The Glorious Hope of the Church

The Glorious Hope of the Church

Dr. Nathan E. Jones

Skip Heitzig

Of all the end time events, the Rapture of the Church generates the most interest and the most controversy. I have a friend who wrote that the Rapture is third in the list of top 10 topics that have most divided the Church—right after COVID-19 vaccinations and the Harry Potter books!

There has been disagreement about both the promise and the timing of the Rapture. When I was a new believer, I thought the Rapture was nonsense. I had never heard of it before in the church I’d grown up in and it simply did not compute. Then I read texts like 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Corinthians 15, and John 14. I came to believe in the Rapture and got pretty excited about the prospect that Jesus could come at any moment to take His Church with Him.

John 14 is a passage that some people might think has nothing to do with the Rapture. But the more I’ve studied it, the more I have come to realize that it is one of the first mentions or intimations of the glorious Blessed Hope of the Church—Jesus’ promise of the imminent, signless rapture of the Church—in the New Testament.

Known as the “Upper Room discourse,” it is the second-longest sermon Jesus ever preached (behind the Sermon on the Mount). It was delivered to His disciples in private, just before His crucifixion. The first six verses of this sermon are seminal:

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-6, NKJV)

There are four distinctive features about this Rapture—this coming—that He refers to:

1. Comfort

The first feature of the Rapture is its comfort. Why on Earth would Jesus say to His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled”? Because they were troubled. In fact, the anxiety among that group was rising minute by minute, because in this setting, at this last supper, He had just announced that He was leaving.

Just a few verses earlier, in John 13:33, Jesus said, “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.'” Simon Peter spoke up with the question all of them had: “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him and said again, “Where I go, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow me later.” In his own anguish and confusion, Peter responded, “Why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”

Jesus’ command to “Let not your heart be troubled” was given in a present passive imperative, meaning to stop an action already going on. They were already worried, already freaking out. So, Jesus said, “Stop it.” The words He offered to comfort them are simply this: “Believe in God; believe also in Me.” Then He said, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places [and] I go to prepare a place for you. If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2-3).   

Similarly, right after he described the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul wrote, “Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” There is nothing more comforting to those of us alive right now than the assurance that Jesus could come back at any moment for us.

Notice that Jesus described the place He is preparing (Heaven) in four ways:

First, Heaven is a real place. It isn’t a figment of your imagination or a wishful thought to get yourself through this present life. It’s an actual, real place.

Second, Heaven is a relational place. Notice that Jesus calls Heaven “My Father’s house.” Why? Because, when you’re there, you’ll be with your Heavenly Father and your Savior, the Lord, Jesus Christ. You’ll also be reunited with those believers who have died before you.

Third, Heaven is a diverse place. Some translations use the word “mansions,” but the Jewish context suggests that Jesus is referring to many rooms. This conveys the idea of a bridegroom adding a room onto his father’s house prior to bringing his bride home to live. The picture of New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband in Revelation 21, conveys a huge, beautiful, diverse city brimming with people.

Fourth, Heaven is a personal place. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Think of it this way: there’s a space and place in Heaven prepared for you. Jesus the Master Carpenter is custom building something just with you in mind!

So that’s the comfort of it. Let not your heart be troubled.

2. Chronology

The second feature of the Rapture is its chronology. Jesus said that He would go and prepare a place, and then “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). Some people try to soften the meaning of this promise by saying, “Well, He’s just talking about when you die, He’s going to receive you to where He is.”

But Jesus was speaking literally. He spoke of departing literally, and then He left. So, I expect that when He speaks of returning, He intends to literally return somehow to receive believers to Himself and take them to His Father’s house in Heaven.

The coming to “take you to the place I have prepared for you” cannot refer to the Second Coming of Revelation 19 either, because at that event, He comes to the Earth with His saints to set up His kingdom. It must, therefore, refer to something else. I believe it refers to the Rapture—Jesus’ coming for His Church.

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Pro-Israel Christians Are Now In The Crosshairs Of Europe's Rising Antisemitism

Pro-Israel Christians Are Now In The Crosshairs Of Europe's Rising Antisemitism

BREANNA CLAUSSEN

On Friday evening, a manhunt was launched in the Netherlands to track down suspects responsible for a bombing attack targeting Christians supportive of the Jewish State.

The explosive was planted at the front doors of a building belonging to a Dutch Christian organization (Christenen voor Israel), which seeks to stand "in solidarity with Israel and combat all forms of antisemitism." The group frequently features Pro-Israel lectures and sells Israeli-made products, helping to support the Jewish community, combat false information against the Jewish State, and counteract anti-Israel boycotts.

While the attack sparked outrage among officials in the nation, the most pointed comments came from the Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands, Zvi Vapni, who warned that the bombing was "not an isolated incident."

"First, Jews were intimidated and attacked in the Netherlands. Now Christians who support Israel are being targeted too," he emphasized, urging police to swiftly track down the person(s) accountable.

The rise of antisemitism in the Netherlands was on full display, especially among the Muslim population, in November of 2024, when Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam became the victims of a horrific pogrom. Jews were chased and brutally attacked in the streets by mobs, while others hid in nearby shops, awaiting the emergency planes en route from Israel to evacuate them.

