THE BLESSED HOPE – PART II
Let’s stand together and open our Bibles to Titus 2 as we continue with our series “God’s Watchman,” with today’s message, “The Blessed Hope Part II.”
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…
THAT WHICH IS TO COME
Last week I described how in the near future, the world would experience one of the most dramatic life changing events in history. It will be a moment of such magnitude the world would never again be same. It will divide every person on earth between those who believe in Jesus Christ, and those who reject Jesus Christ.
Those who believe in Christ will instantly be caught up, faster than the speed of light, into the glorious presence of Jesus Christ, our eternal Savior and King.
But those who reject Christ, will be left behind to face a world that will be far different than anything they have ever imagined. They will face a world overrun with lawlessness and evil that will reap the wrath of God’s divine judgments.
The world mocks, and ridicules the idea of a heavenly rapture, but I assure you the rapture is very real and that it is the next world-shaking event on God’s prophetic calendar. This event is so significant that Jesus said…
Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—36 lest, coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” NKJV
You can hear the urgency in Jesus words as He commands every believer to constantly be alert and watching. This is exactly why I am preaching this series. As your pastor and God’s watchman, it is my duty to alert you and warn you so that you will not be caught unaware.
WHAT IS THE TIMING OF THE RAPTURE?
Without any doubt the rapture is a real event, but the big question is; when will the rapture happen? Jesus gives us a very clear answer in Mark 13:32 when He said…
Mark 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. NKJV
Jesus clearly says NO ONE knows the day or the hour of His return for the church, except God the Father, which is why it is so discouraging when people say that Jesus will return on such and such day, and then when it doesn’t happen, it looks bad on the body of Christ.
Although we do not know the day or the hour of His return, we do know from scripture that first, we must always be watching for that moment, and second, Bible prophecy shows we are rapidly moving closer and closer to that day. Everywhere we look, there is a growing storm of prophetic signs happening all over the world. These prophetic signs are escalating in their strength and intensity like a fast-moving hurricane, and they tell us that the final days are upon us and that His coming is drawing closer every day.
THE DAY AND THE HOUR
I want to make a point here that I believe is vitally important. When Jesus said that only the Father knows the day and the hour, it is important to understand that God has set a specific day and a specific hour when the rapture will happen. It will not happen by accident. It will happen exactly at the precise moment that God has already set in place. For example;
Revelation 9:13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. NKJV
My point is, that just as God has set these angels for a specific moment in time, even so, God has set a specific day and hour for the rapture, and it will happen at the exact moment that God has appointed for it. We don’t that moment, but God does. And… when it does happen, it will happen unexpectedly, like a thief in the night when the world least expects it. That’s why Jesus commands us to be ready and watching at all times.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
One of the great rebukes in scripture is Jesus’ rebuke of those who did not recognize the signs of His first coming. The signs of our generation are so obvious that it is impossible to miss them. God has made these signs so unmistakably clear that that even a child could see them. And yet, so many people miss them, because they are not watching and looking for Jesus Christ. Millions of Christians are so out of touch with God that they are completely unaware that the rapture of the church is right at the door.
My beloved in Christ, I cannot emphasis enough how important it is that we be watchful and to understand that these prophetic signs are God’s supernatural warning system that the end is near and that God’s appointed day for the rapture is drawing closer every day.
These signs include…
The rise of a New World Order of globalization and a 10 Kingdom Empire
The alliance of Russia, Iran, Turkey and several other nations – Psalm 83 / Ezekiel 38
Antichrist Technology for a one world economy and government – 10 years ago this was not really in the picture. But now, in the past 3 years this has become big news as they push toward a one world order. I will preach more on that next week.
The push for a one world economic system as world banks push for a new digital currency.
These signs all point to how close we are to the rapture. For me personally, there are two things that really stand out. One is the massive convergence of signs that are all happening with an explosive force all over the world. These signs are screaming at us that the end is near and that the rapture is even closer.
These prophetic signs are happening now, in your lifetime and that should cause us to wake up, look up and to watch for our blessed hope in Jesus Christ.
WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE HAPPEN?
What is the timing of the rapture? There are three views regarding the timing of the Rapture.
