Caught Up!

The Rapture Theory - Part 7 of 7

So what about the rapture? How does Paul's testimony fit into all this? How are we to interpret his words? Friends, I fear it is far different than what has been fed us over the years. Many saints have come to the realization that many old and traditional theories of religion simply do not harmonize with the pure and simple teaching of the Word of God. We know that Jesus will return soon - of this there is no doubt. But how does Scripture tell us these events will occur?

First and foremost, let's examine the false... The word "rapture" does not appear in the Bible. Regardless of this fact, the rapture is continually associated with the coming of the Lord and is even spoken of as the "hope of the church"! According to some preachers, this "event" may happen before he stops preaching, or before you wake up the next day. When that happens, the graves will open, and those still alive will fly off to meet the Lord in outer space somewhere. They say the Antichrist will then appear, and the Great Tribulation will commence while believers attend the marriage supper of the Lamb and receive their rewards for labors done on earth. "Those on earth should have listened to the preacher like I did", is the feeling often felt. Interestingly, the ones who have spread this "rapture theory" are the very ones who have continually discredited the baptism of the Holy Ghost! Many people do not realize this, but why should we base our eschatology on a teaching that originated with those who refuse the Holy Spirit? This seems irresponsible to me.

In my opinion, the major error associated with the common rapture theory is this: instead of teaching about the appearance of the Lord Jesus, men are teaching about the disappearance of the church! The emphasis is completely backwards.

Presently, I don't want to address the "when", I want to discuss the "what". There are many opinions concerning the "when", all of which possess a fragment of truth. The "what", however, is far more important than the "when", in my meager opinion. What will happen upon the Lord's return?

What does it mean to be "caught up"? Although the word "rapture" is absent from Scripture, the phrase "caught up" does appear. This instance occurs in both Old and New Testaments: Revelation chapter 12 describes the "catching away" of the manchild.. 2 Corinthians chapter 12 speaks of being "caught up" to the third heaven, to paradise (vs. 1-4).. Enoch was caught up to God (Gen 5:24).. Elijah too was caught away; he did not see death (2 Kgs 2:11)! There are various beliefs concerning this truth. Personally, I do not believe this is always a physical occurrence, although it certainly can be. When Ephesians 2:6 speaks of being "raised up together... in heavenly places", it's not referencing a physical location, but rather a place in the Spirit. It's not a physical ascent, but a spiritual one. I do not believe that the bride is caught away to a physical location necessarily. This may be true and reserved for a certain future time period, but it is not for sure, and is most likely different than what we have imagined. In 2 Corinthians 12, where did he go? His spirit may have soared to the heights of paradise, but his physical body went nowhere. Many scholars have attributed the "third heaven" to the "third realm" in the tabernacle, that is, the Holy of Holies. This place is of glory is paradise indeed! In Ephesians 1:3 we read that God has blessed us with all "spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him". Friends, that's a heavenly place indeed. But you don't have to get into an airplane to get there!

What about the clouds? Actually, the Bible never says that Jesus will return "on" a cloud, or "to" the clouds. Instead, it says He will come "with" or "in" the clouds (Dan 7:13; Rev 1:7; Matt 24:30; 26:64; Mk 13:26; 14:62; 1 Thess 4:17; etc). All throughout Scripture, clouds are symbolic of God's glory. Why do we expect it to be so different now? Hebrews 12:1 tells us that the heroes of the faith are a "cloud". Clearly this isn't a natural truth. 2 Peter 2:17 and Jude 12 both tell us that false ministries are "clouds without water". Clearly, again, this cannot be a natural truth. Rather, it's a metaphor for spiritual deficiency. The Old Testament speaks of a cloud as that which hovered over the Mercy Seat: "I will appear in the cloud upon the Mercy Seat" (Lev 16:2). Friends, can we see the pattern here?

1 Thessalonians 4? Many readers are confused about this passage. Verses 13-18 would seem to support the common rapture theory. But if we read it in context, it's really not confusing. It begins with "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [dead], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope". So we see that the whole point of this passage is to comfort those who were afraid. What were they afraid of? They were worried that, if they or a loved one died, they would miss out in the day of the Lord, the day of God's outpoured glory, and all that is connected with it. Paul is simply reassuring his readers that those who die will return with Jesus to the earth at His coming.

And what about His coming? In Scripture, many times the word "coming", as in the "coming of the Lord", is the Greek word "parousia" (Jas 5:7; 2 Thess 2:1, etc). It occurs 24 times in the New Testament, and is used in reference to Jesus' second coming, a visit by a Christian saint (2 Cor 7:6, etc), and even the appearance of the "man of lawlessness" (2 Thess 2:9). "Parousia" is different from Greek words such as "eisodos" or "eleusis". These words reference "coming" or "entering", as a literal arrival. "Parousia" is unique, however. It means "to appear upon or within"; It is also translated as "presence", both actually and implied (2 Pet 1:16, etc). In fact, this word is classically used to announce the prospect or the precursor of one's future, literal arrival, especially the visit of royalty. Some scholars believe this word can be used in relation to the "coming" of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, at Pentecost. Therefore, a significant aspect of the "coming of the Lord" is actually His appearing upon and within His people; it will be both His presence in and through us ("parousia"), as well as His physical and visible appearing ("eisodos"; "eleusis"). If this subtle differentiation is true (and I believe it is), then His physical and visible appearing is only after He has appeared and manifested Himself in His sons (see Jas 5:7 and 2 Thess 2:1). Why so? Because the "parousia" of the Lord upon His saints will serve a distinct and necessary purpose. Scripture tells us that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed IN US. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom 8:18-19). Also see Acts 3:21; John 7:37-39; Isaiah 32:1-2, etc. What many have attributed to the Lord Jesus, will actually be accomplished in His people, by the Holy Spirit: "[God] hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18)! Hallelujah! Are you ready?

