The Rapture Dream
1Thessalonians 4:16-18
Have you ever heard one of those dreams where JESUS came and took the church and you were left behind?
I have. I also have read narrations from people who have heard these dreams. These dreams are very vivid. The feeling that one has on noticing that they are being left behind is absolutely terrible. Inconsolable. Worse than that of having lost a person. In my dream, I collapsed in a heap of horror and tears and could not bear to look up. I did not want to look up. I didn’t want to live yet I knew I was not going to die. The thought that JESUS had come and I was not in the skies with HIM and HIS people was devastating.
Worse than that, was the moment before the realization that the rapture was going on. I was seeing people being lifted from the ground and I was expecting to also be lifted and it was not happening. I knew in my heart that time was passing, after all, it's meant to happen in the twinkling of an eye. I knew trying to jump to trigger the ascent was not going to work. People were still being raptured and I was not moving. When I saw that I was not ascending, I fell apart, inconsolable. Worst feeling ever. I do not want to experience it again and believe you me, neither do you.
I was very disturbed by this dream. Such dreams can paralyze someone. I remember I shared with Pastor Bright and his advice was impeccable. He told me in a nutshell to take the dream as an eye opener. The rapture had not yet occurred and I was still alive and I should get on with fulfilling my assignment and move on with the work given to me by The LORD. The enemy and our carnal nature wants to use such dreams to destroy us but the purpose of such dreams is to steer you out of deep slumber and get you back on track, to get you in a place where you audit your life and your work in the Vineyard of The LORD. Does the scripture not warn us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling? Enough said.
Children of GOD are very intelligent people and many of them like studying and delving into the scriptures and dissecting everything. It’s great . But I must confess that sometimes, it becomes too much for people with non scientific and non mathematical minds who like chewing few bones and just believe whatever GOD says.
We find among ourselves that sometimes instead of bringing light, we bring controversies and confusion and the littler sheep among us cannot deal with all the drama and verbosity and start drifting away. Sometimes, they ask themselves if we are all going to the same heaven and they get lost. Beloved, more than ever we need The HOLY SPIRIT and HIS leading especially if you are a leader in any department or if you are a Christian of any sort. Didn’t our SAVIOR warn us that should we be stumbling blocks to younger ones its better we drown in the sea?
The area of rapture has not escaped great scrutiny. They are many schools of thought to name a few:
i. Pre tribulation rapture
ii. Post Tribulation rapture
iii. No tribulation for GOD’s children
iv. Total tribulation for GOD’s children in one form or another
v. The tribulation already occurred a long time ago
vi. There is no such thing as the tribulation and or the rapture.
I confess, I do not like disturbing my mind with many things. I think like this. JESUS will come in one of two ways; In the sky with the angels, HalleluYAH or the body and spirit will separate and we will be with JESUS, HalleluYAH still. On top of that, scripture assures us that “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but The LORD will deliver them from them all”. I think this covers it all.
Question is: Are you ready for any of them? Ready for tribulation? Ready to hear the trumpet? Ready for separation of this body and the spirit?
You ask, how do I get ready? First you have to know who JESUS is. More importantly, HE has to know you. Remember, the invitation is open to all to come and be a Child of GOD by believing in JEUS CHRIST. Many people, if not all have heard about JESUS and they reject HIM, reduce HIM to a prophet, a great man, a great teacher, a nice person.
Look Beloved, JESUS is LORD. The ALMIGHTY and JESUS are one. Get that into your head and get it in properly. You do not have to understand it. As Dr. Olukoya says, GOD is not looking for those who understand, HE is looking for those who believe. Get it into our head and heart that this KING JESUS, ALMIGHTY GOD atoned for your sins on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for you. I know you know that blood is precious. If you do not think it is, try losing some.
