Many say there is no rapture because the Bible does not clearly say so. Some say we are trying to escape death and are weak in the stamina to withstand the tribulation at the end of the age. Some say this is a modern thought, and not in the writings of our fore-fathers. These same people believe that without faith, we cannot please God. Most of the Words Jesus spoke when he was on earth were parables, so that it would be a mystery to those that were not his disciples. If we cannot see these things, perhaps it is time to examine our hearts and our minds to see if we are truly his discipless. He said if we would continue in his word, then we would be his disciples,and we would know the truth, and it would make us free.
There is a rapture time. In truth, there will be four occasions where a rapture will take place in the Book of Revelation. The kings and priests that will reign with Jesus will be first. (Rev 5:9,10) The professing Christian will be next, (Rev.7:9,13-15). Next will be the two witnesses, Rev.11:12, and finally the 144,000 of the remnant of Israel. (Rev.14:1-3). This is very hard to deny. Written in God�s Word for all to see. Four times, God calls his people out - without death. (Except the two witness who will lay dead for three days in the streets, but they will not be put in graves) Read it for yourself, it is in the Word of God. Do you have ears to hear?
At this time I would like to discuss Kings and priests and ask you to examine two scriptures. Rev.4:1 and Rev.5:9,10.
"After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter" Rev 4:1
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seal thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation. And hast made us unto our God kings and priest:s and we shall reign on the earth." Rev.5:9,10
I would like to bring your attention to other scriptures that mentions words like entering in to an open door, come up hither, kings, men of strength, and words that have been spoken throughout scripture that will bring to confirmation of the meaning of these two scriptures. Some are parables or teachings of Jesus and some are statements from prophets in the Old Testament. There are hints scattered throughout God�s Word of his intentions for the future of His Kingdom. Ask for under-standing and discernment to study the word, and see these nuggets of gold. I believe the Word tells us many times over what God is going to do. We plainly see Satan�s future. Let us open our eyes and ears of understanding to recognize what lies in store for mankind.
1. Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out
a matter.
The word kings can be taken in the physical sense. Solomon was a wise king, and he searched out God. He knew wisdom was more precious than gold. But there is a spiritual message here, also. Anyone who seeks the Lord and has intimate fellowship with Jesus, certainly will come to deeeper understanding, and they will begin to know God�s will, and therefore become a disciple. Seeking out the matter is honorable to God. He said those that seek me will find me. Could this refer to the first rapture and having the honor of being a king or priest, ruling and reigning with the Lord? There is a parable here. Ask God to show you understanding of this. It is obvious in Rev. 5:10 that some from the nations, and people of the world will become kings and priests in the kingdom. Ruling with the KING OF KINGS would be the highest honor to ever receive, and it will be forever.
There is a king that was rejected:
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolitry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Sam.15:23
Here is a great parable. Do you see how when the word of the Lord is rejected, it removes you from discipleship, and in turn you may miss the first rapture by being rejected as a king. Saul, indeed, was given the opportunity to be king. But, he was a people pleaser, not a God - pleaser. He was disobedient and rebellious, and the door was shut to his reward and honor. Incidently, Saul continued to be king of the people for a while after God told Samuel what to say to Saul. Some of us continue in our ministries unsuspecting that God has removed our sanction to minister. The parable here is a great lesson on having the door shut in heaven for the first rapture.
This next piece of scripture comes from one of the oldest books in the Bible.
What does the Holy Spirit reveal to you.....
In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight and pass away, and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. Job 34:20
This scripture fits perfectly with all four raptures. I especially see the correlation between the second rapture after the sixth seal is open. There is a great earthquake that will shake the entire world. People will die and others will ask to die for fear. But at the �midnight� hour, God will hold back his wrath, and sweep up those Christians that remain. I see the correlation in the book of Acts 16: 26-33. Paul was able to witness to frightened guards that were about to kill themselves in fear, and because of the work of Paul, they were saved. Many Christians will be faithful like Paul at the earthquake in Revelation. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, (robes) and was baptised (into the kingdom).
What else could taken without hand mean to us? This scripture could also fit the two witnesses if you read that acount. Also read the account of the rapture of Israel. I believe God was making a blanket announcement here, for those that have ears to hear. He certainly is fullfilling the scripture, that He will tell us the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 47:9,10)
(Job was written a long time ago.)
