I saw a recent YouTube vlog from a guy who was telling his viewers that it will be a bumpy ride just before the Rapture. While I would agree with my brother regarding the bumps that occur in life, I also believe that the real bumps will occur after the Rapture. It’s true that bumps happen already, and others will continue to occur before the Lord calls us home. I would say that for the most part, as long as the Church is on the earth, the restraining power of the Holy Spirit is in effect and the major bumps of global chaos and evil are held at bay by Him until we are gone. (2 Thessalonians 2:6,7) This goes for the often prophesied three-days of darkness that is supposed to happen before the Rapture. I really don’t see it on this side of the big jump.
This doesn’t mean that we won’t have events and episodes of conflict, wars, and other catastrophes occurring globally; but it does mean that, for the most part, as long as the Church is on the earth, the world will be relatively stable, until we’re not. I believe that God has used an occasional bump in the lives of His people to wake them up spiritually and get them praying, repenting, and making ready for His return. The Covid season was an example of that. Even with the bumps, a majority of people will still resist the Spirit’s prompting, at least on this side of the Rapture. However, many of these same will come to faith after they realize they have been left behind. A sad reality for them for sure, but another glimpse of God’s mercy in giving them a second chance to realize their spiritual condition, and to repent of their wickedness; even though they thought they were already saved. People who are left behind, but who thought they were saved, will be likened to the five foolish virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13) It’s a very sad truth, but one that needs to be understood, hopefully before it’s too late.
Everyone burning in hell right now would love the chance to come back to the earth in their mortal body and endure the tribulation. The first thing that they would do is repent of their sin, receive Jesus, and most likely die in Christ; which is something they can never do in hell. Imagine the terror that left behinders, as they are called, will have to endure after missing the Rapture. Sure they will be given a second chance at eternal life if they can come to terms with their spiritual condition, genuinely repent of their sin, and come to faith in Jesus. Even in a post-Rapture world, this is a better option than just dying in sin and being cast into hell for all of eternity. This stark plight of lost family and friends is what motivates us to share God’s love with them, pray for them, and be a good witness to them. My heart breaks for the many people who are lost spiritually and they don’t even know it. At the very least, we can ask the Lord to provide us opportunities to be a good witness of Christ to them.
Right now many believers are cautiously optimistic about this coming Feast of Trumpets and the possibility of the Rapture occurring then; especially in light brother Joshua Mhlakela’s prophetic word of a Rosh Hashanah Rapture occurring on 9/23.24/25. We’re all hoping it’s a true prophetic word; but if not, we will continue to serve the Lord faithfully until He does return for us. A lot of people are posting videos confirming this high watch date, while others are warning them to not be distracted. The truth is, regardless of what happens, this world as we know it is a broken as it is in need of Jesus. As long as we’re here, we can make a difference.
What we are seeing right now in the world is what Jesus said we would see just before His return for us.
Luke recorded the words of Jesus this way, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” – Luke 17:26-30
- We are familiar with the activity of ‘eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage’ occurring ‘up until the day’ that Noah entered the ark. This communicates a sort of ‘business as usual’ reality, even though many other weather related and military events are occurring.
Jesus continues by describing the days just prior to the Rapture as being similar to the days of Lot. ‘They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.’ The idea of a pre-tribulation Rapture is conveyed strongly here.
The phrase, ‘in the day when the Son of Man is revealed,’ references the Rapture and the Lord’s revelation is to His Church, both living and dead. This is not referencing the Second Coming because we know that the world will be anything but ‘business as usual’ when Jesus returns to the earth with His Church to retake the planet and set up His millennial kingdom; just after the seven-year tribulation is completed.
As undeserving as Lot may have been, God saw Him worthy to escape. In like manner, God sees the Church, His Church, His Bride, worthy to escape and to be rescued from His seven-year judgment on this world. We are rescued because we have received God’s free gift of salvation by His grace through our faith in Jesus. When we’re saved, the Holy Spirit indwells in us as true believers. Jesus makes us worthy to escape and to stand before Him at the Bema Seat Judgment (aka the Judgment Seat of Christ). As true believers in Jesus, we need to be both discerning of the times and ready to be caught away at the moment the Lord calls us home.
Jesus reminds us, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing (dissipation), drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy (have strength) to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:34-36
We are not ‘worthy to escape’ in of ourselves, but Christ makes us worthy. He redeems us, He forgives us, He makes us eligible to be in His presence by His grace and through our faith in Him. If you’re feeling a little lost lately, I encourage you to strengthen your faith and get closer with the Lord. God has us, He has you if you have placed your faith in Him. I encourage you today man (or lady) of God, be aware of what is happening in the world and discern those divine moments as the Lord prompts you watch for His return.
Jesus wants us to know that He is close, but He also wants us all to keep on building, planting, and working in the vineyard that He has purposed for us; whatever that looks like. It may seem like a lesson in futility, but I assure you, it only seems that way. Everyday God gives us is one more day to be a witness for Him to those people in our stead. We can be a light to those around us who need to know what we know. As Christians, we were no more made for the seven-year tribulation than we were for hell. In like manner, we need to discern the nearness of the Lord’s return for us and live ready each day.
Their may be some bumps, but nothing compared to what will occur after the Rapture. I encourage you to take heart and be diligent to press into Jesus each day, trusting in Him to get you through, to protect you, and to give you the grace necessary to overcome those things in your life that might hold you back.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, who resides in Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 37-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Lead Pastor (30+ years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 