EVIDENCE #1 - IMMINENCE OF THE RAPTURE
The timing of the Rapture is unknown. Paul writes in his letter to the Thessalonian church:
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-6)
In the previous chapter, Paul was comforting those in the Thessalonian church who feared that those who are dead in Christ will not get raptured (I THESSALONIANS 4:13-15). But Paul said that they will be resurrected (1 THESSALONIANS 4:16) and will precede those who are alive in Christ. Finally those who are alive in Christ will be "CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1 THESSALONIANS 4:17)" So we can deduce from 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-2 that Paul is talking about the Rapture. So the Rapture CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT.
Jesus WILL COME LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. Jesus himself said, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (MATTHEW 24:42)" Jesus also said that no one knows the day or the hour of the Lord's coming. No man, no angel and not even the Son, Jesus Christ knows but only the Father (MARK 13:32). Paul in 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1 didn't need to tell about date-setting for it is pointless because the Lord will come like a thief in the night at an hour unexpected just like in the days of Noah when they were eating, drinking, partying, and SINNING (MATTHEW 24:37-38). Those people LIVED FOR TODAY but for the wrong reasons. Instead of living for God they lived for themselves and it was until the rain started that they realized THEY WERE WRONG.
Paul says that we have the light which is Jesus Christ and we should always be watchful, alert, and of self-control lest we be caught unaware when that day comes. Since the Rapture is PRE-TRIBULATION, it causes Christians to lead holy lives in expectation and preparation that the Lord will COME AT ANY MOMENT! When the church loses focus of this then it becomes carnal and spiritually dead. Other rapture views say that the Pre-Trib Rapture gives believers a false security BUT on the contrary it makes believers lead right lives before God or else they will be LEFT BEHIND! Live for God NOW not when you realize it is too late and you have to live during the dreadful seven year Tribulation. John 3:2-3 says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." THIS IS THE BLESSED HOPE, THE RAPTURE WHICH PURIFIES THE BELIEVER BY HAVING HIM/HER LIVING FOR JESUS NOW INSTEAD OF IN THE TRIBULATION WHEN FACING PLAGUES, THE MARK, AND MARTYRDOM.
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-6)
In the previous chapter, Paul was comforting those in the Thessalonian church who feared that those who are dead in Christ will not get raptured (I THESSALONIANS 4:13-15). But Paul said that they will be resurrected (1 THESSALONIANS 4:16) and will precede those who are alive in Christ. Finally those who are alive in Christ will be "CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1 THESSALONIANS 4:17)" So we can deduce from 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-2 that Paul is talking about the Rapture. So the Rapture CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT.
Jesus WILL COME LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. Jesus himself said, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (MATTHEW 24:42)" Jesus also said that no one knows the day or the hour of the Lord's coming. No man, no angel and not even the Son, Jesus Christ knows but only the Father (MARK 13:32). Paul in 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1 didn't need to tell about date-setting for it is pointless because the Lord will come like a thief in the night at an hour unexpected just like in the days of Noah when they were eating, drinking, partying, and SINNING (MATTHEW 24:37-38). Those people LIVED FOR TODAY but for the wrong reasons. Instead of living for God they lived for themselves and it was until the rain started that they realized THEY WERE WRONG.
Paul says that we have the light which is Jesus Christ and we should always be watchful, alert, and of self-control lest we be caught unaware when that day comes. Since the Rapture is PRE-TRIBULATION, it causes Christians to lead holy lives in expectation and preparation that the Lord will COME AT ANY MOMENT! When the church loses focus of this then it becomes carnal and spiritually dead. Other rapture views say that the Pre-Trib Rapture gives believers a false security BUT on the contrary it makes believers lead right lives before God or else they will be LEFT BEHIND! Live for God NOW not when you realize it is too late and you have to live during the dreadful seven year Tribulation. John 3:2-3 says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." THIS IS THE BLESSED HOPE, THE RAPTURE WHICH PURIFIES THE BELIEVER BY HAVING HIM/HER LIVING FOR JESUS NOW INSTEAD OF IN THE TRIBULATION WHEN FACING PLAGUES, THE MARK, AND MARTYRDOM.
posted by Sinner saved by grace at 5:46 AM
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