Rapture

First Coming Is Incomplete Without The Second Coming

Ken

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28 KJV). Our salvation is complete, when we shall come into His presence at His Second Coming, for we shall lose our present corrupted bodies of flesh and become like Him. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1John 3:2). We are saved from the penalty of sin (eternal death), the effects of sin (physical suffering), and the power of sinning (necessity to commit sin). 

All will confess to being saved from eternal death, since the “gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). 

According to our faith, some will lay hold of physical healing in the atonement, i.e., “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 cp. Matthew 8:16-17). 

But, possibly the most overlooked benefit in the Atonement is the Gift Within the Gift — the giving of the Holy Spirit. We are saved from the necessity to sin by the inspiration of the Indwelling Holy Spirit to cause us to obey Him. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 cp. Acts 2:38). 

We certainly will have all of these fulfilled by the time we stand in His presence at His Second Coming. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

Father, only You can give us full deliverance, but as always, it is according to our faith. You saved us not just to deliver us from eternal pain or physical suffering, but to gain for Yourself a people devoted to Your obedience by Your Spirit. May we embrace this truth and overcome the wicked one by faith. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Rapture Is Part of the Second Coming

Ken

If we believe Christ came the First Time as a Savior in a Bethlehem manger, then we must believe He will come a Second Time as a Judge and King. As the angel said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11 KJV). Paul (I believe to be the writer of the Book of Hebrews) said, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). 

Though some disagree that the concept of the Rapture of the Church is unfounded, I would ask, Do you believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? So do I. But, notice that Paul describes with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Living Saints are raptured or caught up to Him. “13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up [Greek, harpazō, snatched up, i.e., raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1Thessalonians 4:13-17 NIV). 

If we agree that we are raptured, then any disagreement would be over what happens after the Rapture. Immediately, we are “present with the Lord” (2Corinthians 5:8). We are in another dimension, outside the dimension of earth time and tribulation events, and have an infinite of time for an awards banquet and dinner — Bema Seat Judgment (Romans 14:10) and Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10) — before we return with the Lord. Then, will be the final, visible part of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7). 

All we need to do is occupy till He comes (Luke 19:13) and watch for Him (21:36). Help us, Lord, to do that, but He will do the rest!

Father, cause us to be faithful to You. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

How to Be Ready for the Rapture

Ken

“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” (1Thessalonians 4:17 KJV). In the Second Coming of Christ, if the Rapture represents Christ’s “caught up [Greek, harpazō, snatched away]” (4:17) saints, who meet Him in the air before they return with Him, then a ready state of heart must be present in the disciple, as represented in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where “oil” (25:3) represents the Holy Spirit. Perseverance or readiness is not simply an assumed theological condition based upon ‘praying Jesus into your heart’ or ‘baptism,’ though you need to do both. Rather, readiness understands it is “God which worketh [Greek, energeō, is working] in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). You can tell if the Holy Spirit is inspiring you “to do of His good pleasure,” (2:13), because you are presently walking in loving obedience. “And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Obedience is not the forced act of a fearful slave under an overbearing tyrant, but it is the sweet submission of a trusting child to a Loving Father. 

[This is the short version, but scan ahead to see a more developed explanation. The following will disappoint those desiring a discussion of the Mark of the Beast, who is the Antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon, etc., but it may surprise those who have not been inclined to study prophecy.] 

Simeon and Anna: Ready for Christ’s First Advent

What story speaks of those who were ready for Christ at His First Advent, because it will instruct us about our being ready for Christ at His Second Advent? Remember the story of Simeon and Anna from the birth of Jesus and His dedication in the Temple? “There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him” (Luke 2:25). He was “just and devout” (2:25), while he waited for the “consolation of Israel” (2:25). He knew from the OT Scriptures that Israel was promised a “Messiah” (Daniel 9:25, 26); but, it required the teaching of the Holy Spirit for Simeon to connect Daniel’s prophecy with Isaiah’s “light of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6; Luke 2:32) and to conclude this was the one prophesied by Isaiah, who would later cite Isaiah’s prophecy in Luke 4:18-19, stopping short of the phrase “and the day of vengeance of our God,” since that would be for the Messiah’s Second Coming: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified” (61:1-3). Would we have been like Simeon, walking with justice and devotion awaiting the Messiah? Simeon had oil in his lamp like the Five Wise Virgins (Matthew 25). 

