The whole world is changing; even non-Christians are saying that the world is moving towards the end!
Crowded hospitals, airports stalled, the world economy crashing and so many people filled with fear and awe.
But if you believe in Jesus you have nothing to fear! This is a time to rejoice and praise God because our redemption is at hand!
Now is the time to preach the word and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord and soon he will be back!
Whoever reads the Bible sees that everything that has been happening for these past weeks are signs spoken by Jesus about his return, signs in nature, signs in the heavens, signs on earth and at sea.
If you read Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 you will find out more about all these physical signs about Jesus’ return. But I am not going to talk today about these physical events that are happening in the world.
Today I want to talk about the Rapture and I particularly believe in my heart that we are very close to the coming of Jesus. And because of this I have consecrated myself, prepared myself and sought the Lord with all my heart!
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Many Christians do not understand that Jesus’ coming will happen in 2 stages. One is the rapture of the church and the other is the Return of Jesus.
Many read the Bible but cannot understand, as they mix the two events up.
The first event is called the Rapture of the church.
Jesus comes down and we meet Him in the air and this meeting is only for believers. He comes to seek the faithful, those who are persevering, sanctifying themselves and who are in a loving and faithful relationship with the Lord.
After the Rapture of the church, there is another event that takes place 7 years later. This event is the return of Jesus at the end of the great tribulation, in which Jesus will appear in the heavens during the battle of Armageddon and will descend on a white horse with his army.
What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus?
The Rapture is invisible, Jesus does not step on this earth, nobody sees it, only Christians who are prepared and replenished the oi in their lamps will hear the trumpet sound and will be raptured to meet the Lord in the air.
Every eye will see The Second Coming of Jesus, the whole earth will witness it, for it will be like a lightning in the heavens.
“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Matthew 24:27
Remember that Jesus’ disciples were Jews, and in Matthew 24 He answers the question of his Jewish disciples with a prophetic sermon; Jesus tells them when the end of the world and the establishment of his Kingdom would be.
Jesus’ answer was to the Jews, which is why He does not present the rapture to the Jews, but He does present the second coming.
In the rapture the church goes up, and at the second coming Jesus comes down with the Church and steps on the Mount of Olives. According to Zechariah (14:4) this mountain will split in two when he lands and He will then come to judge.
The rapture takes place before the tribulation, the second coming takes place after the great tribulation. So these are two completely different events.
Jesus tells the Jews about the second coming and the reign of Christ.
Apostle Paul writes for the Church and speaks about the rapture.
In the book of apocalypse, he talks about the two events, the Rapture and the second coming of Jesus.
In Revelation there are two doors that are opened in the Heavens: One in chapter 4 and another in 19.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.””
Revelation 4:1
In chapter 4: 1 John sees an open door in heaven and a voice like a trumpet saying: stop here! This is the Rapture.
In Revelation 19:11 a door is also open in the heavens, but then Jesus comes down with his armies, which are us: the church, and He comes to judge and destroy the Antichrist, the false prophet, and everything ends with the battle of Armageddon.
Understand this: The Rapture is for the Church, the Second Coming is for the whole world.
During the Rapture we ascend, at the second Coming Jesus descends with his Church to judge the earth and rule the world during the millennium.
Once understood, we will read 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17 again
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The rapture of the Church was presented by Paul as a mystery in which the dead in Christ are firstly raised in the blink of an eye, and then we the living will be brought up also to meet the Lord in the air.
What happens right after the rapture here on earth?
I have already spoken about it in the first word of the series (if you have not watched it, please watch it because we do not have time to speak of it again), but a peace treaty will be signed between the nations and the Antichrist, and thus the great tribulation will begin.
Thessalonians chapter 4 talks about the rapture, but in chapter 5, Paul talks about the day of the Lord, and that day of vengeance is the great tribulation.
“Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
We are already seeing the world talking about peace, and this peace agreement that will be signed between Israelis, Palestinians, Muslims and Christians, bringing an “apparent” peace and harmony between all nations.
This agreement will allow the construction of the third temple in Jerusalem and the world will think: now everything is at peace and all wars are over.
But the Bible says that: when they speak of peace and security, behold, sudden destruction will come and in no way will they escape.
“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.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 3
Paul the Apostle is here saying that after the Rapture comes the Great Tribulation.
The great tribulation is the judgment of God’s wrath on those who rejected Him, it is not for us, His bride, who love, respect and live in holiness.
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9
The book of Daniel is essential for us to understand the 7 years of great tribulation.
Daniel 9, after the 69 weeks of years that began in the reign of Artaxerxes, the 69 weeks ended with Jesus dying on the cross.
The last “weeks of years”, 7 years, begins.
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. ” Daniel 9:27
Here we understand that the great tribulation begins with a peace agreement, which is a firm alliance between Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Verse 27 says that in the middle of the week he will break with agreement and will stop the sacrifice and the offering.
For this sacrifice to end, the temple has to be there, we all know that at this time it has been destroyed, so the peace agreement will allow for the third time of it being rebuilt.
According to 2 Thessalonians 2 the antichrist will desecrate the temple and there will be a great persecution against the people of Israel. The great tribulation will last for 7 years.
I believe that believers will NOT go through the great tribulation.
But I respect those who think differently, if you think differently from me, this is not a cause for division, but I, along with many other theologians, believe that the church will not go through the great tribulation.
Why?
1 – Because the 70 weeks (Daniel 9:24) were destined for the people of Daniel and for the city of Daniel – Jerusalem.
“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.”