There are those who believe the rapture is tied with the second coming of Christ. This view is called the post tribulation rapture. Those who cling to this view, believe the church will not be raptured, and
will endure the entire seven-year tribulation.
Another view is the mid-tribulation rapture. The mid-tribulation view states the rapture will take place at the mid-point of the tribulation, but before the great tribulation. This view is similar to the pre-wrath view that says we will go through most of the tribulation, but we will be raptured before the final wrath of God takes place. The main problem with both of these views is that God’s wrath is seen throughout the entire seven-year tribulation. I do not knock anyone who hold to any of these views. If this is what they believe, that’s between them and God.
However, for me, and for the point of this teaching, I strongly believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, which I sincerely believe is the Biblical scenario that fits the whole prophetic picture. The pre-tribulation view states that the rapture will happen before the seven-year tribulation, and this is the view I want to focus on in this message.
THE PRE-TRIBULATION SCENARIO
There are several reasons why I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture.
First, this is the only view that allows for the rapture to happen at any moment in time.
Jesus said… Mark 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. NKJV
Also, Paul wrote… 1 Thessalonians 5:1 concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. NKJV
Both of these scriptures reveal that no one knows the specific day or the hour of the rapture, and when it does happen, it will happen suddenly like a thief in the night. The rapture is an imminent event meaning that it can happen at any moment. It could happen today, tomorrow or next year, or later. We don’t know when it will happen. We only know that it will happen before the tribulation, which is why we are commanded to always watch and pray.
In the mid-tribulation rapture, and the post tribulation rapture there is no sudden return of Jesus Christ. Instead, your entire focus is shifted away from Christ, to look for the tribulation and the antichrist. That means instead of looking for Christ’s return, I am watching for the antichrist and his peace treaty. And since the signing of the covenant between Israel and the antichrist starts the tribulation, and the rapture happen exactly 3 ½ years later, that means I can know the exact timing of His return to remove the church. That completely takes away the surprise of Christ’s "coming like a thief in the night."
Nowhere in scripture, are we told to stop looking for Jesus Christ and to watch for the antichrist. Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…
What are we looking for? We are looking for the appearing of Jesus Christ, our blessed hope!
We are not looking for the antichrist and his false peace. We are looking for our blessed hope in Jesus Christ, the King of kings, who is the Prince of Peace.
Another significant reason why I believe the rapture will happen before the tribulation is found in Revelation 4.
Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and
behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. NKJV
I believe Revelation 4 is a picture of a pretribulation rapture. Notice four things.
First, John writes, “after these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.”
After what things? After the church age. Immediately after the church age is completed, John hears a voice from heaven that said “come up here” and he immediately found himself in heaven at the throne of God. That is a perfect picture of the rapture that is also described in I Thessalonians 4.
Second, the voice that John heard that sounded like a trumpet and said, “Come up here” is the voice of Jesus that John heard in Revelation 1.
Third, you will also notice in Revelation chapters 2-3 when Jesus spoke to the churches, He said, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." But in Revelation 13:9, He says," If anyone has an ear, let him hear. Why didn't He finish with, "what the Spirit says to the churches?" It is because the Church is already in heaven.
It is also interesting that the word “church” is mentioned 17 times in Revelation 1-3, but is not mentioned at all from chapters 5-18. Why? Because the church is in heaven at this time.
Fourth, another dynamic point is that Revelation 4-5 show the saints before the throne of God before Jesus is given the scrolls of the seven seals that start the wrath of God, which again shows that the rapture must happen before the tribulation.
ARE THERE ANY EXAMPLES OF THE RAPTURE IN THE BIBLE?
Now, that brings me to this question. Are there any examples of the rapture found in the Bible? I can think of four events in the Old Testament, that are examples of the rapture.
First, there is Enoch. Genesis 5:23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. NKJV
The Hebrew meaning here is that Enoch walked with God, and then suddenly, he was immediately transported to heaven without experiencing death. That is a beautiful picture of the rapture.
Second, in 2 Kings, we find another example in the life of Elijah.