Here is a "come up hither" for thought:
Jesus taught us that the Pharisees liked to rub elbows with the great men, and loved to be recognized in the streets. He also said blessed were the meek, and the lowly of heart. Assuming a great position in this life may prevent us from the attributes necessary for God�s kingdom, and may cause us to miss the call to come up hither. The desire to have that great ministry and be known by men is not a neccessary feature for kingship and priesthood in Heaven. Remember the Levite and the priest, they did not take care of the
man on the roadside. The Samaritan was called good by Jesus, and you know what Israel thought about them. Taking care of our neighbor was more important to Jesus that the titles of Priest and Levite. And he instructed, �Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:30-37
Seest thou a man deligent in his business, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men. Prov.22:29
Just as Joseph stood before Pharaoh because he was diligent with God, we who are diligent toward God will stand before our King of Kings, and not be harmed by the �mean men� (antichrist and his followers, and the ungodly men) that will be loosed in the tribulation. Daniel was not harmed by king or beast, because of his diligence to our Father.
The Church of Philadelphia have an open door to Heaven:
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name Rev.:3:8
They are the only church that had an open door. They were faithful, they had a little strength (see below). They have already earned a crown. No man can take that crown because once you know the truth, the truth gives us freedom from religions of men, and doctrines of demons, and we know the will of the Father for us. We should diligently seek out the behavior of the Philadelphian, and find out what they did that gave them this honor. They behaved the same way as the faithful steward, the men with five and two talents, and the wise 5 virgins. Anyone in these catagories appear to have a great reward. We will also see below what the �strong� means to our Lord. This open door that they are offered is the same door opened in Heaven to John, Jesus desciple. The same come up hither, and the same changed immediately into spirit. And the same chance to stand before the Throne of God without judgement. Worthy to be called that Royal Priesthood mentioned of by Peter. A chosen generation.....how awesome.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.� There will be many guests at the wedding supper, but only some that come to the marriage with Jesus. His wise virgins and the ones �faithful� as mentioned above are the selected bride. The supper will be celebrated after the rapture of the church, the two witnesses, and the remnant of Israel. (Rev.19:9)
His lord said unto him. Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many thngs: enter thou into the joy of the lord.
(5 talents ) Matthew 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord. (two talents) Matthew 25:23
Notice the same reward was given to each servant. It is not the size of the job that makes us more honorable, it is the measure of our diligence to take care of what we are given. If a man is given charge over a household of 2 servants, and another is given charge over 10. The requirement of the lord is the same....be faithful. Do not think your ministry or job is too small in God�s eyes. He does not look at quantity...but quality. And praise God, you are given the same as the man with the big responsibility. Remember, to much is given, much is required. And so the faithful enter in, and become rulers. Sounds like kings and priest to me.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you. That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. Matthew 24:45-47.
Do you have any idea what God is talking about here, when he says giving �meat� to his household. It is the master�s household. The servant is in charge. Meat is spiritual food that is essential for the season. We are in the �season� Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24. The time has come when we must give meat to the household of God. So many preachers will not address the coming tribulation and the book of Revelation. Too controversial!! Too scary for people to hear!! Too this. Too that. There is that people-pleasing king again, and we know what happened to Saul. Are we falling into the category of preaching to itchy ears?
Are we feeding the sheep milk and junk food. Compromising God�s word. He commissions the servant to give �meat� in due season. Then you can be ruler over all his goods. Sounds like ruling kings and priests in the first rapture.
How about that word �mighty�? What does he mean �little strength� Is it strong in stature and physique or is it strong in mind, and of a mighty heart for God? Let us see:
Therefore, will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath......... Rev. 53:12
God is speaking about what he is going to give Jesus because he died for us, and those of us that are great (in the kingdom) and strong (in mind and heart for Him) will share the �spoil�. That spoil is the earth, after harvest, as well has his Kingdom. All of God�s children will share in the kingdom. It is a promise for all the raptures, as well as those that are martyred for Christ�s sake.
A wise man is strong: yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. Prov.24:5
How about this one:
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Isaiah 57:1
We know that righteous men suffer and die every day for the Lord. Nobody cares. Our newspapers all full of murders, Hollywood, and sports figures. People are killed for carrying Bibles in China. Others are persecuted in prisons and burned and tortured.....nobody takes it to heart in the world. When the first rapture comes, and "merciful men are taken away" the world will still be like the days of Noah. Eating, drinking, etc., until the flood (of tribulation) comes.