Reader, I pray that you will search these truths out, seek and discover whether these things are so. Don't just take my word for it. I can assure you that Scripture has many glorious things to say about the coming of the Lord Jesus, both as a precursor in and upon the saints ("parousia"), and as a visible and physical appearance ("eisodos"; "eleusis"), when every eye shall see Him (Rev 1:7). He's coming to walk in His temple (Eph 2:21-22).. May He find a place to come and rest in you and I!


The End.

The Trumpet Blast!

The Rapture Theory - Part 6 of 7

So what's with all the trumpet-talk? Doesn't the Bible say that the last trumpet will sound, and we'll all fly away? Indeed it does, but I question our man-made interpretation of these things. If we adhere to common "rapture theology", then our ears are most likely poised toward heaven, eagerly awaiting the sound of a trumpet preceding our flight into the sky: "For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and 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" (1 Thess 4:16-17; also see 1 Cor 15:51-52). But what about the other trumpets? To have a "last trump", as 1st Corinthians 15:52 signifies, means there must be "trumps" to precede it (Rev 8:2; 13; 9:13-14). Yet most "rapture" proponents teach and believe that at the sound of any trumpet, Christians across the globe will rise and meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds, and be taken to heaven with Him forever, completely bypassing any and all events to occur on the earth. Let it be reiterated once more, I do not at all deny what the Bible says about the coming of the Lord.. Rather, I simply question man's traditional interpretations of these eschatological events. Perhaps we should allow the Bible to interpret itself (1 Cor 2:13; 2 Tim 2:15; Prov 15:28)?

First of all, we know that there will be a trumpet blast. The apostle Paul knew this fact, and taught the early church the spiritual truths behind these trumpets. I fear that today we hear very little of Paul's whole intentions. What was a spiritual truth to the early church has been degraded into a mere natural occurrence for carnal men (1 Cor 2:12).

What does a trumpet do?

In Scripture, trumpets serve many purposes. We must take ALL of these purposes into account considering that Paul (the one who wrote about the coming of the Lord and it's relation to trumpets) preached about nothing except what was found in the Law and Prophets. Therefore, Paul's use of this "trumpet theme" was taken from his expertise in the area, and the sum total of what a trumpet came to represent Scripturally.

In Scripture, a trumpet blast:
- Calls the assembly together (Num 10:2-3, 7; Isa 1:13; Joel 1:14; etc)..
- Announces the camp's journeyings (Num 10:2)..
- Announces preparation for war, and the coming "Day of the Lord" (Joel 2:1; Num 10:9)
- Announces the feast days (Num 10:10; Ps 81:3).

So what do these all mean in relation to the coming of the Lord and the common rapture theory? Let's find out!

The Calling of the Assembly.... In Scripture, a trumpet (or ram's horn) was commonly used to gather the people together for a set purpose: "Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly..." (Num 10:2). In the New Testament, Paul and others used this illustration to set forth the gathering and assembling of the saints of God unto Him. The primary rapture argument lies in the time period this gathering is to occur. Is it to be early or late? Pre, mid, or post-tribulation? Men have argued these things for centuries! However, if we look to see the further role of trumpets as used in Scripture, this said timing will not be quite so ambiguous, in my opinion. This is because trumpets serve more than this one assembling role. Therefore, at the sound of the trumpet, the saints of God are not solely to fly off into the sky and assemble, as so many suppose. Rather, they are to perform other duties as well.

The Camp's Journeying... In the Old Testament, a trumpet would sound when it was time for God's people to move on into a new territory, following the cloud and pillar of fire: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them... for the journeying of the camps" (Num 10:1-2). Woe to that Israelite who failed to take heed to this signal! Soon, he would find his water dried up, and palm trees withered (1 Cor 10:4).

Preparation for War and the Day of the Lord... Joel chapter 2 tells us, "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion... for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand" (2:1). Numbers also tells us that trumpets were used to sound an alarm for war (10:9). But we do not hear of such things in our modern churches. I wonder why? To Christians in our day, the only purpose a trumpet seems to serve is that which will signal our flight and escape into the sky! How strange! What about the trumpet call to war? What ever happened to that? Friends, the day of the Lord is not a time for God's people to fly off into the sky. Rather, as we have seen, it is a time when His glory is needed most; it is a time for the sons of God to be presented to the earth! Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, for the day of the Lord is nigh! But instead, we hear of prophets telling us everything is just fine, and God's people are not prepared: "O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD" (Ezek 13:4-5). What was a natural call to war for Old Testament Israel will be of a spiritual nature for New Covenant saints, for our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4). Friends, all hell trembles when it hears of this great army, mighty through God! "Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners" (Song 6:10)!