Daniel 9:24
If the 70 weeks (from the Kingdom of Atarxerxes to the death of Jesus) are linked to Israel, then it has nothing to do with the Church, as it is destined for the people of Daniel (the Jews) and the city of Daniel. (Jerusalem)
The great tribulation will involve the whole world, but I believe the main target will be the Jewish people and Israel.
For the Jews who rejected Jesus will be converted! And the Bible says that all Israel will be saved! (Romans 11:26)
How will Israel be saved? After going through the great tribulation they will repent and cry out to Jesus: Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord and then Jesus will save them!
2- Second reason why the church will not go through the great tribulation, 1 Thessalonians 5: 9
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9
The great tribulation is called the time of the “wrath of the Lamb”
“They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!”
Revelation 6:16
The great tribulation will be a time of the Lamb’s wrath, why? Because for 2000 years the people did not accept the message of grace and salvation and now it will be time for judgment on all violence, evil, etc.
Revelation 14:10 says that during the great tribulation people will drink the wine of God’s wrath; the great tribulation is called the time of God’s wrath on sin.
But Thessalonians 5: 9 says that God designed us for salvation through Jesus!
God destined you for salvation and not for wrath!
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
Revelation 3:10
According to 1 Thessalonians 4, the church will literally be uprooted, the Greek word used here means ‘to abduct’.
“I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”” Luke 17:34-36
This means that if you are driving your car, you will be snatched from behind the wheel, you will be working and will suddenly pulled out of your office, two people will be sleeping in the same bed – the one who is prepared will be taken up and the other will stay.
The Antichrist will only rise after whoever holds him is removed or taken.
2 Thessalonians 2: 7-10
“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendour of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,”
2 Thessalonians 2:7-9
In other words, the antichrist waits for the one who holds him to be removed! Who holds the antichrist? It is the church through the Holy Spirit.
When the church is raptured, the Holy Spirit will remain on earth, for if He is not on earth there would be no more conversions! No one is born again without the help of the Holy Spirit.
What Paul said is that the one who detains the Antichrist must be removed first and then he manifests.
The antichrist government in the great tribulation will take place after the rapture.
3 – Jesus said that his return will be like the days of Noah!
And what happened in Noah’s day? Do you remember?
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;”
Matthew 24:37-38
God sent the flood because people were living a sinful life, but what did God do with Noah and his family? They were guarded and protected from the flood.
In other words: Noah was taken up through the waters that rose and the people stayed and the came waters and they all perished. Then Noah returned and reigned on earth.
So the rapture will be the same: The church will be raptured, the world will face the great tribulation here on this earth and then we return with Jesus to reign with Him.
The great tribulation is the Lord’s judgment on all who have not believed in the truth, because they have not believed in the truth they believed in a lie! By not accepting the love of Jesus you will be deceived by a false Christ.
The antichrist is already at work in our day but will not be revealed until the one who detains him is removed.
Who will rise in the rapture?
All Christians who have served the Lord will participate in the Rapture! The rapture is the transformation of our body into a glorified body!
All who believe and all who died believing in Jesus will be taken away.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
All Christians will be raptured, but those who died will be the first ones.
Do you know of anyone who has died and loved the Lord? They will be the first ones up!
Apostle Paul, Peter, James, all Christians who died in the Lord will participate in the Rapture. Then we who are alive and who love the Lord Jesus will be raptured after.
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
Revelation 3:10
To keep my command is to obey! It is walking in obedience to the word of God.
For this, my dear ones, if you have been living a life of sin, repent now, ask for forgiveness, abandon your sin, fix your life, because Jesus is coming to get his bride and the bride has to prepare her clothes. “Clothes” here represent your attitudes, words and your actions.
Your dress must be clean, white, without stain, without wrinkles, and those who are caught will enter the Wedding of the Lamb! Hallelujah!
We are living in difficult times, trials, temptations, the devil is chasing the church, and the Bible says that the devil comes like a lion looking to destroy us!
Satan wants to destroy your life and you need to consecrate yourself to the Lord.
The Bible says that Satan comes “as” a lion, but he is not the real lion, the real Lion is the Lion of the tribe of Judah! The Lord of lords, the king of Kings!
I believe that the Church will not go through the great tribulation, the trial was destined for the people of Daniel, for the Jewish people and their city!
The people of Israel will live to see the great tribulation. They will be persecuted, many will be killed, but they will be converted and will return to the Lord.
The Great Tribulation will mark people with the mark of the beast, but we have the seal of the Holy Spirit, we have the mark of the promise and Jesus will come to take those who have the seal of the Spirit.
During the Great Tribulation people will be persecuted, they will be tracked, everyone will be found using 5 or 6G technology.
The mark of the beast will be part of agreement that people will accept from the world government and world control in which there will be a single currency and there will be persecution, as there will be many conversions during the great tribulation! And even those who stayed and were not raptured will become faithful to the Lord and preach the word of God. And many of them will die because of their faith!
Revelation 13 says that they overcame the antichrist by the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony.
These who will convert during the great tribulation are the Jews and the Gentiles, but the church will be raptured because it kept the word of perseverance!
The time is coming, get ready, God expects the church to testify about Him today!
Now it’s time to preach the word! Be a witness for Jesus, confess Jesus and preach about the salvation of Christ.
Jesus is the Lord and we need to talk to people about Jesus.
Give your life to the Lord, repent from your sins, confess, stop practicing sin and live for Jesus because soon we will be meeting with Him!
God bless you and save you and see you next week for the next message in the apocalypse series.