The Rapture
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“Now, brothers, we want
you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become
sad the way other people do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe
that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God,
through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died. When we say this, we
base it on the Lord’s own word: we who remain alive when the Lord comes will
certainly not take precedence over those who have died.
For the Lord himself
will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the
ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will
be the first to rise; then we who are left still alive will be caught up with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with
the Lord. So encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Complete
Jewish Bible)
Being caught up along with
many to meet our Lord in the air will happen. Christians know it as the
rapture, though that word is not found in the Bible. Scripture does declare,
plain and simple, that the Lord Jesus (Yeshua) will come back, at the sound of
the shofar (trumpet) to have His own meet Him in the air. We are to encourage
one another with these hopeful and sound words, as the Apostle Paul states in
his message to the Thessalonians. Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so,
as they had become fearful of being left behind. Thus we can count on it
happening. But when on the prophetic timeline will it happen? That has become a
big question.
In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul
writes to the believers at Corinth this message, that also sheds more light on this
glorious event. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell
you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a
moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will
sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible
must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this
corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is
swallowed up in victory."
"O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your
victory?"
The sting of death is
sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV)
The question remains
then about the timing. For it is not IF
the rapture happens, of being caught up, but WHEN will it happen? When will it come, and the Lord's glorious return?
This has been a hot
topic in the Church for the last two centuries, as theologians began connecting
it to the Tribulation time period, those seven years when the Lord’s wrath is
to be righteously poured out upon the evil people of earth. But is it to be
connected to the Tribulation? The early church fathers didn’t necessarily put
the two together, though Paul says it will occur at the last trumpet. The
apostle John speaks of the trumpets, once you get to Revelation Chapter 11. So,
there remains some uncertainty even amongst the brethren.
I have heard the
arguments for a pre-Trib, a mid-Trib, a post-Trib, and now even a partial-Trib.
Whichever stance you take, it does determine now how you are living your life.
To me, that is what should be our main concern - not just the timing of this
coming supernatural event.
Those who are believing
that there will be a “pre-Trib rapture” tend to watch current news, declare
that the nations are going to hell; that they deserve any and all judgments
coming upon them, so bring it on. They themselves believe that they will be
taken out of here prior to these disastrous events, and thus will avoid all
that. So they sit back and do nothing. Carry on with life as is.
What does that position
and attitude say then about the Lord’s commandment to occupy where we live, while
also taking the Gospel to our nation and the other nations? What about being
actively involved in His kingdom’s business? In my spiritual world, that “pre-trib”
position doesn’t line up with the Lord’s heart revealed in a vast majority of
Scripture.
If another position is
taken, (of when the rapture’s moment in time comes) it does affect how you view
people’s lives, and whether you will take an offensive or defensive posture in
your daily faith walk. I find that those who understand what the Lord’s beating
heart is, to save as many as possible, do act with mission and purpose,
preparing themselves and others to be “rescue boats”, rather than just putting
on the life vest and waiting to jump (up, in this case.)
For me, I’d rather have
my spirit, soul and body prepared for the more likely plan - of the Lord’s purpose
to have a Holy Spirit empowered Body of Christ on the earth, during these
current tribulations that many even now are already going through, and also being
on board to serve in Holy Spirit fired love during the great Tribulation. I can
wrap my brain around that one, and live my life in such a way that I am pushing
forward, and not sitting around.
What you believe now will
determine how you act now, and in the days to come. I would encourage you to
act in faith at all times, anticipating that we will be here as the Lord’s
light, shining through our hands and feet during the darkest times. We will be actively
participating in His assigned work that
will be given to each of us.
And, if we are martyred
along the way, which I fully expect to happen in my life, we will instantly be
with Him in heaven. It’s a win, win situation.
This is our glorious
hope - having His love in our lives, which has saved us for eternity with Him,
and sharing that love, along with all fellow believers,
on earth as it is in heaven.
RISE UP O men and women of the Almighty, Living God of Israel! He is coming back, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, for a prepared and alive Bride - not for some cowardly, unbelieving christians cowering in a corner, getting ready to abandon ship!
Maranatha Lord Jesus! Come on!
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People.
Inc.
P.S. We sure could use
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In May, 2106, my wife
Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time we our friends. We
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Inc. is a charitable,
not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love
of the Father in the nations.
If these messages
minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and
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Todah rabah! (Hebrew
– Thank you very much.)
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Think On This with your friends.
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Now Think On This #199 “The
Rapture” by Steve
Martin
Date: In the year of our
Lord 2015 (10.30.15) Friday at 7:10 am in Charlotte, NC
All previous editions
of Now Think On This can be found on this
Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with
your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks!
Steve
