VISUALIZING the RAPTURE

 

JESUS tells us of the Rapture:

Matthew 24:40-42

King James Version

40 Then shall two be in the field; 

the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; 

the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: 

for ye know not what hour 

your Lord doth come.

I'm no theologian.

But I sure can visualize how the Rapture would be.

It's really not hard, if you're born again.

Sealed by GOD's SPIRIT.

Entirely teachable.

Born with a vivid imagination.

Childlike with JESUS.

Here's how I visualize the Rapture.

Based on Scripture, of course!

JESUS said:

Matthew 24:40

King James Version

40 Then shall two be in the field; 

the one shall be taken, 

and the other left.

That means:

The world population could be halved.

Just like that!

The actual event:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

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.

That means:

JESUS will descend from heaven.

Accompanied with a "shout".

Accompanied with the "voice of the archanged".

Accompanied with the "trump of God".

Believers who have passed on, will rise first.

Believers who are still alive, with join them.

Believers, dead and alive, will "meet the Lord in the air".

Believers will be with JESUS forever.

Believers will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

King James Version

51 Behold, 

I shew you a mystery; 

We shall not all sleep, 

but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, 

in the twinkling of an eye, 

at the last trump: 

for the trumpet shall sound, 

and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, 

and we shall be changed.

Can you visualize all that?

Can you also visualize the chaos during that instant event?

Such as people instantly disappearing from familes, crowds, events, work, school, travel, churches.

That people will be in great shock when the Rapture happens.

How do we know who gets to join Christ?

Matthew 18:3

King James Version

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

John 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

John 6:37

King James Version

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; 

and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 10:27-28

King James Version

27 My sheep hear my voice, 

and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

2 Timothy 2:19

King James Version

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, 

having this seal, 

The Lord knoweth them that are his. 

And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ 

depart from iniquity.

What to expect immediately after the Rapture?

Chaos, shock, fires, floods, death.

What if the pilot was taken?

What if babies disappeared?

What if you were holding your child?

What if you were operating sensitive industrial equipment?

What if doctors were doing surgery?

What if people were cooking?

What if people were in the midst of war?

What if couples were fighting?

You don't need a movie to depict it.

Look at your every day tasks.

Look at the work you do.

Look to your loved ones.

Look to your enemies.

Look at the structures we have built.

Look at the systems, and institutions, we have created.

Look at the paranoia the world lives in.

Look to our greed, and covetousness.

And yet, at any given moment, we could lose everything.

For it will all happen in an instant.

At an hour known ONLY to GOD:

Mark 13:32

King James Version

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, 

no, not the angels which are in heaven, 

neither the Son, but the Father.

It shall come as a "thief in the night".

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

King James Version

5 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.

Be aware the paradox:

Luke 12:40

King James Version

40 Be ye therefore ready also: 

for the Son of man cometh 

at an hour when ye think not.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

King James Version

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.

Even if the pilot, driver, or ship captain were left behind.

What about the rest of the passengers?

What if the number got halved?

JESUS did say "one shall be taken, and the other left".

The shock will be too great, it's something we won't recover from.

Those who know their Bible, will have understanding.

They know the Rapture has finally come upon them.

They may even turn angry.

Especially Christians.

Especially those who think they deserve to be with JESUS.

Feeling a special kind of entitlement.

But the LORD has a reply:

Matthew 7:21-23

King James Version

21 Not every one that saith unto me, 

Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; 

but he that doeth the will of my Father 

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, 

Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? 

and in thy name have cast out devils? 

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, 

I never knew you: 

depart from me, 

ye that work iniquity.

Man's anger will be great, and consuming.

Why were they not taken up to JESUS?

Why did He take their loved ones?

What's to become of them now?

This, as they watch cars ditched, planes falling from the sky, colliding against each other, crashing into buildings, crashing into everything.

Cities, and countries, destroyed.

Communication lines non-existent.

Government and military establishments may think they're under attack.

And they respond in "kind".

Not aware JESUS had come for His faithful.

There are billions of scenarios, as there are billions of people.

It's a grim picture, alright.

Why won't you be saved then?

Why not now?

Why won't you accept the LORD's invitation?

That you believe in Him.

That you believe in His gospel.

That you come to know your sins.

That you repent of your sins.

That you become born again.

That SPIRIT would teach you Scripture.

That your loved ones would believe, too.

Wouldn't you all want to be with JESUS?

