THE RAPTURE
David Oludairo
Please permit me to say from the beginning that the teaching on eschatology exists
today in the realm of gleaned truths from the Scriptures. No denomination can lay
claim to exclusive, infallible knowledge of the sequence of events for the end time.
That’s why there are lots of argument and confusion among the body of Christ on
the subject. This write-up is not immune from this trend.
We have a less-than-perfect picture because the Church is not engaging God on the subject of the end-time in the place of earnest prayer. Therefore, almost like the world, our back-slidden Church is also terrified of the end-time! Which is ironic, because the Lord has designed the end-time for the redemption and comfort of His people (1 Thess 4:18).
BOTTOMLINE: The most important thing about the end-time is not to have a full understanding of the sequence of events, but to BE FULLY PREPARED for the event.
Now, let’s come to the subject of the Rapture. There are several schools of thought in the Church on the timing of the rapture in relation to the seven-year Tribulation Period (TP) prophesied in Daniel 9:24-27. Some believe that all Christians will be here on earth (divinely protected) throughout the period of tribulation and will be rescued by God afterwards. This is the post-tribulation position shared by many evangelicals.
Others believe the rapture will occur mid-way into the TP (mid-tribulation position).
The pre-tribulation position (The Rapture), taught by most Pentecostal churches and other denominations, teaches that Christians will be taken away from the world before the wrath of the Lord is revealed in the TP (1 Thess 5:9). [Please join us in earnestly praying that the Lord will please shed more light that will unify the understanding of true believers on end-time events so that we can speak with one voice.]
Let’s look further at the pre-tribulation position on The Rapture.
MODE
By nature, the Rapture will be sudden and cataclysmic; ( in the ‘twinkling of an eye’ – 1 Corinthians 15:52; and like a ‘thief in the night’ - 1 Thess 5:2). Jesus will appear suddenly in the sky at the blast of the trumpet of God in the midst of angels. The dead in Christ will rise in their graves and join this heavenly procession. Believers that have been truly waiting expectantly for this second coming will be caught up to join them in the air. (1 Thess 4:16-17). All this will happen in a split second.
We have a less-than-perfect picture because the Church is not engaging God on the subject of the end-time in the place of earnest prayer. Therefore, almost like the world, our back-slidden Church is also terrified of the end-time! Which is ironic, because the Lord has designed the end-time for the redemption and comfort of His people (1 Thess 4:18).
BOTTOMLINE: The most important thing about the end-time is not to have a full understanding of the sequence of events, but to BE FULLY PREPARED for the event.
Now, let’s come to the subject of the Rapture. There are several schools of thought in the Church on the timing of the rapture in relation to the seven-year Tribulation Period (TP) prophesied in Daniel 9:24-27. Some believe that all Christians will be here on earth (divinely protected) throughout the period of tribulation and will be rescued by God afterwards. This is the post-tribulation position shared by many evangelicals.
Others believe the rapture will occur mid-way into the TP (mid-tribulation position).
The pre-tribulation position (The Rapture), taught by most Pentecostal churches and other denominations, teaches that Christians will be taken away from the world before the wrath of the Lord is revealed in the TP (1 Thess 5:9). [Please join us in earnestly praying that the Lord will please shed more light that will unify the understanding of true believers on end-time events so that we can speak with one voice.]
Let’s look further at the pre-tribulation position on The Rapture.
MODE
By nature, the Rapture will be sudden and cataclysmic; ( in the ‘twinkling of an eye’ – 1 Corinthians 15:52; and like a ‘thief in the night’ - 1 Thess 5:2). Jesus will appear suddenly in the sky at the blast of the trumpet of God in the midst of angels. The dead in Christ will rise in their graves and join this heavenly procession. Believers that have been truly waiting expectantly for this second coming will be caught up to join them in the air. (1 Thess 4:16-17). All this will happen in a split second.
TIMING
Jesus emphasised that no one will know the hour of His coming (Matthew 24:36). This is what He told us about the timing: IT WILL BE TOTALLY UNEXPECTED (Matthew 24:44).
PRECEDING SIGNS
How many signs will precede the Rapture? Zero. Unlike most events in the end-time that have multiple signs preceding them, there is not a single sign that will precede the Rapture. It is designed in this way so that only those who have obeyed the instruction to be ready at all times will make it. Scary, but very true.
INVITATION
The invitation list is exclusive, and highly restrictive. ‘Many are called, but few are chosen’ (Matthew 22:14)
POLITICAL OUTLOOK
Politically, the world will be under the central government of the Anti-Christ, who will unleash an unprecedented, pre-ordained persecution against Christians. He will torture them. He will overcome them. And He will kill them in huge numbers. All this is pre-ordained to punish and cleanse believers that ignored Jesus’ warning to be ready for His second coming. (Daniel 11:33,35; Revelation 13:5-7).
For such Christians, as well as the rest of the world, it will be a period of the out- pouring of God’s judgment on mankind in a series of calamities including, but not restricted to, natural disasters of megatronic proportions, onslaught of unknown pandemic diseases, huge social unrest and upheaval, devastating famine, etc. Jesus puts it this way: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved...." (Matthew 24:21-22
Jesus emphasised that no one will know the hour of His coming (Matthew 24:36). This is what He told us about the timing: IT WILL BE TOTALLY UNEXPECTED (Matthew 24:44).
PRECEDING SIGNS
How many signs will precede the Rapture? Zero. Unlike most events in the end-time that have multiple signs preceding them, there is not a single sign that will precede the Rapture. It is designed in this way so that only those who have obeyed the instruction to be ready at all times will make it. Scary, but very true.
INVITATION
The invitation list is exclusive, and highly restrictive. ‘Many are called, but few are chosen’ (Matthew 22:14)
POLITICAL OUTLOOK
Politically, the world will be under the central government of the Anti-Christ, who will unleash an unprecedented, pre-ordained persecution against Christians. He will torture them. He will overcome them. And He will kill them in huge numbers. All this is pre-ordained to punish and cleanse believers that ignored Jesus’ warning to be ready for His second coming. (Daniel 11:33,35; Revelation 13:5-7).
For such Christians, as well as the rest of the world, it will be a period of the out- pouring of God’s judgment on mankind in a series of calamities including, but not restricted to, natural disasters of megatronic proportions, onslaught of unknown pandemic diseases, huge social unrest and upheaval, devastating famine, etc. Jesus puts it this way: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved...." (Matthew 24:21-22
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