And, “Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four [84] years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38). She “served God with fasting and prayers night and day” (2:37), indicating complete devotion, which we all can do from an upright heart. “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1). “Stablish Thy word unto Thy servant, who is devoted to Thy fear” (119:38). Anna immediately recognized Jesus as the Promised Messiah, because she was looking for Him, i.e., “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Anna, walking in complete devotion, had oil in her lamp like the Five Wise Virgins (Matthew 25). 

The Holy Spirit’s Righteous Restraining Influence Removed

The biggest difference we can make for the world of those around us, is for the Spirit’s righteous restraining influence to be felt, when we are removed at the Rapture. Obviously, our righteous actions in holding back or restraining wickedness has significance, for we do not and should not contribute to the wickedness around us. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13). Both intentionally and unintentionally, our righteousness influences or effects those around us.  “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (5:14). Even inadvertently, our righteousness has an effect upon the world around us. Jesus said that “it cannot be hid” (5:14) by the most introvert disciple. And, all of this is foundational and comes prior to our obedience in spreading the Good News of Salvation and building the Kingdom of God through the Great Commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

Why Righteousness Is So Important Yet Misunderstood 

Or, Am I More Into Being Right or Righteous?

First, righteousness is right action or doing right, which means Almighty God is the source of all righteousness. We intuitively know this, but look at the Scriptural evidence to anchor that in our understanding. 

  1. “That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). 
  2. “The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works” (Psalm 145:17).
  3. “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither Thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against Thee” (Daniel 9:7). 
  4. “In His [Messiah’s] days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6). 
  5. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). 
  6. “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him” (1John 2:29). 
  7. “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous” (1John 3:7). 

Second, righteousness or right action was possible in the beginning, and must still be possible today, or it would be unrighteous of God to require it, on penalty of sin. However, though righteousness may be possible, it is unlikely without the help of the Holy Spirit. And, now we have the comfort and aid of the Holy Spirit to inspire obedience and accomplish righteousness. Consider the Scripture: 

  1. “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (1John 5:17). 
  2. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). 
  3. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
  4. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 
  5. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13-14). 
  6. “Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:21). 
  7. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1Peter 1:22).

Third, righteousness is most commonly misunderstood as a checklist of right actions, e.g., keeping the Ten Commandments, instead of continually maintaining a right relationship with our Righteous God. A right relationship primarily with God will always give you secondarily a right relationship with “your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19 NET). Our righteous conduct with our neighbor is the result of our rightly relating to God. To be clear, righteousness is primarily a right relationship with God, and any relationship demands the active participation of both God and you. The Pharisees prided themselves in the keeping of the Law, and even added traditions or embellishments, that no one could ever keep. However, they ignored practical examples of righteousness: Enoch (walked with God), Noah (walked with God), Abraham (friend of God), David (man after God’s own heart). Whenever we see the word “righteousness” in Scripture, if we substitute “right relationship,” we will possess a better appreciation of righteousness. 

  1. “And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and He [the LORD] counted it to him [Abraham] for righteousness [as a right relationship with Himself]” (Genesis 15:6 KJV). 
  2. “By faith Enoch was translated [raptured] that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony [walking with God in a right relationship], that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). 
  3. “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God [in a right relationship]” (Genesis 6:9). 
  4. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you [not walking in a right relationship], that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). 
  5. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of [a right relationship with] God” (Romans 10:3). 
  6. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself [restoring a right relationship with Himself], not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2Corinthians 5:18-19). 
  7. “For through Him we both have access [of a right relationship] by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). 

