Rapture...Process of Blessed Hope

"And

there are also

many other things

which Jesus did, 

the which,

if they should be

written every one,

I suppose that even

the world itself

could not contain the books

that should be written.

Amen." 

-Jn.21:25

Introduction ...

The Apostle John ... reminds us in Chapter 21 ... that the Word of God does not give us every detail surrounding what is written in the Holy Scriptures.

That would fill countless volumes ... impossible to carry or store.

Nevertheless ... the Apostle Paul ... assures us that all Scripture is sufficient

... the most Holy Word of God ... will give us ... everything we need to know ... to thoroughly equip us ... to respond ... to all we are going to experience in life:

16

All scripture is given

by inspiration of God,

and

is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction

in righteousness:

17

That the man of God

may be

perfect, throughly furnished

unto all good works.
-2 Tim.3:16-17

"furnish"

[G1822]

= complete

= finish .. accomplish

= furnish perfectly .. equip

Where then ... in God's Word ... do we find the sufficient information we need ... regarding the Rapture?

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:

17

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.

18

Wherefore

comfort one another

with these words.
-1 Thess.4:16-18

The purpose Paul provides ... regarding his addressing this topic of the rapture ... is to supply the Words believers are going to need

... in order to "comfort" one another ... as they see the signs of His coming ... beginning to manifest:

... darkness ... permeating the earth

... hearts of mankind growing cold

... and ...

... sin increasing around them

... all causing daily life to become more difficult.

Paul is faithful in addressing all of these issues.

Seeds of confusion ... regarding Jesus's pre-tribulation "gathering" of the saints ... had already been sown at that time ... in the early history of the Church

... so Paul brings a message from God ... to supply them ... and us ... with all of the details believers are going to need ... to identify the times and season of the "gathering"/Rapture

But ... before providing details ... Paul reviews what they already know ... assuring them that they are not going to be surprised ... or ... shocked by the sudden destruction that is coming

... nor will they be left stumbling around ... in the darkness that will envelop the rest of mankind at that time.

1

But

of the times and the seasons,

brethren,

ye have no need

that I write unto you.

2

For yourselves know perfectly

that the day of the Lord

so cometh as a thief in the night.

 Yes ... believers know ... because the Word of God ... has revealed that destruction will come ... as a thief ... cloaked in the darkness ... of that time and season.

cloaked in:

● dark cares and passions of this world

● mental confusion

    ... brought on by double-mindedness

    ... man's opinions and philosophy

    ... drinking and drugs 

● Biblical ignorance

    ... false ... corrupted 

    ... or incomplete doctrines.

Worldlings ... will never see it coming

... they will have ... just been assured ... that all is well on earth ... proclaiming "peace and safety."

So when sudden destruction comes

... they will not escape ...

3

For when they shall say,

Peace and safety;

then

sudden destruction

cometh upon them,

as travail upon a woman

with child;

and

they shall not escape.

True believers ... however ... will not experience this day of destruction

... because they are not walking in darkness ... but are of the LIGHT

... because the Word of God is the Lamp that produces the Light of the Holy Spirit ... and Jesus proclaimed that He is also the Light.

"... I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (Jn.8:12)

4

But ye, brethren,

are not in darkness,

that that day

should overtake you

as a thief.

5

Ye are all

the children of light,

and

the children of the day:

we are not of the night,

nor of darkness.

Because believers are not of the darkness ... but of the Light ... what should they be doing ... and not doing ... during this time of darkness?

6

Therefore

let us not sleep,

as do others;

but

let us watch

and

be sober.

"sober"

[G3525]

= calm .. (serious)

= collected in spirit

= temperate

= dispassionate .. (not emotionally affected)

= (frank .. open .. balanced .. rational)

... Also see verse 7 ... next ... as "sober" also pertains to "drunken"... during these times and season.

"For as in the days

that were before the flood

they were eating and drinking, 

marrying and giving in marriage,

until the day that Noe

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."

