Thank you for joining me in this venture to gain revelation of the wonderful Word of God! His Word is Life and He commands that we hide it in our hearts! Lord, open our minds and spirits to receive from you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Eric

The other day, my nephew and I were having a conversation when the subject of the ‘end-times’ came up. Mostly, we were discussing the timing of the rapture.

The word ‘rapture’ is not in the Bible, however, the chief Biblical source of the doctrine of the Rapture is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 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.”

Most doctrinal ideologies do not disagree on this ‘catching away’ taking place, however, they certainly do disagree on the timing. Matthew 24:21 and 22 speaks of a period of ‘great tribulation’. Daniel 9 reveals that the ‘tribulation’ event will be a time frame of seven years.

The disagreement comes as to “when” the ‘rapture’ or ‘catching away’ of the church will take place in conjunction with the seven years of tribulation. Some believe it will take place just before the seven year period of time begins, or “pre- trib”. Some believe the ‘catching away’ will take place three and a half years or mid way from the beginning of the tribulation period to the end. They are those who believe in a “mid-trib” rapture. Then, others believe the rapture will not take place until the end of the seven year period. They are expecting the “post-trib” rapture or catching away of the church.

Each doctrinal group has their reasons and scriptures to support their stance on the issue. These disagreements can become quite heated and have caused division in the body of Christ. The body of believers, or the church, has an enemy (the devil) who likes nothing better than to see division within the church.

Do I have my own belief concerning the issue? Yes, I do. However, that is not what this blog post is about.

You see, God’s Word reveals that only the Father God knows when the ‘end’ comes and Jesus returns. Matthew 24: 36 (ESV) declares, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

I can assure you, if Jesus does not know, all of those who disagree so vehemently do not know either. In fact, even though 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 reveals that we will not be in the dark and will be aware of the soon coming of the day of the Lord, we know from Matthew 26 that we will not know the exact hour. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.”

Thus, our concentration and focus in this post is not the “when” but on the “what.” “What” should we be doing to prepare for that day?

The entire chapter of Mark 13 deals with the subject of the ‘end-times’. The subtitles in my Bible read: Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple, The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age, The Great Tribulation, The Coming of the Son of Man, The Parable of the Fig Tree, and No Ones Knows the Day or Hour. The crux of the entire issue though can be seen in verses 32 through 37 where three times we are exhorted to “Take heed, watch and pray” (verse 33); “Watch therefore” (verse 35); and “I say to you all: watch” (verse 37). In verse 33, the word translated ‘watch’ is the Greek word agrypneo meaning: to be circumspect, attentive and ready. ‘Watch’ in verse 35 and 37 (gregoreuo) means: give strict attention to, be cautious and active. Whenever we see something repeated in the Scripture three times is an indicator that what is being said is extremely important and that we need to sit up and take notice!

Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 where as they waited for the bridegroom, five were ready and five were not. The five who were not ready, had run out of oil and were excluded. We read in verses 10 through 13, “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

The day of His coming will be as a thief in the night for those who have not prepared for it. If you or someone you know has not made the decision to accept Jesus as Lord, as of this day, and He comes… it will be too late.

Today is the day of salvation. When the shout occurs and the trump of the Lord is blown, it is too late to make that decision. The die has already been cast and you will be able to do nothing about it.

We are told in Matthew 25:4 and 5 to not be deceived or led astray. The only way to protect yourself is to know God’s Word and to be led by the Spirit and not man.

There are many clamoring voices wanting to be heard today. Prophets stand in a real position in the world to proclaim the truth. However, some who proclaim to be prophets are not. We must have the Spirit’s discernment for sure. John 8:31 and 32 (ESV) reads, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Ephesians 5:25b -27 (NLT), “Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault” During the time of waiting for His return we need to be living a holy life, being cleansed from sin by His Word.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NASB20), “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Blameless in spirit, soul, and body.

Yes, what is important is that we are ready for His return whenever it happens. We need to be walking in the Spirit, preparing to be as much like Him as we can!

Then, we read this warning in 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” Set your priorities in order now. Do not delay!

What does loving the world look like? We see this in Ephesians 4:22—32, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

We will look at this passage again, focusing on what loving God looks like:

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (only entertain those thoughts that are of the Lord) Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Put away lying, speak truth.

Be angry, and do not sin.

Do not give place to the devil.

Steal no longer.

Give to him who has need.

Speak what is good to edify or build up.

Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Then looking at Colossians 3:4 and 5, we see the deeds of the flesh which must be put away from our lives. It reads, “ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory, 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth (verses 5 -8): fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language.

Watch! Be ready!

Keep your mind on Him!

Jesus is coming back for a bride who has made herself ready. Revelation 19:6-8 (ESV), “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”

We will be with Jesus for eternity so we need to be very intentional now, concerning being ready and prepared for our intimate relationship with Him!

As we stay focused on loving and being obedient to Him and His Word, our relationship with Him will be secure and we will be prepared and ready for His return, regardless of whether it is ‘pre’, ‘mid’, or ‘post’ tribulation.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version.

ESV English Standard Version

NLT New Living Translation

NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020