Notes About the Rapture (originally posted on Facebook)

Obviously many people are amused by the so-called rapture that is claimed to take place May 21, 2011. If you are one of the persons who believe that this will happen exactly tomorrow, I do not wish to exasperate your situation by poking fun of you, instead offer a bit of insight as to why this will not happen, and that your delusion will not be fulfilled. For the believer in Christ, this might be a bit of reproof. For the unbelieving person of this world, a bit of caution on why you might want to reconsider believing it could happen one day.

The Bible tells us who believe that we are to "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42) Additionally, "...you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matthew 24:44)

We don't know when Christ is going to return exactly, not even the angels in heaven know when Christ will return. Only God, the father.(see Matt. 24:36) We do know how Christ will come back, just not when. We do know that Jesus will return, "like a thief in the night." (1Thessalonians 5:2). Secondly, we will know that Jesus is returning by what 1Thessalonians 4: 16-17 says,"16-For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17-Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

Additionally, we who believe the Bible and what is says to be true is this, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed , the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or worshiped, so that he sits as god in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." ( 2 Thessalonians 2: 3-4; further reading see vv.1-12) There are definite things that must happen first as mentioned.

In refute to atheists, I don't think the rapture of the church is a laughing matter, yet, respectively, If I am wrong I have nothing to lose (when this actually does happen), and the unbeliever  has everything to lose if I am right. However, I am not here to argue with or, put down the beliefs of the unbeliever.

Jesus came that none should perish (See John 3:16) Jesus didn't come to condemn us, but to save us through him, that we might have an eternal relationship with him and reconciliation with God. John 6:29 tells us that Jesus said,"this is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

For the person looking for an apocalyptic experience, I think it better not to worry about such things, rather, just live your life in obedience to the Word of God, believe and do what it says. 2 Peter 3:10 reiterates how Jesus will return, but we must "be diligent" 2Peter 3:14, and "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." 2Peter 3:18. 



(all scripture referenced from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.)