What is the Rapture?
The rapture refers to the time, prior to the start of the 7 year tribulation period, when believing Christians (both dead and alive) will "in the twinkling of the eye" be caught up ("raptured") to meet Christ in the air. "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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." 1 Thessalonians 4:15,16 The second coming of Christ is one of the most prominent doctrines in the Bible. In the New Testament alone it is referred to over 300 times. His first coming was over 2000 years ago when He came on earth to save man from sin.
The second coming is an event starting at the rapture and consists of four phases: First, at the rapture Christ takes the believers out of the world to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4). Second, Christ pours out His judgments on the world during the 7 year tribulation period. Third, Christ at end of the 7 year tribulation period destroys the Antichrist and his wicked followers (Revelation 19). Fourth, Christ sets up His millenial kingdom prophesied so often in the Old Testament.
When will it occur?
Of the exact time we cannot be for sure. When Jesus was on the earth He said - "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." Mark 13:32. Matthew 23:34, Mark 13:28-31 and Luke 21:29-33 and Luke 21:24 may well indicate that the rapture countdown begins when the time of the Gentiles ends. Whether a countdown can be considered as starting in 1948 when Isreal became a nation or some other date is a matter of opinion. I can't be like the Jehovah Witnesses, who have already falsely set several dates for Jesus' return. So far they have been been wrong on all of their predictions. Don't fall for the false teachings of Jehovah Witnesses, or any other cult. The most important thing is to live your life like the rapture could happen any moment. In other words, you had better BE READY!!!! You won't have time to clean up your mess. He is not coming to clean you up this time, He is coming to gather you up if you are ready.
Showing posts with label Second Coming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Second Coming. Show all posts
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Order of Events: 8 - Resurrection of Tribulation Saints
You may ask, why this additional resurrection?
I'm glad that you asked! Before the tribulation period of 7 years begins, the rapture occurs. At this point all the saints, living and dead... are caught up to be with Christ. When the tribulation period begins many people on earth will refuse to accept the Mark of Antichrist (666). They will refuse to pay homage to him. In fact they will become Christians and will unashamedly testify to others about the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. Because of their testimony, many will be beheaded. See Revelation 20:4,5. Thus, this additional resurrection occurs so that the tribulation saints can join the raptured saints.
So to summarize how many resurrections there will be, the bible speaks of two great resurrections, the FIRST and the SECOND. The one is unto life and the other is unto judgment...SO DON'T GET IT TWISTED. The FIRST resurrection has at least two (2) parts.
FIRST:(a)The resurrection of believers at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:16, 1 Cor. 15:51-53
(b) The resurrection of tribulation saints (Revelation 20:4,5)
SECOND:The resurrection of the unsaved at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:5, 11-14)
Also see related verses: Isaiah 26:19-21, Daniel 12:1-3, John 5:29-29, Revelation 20:4-6.
I'm glad that you asked! Before the tribulation period of 7 years begins, the rapture occurs. At this point all the saints, living and dead... are caught up to be with Christ. When the tribulation period begins many people on earth will refuse to accept the Mark of Antichrist (666). They will refuse to pay homage to him. In fact they will become Christians and will unashamedly testify to others about the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. Because of their testimony, many will be beheaded. See Revelation 20:4,5. Thus, this additional resurrection occurs so that the tribulation saints can join the raptured saints.
So to summarize how many resurrections there will be, the bible speaks of two great resurrections, the FIRST and the SECOND. The one is unto life and the other is unto judgment...SO DON'T GET IT TWISTED. The FIRST resurrection has at least two (2) parts.
FIRST:(a)The resurrection of believers at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:16, 1 Cor. 15:51-53
(b) The resurrection of tribulation saints (Revelation 20:4,5)
SECOND:The resurrection of the unsaved at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:5, 11-14)
Also see related verses: Isaiah 26:19-21, Daniel 12:1-3, John 5:29-29, Revelation 20:4-6.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Ten Signs Proving that Christ Return is Imminent
1. Wars and rumors of wars: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that you be not troubled:..." (Matthew 24:6). Just examine all of the current wars -
in Iraq and Afganistan. The leader of North Korea is threatening war with South Korea as I type this message.
2. Increase of knowledge: "....even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:4). There is no excuse for ignorance anymore because knowledge is everywhere. It still blows my mind of the vast amount of information and knowledge that I can access with my Iphone...an entire set of encyclopedia is just a click away, a complete bible concordance is right there at the push of a button.
3. Fundamental biblical doctrines will be twisted: "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." (2 Peter 3:3) "They will not endure sound doctrine;... And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3,4). Prosperity preachers have replaced biblical doctrines with doctrines of materialism where they are the only ones getting rich in the congregation. These are truly 'pulpit pimps'!!!!
4. We will see a great decline of morality: "In the last days...men shall be lovers of their own selves,...Witout natural affection,...despisers of those that are good,...Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:1-5). America is in the midst of a tremendous moral crisis. Divorce rates are climbing and obsession with sex is growing, with increaseing church membership but decreasing true spirituality.
