Still On The Throne
Dennis Huebshman
Matthew 24:10-12; “And then many will fall away and betray one another, and hate one another. (11) And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (12) And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (any emphasis mine)
He is talking mostly about the 7-year Tribulation period, but in Luke 21:28, we can take this as a pre-rapture sign. He says; “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (ESV) Matthew 24:36 (NKJV); “But of that day and hour, no one knows; not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son except the Father only.” The signs began several years ago, and we are definitely at that point today.
Without giving any specific time frame of the end time events, God spoke through several prophets and disciples, as to what signs to look for. One of the main signs was the parable of the Fig tree. This was understood to refer to Israel, and the phases it would go through.
Joel 2: 22;24-25;32: “Fear not, you beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness are green, and the tree bears its fruit; the Fig Tree and the vine give their full yield. (prosperous) (24) The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. (25) I will restore to you the years (almost 2000) that the swarming locust has eaten; the hopper; the destroyer and the cutter, My great army which I sent among you. (Israel was desolate until about 1948) (26) You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people will never be put to shame again. (32) And it shall come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Right now, Israel is a very prosperous nation with a strong and respected military presence in the Middle East. They went from being a desolate wasteland, to having fertile fields of crops and vineyards, and today they export a lot of products to numerous other nations. From May 14, 1948 on, it is obvious to those who care to admit it, that God has blessed Israel, and has kept it from being annihilated by the surrounding countries No other nation on this earth has ever come back and prospered after so long of a period of time.
Looking at Matthew 24:32-34; “From the Fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as the branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know summer is near. (33) So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates. (34) Truly, I say to you, this generation (from 1948) will not pass away until all these things take place” I do not know the length of the “generation” the Lord spoke of, but so far it’s been just over 72 years.
Israel has been nothing short of a miracle from the first day, but as in the past, the people have not turned completely to their God and their Messiah. Presently, it’s estimated that about 1% to 2% of the worldwide Jewish population is messianic – accepts Jesus as Savior. Romans 11:25 speaks about this; “Lest you be wise in our own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this “mystery”, brothers (sisters); a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.”
A lot of events happening today are causing people to “faint from fear” as given in Luke 21:26. They are being controlled by events of this world, rather than putting their faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. Again, God is not surprised by any of this. Shortly, there will be an attack against Israel (Ezekiel 38/39), and they will again be miraculously saved. This time it will be with obvious Heavenly resources. Then, a very charismatic person will emerge with an ultimate plan for peace that the whole world will applaud. Enter the antichrist and the 7-year Tribulation.
Randy Nettles
The English word ”rapture” is derived from the Latin word “rapio” which means “to carry away,” or “to catch up.” Although the word “rapture” is not found in the Bible, it is based on Biblical scripture. Jesus never fully explained the Rapture to his disciples before his crucifixion, although he hinted at it a few times (Matthew 24:36-44; Luke 17:26-36; John 14:1-4). The Rapture was a mystery until God revealed it to Paul many years after Jesus’ death. The timing of his revelation is unknown. Perhaps it was when Paul went into Arabia (Galatians 1:17) after his Damascus experience and conversion or later when he returned to Damascus. Some have suggested this revelation occurred when Paul was caught up to heaven as per 2 Corinthians. “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1).
The details of the Rapture regarding the resurrection and transformation of all dead and living believers in Jesus Christ were first given by Paul to the Church in Thessalonica in about A.D. 51.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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 Thessalonians 4:13-17)
The Greek word for “caught up” is “harpazō” and means “to seize, or carry off by force” or “to snatch away.” About 5 years later, in 56 BC, Paul reinforced the concept of the rapture to the Church of Corinth. “Behold! I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
Another famous scripture regarding the rapture was given by Jesus himself and recorded by the disciple John many decades later. “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 unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).
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