So you ask, “ How did GOD die?”. "How can GOD die?" My answer,” I don’t know. I don’t understand it all. But I believe, not only do I believe, I know, because with God all things are possible. There is nothing impossible with HIM. HE can do all things. HE is seated in heaven in HIS throne and HE does whatever HE likes including coming to earth , walking and living as a man and experience dying and conquering death, graves and hell. Psalm 145:17 assures us that The LORD is righteous in all HIS ways and is faithful in all HE does.
But Beloved, back to the rapture, ever wondered what will happen should you be left behind. Let me give you some ideas especially if you are a Christian or a pastor or a church leader of any sort. It will not be pleasant at all. Save yourself these scenarios and get on track with The LORD.
1. Your flock will not be happy with you. They will be wondering what on earth you were preaching to them.
2. You will be disappointed in your self. Know the feeling of missed opportunities. Wishing you could turn back the clock. You will have to go back to the drawing board and see where you missed the mark. Beloved, how about we all do this now.
3. You will be used by the authorities in the time as a lesson and example to others. You may have to flee.
4. You will know that JESUS CHRIST, GOD ALMIGHTY is very serious about HIS Word and HIS purposes and HE expects results. How about we know this now and start being serious with Kingdom affairs.
Beloved, should we fail to be ready for the coming of The LORD at any time, then we can rest assured that we will be eternally separated from The LORD and that is the worst thing that can possibly happen to anyone. JESUS talked about hell. It is a real place, with gall, wormwood and torment. It is a clear deal, miss JESUS, get hell.
Beloved, let us not be embroiled in controversies and arguments and miss the real point which is JESUS will come back and indeed for some HE has already come and taken some home. After all to be absent in the body is to be present wit The LORD, at least for HIS children.
Each of us knows our role in the ministries we are called to. Some of us still do not even believe in JESUS and yet we work in HIS Kingdom, if you are in this category, please, the message is simple; believe in The LORD JESUS CHRIST and you will be saved. Service in the vineyard of The LORD does not save you. Performing great signs and wonders does not save you. Pulpit oratorical skills and mastery will not save you.
Public relations and public opinion in your favor will not save you. Positive church reviews, ratings and numbers will not save you. Magnificent ceremony, order, televising and publicizing of your services to millions and billions will not save you. I am reminded, nowadays prominent personalities are born, christened, married and buried in magnificent buildings, amidst all pomp and ceremony, presided over by men of GOD in fabulous attire, in very solemn and sombre moods and broadcast worldwide in glorious attire and majestic surroundings, yet this will not save the ministers or those being ministered to.
Salvation is found in CHRIST alone. Prayers, chanting , glorious singing will not save you. Beloved, we are not saved by works , lest any man should boast. GOD ALMIGHTY, JESUS CHRIST is not intimidated by worldly majesty, ministry and skill. HE is moved by those who believe in HIM without seeing HIM. By those who have faith. Faith as little as a mustard seed. In fact, HE wondered if HE would find any faith in this world when HE returned.
Beloved, believe in The LORD JESUS CHRIST and you will be saved. Repent and turn over a new life for the Kingdom of GOD is amongst us. Do not lose your faith Beloved. Believe in The LORD JESUS CHRIST and you will be saved.
Can I say it better than 1Timothy 6. The whole chapter. Special emphasis v, 3,4,6,7,8..Beloved, just read the whole chapter, not only read but also take it to heart and apply. I end with v 12, “Fight the good fight of faith….”.. but do study the whole chapter.
Beloved, the scripture informs us, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15.
Do you want to know JESUS as your personal Lord and Savior? Your eternity is at stake! JESUS has opened the door of salvation to every person. But there is coming a day when the door will be closed. Today is the day of salvation. Choose to be in the family of GOD. JESUS died so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with HIM. Don't delay! And if you want to begin a relationship with GOD or resume a broken one, say this: O GOD, I come to YOU today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that JESUS died on the cross to save me and HE resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess JESUS as my LORD and SAVIOR . I invite JESUS into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank YOU JESUS for saving me and making me a child of GOD. Amen
