Up. Imagine it.
Christ Jesus—The Almighty King of Heaven and Earth—coming for His bride! Commanding her to “Come up here!”
The Apostle Paul described the “rapture”—the catching up of the saints—as that great and promised mystery of the church. The very idea of it is magnificent, and thrilling. And, no doubt, matches the character of our loving Creator, proven time and time again in the Bible. God always rescues His waiting remnant!
It’s no wonder that, for so many, the rapture sounds like some kind of fairy tale.
It’s such a contrast—against a world now so helplessly failing, and spiraling downward upon itself. And against the humanistic idea that we can save ourselves somehow, through some sort of “great reset.”
But if you happen to be a born again, blood-bought believer in Jesus Christ, you are undoubtedly sensing what millions of us others are around the world. This truth. This assurance. This hope.
At this time in history—as daily headlines line up with Bible prophecy with stunning frequency and accuracy—it seems that there is nowhere for you and I to go, but UP!
And thankfully, our gracious God, with all of His promised and perfect plans, knows the day and hour when that will happen.
You may not be sure about the timing of the rapture. That’s for another upcoming article. But please allow me to encourage you. This truth is in God’s Word, and we need to hold on to this hope more than ever before.
In the face of the depressing and terrifying headlines. The uncertainty and fear. If you belong to Jesus Christ, He is coming to rescue you, my friend.
And God holds a promised future for you, that you can’t begin to comprehend.
CHRIST’S RAPTUROUS CATCHING AWAY OF HIS CHURCH
“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.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
It begins with a shout. With the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet blast of God!
Christ Jesus is coming upon the clouds, just as sure as the day you were born. Just as He said.
And those of us who are still alive and remaining on the earth at that moment, will be “caught up together” with the billions of other believers in Christ, who have gone before us. We will meet the Lord in the air, and will be with Him forever.
Here it is—the rapture. In black and white, straight out of the Bible. So be quick to believe it.
For soon, this event will happen. Those of us now waiting for His glorious appearing are almost groaning in expectation. But one day, suddenly and soon, this moment will be upon us. And it will be more real than reality has ever been.
This will be a physical departure from the earth—a separation of Christ’s redeemed (those who have believed in the power and authority of Christ Jesus to save them) from the merely religious (those who practice Christianity without ever personally receiving Christ’s gift of salvation.)
Like a thief, Jesus will take us away, before a shaken and wondering world. But in reality, our Lord cannot steal what is rightfully and righteously His: His own bride. His own church. His very own family members!
For we have been bought with an unfathomably great price.
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:50-52
Now close your eyes, and allow your mind’s eye to imagine that moment: that great and Holy, momentous trumpet blast!
Its perfect pitch—like a wonderful, welcoming song—reverberates across a rolling sky. Unmistakable. Commanding. It seems to permeate your very being.
And just like that—in a tiny fraction of a millisecond—you find yourself changed. Your body and mind have become perfect, pure, and immortal, and you are clothed in magnificent light.
Just as those uncountable generations of past believers are also suddenly transformed into the likeness of the Son. Each fully alive in immortality—to never, ever die again!
And oh, His voice. That voice you’ve so longed to hear, but never physically have. Until this moment. As He calls you and compels you to be His! “Come up here, my beloved! Come home to me!” Claiming you. Completing you.
Will we weep? Or will we laugh, like rescued children? Neither. For there is no time. As we are gloriously changed forever. In that moment! In that twinkling of an eye. Just like that—we are gone!
THE INNUMERABLE AND GLORIOUS INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
Hebrews 9:14-15
Wow. That was a mouthful. But basically, we, the called in Christ, are about to receive our eternal inheritance. All that is in Christ!
So go ahead and let that sink in for a while. Dream a little. But let’s not overthink it. After all, can anyone, this side of heaven, truly comprehend what our heavenly Father longs to bestow upon His children?
But this we know: that Christ himself is the mediator (the executor) of the will. So you know that every amazing and marvelous detail has been taken care of.
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power,
when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
Hebrews 1:1-4
“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Hebrews 1:13-14
The scriptures proclaim that Jesus Christ—the Creator of all things—is also the rightful heir of all things.
And soon, He will give to us—you, and me—freely. Of all that he has, and of all that He is.
We are the “heirs of salvation.” Undoubtedly, we are the direct recipients of this Kingdom of heaven and earth. Through His salvation, by His redeeming blood, we are His direct heirs.
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
Galatians 4:6-7
This verse declares that we are “sons.” We receive the inheritance, just as firstborn sons did in ancient Israel. It’s too astounding to wrap our minds around, isn’t it? How our Heavenly Father must see his family members—you, and me.
We are sons of the Living God! Created in His image. And then born anew, into an everlasting covenant. Translated into another realm, His Kingdom! Heirs of His everlasting inheritance.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Romans 8:14-17
We can cry, “Abba (my) Father!” Can there be any more privileged words, for God’s own people to proclaim to Him?
