
We also learn
the WHY FOR.
Why did you turn to God,
and what for?
Here’s a quick jump link back:
Review the WHAT FOR & WHY FOR
24 and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, 25 not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;
and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.
– Hebrews 10:24-25
We each have a ministry given to us by God. Every believer has this ministry. Our ministry is to
“24…consider [thoughtfully]
how we may
encourage one another
to love and
to do good deeds“
Our ministry, to encourage others, — makes it necessary to meet “together [as believers for worship and instruction]” — “encouraging one another“. Can’t do that staying at home all the time, never going to the gatherings of believers. It’s part of the fellowship of believers. It’s an effort of agape, not an automatic thing.
“The growing shadow of these day’s evils will not be at it’s deepest depths until after the Rapture, until after the removal of the “Restrainer” (God the Holy Spirit). Will you still be here on earth when this happens?”
– Adapted Source: Until the rapture door is shut
‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;
I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’
– Isaiah 41:10
He who testifies
and affirms these things says,
“Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen.
– Revelation 22:20 AMP 4
…Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
– Revelation 22:20 KJV
*Header Art by Pete Garcia: Heaven-came-down
FOR MORE:
The Rapture was an integral part of the faith for the early church. It is still a basic tenet of the faith. Are you yourself looking forward to The Rapture with great anticipation?
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We don’t get into Heaven by being sinful
What clearly saves and what obviously does not save
The Godman Jesus said “Follow Me”
This does not save you, a section in the post – What saves you.
Being wrong headed… site search for “wrong headed”
Defining who is a false teacher – versus – just a dumbhead who got it wrong
The Chutzpah of Wannabe Christians
List of references to the Rapture
Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times
We are now in “Birth Pangs” times, and then – the End
The Absolutely Scintillating Resurrection-Rapture Moment
I will protect you from the time of testing
Do a Site Search of “Rapture“...See what we have on this site teaching about The Rapture.
What we know about the Rapture
Jesus will return soon, just as He left
Another hint about the Rapture
Understanding the Rapture and associated models
– From interrupts165 YouTube Channel Series
Rely on the Spirit of God in you
When I find myself in times of trouble, I turn to Jesus
This Hope we have – and what this hope does
Living the good life – with courage and confident hope
Oh haunting fear of death – be gone (Hebrews 2:15)
Jesus promises an End Time Rapture | Angels promised His return in Acts 1:9-11
I will protect you from the time of testing
We are inside the timeframe Jesus gave for the Rapture – by Chad Thomas
Waiting for the Rapture – mentioned throughout the New Testament
Will you be “accounted worthy” to escape all these things that shall come to pass?
What we know about the Rapture
Being a Temp in our temporary tent
List of references to the Rapture
See more passages. Luke 21:36; Revelation 3:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 WEB
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Revelation 3:10 AMP
“Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.”
Mark 13:28-37 AMP
33 “Be on guard and stay constantly alert [b][and pray]; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
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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“. With these Old Testament appearances on earth, however, God did not appear in the name of Jesus. Big difference. See:
Theophanies in the Old Testament, by Tim Chaffey; on AnswersInGenesis.org.
Also, at Crosswalk: 10 Times Jesus Showed Up in the Old Testament and What They Reveal, by Jennifer Slattery. See her blog: JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com
Jesus will return soon, just as He left
We are inside the timeframe Jesus gave for the Rapture – by Chad Thomas
First, Apostasy, then Antichrist, then the Rapture
A swift barrage of shattering events will unfold after the Rapture – coming soon…God’s wrath will pour out
Biblical Pre-Trib Rapture… by Chad (Generation2434@use.startmail.com) at Generation2434
At Generation2434: Here is an entire playlist of videos on the pre-tribulation rapture:
Pre-Trib Rapture Arguments | By Daymond Duck | Published:
Understanding the Rapture and associated models | video – From interrupts165 YouTube Channel Series
Normalcy Bias says – “Rapture can’t happen now!” | Based on video presentation Convergence (2:17:33 min) at rev310.net with Pete Garcia and Tyler.
“What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
The Antichrist is soon to be revealed
First, Apostasy, then Antichrist, then the Rapture… and then The Great Tribulation
Run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us
Joel 2:31. Could Joel 2:31 be foretelling the Great American Eclipse which happened August 21, 2017?
“The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood
Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.”
– Joel 2:31
Read the blog by Anne Graham-Lotz: Is God’s Judgment Coming on America
or read this article at gospelherald.com: Anne Graham-Lotz: Great American Eclipse Could Be Sign God’s ‘Severe Judgement’ is Coming to America
Until the rapture door is shut
Be cautious and active in faith
Being wise in a very unwise world during these End Times
Will you be turned away by Jesus?