In the eyes of many, it was a turning point in Europe's increasingly antisemitic landscape--closely and disturbingly echoing the Jewish experience in the early 20th century. As the Israeli ambassador detailed, the bombing of a Pro-Israel Christian organization is another bone-chilling step for the nation and continent.

Antisemitism expert, Olivier Melnick, refers to it as "Collateral Antisemitism," highlighting, "you no longer need to be Jewish to be a target of Jew-hatred."

Melnick recounted another disturbing recent incident in Europe, in which Pro-Palestinian activists in England went door-to-door recording the names of those who refused to support a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

"This is not activism; this is intimidation," Melnick stressed. "We are again seeing the 1930s and 40s being reenacted in front of our eyes. Supporters of the Jews and Israel are taking a stand and understanding the risk in doing so."

Trusted ministry leaders such as Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel are urging Christians to choose boldness over silence, taking a Biblical stand to defend and support Israel and the Jewish people--no matter the risk and opposition.

"The Israeli people have been the target of hate, oppression, murder, and genocide throughout history," Hamrick underscored. "Hitler's attempted annihilation of the Jews during World War II took an estimated 6 million Jewish lives. Satan has been inciting nations and people to hate Israel ever since the tiny Jewish nation became the conduit for God's redemptive plan for mankind."

Iran Agrees to Ceasefire, Grants Passage to Strait of Hormuz for Two Weeks

Iran Agrees to Ceasefire, Grants Passage to Strait of Hormuz for Two Weeks

Paul Bois

The Islamic Republic of Iran has agreed to a two-week ceasefire and will grant access to the Strait of Hormuz.

The brief statement from Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, credited the prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal Asim Munir for helping with negotiations:

On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I express gratitude and appreciation for my dear brothers HE Prime Minister of Pakistan Sharif and HE Field Marshal Munir for their tireless efforts to end the war in the region.

In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council:

If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations. For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.

President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social on Tuesday that Iran and the U.S. had reached a ceasefire agreement prior to his set deadline.

“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” the president said.

“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East. We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate,” he continued.

“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution,” he concluded.

Israel has also agreed to the ceasefire.

Iran launches missile barrage towards Israel despite ceasefire agreement

Iran launches missile barrage towards Israel despite ceasefire agreement

ARIELLA ROITMAN

Iran launched a series of missile barrages towards Israel overnight Wednesday, shortly after a ceasefire agreement between the US, Israel, and Iran was announced by US President Donald Trump.

Sirens sounded across southern, central, and northern Israel, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and the Jerusalem area.

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported three shrapnel fall sites in central and northern Israel.

Additionally, fallen missile cluster fragments were reported in the Sharon area. Central District police, Border police, and bomb disposal experts were dispatched to the scenes to investigate and conduct safety assessments.

Four people were lightly injured in the southern Bedouin town of Tel Sheva, according to MDA. 15 people were reported to be suffering from anxiety.

Israel expands ground operations in Southern Lebanon

Israel expands ground operations in Southern Lebanon

Israel Today Staff

The Israeli military (IDF) has further expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon and says it has secured a central defensive line along the border. The stated aim of the operation is to stop Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks on northern Israel and stabilize the security situation in the border region.

According to the army, units of the 98th Division have taken operational control of several strategic areas. In the process, numerous positions belonging to the Iran-backed Hezbollah were destroyed and its infrastructure was systematically pushed back. At the same time, the Israeli Air Force is carrying out coordinated strikes on military targets in southern Lebanon.

The IDF describes the campaign as a “determined operation” against Hezbollah, which it says has been actively involved in the war against Israel since March 2. Since then, the group has regularly launched rockets and drones at Israeli territory, opening a second front in the north.

In recent weeks, units of the 91st Division in particular have reportedly carried out targeted operations against armed cells. According to the army, fighters were also identified operating from within civilian buildings, including religious sites. The IDF has again accused Hezbollah of deliberately using civilian infrastructure for military purposes—an allegation that has also been raised by international observers in previous conflicts.

Soldiers also reportedly discovered extensive weapons stockpiles, including explosive devices, firearms, and rockets. Reservists from the 769th Brigade, operating under the command of the 91st Division, also found underground shelters storing military equipment and weapons, including RPG rockets and explosives. Hezbollah observation posts were also located and destroyed.

The army said one discovery drew particular attention: alongside weapons, troops allegedly found a flag belonging to the United Nations refugee agency. Independent confirmation of that incident has not yet been provided.

According to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Israel has killed more than 1,000 Hezbollah fighters since the fighting began. Those figures cannot currently be independently verified. Zamir also said the army is acting against the group “comprehensively and on multiple levels.”

The area south of the Litani River has now effectively been declared a military operational zone. In doing so, Israel is aligning itself in practice with the logic of UN Resolution 1701, which after the 2006 Lebanon war called for a demilitarized zone in that area. From Israel’s perspective, however, that arrangement was steadily undermined over the years by Hezbollah’s rearmament.