The Rev. Glen Vaughn

Although the word rapture is not found in scripture, it is a word used to describe an event the Apostle Paul foretold would happen in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout . . . the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then 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.”

Jesus himself promised He would come and take the Christians away to be with Him forever. John 14:2-3, “I go to prepare a place for you . . . If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you can be also.” If we as Christians believe The Bible we must believe this part also.

No one knows when the rapture will occur. Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven but the Father only.” He gave us signs so we would know when to expect Him. In Matthew 24:37-39, “As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. They were eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage until the day Noe entered the ark. And knew not until the flood came.”

People today are as unconcerned as in Noah’s day. They are blinded by the cares of this world. So many profess to be Christians yet are not preparing for the rapture. Jesus said in Matthew 16:3, “you can discern the face of the sky; but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

The rapture will happen so fast and sudden that there will be no time to make changes. Jesus said in Matthew 24:40, “Then two shall be in the field, one shall be taken and the other left.” In Matthew 24:27, “As the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the son of man be.”

The time to prepare is now. Jesus said in Matthew 24:42-44, “Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore by ye also ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man cometh.” Christ is coming only for those that are watching and looking for Him to return. Hebrews 9:28, “and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

It takes more to be ready than just being good. You must repent and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. We all like to think when a loved one passes, that they went to heaven just because they were good. This is contrary to scripture. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” You must have God’s spirit in you to be ready for the rapture. Confess your sins to God, ask Christ to come into your heart. Then get into a Bible teaching, preaching church and work until Jesus comes.