Announcing the Feasts of Israel... A final use of trumpets in Scripture was to announce the feasts of Israel (Num 10:10). As we have seen in previous articles, Israel had three major feasts during the year (and other minor feasts). These were Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles.

Passover, the first major feast, was to be a new beginning for Israel. It was when the lamb was slain, the blood was sprinkled on the door-post, and the people took their flight out of Egypt. This is a type of justification, "...Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor 5:7). The second major feast, Pentecost, occurred in the third month (of the sacred calender), 50 days after Passover, the time of harvest. This typified when the Lord poured His Spirit upon those waiting in the Upper Room, thus signifying the formation of the church, His body, and their enablement into spiritual gifts and ministries. Of course we know that these two types have been fulfilled: Passover at Calvary, and Pentecost at the Upper Room. But what about the third and final major feast, the Feast of Tabernacles? Has it been fulfilled? No, it has not. Should we just ignore it then? No. Is it to be fulfilled after death, in Heaven? Again, no... not any more than the first two major feasts are. All of these joyous feasts are to be fulfilled right here on earth, in human vessels!

Joel chapter 2 prophetically describes the effect of this final feast, of which Pentecost was but a foretaste! "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call" (Joel 2:1, 21-32). Wow! What glorious promises! All of these things are to happen "in the first month" (vs. 23). The first month on the civil calendar is the seventh month on the sacred (religious) calendar. Friends, the seventh month is the Feast of Tabernacles, the feast of ingathering! The Day of the Lord will usher it in! Who would want to escape such a great day?!

And thus we see Paul's full explanation of trumpets, as related to the entirety of Scripture. So many believers will limit God's trumpet to that which signals their rapture away to heaven; And while this is partially true, and applicable in measure, there are many other purposes for a trumpet's blast, as we have just seen. These other significances of trumpets in Scripture must likewise be taken into eschatological consideration, and given equal honor, for God would not ignore it when breathing upon the writing of His Word, and neither would the apostle Paul, who was an expert at the contents of Scripture. Reader, please don't be ignorant of this truth! Don't let men tell you what they think the Bible says.. Rather, search for yourself. God calls this noble (Acts 17:11)!

To Be Continued...

Tribulation and Glory..

The Rapture Theory - Part 5 of 7

There are many viewpoints concerning "the Day of the Lord", and the presence of God's people during that time. Some scholars say God's people will be raptured out of the earth before this day culminates. Others say God's people will only have to endure a part of this day.. And others say God's people will be here the entire time, yet protected. Personally, I believe (as with most other church doctrines) that there is a fragment of truth present in all three of these viewpoints. Let's consider what the Bible says.

According to Scripture, the day of the Lord is...

- An "evil day" (Eph 6:13) that will require us to possess the "whole armour of God"..

- a day of shining and rejoicing for the sons of God (Phil 2:15-16; 2 Cor 1:14).

- a day for the house of Israel "to stand" in battle (Ezek 1:4-5)..

- coming like a "thief in the night" to those in darkness and unaware (1 Thess 5:2-4; Rev 16:15).

- to be upon every one that is "proud and lofty", and he "shall be brought low" (Isa 2:12).

- as "a destruction" from the Almighty (Joel 1:15).

- to be recognized, even "in Zion" (Joel 2:1).

- noticeable and "approaching" (Heb 10:24-25).

- both "great" and "terrible" (Joel 2:31)... both "great" and "dreadful" (Mal 4:5).

etc, etc ...

Now, it would seem to me that such Scriptures as these would not exist if we weren't intended to operate and function during this horrific time in the earth. Are we intended to stay here the whole time? That's another question. But, why the many warnings if we're just to fly off to proverbial pie-in-the-sky at a moment's notice? Friends, "The testimony of the Lord is sure..." (Ps 19:7).

The Bible tells us that God's people are not appointed to wrath (1 Thess 5:9)... It also tells us that there will be a people who will "be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36). Someone may ask, "will God's elect, the Overcomer, be here for the Great Tribulation?" The answer is a resounding NO! They will not be here for the Tribulation. They may be here on earth, yes, but they will be here for the day of God's outpoured glory - not to suffer His wrath. They will be here to manifest King Jesus. Simply said, while some are entering into the darkness of night, God's holy remnant will be entering into His great and glorious promises (Joel 2)! This is why Scripture calls it both the "great" and the "terrible" day of the Lord (Joel 2:11, 31).. for some it will be a great day of glory, and for others it will be terrible.

This truth is evidenced even in the natural realm. While it is daytime here in Jacksonville, Florida, it is nighttime someplace else. While the light is getting brighter in one place, the light is diminishing and the darkness is growing someplace else. As in the natural realm, so it often is in the spiritual realm. God is clearly separating the light from the darkness, even now. The light is getting brighter, new truths are being unveiled to God's people, and new realms of glory are being attained to. However, at the same time, the world is getting darker, the Jordan is slowly swelling, and forcing the beasts inland! Even some of God's people are slowly and subtly receding into the night (Mic 3:5-6).