And not have to face the terrible Tribulation?

We think the Rapture is it.

Nope.

After the Rapture, the Tribulation.

And wait when GOD takes the HOLY SPIRIT out of the picture.

Revealing the "son of perdition".

But that's for another post.

So, if you're still an unbeliever, think twice.

If your doubt all that JESUS is, think a hundred times.

Only through JESUS can we be saved.

Matthew 28:18

King James Version

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, 

saying, 

All power is given unto me 

in heaven and in earth.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.

Acts 4:12

King James Version

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven 

given among men, 

whereby we must be saved.

Related posts:

The Most Intriguing Words of Jesus For Me

JESUS talks about the Rapture

Analambano

END times

Image: Clipart Library

On KEEPING watch

 

Matthew 25:13

King James Version

13 Watch therefore, 

for ye know neither the day nor the hour 

wherein the Son of man cometh.

The born again believe in the Rapture.

It is the most imminent event every true CHRISTIAN waits for.

We know GOD will appoint the day, or hour, when the LORD JESUS will have His faithful meet Him up in the air.

We know we have to be worthy of the LORD.

We have to be awake, and aware.

JESUS tells us how:

Matthew 5:48

King James Version

48 Be ye therefore perfect, 

even as your Father which is in heaven 

is perfect.

Mark 13:33-34

King James Version

33 Take ye heed, 

watch and pray: 

for ye know not when the time is.

4 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, 

who left his house, 

and gave authority to his servants, 

and to every man his work, 

and commanded the porter to watch.

Mark 13:35-37

King James Version

35 Watch ye therefore: 

for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, 

at even, or at midnight, 

or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, 

Watch.

Luke 12:29-31

King James Version

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, 

or what ye shall drink, 

neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things 

do the nations of the world seek after:

and your Father knoweth 

that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; 

and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 12:35

King James Version

35 Let your loins be girded about, 

and your lights burning;

Luke 12:36

King James Version

36 And ye yourselves like unto men 

that wait for their lord, 

when he will return from the wedding; 

that when he cometh and knocketh, 

they may open unto him immediately.

Luke 12:37-38

King James Version

37 Blessed are those servants, 

whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: 

verily I say unto you, 

that he shall gird himself,

 and make them to sit down to meat, 

and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, 

or come in the third watch, 

and find them so, 

blessed are those servants.

Luke 12:39

King James Version

39 And this know, 

that if the goodman of the house 

had known what hour the thief would come, 

he would have watched, 

and not have suffered his house 

to be broken through.

Luke 12:40

King James Version

40 Be ye therefore ready also: 

for the Son of man cometh at an hour 

when ye think not.

Luke 12:43-44

King James Version

43 Blessed is that servant,

 whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, 

that he will make him ruler 

over all that he hath.

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Whoever BELIEVES in JESUS

 

1 John 3:23

King James Version

23 And this is his commandment, 

That we should believe 

on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, 

and love one another, 

as he gave us commandment.

What does the Bible say, about believing in JESUS?

What happens if we do?

Here's where SPIRIT led me:

Matthew 8:13

King James Version

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, 

Go thy way; 

and as thou hast believed, 

so be it done unto thee. 

And his servant was healed 

in the selfsame hour.

Mark 16:16

King James Version

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; 

but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:17-18

King James Version

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; 

In my name shall they cast out devils; 

they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; 

and if they drink any deadly thing, 

it shall not hurt them; 

they shall lay hands on the sick, 

and they shall recover.

John 3:16

King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

John 6:35

King James Version

35 And Jesus said unto them, 

I am the bread of life: 

he that cometh to me shall never hunger; 

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:40

King James Version

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, 

that every one which seeth the Son, 

and believeth on him, 

may have everlasting life: 

and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 7:38

King James Version

38 He that believeth on me, 

as the scripture hath said, 

out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 11:25-26

King James Version

25 Jesus said unto her, 

I am the resurrection, and the life: 

he that believeth in me, 

though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me 

shall never die. 

Believest thou this?

John 12:44-45

King James Version

44 Jesus cried and said, 

He that believeth on me, 

believeth not on me, 

but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me 

seeth him that sent me.

John 12:46

King James Version

46 I am come a light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on me 

should not abide in darkness.

John 20:31

King James Version

31 But these are written, 

that ye might believe 

that Jesus is the Christ, 

the Son of God; 

and that believing 

ye might have life 

through his name.