In conclusion, our Blessed Hope is Jesus Christ, but the hope of His Return and our soon Rapture is legitimately, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). If we understand righteousness to be primarily a right relationship with Christ, and further comprehend our relationship must relentlessly be pursuing Christ, i.e., “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14), then we will be continually looking for Him. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). With that persistent heart attitude, we will be ready for the Rapture. Even so, come Lord Jesus, amen. 

For more about Why Do We Not Study Prophecy?

Nobody Knows How Long

Ken1 Comment

Why Do We Not Study Prophecy, If It Is So Important? 

How Long? (4:34) is a song expressing what every child vocalizes to their parent about the future, but isn’t that the essence of Bible prophecy? 

Didn’t see it coming, and when the calamity of the invasion of Judah happened, no prophet was at hand giving words of understanding, comfort, and deliverance, at least, as far as this Psalmist could see. “We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme Thy name for ever?” (Psalm 74:9-10 KJV). Of course, we live in different times, but you can see how knowing what has happened, is happening, and is going to happen, practically benefits the people of God. It is intrinsic to human nature to ask, “How long?” Children want to know on a trip, “Are we their yet?” More than a dozen times in the Book of Psalms alone, the Psalmist raises the question, “How long?” In the wisdom of God, He has provided prophecy to answer this question; again, why are we not studying prophecy? 

But, you say, “Anybody can make a wild prediction about the Terminal Generation, when Jesus is supposed to rapture His Church and come back. What happens, when nothing happens? Doesn’t it do more harm than good for the cause of Christ? Shouldn’t we be more encouraging people how to live for Christ than giving them confusing instructions that might not take place? Wasn’t all prophecy practically fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, anyway? Besides, didn’t Jesus say no one knows when He will return? Shouldn’t we just emphasize there will one day be a New Heaven and New Earth and let it happen whenever it happens, no matter how long it takes?” 

[Scan ahead. This is a longer entry, but not too long.]

First, Predictive Prophecy (prophecies that predict a specific outcome) are found in 8,352 verses of the Bible (27% of Scripture), according to J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy. 256 verses (63%) of the Book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John about 96 AD (long after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD), were predictions. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). 

Second, God is indisputably the source of all true prophecy. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Prophecy proves the veracity of God and His Scripture. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1:21).

Third, prophecy, like all the other Scripture, testifies of Christ. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). The purpose of prophecy is to bear testimony to Jesus, which then is the “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1), so then the “testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (19:10).

Fourth, prophecy must have a purifying effect upon the Church of Christ, or it is being studied for the wrong reasons. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). 

Fifth, prophecy must be proven to each disciple by the Holy Spirit from personal examination of the Word of God. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21). Never take anyone’s word about Scripture without proving it to your own satisfaction. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). 

Sixth, if the Devil knows Jehovah’s predictions for the future, won’t he oppose God’s plans and work to keep us ignorant of what God is trying to accomplish in human history? Yes, our adversary does not want us to know God’s prophecies, because he doesn’t want us opposing his diabolical plans. If Satan knows the physical seed of Eve would produce Christ, then he will oppose the physical lineage that produced Jesus Christ, and will work to establish his own physical seed, potentially in the Antichrist. A prophecy concerning Christ and the Antichrist: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). The devil would not have crucified Jesus, if he understood God’s plan. “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1Corinthians 2:8). 