Therefore, the Great Tribulation will only be a bad time for those who refuse to go on with God. For His true sons, it will be a day of great glory! Joel 2 tells us that at the very same time "darkness and gloominess" spreads over the land, the sons of God will partake of a glorious sunrise (Joel 2:1-11)! It will be "great" for the children of the day, and "very terrible" for the children of the night (Joel 2:11). Yet, Christians desperately want to escape the Day of the Lord, without realizing that God's plan is actually far better; they often don't even realize that they are God's weapon and God's vessel of reconciliation: "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms" (Jer 51:20). Christians want to be snatched off the earth without realizing that what God wants is for you to be His vessel of deliverance to a dead and dying world! Who would want to run away from the greatest outpouring of glory the world has ever known?! Who would want to escape such a glorious day of liberty?! Who would want to miss being the elect of God, in the image of the sovereign King, filled with the Spirit without measure? We will be here, friends.. Not appointed to wrath, but appointed to minister the life of God to the nations, even after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 6:19-20). While the unprepared are swept away in judgement (as in the days of Noah), the wise will be entering into the day of God's glory!

"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall... Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD" (Mal 4:1-2, 5)

Dear reader, this will be a GREAT day - a day of glory and power! While the earth is frantic, the sons of God will give them Jesus: "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain" (Phil 2:15-16)!

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isa 60:1-3).

To Be Continued...

Giants In Those Days!

The Rapture Theory - Part 4 of 7

We must ask the question, why does God require such a glorious vessel of deliverance? Why does He go to such great lengths to complete this vessel, and to prepare it for manifestation to the earth? Friends, it is simply because the earth will be at her darkest hour. The vessel that the Lord Jesus will reveal and manifest to the earth will be one of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17-20); a new species, such as the earth has never seen! And it will be so glorious because the need will be so great!

Around the time of Noah's commissioning, the Scriptures tells us, "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days..." (Gen 6:1-4).

Spiritual Giants...

Some scholars believe that the "sons of God" here in Genesis 6 reference fallen angels (Job 1:6; Jude 6; 2 Pet 2:4) that literally mated with the daughters of men, and as a result, a race of giants were born (Gen 6:4). These giants became "mighty men... men of renown" (Gen 6:4), and a "people great and tall" (Deut 9:2). They spread throughout the earth and became a constant threat to the people of God (Deut 2:11; Josh 12:4; 13:2; 1 Chron 20:4; etc). David had to deal with them (1 Sam 17:4, 45, 49-51), Moses and the children of Israel (Num 13:33; 14:38), Jonathan (1 Chron 20:6-8), etc.

As we have seen, the Bible says "as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matt 24:37). Many fail to recognize that this includes the existence of spiritual giants. These giants were birthed and existed "in the days of Noah", so why wouldn't they likewise exist, albeit on a spiritual plane, in the days of the coming of the Son of Man? Thus we see God's reason for preparing a vessel of deliverance, in hopes that the earth will finally turn to Him, as He is gloriously manifested to a dead and dying world. Just as evil will have reached it's zenith, so will this vessel of righteousness. Just as Satan will have a culmination (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Jn 2:18), so will the Lord Jesus, in His sons (Rom 8:18-20; Isa 60:1-3). Just as evil will have an army (2 Tim 3:1-17; 1 Tim 4:1), so will the sons of God (Joel 2; Mic 4:1-5).. And just as Satan will have his giants, so will the Lord of Hosts: "Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty [Hebrew: "giants"] upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed" (Ps 112:1-2)... The Psalmist asked the question, "Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?" (Ps 120:2-3)... and the Lord gave the answer: "Sharp arrows of the mighty [Hebrew: "giants"], with coals of juniper" (Ps 120:4)! Hallelujah, God will have an answer, even spiritual giants of His own - sons in His image to deliver creation from the bondage of corruption into glorious liberty (Rom 8:21; 2 Cor 3:18; Gal 4:19)! "For all people will walk every one in the name [character] of his god, and we will walk in the name [character] of the LORD our God for ever and ever" (Mic 4:5).

The Swelling of the Jordan..

Interestingly enough, the Bible actually gives us a glimpse into the intense warfare to be seen in the last days, the days of these giants: "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?" (Jer 12:5). This is an interesting verse of Scripture, and full of prophetic truth!

The swelling of the Jordan only occurs during harvest time, during the Feast of Tabernacles. Naturally, when it swells, the beasts of the field rush inland to escape the coming floods. Similarly, spiritually speaking, the greatest onslaught of evil and persecution will too occur at harvest time. Demonic forces will be unleashed and rush in to attack the earth. However, thankfully God will have His vessel of deliverance! He will have His giants too! Tabernacles is the feast of fullness for the people of God. We've experienced Passover (justification by faith), "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor 5:7). We've experienced Pentecost, that is, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, etc (Acts 2:1-4). The only feast we have yet to walk in is the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast occurs at harvest time! And how appropriate the timing, during the swelling of the Jordan!

Thus we see just one reason why God is maturing and preparing such a glorious vessel of deliverance, an Ark of safety, a son in His image. For if the world was aching and groaning 2,000 years ago to be delivered (Rom 8:19, 22), I cannot imagine the birth pains that will come upon us once we begin to contend with the horses of harvest time! Let's never forget, "as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matt 24:37).

To Be Continued...

A Vessel of Deliverance!

The Rapture Theory, Part 3 of 7

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matt 24:37-39).

Probably the most identifiable object in the days of Noah was the Ark which he built via God's instruction. This Ark was God's master plan to deliver His people. For some reason, we often fail to take this Ark into consideration when discussing the coming of the Lord. Why is that? As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. As it was, not different. As it was, not a limited and/or barren replication. How were Noah and his family preserved during the storm? They were not taken in judgment as the wicked were, so how did they survive? Let's observe the coming fulfillment of this truth, concerning the Ark...

In the days of Noah, God was at work - He was not just idly watching! While men were living in gross sin, God was expertly communicating His will to His chosen man - Noah. He was preparing a vessel of deliverance, and such will be the case for the return of the Lord Jesus too! Even now God is inhabiting and preparing a similar vessel of deliverance - the sons of God (Rom 8:18-20; Gal 4:19)! And how can we be sure? Because as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be!

The directions God gave to Noah concerning the Ark were very specific. This was no accident, for this ancient Ark speaks of something far greater in the redemptive plan of God, even the living temple He is now measuring and building by His precious Spirit (Eph 2:19-22). This habitation of God through the Spirit will indeed become a mighty vessel of deliverance in these last days. It may be a laughing stock to carnal men, as it was with Noah, and maybe even scorned by the religious community, but that does not matter. It may be a strange looking vessel when compared to the perverse ecclesiastical orders of our day, even as Noah's was. But again, that does not matter. All it must do is serve God's purposes.

The Ark's specific dimensions and instructions can be found in Genesis 6:13-16. The numbers God used here were very specific. Was this by accident? Did the Holy Spirit just flip a coin? Of course not (Ps 90:12). Everything God does and says is for a divine purpose, and it's our honor to search it out (Prov 25:2; Isa 45:15). God is using these dimensions of the Ark to communicate to us a deeper truth about the sons of God, the overcomer company who shall be joined together in the last days to form a glorious vessel that will house the very fullness of God, and bring like deliverance to all of humanity! Hallelujah!

In short, the dimensions of the Ark communicate to us that this coming vessel will be (1) of supernatural origin, to bring supernatural deliverance, (2) composed of a remnant of sons, (3) fully filled with the Spirit of God, (4) fully restored and walking in the fullness that has been promised them (Eph 1:13-14), and (5) composed of a mature, prepared company of sons who have the authority and dominion of God!

"Now all these things [Old Testament occurrences] happened unto them for ensamples [Greek: "types"]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor 10:11). Perhaps we should take heed to Paul's admonition..

Let's observe...

300 Cubits in Length..

Genesis 6 tells us that the Ark was 300 cubits in length (vs. 15). In Scripture, the number 300 is repeatedly used in connection with complete deliverance, a faithful remnant, and divine victory in conflict. For example, in Judges 7, we see the Midianites utterly defeated by a small 300 man army, composed of those whom God had separated unto Himself. In the natural, it looked like a suicide charge. However, God doesn't need our strengths; He doesn't want mere numbers - He simply wants quality. How interesting that, like Noah's Ark, this small remnant of men were to be the complete deliverance of Israel! All of God's people were going to receive deliverance, but the vessel of deliverance was the 300! Even so shall it be with the many-membered Ark that God is building in these last days, "a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2).

A similar example is found in 1st Chronicles 11:20: "And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three". Here was yet another case of supernatural deliverance involving the number 300. A mighty deliverance was wrought in Israel by a single man, Abishai. Today, we see a similar need for the church, and for all the world. And thankfully, God is bringing forth His vessel, a company of blood-bought, Spirit-filled overcomers having the very glory of God, and bringing supernatural deliverance: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isa 60:1-3).

Here are a few other instances where the number 300 is used in relation to supernatural deliverance by a faithful remnant. Friends, these are no mere coincidences:

- Enoch walked with God after living for 300 years (Gen 5:22). After, and not before, he passed through the veil into the very presence of God. He was supernaturally delivered from the power of the grave.
- Solomon had 300 shields of beaten gold (1 Kgs 10). And what are shields for? They're for an army to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one (Eph 6:16); the shield of faith is to supernaturally deliver the bearer from evils.
- Mark 14:3-6 tells the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with spikenard worth 300 pence. She was anointing Jesus for His coming trial. Soon, Jesus would hang upon His cross, bringing supernatural deliverance to the entire human race!

Reader, this Ark of deliverance will be a supernatural one. It will be composed of a faithful remnant of sons who strive for quality above mere quantity. As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be!

50 Cubits in Breadth..

Genesis 6 also tells us that the breadth of the Ark was to be 50 cubits (vs. 15). In Scripture, the number 50 represents liberty, freedom and Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4; Lev 23:16; Num 8:25; etc). Simply said, this company of sons will be fully anointed by God's Spirit (and thus at liberty), for the number 50 refers to the anointing, both at Pentecost (the firstfruits), and then the fullness of the Spirit without measure.

Leviticus 25:8-11 says, "And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed".

Notice what it says about the 50th year. After 49 full years, there was to be a year of Jubilee. The land would rest, all debts would be cleared, all slaves made free, all bondages loosed, and every man's rightful possession would be returned to him. In short, this was the fullness of what the Feast of Pentecost was only a promise of, and it was the year of restoration! Similarly, those who compose this last day Ark of deliverance will likewise possess the fullness of the promise, and the restoration promised to the sons of God: "the land is as the garden of Eden before them" (Joel 2:3). The glory of this latter house will be greater than the former! The spiritual year of Jubilee will be when the purchased possession is redeemed and given to the remnant of God (Eph 1:13-14). Notice what the Amplified Version of Ephesians 1:13-14 says, "[We have been] stamped with the seal of the long promised Holy Spirit... That Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance, the first fruit, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage, in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring complete possession of it, to the praise of His glory"! Wow!

Peter goes on to tell us that this "full inheritance" and "final salvation" is ready to be revealed, and will be revealed "in the last time", a.k.a. the days of Noah (1 Pet 1:4-5, AMP)! Friends, shouldn't we put our hope in this truth? Let's stop waiting for some premature rapture to rescue us.. Rather, let's readjust our attention to King Jesus and ask Him "to bring to full salvation those who are eagerly, constantly and patiently waiting for and expecting Him" (Heb 9:28, AMP)! Yes, the fullness of God's Spirit, the fullness of salvation is coming into the vessel He has chosen! Hallelujah!

30 Cubits in Height..

And finally, Genesis 6 says the height was to be 30 cubits (vs. 15). In Scripture, the number 30 represents full stature, maturity, and authority to rule. Joseph was 30 years old when he finally stood before Pharaoh (Gen 41:46). David was 30 years old when he began to reign (2 Sam 5:4). In the Levitical tradition, a man must be 30 years old before he could enter the priesthood (Num 4). In fact, Jesus Himself was 30 years old before His public ministry began (Lk 3:22-23). All of these men, and more, were 30 years of age when God placed them in their respective positions of power, authority and dominion. Why then is this the height of Noah's Ark? Simply because God is showing us that His end-time vessel of deliverance will be a company of sons who have come "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13; Heb 6:19-20; Eph 3:19; 1:23)! Hallelujah! Let others beg for the weak, lukewarm, indifferent and immature church to be hastily raptured away.. as for me, I am looking forward to a glorious company of sons, without spot or wrinkle, coming forth in the power, authority and full-stature of their Forerunner - the precious Lord Jesus (Gal 4:19). They will put every enemy under foot, and will be God's vessel of deliverance: "And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass" (Mic 5:7)!

Therefore, in the light of all we have seen, let us ask yet again... do we still want to be "taken" prematurely?

To Be Continued...

And One Shall Be Taken??

The Rapture Theory, Part 2 of 7

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt 24:37-42; Lk 17:26).

From these verses, we can easily determine that Jesus is saying the last days will bear a marked similarity to the days in which Noah lived. They will be "as it was". Not different, not the opposite way, but as it was in the days of Noah. Many people will say these verses are evidence for some kind of an escape out of the earth (a rapture). However, what exactly happened in the days of Noah? Who was taken, and who was left? Friends, many preachers and teachers today are telling us to pray to be "taken when Jesus comes".. But this is not an accurate statement! It was the wicked who were taken in the day of Noah - taken in the floods of judgment. It was the righteous who were left behind to inherit the new earth. When the waters receded and the Ark landed, Noah and his family stepped out to the new earth, and it all belonged to them! The fat of the land was now theirs; the wicked had been taken away, and yet man has devised a "rapture theology" which states the exact opposite! How strange. Of course we believe in a "catching up" of the saints (the Bible declares it), but not to the extent, manner nor the timing that the rapture theory insists. I simply cannot believe that the "catching up" is to snatch a weak, poor, half-hearted and down-trodden people out from under the heel of Satan. Psalm 37 tells us that the wicked are the ones taken from the land, while the righteous are left to inherit it: "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land... For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Ps 37:3, 9-11).

Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (Jn 15:1-2; Matt 15:13). Please notice that the one who was taken away was the one who wasn't bearing fruit. The wicked are the one's taken - those who are fruitless.. And what is their end? Hebrews gives us a glimpse: "that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned" (Heb 6:8). Friends, I don't want to be taken in that manner! I don't want to be rejected! Do you? I want to fulfill my purpose, and then be caught up! Not prematurely.

Over and over in Scripture, we read of being "taken"... And interestingly, it is most always in a negative context: "Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken" (Prov 3:25-26). Again Scripture tells us, "The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness" (Prov 11:6)... "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself" (Prov 5:22).

John also tells us being taken: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 Jn 2:19). Dear reader, do you want to continue, or be taken? In John's Gospel, the one who is "lost", i.e taken away, is the son of perdition: "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled" (Jn 17:12)! Let's ask again, would you rather be kept or taken?

Job tells us, "In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand" (Job 34:20).

Jeremiah has said, "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it. Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days... The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?" (Jer 6:10-11; 8:9).

Can we notice how "the taking" is perpetually associated with sin, reproach, and spiritual deficiency? Surprising isn't it?

To Be Continued...

The Rapture Theory..

Part 1 of 7

Church history proves that some doctrines come and go like the wind. If a truth has not been birthed in the heart of God then it will inevitably pass away, even if men choose to stubbornly cling onto it. This seems to be the case with the common "rapture" belief. Over the course of the next few days, I want to examine the evidence for this "doctrine", and discover what the Bible has to say about the coming of the Lord.

What is the Rapture?

For the most part, when believers say the word "rapture", they are referring to an event in the futurist interpretation of Christian eschatology, in which it is suggested that Christians will be gathered together in the air to meet Christ at, or up to seven years prior, to His return. The primary passage used to support this idea is 1st Thessalonians 4:15-17, in which Paul cites "the word of the Lord" about the return of Jesus to gather His saints: "...and 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". There are many differing viewpoints concerning the coming of the Lord, the millenial reign, and the rapture theory (dispensationalism, amillenialism, premillenialism, postmillenialism, pretribulation, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation, ad infinitum). Time does not permit us to discuss each of these varied interpretations. Instead, we will simply see what the Bible has to say as a whole concerning the rapture.

The word "rapture" is not actually found in the Bible. It is an English word derived from the Latin rapio, "caught up", as found in the Vulgate rendering of 1st Thessalonians 4:17. Concerning the word's etymology, The New English Bible has this footnote: "suddenly caught up. Or "snatched up." The Greek verb ἁρπάζω implies that the action is quick or forceful, so the translation supplied the adverb "suddenly" to make this implicit notion clear.

The Bible does indeed speak of a "catching up" (Rev 12:5; Acts 8:39; 2 Cor 12:2-4; 1 Thess 4:17; Acts 1:9; Heb 11:35; Phil 3:11; etc). However, according to the Scriptures, this catching up will be nothing like that "catching away" which is taught from many pulpits. God is not coming to snatch a weak, poor, half-hearted and down-trodden people out from under the heel of Satan. The very thought goes against the entirety of Scripture! God has a plan for this earth, and His people are a part of it, "God... hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation... and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18-19).

Doctrinal History..

John Nelson Darby first proposed the pre-tribulation rapture in 1827. This view was accepted among many other Plymouth Brethren in England. Darby and other prominent Brethren were part of the Brethren Movement which impacted American Christianity, primarily through their writings. Influences included the Bible Conference Movement, starting in 1878 with the Niagara Bible Conference. These conferences led to an increasing acceptance of futurist premillennial views and the pre-tribulation rapture especially among Presbyterian, Baptist and Congregational members.

Proponents of a preliminary rapture believe the doctrine of amillennialism originated with Alexandrian scholars such as Clement and Origen, and was later brought wholly into Roman Catholic dogma by Augustine. Thus, the church until then held to premillennial views, which see an impending apocalypse from which the church will be rescued after being raptured by the Lord. Some pre-tribulation proponents further maintain that the earliest known extra-Biblical reference to the pre-tribulation rapture is from a sermon attributed to the fourth-century Church Father Ephraem the Syrian, which says, "For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins." However, the interpretation of this writing, as supporting a pre-tribulation rapture, is debated.

Its Popularization..

The rise in belief in the pre-tribulation rapture theory is often attributed to a 15-year old Scottish-Irish girl named Margaret McDonald. In 1830, she supposedly had a vision of the end times which describes her view of the rapture. It was first published in 1840. There is debate, however, of the veracity of this rumor.

Along with John Darby, further popularization of the term is associated with an evangelist named William Eugene Blackstone, whose book, Jesus is Coming, sold more than one million copies. The first known theological use of the word "rapture" in print occurs with the Scofield Reference Bible of 1909.

In 1957, John Walvoord, a theologian at Dallas Theological Seminary, authored a book, The Rapture Question, that supposedly gave theological support to the pre-tribulation rapture theory; this book eventually sold over 65,000 copies. In 1958, J. Dwight Pentecost authored another book supporting the pre-tribulation rapture, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology, which sold 215,000 copies.

During the 1970s, the rapture theory became popular in wider circles, in part due to the books of Hal Lindsey, including The Late Great Planet Earth, which has reportedly sold between 15 million and 35 million copies, and by the movie A Thief in the Night, which based its title on the scriptural reference 1st Thessalonians 5:2, "...the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night". More modern books and productions, such as the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, have given more and more people access into the major beliefs of the rapture theory.

Its Scriptural Basis?

The following Scriptures are used in support of the rapture theory:

Matthew 24:36-41 "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left".

Luke 17:28-37 "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together".

John 14:2–3 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also".

Philippians 3:20-21 "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself".

1 Corinthians 15:49–55 "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

2 Thessalonians 2:1-7 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way".

To Be Continued...

Take Up Your Cross!

"Take up the cross, and follow me" (Mk 10:21).

You have not the making of your own cross, although unbelief is a master carpenter at cross-making; neither are you permitted to choose your own cross, although self-will would fain be lord and master; but your cross is prepared and appointed for you by divine love, and you are cheerfully to accept it; you are to take up the cross as your chosen badge and burden, and not to stand cavilling at it. This night Jesus bids you submit your shoulder to his easy yoke. Do not kick at it in petulance, or trample on it in vain-glory, or fall under it in despair, or run away from it in fear, but take it up like a true follower of Jesus. Jesus was a cross-bearer; he leads the way in the path of sorrow. Surely you could not desire a better guide! And if he carried a cross, what nobler burden would you desire? The Via Crucis is the way of safety; fear not to tread its thorny paths.

Beloved, the cross is not made of feathers, or lined with velvet, it is heavy and galling to disobedient shoulders; but it is not an iron cross, though your fears have painted it with iron colours, it is a wooden cross, and a man can carry it, for the Man of sorrows tried the load. Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Remember that Jesus carried it, and it will smell sweetly; remember that it will soon be followed by the crown, and the thought of the coming weight of glory will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble. The Lord help you to bow your spirit in submission to the divine will ere you fall asleep this night, that waking with to-morrow's sun, you may go forth to the day's cross with the holy and submissive spirit which becomes a follower of the Crucified.

- C.H.S.

Is the Glass Half-Empty?

Terrorist bombings. Middle East turmoil. $3.95 gas. Killer floods. Moral breakdown. Fragile economies.

No wonder Charlie Sheen is going crazy!

Seriously, there’s a lot of bad news out there. Negative headlines make people fearful, agitated, addicted or even sick. But from what I’ve read in my Bible, Christians should not freak out every time a gloomy cloud settles over us. We, of all people on earth, should be full of hope.

A few days ago a friend asked me what I thought about a prophecy from a well-known Christian leader. This man has predicted a financial collapse in the United States by sometime next year. Other Christians have foreseen terrorist attacks, assassinations, bread lines and even the total breakdown of society. My friend asked me: “What are you hearing from the Lord about the future?”

I’m not a fancy guy, and I don’t pretend to understand the intricacies of the federal deficit or the real meaning behind “climate change.” I’m not privy to what al-Qaida is doing inside the United States or who is pulling the strings behind the protests in Yemen, Libya or Bahrain. (And I’m not sure our lawmakers in Washington understand these things either.)

But I do know the Bible is a book of hope—and the last book of the Bible (which is often viewed as pure doom and gloom) is actually a message of triumph. Recently I’ve been finding comfort and encouragement in Revelation. Here’s what I know about the future based on the apostle John’s amazing vision:

1. Jesus will remain on His throne. Revelation opens with a glorious vision of the triune God on His throne (see 1:4-6) and it ends with a scene of the restored Eden—with a river flowing from God’s throne (see 22:1-2). The Bible does not end with gloom or destruction. It ends with restoration and grace. This is God’s ultimate plan for us.

Never lose sight of the throne. You can bank on it. It is solid and secure. No matter what the devil or sinful men devise—terror plots, nuclear bombs, stock market crashes—in the end Jesus overrules the wicked. And He has the last word: “Yes, I am coming quickly” (22:20).

2. His kingdom will continue to advance. I know many Christians who have a Chicken Little mentality. Like the faithless spies who were frightened by Canaan’s giants, Christian pessimists view the world with a glass-half-empty perspective. They focus on what the devil is doing rather than on how God is working by His Spirit.

I want to shake these people to wake them up. Look around! Missiologists believe China will be a Christian nation by 2035. Churches are growing at record rates in India and parts of Africa. Before long a wave of missionaries from the developing world will descend on every unevangelized region of the world. And I’m convinced one of the greatest spiritual awakenings in history will take place in the Middle East.

I’m not saying wicked people won’t get worse, or that banks won’t fail at times, or that we should adopt a Pollyanna worldview that ignores the threat of evil. But please read your Bible! We win!

God is not the kind of builder who starts a project and then leaves it unfinished. He was serious when He commissioned us to take the gospel to the whole world. He will supply the grace, the manpower, the strategy and the funds to get the job done. In the end, a “great multitude which no one could count” (7:9)—will be redeemed by Christ. This hope stirs my heart every day and gives me the strength to press on.

3. His grace will see us through every challenge. The first Christians who read John’s message in Revelation faced lions and gladiators in the coliseums of Rome. Throughout history, Christians have been beheaded, hanged, stoned, drawn-and-quartered, burned at the stake, tortured, starved in gulags, shot, banished to work camps and denied human rights. Yet these people appear in the book of Revelation. It says of them: “And they overcame [the devil] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” (12:11).

Please don’t abandon your hope. Don’t let the headlines—whether on CNN or Fox News—turn you into a Christian pessimist. If the martyrs of the ages can sing a victory song, surely we can maintain our joy when we face the uncertainties of our future.


- J. Lee Grady