5.Unrest, fear, and upheaval: "And there shall be...upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;...Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth" (Luke 21:25,26). There is already an increase of suicides, even by teenagers. Just recently two teenage girls stood in front of a train to end their life. Men hearts are failing them. Men are wiping out their own families and then turning the guns on themselves.
6. A crazy appetite for pleasure: "In the last days...men shall be..lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4). The world has gone pleasure-mad. People jam resorts by the thousands and spend billions each year for pleasure. College spring breaks in Mexico, FLorida, etc., are just sex orgies and booze consumption.
7. We will witness an increase in lawlessness, and violence: "Iniquity shall abound" (Matthew 24:12). "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse" (2 Timothy 3:13). "The land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence" (Ezekiel 7:23). Thugs and gang-bangers have taken over most major cities and have now spread to urban areas and even in the 'quiet' countrysides.
8. An increase in earthquakes, storms, and famines: "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences" (Luke 21:11) Every time you turn on the news you hear of deadly earthquakes, city-destroying floods like what just happened in Nashville, Tennessee and not to mention hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Hurricane predicters are already forecasting an increase in hurricanes this season. They will be more destructive and deadly than ever. Forceful tornadoes recently swept through Oklahoma and Mississippi killing many and destroying the lives and homes of many.
9. A great apostasy or fallen away: "In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1)
Many who were strong in the faith are now backliden...thanks to the watered down gospel of the prosperity preachers.
10. An increase in homosexuality and lesbianism: "...for even the women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another. men with men working that which is unseemly,..." (Romans 1:26,27) Several states have voted to make marriage legal for homosexuals, with most being New England states. If God doesn't punish and destroy America, then He will have to apol;ogize to Sodom and Gomorrah. What is reakky disturbing to me is that homosexual activity is widespread in middle schools and high schools around the nation. YES!!!I said middle schools. I've read reports that if youngster are not bisexual they are not cool. God help us!!!
in Iraq and Afganistan. The leader of North Korea is threatening war with South Korea as I type this message.
2. Increase of knowledge: "....even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:4). There is no excuse for ignorance anymore because knowledge is everywhere. It still blows my mind of the vast amount of information and knowledge that I can access with my Iphone...an entire set of encyclopedia is just a click away, a complete bible concordance is right there at the push of a button.
3. Fundamental biblical doctrines will be twisted: "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." (2 Peter 3:3) "They will not endure sound doctrine;... And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3,4). Prosperity preachers have replaced biblical doctrines with doctrines of materialism where they are the only ones getting rich in the congregation. These are truly 'pulpit pimps'!!!!
4. We will see a great decline of morality: "In the last days...men shall be lovers of their own selves,...Witout natural affection,...despisers of those that are good,...Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:1-5). America is in the midst of a tremendous moral crisis. Divorce rates are climbing and obsession with sex is growing, with increaseing church membership but decreasing true spirituality.
5.Unrest, fear, and upheaval: "And there shall be...upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;...Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth" (Luke 21:25,26). There is already an increase of suicides, even by teenagers. Just recently two teenage girls stood in front of a train to end their life. Men hearts are failing them. Men are wiping out their own families and then turning the guns on themselves.
6. A crazy appetite for pleasure: "In the last days...men shall be..lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4). The world has gone pleasure-mad. People jam resorts by the thousands and spend billions each year for pleasure. College spring breaks in Mexico, FLorida, etc., are just sex orgies and booze consumption.
7. We will witness an increase in lawlessness, and violence: "Iniquity shall abound" (Matthew 24:12). "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse" (2 Timothy 3:13). "The land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence" (Ezekiel 7:23). Thugs and gang-bangers have taken over most major cities and have now spread to urban areas and even in the 'quiet' countrysides.
8. An increase in earthquakes, storms, and famines: "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences" (Luke 21:11) Every time you turn on the news you hear of deadly earthquakes, city-destroying floods like what just happened in Nashville, Tennessee and not to mention hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Hurricane predicters are already forecasting an increase in hurricanes this season. They will be more destructive and deadly than ever. Forceful tornadoes recently swept through Oklahoma and Mississippi killing many and destroying the lives and homes of many.
9. A great apostasy or fallen away: "In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1)
Many who were strong in the faith are now backliden...thanks to the watered down gospel of the prosperity preachers.
10. An increase in homosexuality and lesbianism: "...for even the women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another. men with men working that which is unseemly,..." (Romans 1:26,27) Several states have voted to make marriage legal for homosexuals, with most being New England states. If God doesn't punish and destroy America, then He will have to apol;ogize to Sodom and Gomorrah. What is reakky disturbing to me is that homosexual activity is widespread in middle schools and high schools around the nation. YES!!!I said middle schools. I've read reports that if youngster are not bisexual they are not cool. God help us!!!
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