1 John 5:1

King James Version

5 Whosoever believeth 

that Jesus is the Christ 

is born of God: 

and every one that loveth him that begat 

loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Revelation 20:4

King James Version

4 And I saw thrones, 

and they sat upon them, 

and judgment was given unto them: 

and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded 

for the witness of Jesus, 

and for the word of God, 

and which had not worshipped the beast, 

neither his image, 

neither had received his mark 

upon their foreheads, or in their hands; 

and they lived and reigned with Christ 

a thousand years.

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JESUS

Image: Lisa Fotios

Analambano

 

Matthew 24:40

King James Version

40 Then shall two be in the field; 

the one shall be taken, 

and the other left.

I just learned something new today.

That "analambano", a Greek word used in the Bible, means "to take up, "to receive up".

ana = up + lambano = take

(Source: Sermon Index)

For pronunciation, click here.

For purposes of this RAPTURE blog, we shall use it in that context.

Here are verses that speak of "alambano":

Mark 16:19

King James Version

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, 

he was received up into heaven, 

and sat on the right hand of God.

Acts 1:1-2

King James Version

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, 

of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, 

after that he through the Holy Ghost 

had given commandments unto the apostles 

whom he had chosen:

Acts 1:9-11

King James Version

9 And when he had spoken these things, 

while they beheld, 

he was taken up; 

and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven 

as he went up, 

behold, 

two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, 

why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 

this same Jesus, 

which is taken up from you into heaven, 

shall so come in like manner 

as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Acts 1:21-22

King James Version

21 Wherefore of these men 

which have companied with us all the time 

that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, 

unto that same day that he was taken up from us, 

must one be ordained to be a witness with us 

of his resurrection.

Acts 10:9-16

King James Version

9 On the morrow, 

as they went on their journey, 

and drew nigh unto the city, 

Peter went up upon the housetop 

to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, 

and would have eaten: 

but while they made ready, 

he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, 

and a certain vessel descending upon him, 

as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, 

and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner 

of fourfooted beasts of the earth, 

and wild beasts, 

and creeping things, 

and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, 

Rise, Peter; 

kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, 

Not so, Lord; 

for I have never eaten any thing 

that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, 

What God hath cleansed, 

that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: 

and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2

King James Version

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, 

(whether in the body, I cannot tell; 

or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: 

God knoweth;) 

such an one caught up to the third heaven.

1 Timothy 3:16

King James Version

16 And without controversy 

great is the mystery of godliness: 

God was manifest in the flesh, 

justified in the Spirit, 

seen of angels, 

preached unto the Gentiles, 

believed on in the world, 

received up into glory.

That's how believers will be taken up, on a day GOD decides:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

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.

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Image: Unsplash

ENTER the NARROW gate

 

The LORD JESUS said:

Matthew 7:13-14

King James Version

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: 

for wide is the gate, 

and broad is the way, 

that leadeth to destruction, 

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, 

and narrow is the way, 

which leadeth unto life, 

and few there be that find it.

Are you born again?

Have you heard about it?

Have you been converted?

If not, what are your apprehensions?

Do you know it's a good day to be born again now?

Don't vacillate.

Surrender to GOD.

Surrender to His greater knowledge.

Get to know the CROSS.

Where the LORD JESUS died.

Get to know why He died.

This is the narrow road we take.

The narrow gate we enter.

Where JESUS promises us ETERNAL LIFE.

But you must believe in the LORD.

Acts 16:31

King James Version

31 And they said, 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and thou shalt be saved, 

and thy house.

Acts 4:12

King James Version

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven 

given among men, 

whereby we must be saved.

Psalm 62:1-2

King James Version

62 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: 

from him cometh my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; 

he is my defence; 

I shall not be greatly moved.

Why would you not want to walk that narrow path?

And enter that narrow gate?

When past that is JESUS.

Welcoming you in His arms.

The things of the world will destroy us.

But JESUS will save us.

Through His WORD.

Through His leadership.

Live by the Bible.

A born again is instructed by the SPIRIT of GOD.

Never again will you lose your way.

SPIRIT teaches us about JESUS.

For He is the WAY back to GOD.

His is the only path to take.

Let's all be with JESUS, during the RAPTURE:

1 Thessalonians 4:17

King James Version

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.

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Image: Joseph