Accepting Jesus – Plus Some Other
The world of illusion of some churchgoers
We don’t get into a Holy Kingdom by being sinful
Fake faith gets you nowhere you want to be
The controversy of God speaking to you directly
NAR-types are changing God’s Way, denying the Old Testament
Time as it really is – my concept of “time”, which helps better understand how events in God’s calendar transpire.
“The first things” (our time now) of Revelation 21:4
Death. What A Wonderful Way To Explain It
“For a [a]thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
Or as a watch in the night.”
“Nevertheless, do not let this one fact
escape your notice, beloved,
that with the Lord
one day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years is like one day.”
We are now in “Birth Pangs” times, and then – the End Excerpt:
We know the chronological order of the beginning of “Birth Pangs” and of “the end” times events – because of what Apostle Paul predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. Read about it here: First, Apostasy, then Antichrist, then the Rapture.
First, Apostasy, then Antichrist, then the Rapture
Fearful evil dark things are here
The Evils of End Time Evil Players
The Days of Elijah | Pete Garcia | rev310.net
Re: “The scope of global wickedness and violence”
“Although we are seeing the shadow of this growing longer in our day, the full depth and scope of darkness will not be felt until the rapture door is shut, and those that dwell on the earth prepare for the fiery trial they are about to endure.” – Pete Garcia in The Days of Elijah at rev310.net
Chronology of Mankind: 6,000 Years of History Pt 1 | By Randy Nettles | From RaptureReady.com
The Great Reset for the Beast is just around the corner
The Great Reset… collection of articles and videos about these End Times
There comes a time to stand for Jesus or deny Jesus |What’s it gonna be for you?
Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times
Jesus volunteered to give us signs that would usher in the End Times
Do we see the Antichrist just prior to our rapture trip?
“What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
“The last days dangerous times”…have come | 2 Timothy 3 “Difficult Times Will Come”
Excerpt: Evil has leap-frogged, one evil over another, into today’s doofus day, worsening our experience on earth by gazillions. Things are not going to get better, but rather, the Bible predicts things will grow worse (Matthew 24:3-8).
“…in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come…
– 2 Timothy 3:verse 1
13 But evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
– verse 13 of 2 Timothy 3
Right on time …”the appointed time will come.” – Mark 13:33
Virgins, Talents, and Judgement
He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus
The Wonder of the Birth of God
Long before His birth prophets spoke of Jesus the Messiah
Being 100% given-over to Jesus
When on earth I’m done and gone
Maintain yourself faithful – out of loyalty to Christ
How then should we live now… believing the Rapture is just around the corner?
When I find myself in times of trouble, I turn to Jesus
I Have to Believe with lyrics | Sung by Rita Springer (on YouTube)
Gonna Be Worth It!! with lyrics | Sung by Rita Springer (on YouTube)
Our Life As God Sees It. Ephesians 2:1-10
…the process of being made alive in Christ. In Ephesians 1 we see the normal Christian experience:
Growing into our natural new life in Christ
Every believer’s new life in Christ [Part One]
Explaining the Basic Christian Experience [Part Two]
Be a Berean Site search for “Berean”
How to Study the Bible: Study Guide
- Module 01 Hermeneutics – The What and the Why
- Module 02 Worldviews and the Battle for Meaning
- Module 03 Context, Context, Context!
- Module 04 Tools to Help You Along the Way
- Module 05 Genre Studies – An Introduction
- Module 06 OT Genre Studies 1: Narrative and Law
- Module 07 OT Genre Studies 2: Wisdom and Prophecy
- Module 08 NT Genre Studies 1: Gospels and Acts
- Module 09 NT Genre Studies 2: Epistles and Revelation
- Module 10 Application
Footnotes
- Interesting note. See 1 Corinthians 15:13-20NASB if you do not believe in the resurrection.
- “5 Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” – Hebrews 13:5.
- I of course do cannot grasp “time”, but here is how I understand it. See: Time as it really is. “*Earth time is seen by God as happening all at once, because He is timeless. So all of earth history, contained within “a time frame”, happens within time. As each person dies, from Adam and Eve — to the last one, they step out of time, setting foot together into God’s Timeless Infinite Continuum. Since Heaven is not regulated by time, the passage of time on earth is a separate event.”
“Some day this first phase, our times, will come to an end. In a flash it will “have passed away”, and we will enter another dimension – the Timeless Infinite Continuum on the other side of our present reality (1 Corinthians 15:52). There is no way we can fully comprehend timelessness and dimensions now existing side-by-side! Too much for me.”
Also See: Timeless Infinite Continuum.
- We must understand time, to understand this “coming quickly” statement of Jesus. See: Time as it really is.
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