For example, how would the Wise Men of the Christmas Story even know of a Promised Messiah, if Daniel, the chief of “all the wise men of Babylon” had not told them (Daniel 2:48; 5:11)? And, how could Daniel know about the physical birth of a Messiah had not Micah earlier predicted it (Micah 5:2)? And, why would Micah be prophesying of the physical birth of a coming deliverer, if he did not think there was truth to Yahweh’s pronouncement of a future physical seed and lineage from Eve (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 132:11)? Why were Simeon and Anna even looking for the birth of a Hebrew male child unless they believed the Predictive Prophecy of Daniel (Luke 2:25-38)? And, if it took the understanding of Predictive Prophecy to appreciate, cooperate, and coordinate with the Messiah’s First Advent for the purpose of our salvation (“but not for Himself” Daniel 9:25-26), how can we not study prophecy to pray (Ezekiel 36:37), prepare, cooperate, and coordinate (Matthew 6:10) with Yahweh for the Second Advent of the Conquering Messiah to set up His earthly Millennial Kingdom (Daniel 7:14)?

Seventh, no one is allowed to set dates, when Christ is supposed to return, i.e., “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power” (Acts 1:7). Even if we think we know anything about the time of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot absolutely know it, for even the Son has divinely covenanted with the Father not to know. “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). 

Eighth, it is fruitless not to study prophecy because misunderstandings, contentions, false prophets, and the False Prophet will come anyway. “It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come” (Luke 17:1). 

Ninth, without a proper understanding of prophecy, the Church will not have a clear understanding of how to set the battle in array for the End Times. Who is on the LORD’s side, and who is the enemy? “He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad” (Matthew 12:30).

Tenth, without the ability to distinguish between ‘taking God at His word’ as opposed to ‘taking God literally, as opposed to figuratively,’ the Church will build prejudices and obstacles to understanding Prophetic Predictions. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

Eleventh, but still, without the ability to appreciate figurative or poetic language, the Church will lose the ability to make Spirit-filled applications of God’s Prophecies, which results in legalism and loveless service of God. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). 

Twelfth, but doesn’t Jesus’ Olivet Discourse plainly indicate Christ’s prophecies were referring to the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans, i.e., “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies” (Luke 21:20), thus bringing to a practical conclusion all the prophecies? True, Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mount may lend itself to that interpretation, but Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount gives us the additional understanding “when ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15), indicating a double fulfillment and future time, yet to come. 

Father, You are the God of all prophecy, and You know we want to know how long, so we can cooperate with the return of Your Son. May our prayer, Thy kingdom come, be accompanied by our heartfelt, Thy will be done, that there would be great gain for Your kingdom. Help us to block off all means of the enemy taking advantage of us and using us against You. We need Your Spirit’s intervention. Through You, we shall do valiantly! Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen. 

For a more developed discussion of Christ’s Olivet Discourse, the difference between the Preterist view that prophecy was fulfilled essentially by the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the Futurist view of a yet to be prophetic fulfillment of the Seventieth Week of Daniel, see our article, Two Olivet Discourses?

Preparing for His Appearing: Parable of the Ten Virgins

Ken

Ready to meet the Lord means more than having professed Him to be your Savior, but a continual practicing of the presence of God. “And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 KJV). Christ gave a Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise ones had prepared enough oil for their lamps to be ready to meet the Bridegroom and enter in at the wedding, while the foolish ones failed to bring enough oil and could not attend the wedding. “The anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you” (1John 2:27) is the “oil” of the Holy Spirit. The Wise Virgins were the True Believers because they had the presence of the Holy Spirit (oil in their lamps), while the Foolish Virgins were the False Professors without the Holy Spirit (no oil in their lamps). 

The difficulty goes back to the Church teaching the free gift of grace for salvation does not require an active but equal “faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6) from us. To be clear, salvation without Christ is impossible. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). God has created us with the capacity to choose or reject Him; and, He has taken special measures to draw us to Himself. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). Our response, sadly, has been to put the blame for our lack of success and perseverance upon Him, by labeling all His Love as Unconditional. 

In reality, Unconditional Love is given to all, even if it is rejected, as in, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Conditional Love, on the other hand, is only given to the obedient. “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). Conditional Love occurs only with the obedience that accompanies faith. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Failure to grow and persevere results from failure to teach the difference between Unconditional and Conditional Love. 

