The Rapture?
Ok, all the hubbub of May 21 has come and passed. We're all still here (I think). However, I want to make you think (like I usually do when I write!). And if you're like me, give you the shivers - the good kind!
I read Left Behind (the kids series) when I was 9. The first book (out of 40) scared the bejeebus out of me, so I put it down until I was 11. Then I became addicted! It completely revolutionized my faith. And not because it scared me, but because I realized Jesus could come back at any time. And that life really is short - and I honestly couldn't stand the thought that some of my friends might not be "raptured" too. Although Left Behind is based on the authors' interpretations of the Bible, I believe there's some truth to it (I still highly recommend it - the duly series for you adults:) ).
But I believe there is a rapture to be had. Why do I think that? Because of Matthew 24. I looked up the definition of "rapture" and the verb means to transport a believer from earth to heaven at the second coming of Christ. And really, how exciting will that be?!?!? To be face to face with our Savior?! Pretty awesome. To back it up, this is what Jesus says (one of the few things he says on the subject): "At last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the people of the earth. And they will see Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power an great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world-from the farthest ends of earth and haven." -Matthew 24:30-31
Now here's where the shivers come in (if they haven't already).
"When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day (*when the flood destroyed the earth). In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. This is how it will be when the Son of Man comes."
-Matthew 24:37-39
Take a moment and picture what you will be doing a week from now. Going to a wedding...a funeral...a vacation...to work...working on a summer school assignment...getting ready to graduate...going to prom...etc. Now imagine that God came today. This afternoon. Whoosh. And you're either here on earth due to the fact you did not choose Jesus, or...you're with Jesus. In heaven (wherever or whatever that might be). Are your ready to face your Lord of lords? Are you ready to see perfection at it's finest?
Whether or not the rapture comes in my lifetime, no one can know for sure. I used to pray when I was younger for Jesus to come back to earth but "preferably not before I got married or had kids." But God doesn't work on OUR time schedule, but on His.
What a glorious, exciting mystery!
I read Left Behind (the kids series) when I was 9. The first book (out of 40) scared the bejeebus out of me, so I put it down until I was 11. Then I became addicted! It completely revolutionized my faith. And not because it scared me, but because I realized Jesus could come back at any time. And that life really is short - and I honestly couldn't stand the thought that some of my friends might not be "raptured" too. Although Left Behind is based on the authors' interpretations of the Bible, I believe there's some truth to it (I still highly recommend it - the duly series for you adults:) ).
But I believe there is a rapture to be had. Why do I think that? Because of Matthew 24. I looked up the definition of "rapture" and the verb means to transport a believer from earth to heaven at the second coming of Christ. And really, how exciting will that be?!?!? To be face to face with our Savior?! Pretty awesome. To back it up, this is what Jesus says (one of the few things he says on the subject): "At last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the people of the earth. And they will see Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power an great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world-from the farthest ends of earth and haven." -Matthew 24:30-31
Now here's where the shivers come in (if they haven't already).
"When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day (*when the flood destroyed the earth). In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. This is how it will be when the Son of Man comes."
-Matthew 24:37-39
Take a moment and picture what you will be doing a week from now. Going to a wedding...a funeral...a vacation...to work...working on a summer school assignment...getting ready to graduate...going to prom...etc. Now imagine that God came today. This afternoon. Whoosh. And you're either here on earth due to the fact you did not choose Jesus, or...you're with Jesus. In heaven (wherever or whatever that might be). Are your ready to face your Lord of lords? Are you ready to see perfection at it's finest?
Whether or not the rapture comes in my lifetime, no one can know for sure. I used to pray when I was younger for Jesus to come back to earth but "preferably not before I got married or had kids." But God doesn't work on OUR time schedule, but on His.
What a glorious, exciting mystery!
Comments
It's sad that with the predictions of this man, many are mocking him and discounting the rapture by default.
I still have things I want to do and see in my lifetime, but really...what is that compared to being with Christ?!
(P.S. I'm not a COMPLETELY random stranger commenting on your blog here. LOL I'm the daughter-in-law of Becky [née Marrs] Johnson.)