Bible Studies

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1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
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. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Along about the first of November each year, we start seeing signs that Christmas must be near, as the decorations and tree trimming start showing up. We know by these displays, that Christmas is near but we also know that we must get over Thanksgiving before Christmas can happen.

A similar allegory to this scenario is the prophet signs of the time. By this, I am referring to the rapture (catching away) of the church and the second coming of Jesus.

There are many prophet signs, concerning the "second coming of Jesus" but there are no signs need be fulfilled before the rapture can occur. We know, however, that when these signs commence the rapture is probably not far away, as the rapture occurs seven years before the return of Christ. And believe me, one need only watch the world's current events to see what I am talking about.

The Bible gives us at least seven general signs of Christ's return. (Check them out in scripture)
1. Israel Restore
2. Reunification of Europe
3. The Coming of the Antichrist
4. Rise of World Religion
5. Rebuilding of 3rd Temple
6. Invasion of Israel of the North
7. Battle of Armageddon

Luke 21:28
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Revelation 22:12
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Revelation 21:6
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

During these seven years, between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ is the terrible times of the Tribulation period on earth, .

So, when will this Rapture miracle take place. To start with even the Son Himself does not know the time nor the hour.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only".(Matthew 24:36)
( Of course there are many more signs, these are just a few generalities)

And the scripture tells us that we should not pre-judge the timing or set dates. In fact, there are many scriptures that warn against date setting.

Acts 1:7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

I do, however, feel there may be one hint, with respect to the rapture, that many overlook. This hint is found in Romans 11:25.

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in". ( Romans 11:25).

Many Bible scholars interrupt this passage to mean when the last Gentile is saved, according to God's plan, then the Rapture will occur. In fact, one preacher made the statement that every time he hears of a Gentile being saved, he shouts " Hallelujah" and starts looking to the sky.

In fact , Dr Charles Ryrie makes this comment as a footnote, to this verse of scripture, in his study Bible. The fullness of the Gentiles, i.e., the full number of Gentiles who will be saved (Acts 15:14). After this, God will turn again to the Jews and will save "all Israel" at the Lords return.

The central objective of this article is to prepare you for what's coming in the future. We don't actually know when the Rapture will happen. It may happen in our lifetime and it may not. In fact, it may occur before I finish this article. However, if you are a Child of the living God, and are ready to meet Him in the air, then what difference does the time and date mean? However, if you are unsaved and are not ready, then you should have a major concern.

An unsaved person is only a " hear beat" away from the judgment of God, anyway. Once death overtakes your earthly body, it's too late to ask forgiveness.

"And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment." ( Hebrews 9:27)

You may ask, how you can be saved, or how you can become a believer. Simply put, it's all a matter of you exercising "faith" in God's free "Grace" to redeem you of your sin, in which you were born. For you see, you will never get good enough, on your own, to be saved. And, you cannot earn your salvation. Nor, can you loves ones get it for you.

" For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast" ( Ephesians 2:8-9).

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