The Foolish Virgins were counting upon Unconditional Love alone to get them in to the wedding, not realizing Unconditional Love was only enough to get an invitation. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). The Wise Virgins understood Conditional Love requires Faithful Obedience, which secures a seat at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Father, You are the All Wise God, who we love for sending us Your Son. Cause the confusion about Your love to vanish away as You enlighten about Conditional and Unconditional Love. May Your Church answer Your call to Come Up Hither at the Rapture because we kept oil in our lamps. Come quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Why the Devil Needs UFOs

Ken

The Rapture and UFOs are forbidden topics for both respectable theologians and scientists because they deny credibility from each their respective mainstream. Once burned, twice shy. Students of prophecy walk carefully around setting any dates of Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, since scoffers love to remind of anything remotely resembling a failed date. Yet, even our Savior enflamed us with His closing promise of the NT, “Surely I come quickly [Greek, tachu, suddenly]. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20 KJV). Anyone who places any credence in the 1947 Roswell incident as anything other than a crashed weather balloon will lose immediate credibility for believing in a conspiracy theory. If you believe in neither a Rapture nor UFOs, then you’re on safe ground, as far as established theology and science are concerned. But, if there really is a Rapture, then what better opportunity for some world leader to step up with miraculous explanations for the Suddenly Missing People (SMP). Of course, the explanation will be a carefully crafted lie, which will be the work of the Antichrist. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:9). UFOs are those lying wonders. They are real, but not extraterrestrial, instead from another dimension, which is the Unseen Realm of both the good and evil. Not until Almighty God removes the Restraining Influence of the Spirit Indwelt Christians at the Rapture, will it be necessary for Satan’s Antichrist  to step in, explain, and miraculously bring seeming order to the chaos. “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he [Antichrist] may be revealed at the proper time” (2Thessalonians 2:6 NIV). This will be more than Alien Brothers bringing in a new era of peace, but most probably a Nephilim harnessing the power of “alien technology” to consolidate worship of himself as God. “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:4). LORD, our fervent prayer is to be ready for Your Son’s soon appearing. May we calmly and faithfully advocate for Your people to continue their employments and doing whatever good You’ve shown us to do, in the meantime; but, open the hearts of those around us to receive Your Son. Return quickly, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

You Don’t Have to Believe in a Rapture to be Raptured

Ken

If you don’t have to know about or believe in a Rapture to be raptured, then why talk about it? The Rapture is the part of the Second Coming of Christ, where we “meet the Lord in the air” (1Thessalonians 4:17 KJV), so we can return with Him to earth. If we “love His appearing” (2Timothy 4:8), then we are “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, [that] we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). The Rapture is all about the hope of those who are living godly, for it is the godly who are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2:13). Likewise, only godly living will be “looking for and hasting [hastening, yes, hastening] unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2Peter 3:12). You can see that only a godly heart will love His appearing and will be raptured. LORD, work in us a godly heart that we might commune with You now, and that You might rapture us Home later. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Dealing With the Rapture (Part 3)

Ken

The Rapture is possibly the most controversial and studiously ignored issue of the Church at present, “in the fulness of the time”(Galatians 4:4 KJV), simply because it represents the culmination of our Master’s End Times strategy to tie together all the disparate issues of the Church, as well as, addressing all the clear and present circumstances of the Almighty’s Unseen Realm. Consider that the LORD’s supernatural enemy has been preparing for the departure event of the my Rapture from ancient times, especially since Enoch and Elijah (Genesis 5:24; 2Kings 2:11) were translated, to the enemy’s horror, and to their inability to explain away the Almighty’s ability to control the narrative. 

The necessity of the enemy explaining the disappearance of even a large minority of earth’s population involves carefully Articulating What the Crowd Already Believes:

First, justice from the supernatural. The suggestion of a Nephilim hybrid of angels with human females — “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown” (Genesis 6:4 ESV) — is rejected by most respectable, scholarly, biblical interpreters, yet most all historical human cultures have mythical traditions of such supernatural interaction with humanity, down to Hollywood’s incarnation of superheroes. What modern moviegoer doesn’t want to believe in justice finally from the supernatural? 