I believe the ones that will stand up and take notice are the foolish virgins and the wasteful servants. Then comes the great and terrible earthquake after the sixth seal is opened in Rev. 6:12. It is after this time, that He seals the remnant of Israel, and takes his believers to heaven. All of this is documented in Chapter 7. None of his people, bride, church, or Israel is appointed to God�s wrath. The remnant of Israel will be around to witness the wrath of God, but they will be sealed and protected.
As God reveals his plan to his disciples, the puzzle begins to fit together. It is the honor of kings to search out a matter. We begin to understand his plan for mankind. He gives us choices. Jesus asks us to follow him. Be disciples, and then be priests and kings with him. Who will hear? Who will give meat in due season? Let the Spirit of Life give you truth.
You will notice that I have not used the �standard� scripture we all are familiar with about the rapture. It is being overlooked by �sceptics� and unbelievers, and perhaps other nuggets of gold in the world will open up some eyes. The �standard� scriptures are perfect and should be enough to �convince� anyone of God's plan.
But, again, in his goodness and long suffering with mortal man,
he gives meat in due season for us to consider. I do not think it necessary that men throughout the ages needed this "meat" because it was for this season, and now it is being revealed. Just because they did not preach it, and see it, does not mean it was not there. The Jew cannot see the Messiah, because it is the season of the Gentile.
For those that have not heard the �standard� scriptures used for the rapture of the church, I will put them here for you.
1 Cor.15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shallnot all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the strumpet shall sound, and dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Rather a clear message here that some will not see death and the grave.
1 Thess.4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Notice, Paul knew this when he became a disciple for Jesus. He never had revelation when he was a a pharisee and a zealot for the "Temple" Who do we work for?
Could our works be in vain? Or are the ordained by our desciple-
ship to Jesus?
Matthew 24:38-42 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. Who women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
These are just a few of the verses we are familiar with when we talk about the rapture. I believe some have become cold to the revelation that has been given in these great scriptures. That is why I have not used these, at length, in this discussion.
I am sure God is not through with his revelation of the scriptures. Each day, as His time is right, He will reveal more in his word to us.
Those that "seek out the matter" will be honored with truth from the Holy Spirit. It is the season for "meat" and the Master will provide for the servant to distibute. May we have regenerate minds. Open to God's word.
If you do not know Jesus, please examine you heart, realize that In him is eternal life. We are all sinners, every one of us. Ask him to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior. He will forgive your sins. We must repent of the sins we have, but no sin is too great, you see, because is not the work of the sin or your works of good deeds that save you or do not save you, it is the cross that saves. He died that you might have life. All sin is forgiven because it is his work not yours that gives salvation.
Ask, and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you. It is the Father's love and Jesus' sacrifice that completes the work. Your job� is to believe, trust, and follow Jesus.
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king and stand not in the place of great men. For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither: than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince who thine eyes have seen.
They will notice the door is shut, and they are left outside in the "darkness" that will soon cover the earth. Weeping and gnashing their teeth for being so unwise. Fortun- ately, God, in his patience and mercy and great love for us, has made a promise to all who call on the name of Jesus, and by the time of the next rapture they will be ready, and bringing a harvest with them. Like Paul when he was loosed from prison, he brought others out with him. Unfortunately, they will have been through some tribulation as the horses of antichrist, death, economy problem, and war and pestilence are riding throughout the earth.
Soon, God will remove the veil, and they will be grafted on to the branch, as the Bible teaches. When God shuts your eyes, they are shut., and no man can open them. The Holy Spirit will reveal in due time. It is time to wake up from sleep and blindness and drink of the living water, and partake of the bread of life.
Repentance means we are sorry, and do not want to continue to behave sinfully. To deny Jesus, because you think your sin is too great, you are saying He did not do enough. He did it all ..... for you. Accept this and believe. His work gave you right standing with God. He brings you the peace with God.
Hear Him. Let the Holy Spirit guide and teach you all truth. Jesus makes our burden light. He carried
the heavy cross, now take up your cross (life) and follow Him. Ask him to come in to your heart, and receive the greatest gift ever known to man....life in the Kingdom of God.....forever and ever.....Amen