Allah Almighty, the Exalted, in His boundless mercy and wisdom, sent down our forefather Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) and Mother Eve (Haw’
The Hour is Near. By Albert Porter
Before I get into a discussion about the timing of the Rapture, I must briefly explain what believe to be the difference between the Rapture and Second Coming. I’ve discussed this in books I’ve written and in one of my articles on this site. I’m bringing it up again because I just had another Christian tell me the Rapture and Second Coming are the same event.
I believe that distinguishing between the Rapture and the Second Coming helps clarify biblical prophecy, Christian hope, and the nature of Christ’s return, while also respecting the diversity of interpretations among believers. And although there are Christians who built their belief on the word of their family, the church they have attended, and the belief of that pastor, I would strongly exhort them to study the scriptures carefully and consider the logic of God.
I don’t want to use this space as a defense for my beliefs (as well as the overwhelming number of Christians globally) but suffice to say the scriptures (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) are compelling empirical evidence and we get further justification in clarifying an important difference in the two events in Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32, and Luke 21:32, when Jesus tells His disciples that no one will know the exact day or hour of His return.
The Rapture has Jesus coming in the clouds at an unknown time to take His Church (His Bride for a wedding feast) away from the harm of the Tribulation, and the Second Coming has Jesus bring His Church to earth to keep His word to Israel. One was coming in the clouds to take His Church, and the other was stepping on earth and bringing His people to complete His plan for Israel. There is a separate and compelling argument that these are two separate events when you consider the issue of imminence. As Jesus said, “no one will know the exact day or hour of His return that holds for the Rapture, but the Second Coming is well established as coming at the very end of the seven-year Tribulation.
Rapture Theories Abound
Recent UN activities have unmistakable implications in terms of Bible prophecy. There’s already been a vote with most nations favoring the recognition of a Palestinian state, which would divide the land that God gave to the descendants of Jacob. The Bible long ago said that such activity would mark the last days as well as spark the Lord’s anger (Joel 3:1-3 highlights God’s accountability for the nations that scattered His people, divided the land, and treated them with cruelty. A year or two ago, there was widespread clamoring among the nations to divide Israel and Jerusalem. Many Christians thought that would not happen until after the Rapture, but it’s already here.
In one of my past articles, I joked about the prophecies of Nostradamus and Dionne Warwick, and I have always considered their work as satanism and still do. On the other hand, some events and scriptures come together so logically it piques our interest and raises our eyebrows. Such is the fact that Jesus fulfilled the first four “feasts of the Lord,” recorded in Leviticus 23:4-22, during His first appearing. As such, many students of Bible prophecy believe He will fulfill the remaining three festivals during His future return to the earth.
Rosh Hashanah, as it’s called today, or the Feast of Trumpets as the original name of the feast, is next in line awaiting fulfillment. “The last trump” refers to the Feast of Trumpets and the Jewish practice of blowing shofars during the feast. There are a series of short trumpet sounds followed by one long trumpet blast, which is called the tekiah gedolah, “the great trumpet blast.” As such, it says nothing concerning the timing of the rapture; only that the rapture, whenever it occurs, will fulfill the Feast of Trumpets.
Some well-known evangelists are suggesting that, perhaps with what’s happening in the UN, with China, with Russia, with North Korea, and definitely with Iran, and agree that the Rapture fulfills the Feast of Trumpets, are pointing out that the Feast of Trumpets falls on September 11-13 this year. There is the precedent for Jesus fulfilling the feasts during the time God set for them. Is Jesus returning for the Rapture of the church planned for this year’s Feast of the Trumpets? Is 9/11 another wrinkle? What about the last Trump? (is that “The Donald”).
Regardless of what we believe about Rosh Hoshana or its fulfillment in the Rapture,most of us agree that the time is exceedingly short until Jesus takes us home to glory. We know that the Rapture will happen before the Tribulation period, and that day of wrath is approaching faster than we can even imagine. It’s not easy to fully grasp just how quickly our world will change in the twinkling of an eye.