Second, fascination with the supernatural. Christian theology typically explains demon possession as simply bad actor fallen angels spiritually and physically molesting us. What if we more precisely defined demons as the disembodied spirits of the multitudes of Nephilim destroyed in a worldwide flood of Noah (Genesis 6-8)? “So the devils besought Him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine” (Matthew 8:31 KJV). Much of the modern fascination with witchcraft, the demonic, poltergeists, etc. is based upon what the world believes is true, or is afraid to think is true. 

Third, making things right through the supernatural. The fabric of the adversary’s explanation for the Rapture will unavoidably delve into the realm of UFO’s, since the Antichrist [a Nephilim] will supernaturally accomplish peace for Israel sufficient to allow for the building of a Third Jewish Temple, a presently unthinkable event. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:3-4). Just as humanity senses a need for world justice, what human wouldn’t object to reaching out to the divinity in us all? 

Summary of the Enemy’s Response to the Rapture. Lie. What’s the most direct strategy for the enemy to deal with the Rapture? Lie. The devil “is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). His Nephilim protégé, the Antichrist, Is also a liar. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:9). Those “lying wonders” of Antichrist will include resurrecting from the dead. “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast” (Revelation 13:3). But, the Big Lie — for which Antichrist will kill the Christians — will cause their refusal to worship him as God, seated in the Temple at the middle of the Tribulation Week (2Thessalonians 2:3-4).

When you consider that Bible prophecy is so diligently avoided by much of the respectable Christian ministry, is it any wonder the Church is so ill equipped to defend the actions of our Lord in Rapturing His Church?

LORD, may Your people awaken to the challenge of giving “an answer to every man that asketh [them] a reason of the hope that is in [then] with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15). May we be ready for Your appearing. May we hasten Your appearing. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Come quickly and rapture Your Church. Amen. 

Dealing With the Rapture (Part 2)

Ken

Though the Rapture will be suddenly and instantaneous (Mark 13: 33, 35), the unbelieving world will notice the departure, just as they will inescapably notice the resurrection of the martyred Two Witnesses mere days before the end of the Tribulation Week. “3 And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (Revelation 11:3, 12). The unbelieving world will respond to the death of the Two Witnesses with glee; most likely, in the same way they responded previously to the Pre-Tribulational Rapture departure of the unwanted Christians. “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth” (11:10). When the Jews disappeared into the Holocaust of WW2, their neighbors knew of their removal. In our earth timeframe, seven years must pass, before Christ actually returns; but, in the heaven timeframe, everything precisely and necessarily can take place in the heavenlies, before all the Raptured and Resurrected Saints are returning with Christ (1Thessalonians 4:14, 17). Like the Second Coming Return of Christ with His Saints, the Two Witnesses will be visibly noticed by the world as they will be resurrected and ascend into Heaven. “11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (Revelation 11:11-12). LORD, may we take encouragement from the resurrection and ascension of Your Two Witnesses that our return with You will be marked by the certainty of Israel’s Great Returning to You. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation [Israel] be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8).

Dealing With the Rapture (Part 1)

Ken

The Rapture is only one aspect of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which must take place prior to the New Heavens and New Earth, which was also promised to Israel and the Church. Everyone will have to deal with the miraculous, supernatural Rapture. Jesus will return, as the angels promised, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11 KJV). His Second Coming will happen for the entire world to witness. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7 KJV). His Second Coming requires a catching up of living saints to accompany the resurrected saints, who will then both accompany the returning Christ. “15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō, to snatch out or away] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:15-17). LORD, thank You for sharing future events with us. Though we know not when, return quickly, Lord Jesus, and deliver us. Amen.