2 Kings 2:11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire
appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind
into heaven. NKJV
Just like Enoch, Elijah did not experience death, but was instantly transported to heaven in a chariot of fire, in what I call a heavenly taxi service. Many scholars believe that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses described in Revelation 11. The Bible says that fire will come out of his mouth and incinerate anyone who opposes his preaching of the gospel. Can you image if preachers today were able to do that…
NOAH and LOT
A third example, is found in how God protected Noah and his family when God flooded the earth. Just as God preserved Noah and his family by removing them from the threat of His wrath, even so God will keep His promise to remove believers in Christ from this earth before His wrath is poured out on upon an unbelieving, godless and evil generation.
I point this out because I Thessalonians 1:10, I Thessalonians 5:9, and Revelation 3:10 tells us that we who in Christ have not been appointed to wrath.
Fourth, God also spared Lot and his family from the wrath that God poured out against Sodom and Gomorrah. If you remember, God’s wrath could not be unleashed on those two cities until Lot and
his family were safely removed.
These are four examples of a pretribulation rapture that demonstrate that those who are in Christ will be removed from this earth before the final days of God’s wrath. Glory to God!
Now, that brings me to this final point.
WHY HASN’T THE RAPTURE HAPPENED YET?
Knowing that God has appointed a day and hour for the rapture, and since we are seeing all of these prophetic signs, why hasn’t the rapture happened yet? What is God waiting for? Consider this powerful thought…
In 2 Peter 3:9, Peter writes…
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. NKJV
It is God’s great desire for the lost to be saved, and to experience God’s wonderful love and forgiveness. God in His awesome grace is currently restraining the spirit of lawlessness, to give people more opportunities to repent and to receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. But one day, very soon, the age of grace will be over, and the days of judgment and wrath will begin. This is why people must turn to Christ now, while there is time.
My understanding of Bible prophecy tells me we are living in the final days, of the final days of the church age. Very soon the church age that has covered two thousand plus years will be over, and the final days of judgment and wrath will begin. That’s why Jesus said…
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. NKJV
That’s why Jesus last words to the church were…
Revelation 3:22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. NKJV
This is exactly why Jesus said…
Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. NKJV
Whatever you do, don’t be caught sleeping when He returns. Jesus said be on your guard; be alert for His coming, because He is coming very quickly. And yet, millions of Christians are so entangled in the affairs of the world that they are unaware that the rapture of the church is right at the door.
THE FINAL DAYS
In closing, I was recently asked what would I do if I knew the rapture would happen in the next year. My reply is this;
I do not know when the rapture will happen. But I do believe it is very soon. However, for me to give a date would be very presumptuous, especially in knowing that only God the Father knows the day and the hour. However, I will skate out on thin ice and say this as your pastor and watchman, that I believe the odds are very great that this probably the last decade the church has to finish the work we have been called to do which is to win souls to Christ.
I see in the prophetic signs, that the stage is being set for many things that are still to come. I can see that things are accelerating, but even as I see these things, I still do not know when the rapture will happen. I am not in management. I’m just a sales clerk. But I do know that the signs tell me it is coming and that it is drawing closer every day. The rapture could happen this year, but it may also be two or three years before it happens. But again, as someone recently asked me, if I knew the rapture was going to happen this year or sometime in the very near future what would I do? How would I live? My answer is…
I would still be in church every Sunday whether I was preaching or not
I would still pay all of my bills, every month, on time, as my witness for Christ
I would still read my Bible every day
I would still do my best to live a godly life and fulfill my God given purpose
I would still keep watching and waiting and looking for my blessed Hope in Jesus Christ
I would still plant my garden
I would still repair my deck that needs repairing
I would still make plans to go to Israel and Alaska if I had the opportunity
I would still go to the juvenile detention center and tutor students
I would live each day knowing that it could be the day that I will hear the trumpet sound and a voice cry out, “Come up Here!” And in that fraction of a moment, faster than the speed of light, all who love Jesus Christ will be immediately transformed from this old world of sin into a brand-new glorious body and into the glorious presence of our Savior and King.
So, I ask you, if Jesus Christ came in the next 60 seconds, would you be in the rapture, or would you be left behind? If you are not sure, today is the day to be sure.
If you are not sure where you will spend eternity, then let these words speak to your heart.
Romans 10:9 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. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. NKJV
