Maybe you decided to read this post because of the intriguing or mysterious title. Maybe you are reading this because it sounds familiar to you. To be honest, this was not going to be my next post. I planned on talking about the joys of homemaking and how I love being at home with my boys. But I couldn’t help but feel the urgency to make this particular post. This subject is something that has caught my attention since I was in 8th grade. Ever since then I have been paying attention to world events and anxiously awaiting the fulfillment of these prophecies.
If you’re reading this and the title is the reality, please keep reading because it is imperative that you know what is coming. If you’re reading this and the title is not the reality, you should still keep reading because one day it will be. And judging by how the world looks, this day will come very soon. If indeed there are millions of people around the world suddenly missing, then you’ve missed what is called the rapture. You won’t find this word in the Bible, but that is because it’s translated from the Latin word “rapturo.” In Greek the word is “harpazo,” but they mean the same thing. They both mean “caught up.” Keep this phrase in mind as we look at these verses.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 “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.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Luke 17:34-37 “I tell you, in that night there will be two 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. And they answered and said to Him, ‘Where, Lord?’ So He said to them, ‘Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.'”
If you noticed, these verses indicate that this is a selective event. Not all will be “caught up.” In Thessalonians you can see that those who are caught up are with the Lord Jesus. So what happens to those who are not caught up?
This leads me to the next point that needs to be made, otherwise you won’t see the urgency of this post. Following the rapture there will be a period of 7 years, unlike anything we’ve ever seen on this earth. Daniel 9:27 alludes to this period of time. “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.” I realize this verse references “one week.” However, this week refers to years. This can be understood if you read further in Daniel chapter 9. So one week, having 7 days, equals 7 years. The “he” in this verse refers to the man of sin, or the antichrist. He will be the one who rises up to confirm the covenant that begins a 7 year time of “peace.” This will be a false peace. This 7 year period is known as the Great Tribulation. During this time, God’s wrath and judgement are poured out on earth. You can find more details about it by reading the book of Revelation. There is just too much to cover in this one post regarding that book.
If you’re wondering where everyone went, or will go, in the rapture look back at 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” It states that we are/will be with the Lord Jesus. There is no need to fear for these people. No harm can or will ever come to us.
In order to qualify for this major event you must be saved. Salvation is for more than just the Tribulation though. Salvation is for eternity. If you want a very detailed explanation you can go to my Eternity tab at the top of the page. I’m going to give a brief, but clear explanation of what salvation is about.
We are all sinners. Based on the 10 commandments, we can easily see that we have all sinned. We’ve all lied, probably stolen something, even something small. We’ve all looked with lust, which God’s high standards equate that to adultery because He looks at the heart. Sin separates us from God. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages, or payment, for our sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Jesus paid the debt that we could not pay with His own blood. He was the only one worthy to make the payment and He did it because He loves us. He has freed us from the punishment of our sin because He paid the fine. Romans 10:9-10 says “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Put your faith in Jesus and trust His sacrifice on the cross for the payment of your sins. Nothing else can save you, except the payment that Jesus made.
Just Live, All In 