Matthew 24:44 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect him.”
Are we ready? Is the hour near?
I believe that distinguishing between the Rapture and the Second Coming helps clarify biblical prophecy, Christian hope, and the nature of Christ’s return, while also respecting the diversity of interpretations among believers. And although there are Christians who built their belief on the word of their family, the church they have attended, and the belief of that pastor, I would strongly exhort them to study the scriptures carefully and consider the logic of God.
I don’t want to use this space as a defense for my beliefs (as well as the overwhelming number of Christians globally) but suffice to say the scriptures (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) are compelling empirical evidence and we get further justification in clarifying an important difference in the two events in Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32, and Luke 21:32, when Jesus tells His disciples that no one will know the exact day or hour of His return.
The Rapture has Jesus coming in the clouds at an unknown time to take His Church (His Bride for a wedding feast) away from the harm of the Tribulation, and the Second Coming has Jesus bring His Church to earth to keep His word to Israel. One was coming in the clouds to take His Church, and the other was stepping on earth and bringing His people to complete His plan for Israel. There is a separate and compelling argument that these are two separate events when you consider the issue of imminence. As Jesus said, “no one will know the exact day or hour of His return that holds for the Rapture, but the Second Coming is well established as coming at the very end of the seven-year Tribulation.
Rapture Theories Abound
Recent UN activities have unmistakable implications in terms of Bible prophecy. There’s already been a vote with most nations favoring the recognition of a Palestinian state, which would divide the land that God gave to the descendants of Jacob. The Bible long ago said that such activity would mark the last days as well as spark the Lord’s anger (Joel 3:1-3 highlights God’s accountability for the nations that scattered His people, divided the land, and treated them with cruelty. A year or two ago, there was widespread clamoring among the nations to divide Israel and Jerusalem. Many Christians thought that would not happen until after the Rapture, but it’s already here.
In one of my past articles, I joked about the prophecies of Nostradamus and Dionne Warwick, and I have always considered their work as satanism and still do. On the other hand, some events and scriptures come together so logically it piques our interest and raises our eyebrows. Such is the fact that Jesus fulfilled the first four “feasts of the Lord,” recorded in Leviticus 23:4-22, during His first appearing. As such, many students of Bible prophecy believe He will fulfill the remaining three festivals during His future return to the earth.
Rosh Hashanah, as it’s called today, or the Feast of Trumpets as the original name of the feast, is next in line awaiting fulfillment. “The last trump” refers to the Feast of Trumpets and the Jewish practice of blowing shofars during the feast. There are a series of short trumpet sounds followed by one long trumpet blast, which is called the tekiah gedolah, “the great trumpet blast.” As such, it says nothing concerning the timing of the rapture; only that the rapture, whenever it occurs, will fulfill the Feast of Trumpets.
Some well-known evangelists are suggesting that, perhaps with what’s happening in the UN, with China, with Russia, with North Korea, and definitely with Iran, and agree that the Rapture fulfills the Feast of Trumpets, are pointing out that the Feast of Trumpets falls on September 11-13 this year. There is the precedent for Jesus fulfilling the feasts during the time God set for them. Is Jesus returning for the Rapture of the church planned for this year’s Feast of the Trumpets? Is 9/11 another wrinkle? What about the last Trump? (is that “The Donald”).
Regardless of what we believe about Rosh Hoshana or its fulfillment in the Rapture,most of us agree that the time is exceedingly short until Jesus takes us home to glory. We know that the Rapture will happen before the Tribulation period, and that day of wrath is approaching faster than we can even imagine. It’s not easy to fully grasp just how quickly our world will change in the twinkling of an eye.
Matthew 24:44 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect him.”
Are we ready? Is the hour near?
You May Also Like
As the world approaches the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Indonesian health officials and community advocates are calling for a stronger peop
After creating man, Allah Almighty included within his nature an administrative structure for the family, whereby he might continue the journey of
PCP need your support that we may provide you better services: click on donate
"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti
On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.