-Matt.24:38-39

If we are truly children of God ... during this time of darkness ... we should be "watching" and remembering to be "sober"... serious ... and prayerful ... because we are considering all of the destruction ... that is coming next.

If we are truly children of God ... we will not be asleep ... unaware of the times ... deceived by false doctrine ... or ignorant of the Word of God

... but will have been walking in the Light ... aware of the times and seasons.

7

For they that sleep

sleep in the night;

and

they that be drunken

are drunken in the night.

"drunken"

[G3184 and G3178]

= "methyo"... (Greek)

= "meth"... (c.f. German)

= intoxication

= murder 

"Drunken"... means "not completely sober"... but "asleep"... or having a brain that is not fully awake.

False doctrine ... and carelessness regarding the study of the Word of God ... concerning this topic ... will cause many to be left behind at the time of the "gathering"... "Rapture" of the faithful and pure Bride of Christ.

Even understanding worldly terms ... should be adequate ... for those who desire to know the truth

... since ... law enforcement today cannot come up with solid evidence regarding point of "legal intoxication"

... because ... physical research proves ... brain function is affected with the very  first drink ... even when ... actual scientific results are not always visible.

Nevertheless ... a careful and prayerful study of Proverbs 31 ... indicates that anyone who holds a position of authority ... should not drink at all ... at any time

... warning that judgment is impaired even when drinkers are not drinking at the moment.

The warning given ... is validated also by scientific research indicating that ... even slight damage to the brain caused by an intoxicant ... can exist long after partaking of these substances ... enough to impair judgment until the brain sufficiently heals.

The lasting influence can also hinder normal ... God-given emotions of empathy ... compassion ... and regard for human life

... as well as open spiritual doors to demonically induced hatred ... even murder.

**For more details regarding "drunken"... and complete picture of "intoxication"**

... see previous post:

     ... (May 16, 2019)

     ... "Rapture .. Final Sign."

What does "watching ... and walking in the Light"... look like?

8

But let us,

who are of the day,

be sober,

putting on the breastplate

of faith and love;

and 

for an helmet,

[brain protection]

the hope of salvation.

"Watching ... and walking in the Light" ... will be evident by our genuine faith ... (the attention and preeminence of the Word of God in our life) ... and our genuine love for God and one another that has not been diminished by drink or drugs.

... as well as the hope of salvation (eternal salvation) ... in addition to ... the "blessed hope" of salvation from the man-made destruction ... and ... the sure hope of escaping the God-ordained wrath ... that is coming upon the whole earth.

9

For God hath

not appointed us

to wrath,

[the wrath of God]

[the great tribulation]

but to obtain salvation

[escape through

our relationship

with Christ]

by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10

Who died for us, that,

whether we wake or sleep,

[whether we are alive or dead]

we should live together with him.

11

Wherefore comfort

yourselves together,

and

edify one another,

even as also ye do.
-1Thess.5:1-11

Amen !!! ... "Watching" for the Rapture ... is a command given to believers  ... because it involves a "process"

... all designed for our "comfort" and "edification"... as we are motivated to "occupy" till He comes

... using this fleeting time to reach as many as possible with the only hope of salvation available to a self-destructive world

... driven by the realization that time is running out 

... diligently "watching"... and sharing this Gospel everywhere we go.

... (even as we go from one "watch date" to another ... benefiting from this desire to see our Saviour and Lord ... from this "process" of spending more time in His precious Word

... gathering information that will give us ... and those around us ... more blessed hope and comfort from speculating ... anticipating ... and preparing our hearts for Jesus' return)

... fulfilling all that is required ...  to be found "ready" and "worthy"

... to escape into the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ ... when God's Wrath and judgment are poured out upon the Earth.

*****

Find assurance of salvation and escape right now:

... Scroll to the top of the page

... Click on the gift wrapped in gold on the left

... Follow the directions with your whole heart

    engaged.

♡♡♡