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| First of all we will define the meaning of the word rapture and why we use it. Rapture is derived from the Latin word Raptu, which means to be caught up or gathered. In the Greek it comes from the word Harpazo, which means to be carried off or snatched away. We see this described in passages such as 1 Thess 4:16&17 & Matthew 24:31. One huge misconception about the Rapture is that it will be a secret event. Nothing could be further from the truth. It will be one of the most public out in the open events of all time. Of course it will come as a huge surprise to most, but not a secret. Scriptures proclaim that every eye will see him at the Rapture event, along with people crying out and mourning. Some have incorrectly attached those scriptures to the physical second coming of Jesus to earth as described in Revelation chapter 19, but this can't be done, because among other things it causes confusion. Rapture scriptures do not describe war as they do in Revelation 19. Instead they describe Jesus coming to collect his ready followers into the clouds. He does not come all the way to earth at the Rapture event. His ready followers escape the coming wrath be Jesus stealing them away. We could also describe the Rapture as the "Great Escape." Who is the Rapture for? Anyone who is ready. How can we be ready? By knowing our God through Salvation, by looking for Jesus soon return (this alone purifies us1 Jn 3:3) and by keeping our robes clean of sin with the Holy Spirits help. All the following scriptures speak to this: Rev. 2:7,2:10,2:25,3:4&5, 3:10&11, 1 John 3:1-3: 1 The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are his children. The reason the people in the world do not know us is that they have not known him.2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and we have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like him, because we will see him as he really is.3 Christ is pure, and all who have this hope in Christ keep themselves pure like Christ.Who will miss the Rapture: Revelation 3:3: 3 So do not forget what you have received and heard. Obey it, and change your hearts and lives. So you must wake up, or I will come like a thief, and you will not know when I will come to you.Also most of the Jews will miss the Rapture because they are not looking for it. We see this in the 24th chapter of Matthew. We also need to realize that Matthew was a message especially to the Jews about the gospel of Jesus and though the 24th chapter of Matthew speaks of the Rapture event, it does not give us a definite order of the sequence of end time events. That is what Revelation is for starting at the 1st seal. Luke was a message to non-Jews (Gentiles) and is why we see different language about the Rapture event including the escape verses that show us how some can leave early before Gods wrath begins. Is there still hope for those who miss the Rapture? Yes, but they will have to endure to the end to obtain their Salvation. Matt 24:13: "But those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved". But to those who obey and are ready he makes a promise in Revelation 3:10-11: 10. You have obeyed my teaching about not giving up your faith. So I will keep you from the time of trouble that will come to the whole world to test those who live on earth. 11. "I am coming soon. Continue strong in your faith so no one will take away your crown.Continued on page 2........ |
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