Christian Living

---

October 15, 2011 – A Rapture Time Clock? Not Even Close.
1 But as to suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night. – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 AMP
First Thessalonians is one of Paul’s earliest letters, and it contains great details about the Rapture. The Rapture as well as its timing is one of the oldest mysteries of Christianity. I personally believe that Paul received a vision of this event and described it in great detail in First Thessalonians. When he began his missionary journeys, he used it as an opportunity to share this vision with those to whom he ministered.
There have been countless books written about the Rapture and when it will actually occur. Some have written about cosmic symbols like the aligning of planets or exploding stars to give their theories validity. Sometimes those who put forth such theories gain a large following. Those who have bought into such nonsense have gone completely off the deep end and sold all their possessions and quit their jobs. The sad part is that none of these theories have panned out. Just like Nostradamus’ end of the world followers, these guys cannot predict something which only God knows.
Sure, we would all like to know when we’ll all be snatched away, but the truth is that we do not, and Paul even goes so far as to say we don’t even need to know. Only God knows when the Rapture will happen, and He’s not telling anyone, including His only Son.
Now my question is this: if God only knows when the Rapture will occur then why is there such a desire by the human race to discover when it will come to pass? There are a variety of reasons. Those who serve God with all their heart would probably store this information away for safe keeping. Those without a relationship with God probably would laugh and think it was more religious mumbo jumbo. And those half witted professed Christians would probably use it as an opportunity to shun God and pull out a half hearted repentance at the eleventh hour. Whatever the case, it doesn’t matter. None of us know when it will happen. There are plenty of ideas out there, but they are all based on opinion.
If you view this blog on our website, you will see we have a book available on the Rapture and Tribulation. I will tell you now just as I say it in the book: if you think I have some magical formula or theory about Rapture timing, don’t waste your money. The book is a survival manual for a post-Rapture world, not a book about when the Rapture will occur. It provides practical measures for earth’s post-Rapture inhabitants to ensure that they don’t end up in the lake of fire with the antichrist. But in no way does it seek to circumvent what Paul says: the Rapture is going to be as unexpected as a thief robbing you blind in the middle of the night.
Next time you find yourself wondering when the Rapture will occur, check your motives. Are you trying to buy yourself time? If you are, what are you trying to buy yourself time from? I have heard people say over the years that when they get their life right only then they will start going to church. I have heard some say that they feel like they have to be perfect to go to church. Let me give you a big news flash: people in the church are far from perfect. God doesn’t want our perfection; He just wants us to give ourselves to Him. When we give Him all we have and all that we are, then He will make perfection out of our imperfection.
I believe that God has purposely withheld the timing of the Rapture from humanity for one reason: He wants us to always live lives pleasing to Him every day and not just try to sprint to the finish line. He wants us to live by His leading every minute of our lives while we greatly anticipate His return. When we all begin to do that, others will be drawn to the Christian faith by our example and the kingdom of God will grow as never before. And the best part is that we’ll have something that no thief can ever take away: the ride of our lives.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE