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...
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