Can you sense it? Your Father’s overshadowing, sheltering presence? Your own son-ship? Your place of divine calling?
We have been adopted into that high and holy position of family in Christ. To be joint-heirs with Him. Just try to imagine what that might mean, even centuries of time from now.
Our tiny minds of this realm may imagine that our inheritance could be piles of gold and gems. Or maybe some ultra high class piece of real estate, nestled in the clouds somewhere.
But try to think about what is most precious and costly to the very heart of Almighty God. Most probably, those will be the things our Lord has suffered and died to bring us.
Picture the currency of His heavenly kingdom, and what value system it may employ. An everlasting love, forever lavished upon us. His eternal peace. Possibly these fruits of the Spirit will become part of our new DNA. Now, that would certainly be a most treasured and priceless possession!
Think of the joy, ever emanating like a river, from God’s very presence! And certainly, God’s power and authority, placed upon those He now calls “sons.” All of this is too wonderful, too unspeakable for words!
What we deem as valuable here on present earth, will be incomparable to the things esteemed in His Righteous Kingdom. And we can be sure of this: whatever is truly held in God’s eternal value system, we shall undoubtedly, generously, and eternally receive.
THE JOYOUS AND MAGNIFICENT MARRIAGE FEAST OF THE LAMB
“And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
Revelation 19:5-9
Oh, the images that come to mind—of that glorious, over-the-top celebration of the bride, before her bridegroom! What an amazing time to be alive—fully alive—in Christ. What a privileged moment. To be His!
Take a little quiet time to see it. To hear it. To imagine the power of such a moment.
Wave upon wave, upon roaring wave of praise, and rejoicing. Glories upon glories. Endless expressions of joy and thanksgiving! To be the bride, so gloriously adorned, and adored by her bridegroom. And He, so worthy to receive every expression of our love and thanksgiving!
What splendor! Words will never adequately describe such a place and time. It is to be the grandest event of all times. And to be there will be the highest honor afforded to anyone.
(By the way, everyone is invited! if you have not yet received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, I urge you to do so now.)
(Right now.)
We understand from scripture, that upon the rapture of the church, the redeemed in Christ will be elevated into heavenly realms for the duration of the seven-year tribulation period, which will simultaneously be taking place upon earth. It is not made clear what exactly we will be doing, or what we will be involved in during that period of time in Heaven.
But we may safely assume that some of that time will be spent on equipping, training, and adorning Christ’s bride, the raptured church. This thought is strengthened by the timing of Christ’s marriage supper, which seems to be the culmination of all things that have transpired up to that point.
Because just before it, comes the commanding announcement that Mystery Babylon has been utterly and forever destroyed. Thus, the marriage feast seems to be the pivotal point between the last of Sin’s old world order, and what comes just after the marriage feast.
Christ is then viewed upon his war horse, to finally come and take his rightful place of authority and rule, over a desperate planet:
“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:14-16
Picture such a magnificent moment. As billions of the redeemed—all on white horses—follow behind, after their Almighty King of Kings, and Lord of Lords!
Truly, with Christ, we the bride will have now been transformed into Heaven’s conquering army! And yet, we seem to be almost spectators, as our glorious God and Savior destroys His enemies, with the “sword” of His mouth! (The same mouth that spoke creation into being!) Imagine it!
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,
and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Matthew 24:29-31
How utterly astonishing to her foes—as this fit and fearless bride-army of God, arrayed in her blood-bought brilliance, descends upon planet earth! As she follows behind Christ Jesus—the “Son of man” slain for all—now the conquering King of all!
The very sight and sound of this would be breathtaking. And terrifying. But for those whose eyes have finally opened, during the great tribulation—those who finally believe in their Savior and Lord—how beautiful above the mountaintops, will the sight of this appearing be!
At this moment, all of Israel (true Israel—the remnant of people who receive Christ Jesus as Messiah) will be saved! And they will weep at His coming, and adore their King, as they long for the very first glimpse of His glory!
This will be that glorious and dreadful “second coming” of Christ Jesus! So wondrous to His friends. But utterly dreadful to his enemies.
THE COMING REIGN OF HEAVEN’S KINGDOM UPON EARTH
“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1 Corinthians 15:24-25
Imagine if you can, our world (or what might be left of it) after a long and hellish seven years of the greatest tribulation ever to come upon humanity. As Satan was unleashed upon the billions of planet earth, and the restraining of the Holy Spirit removed, unspeakable atrocities have taken place. Unthinkable agonies have been released upon a rebellious world.
It has been a time of earth’s history like no other. And thankfully, it will never be again. Much of the planet has been reduced to rubble. Countless populations have been decimated. Many have probably survived hidden away in “caves” of the earth. But probably, many still surviving would be those harboring evil intentions, and still very much the enemies of God.
Who could live in such a place? Who would want to?
But, astoundingly, Christ Jesus begins His kingdom reign upon earth, right here. He brings his righteous order into the midst of this unbelievable chaos and confusion.
This reminds me so much of Genesis 1:2, “the earth was without form and void, and filled with darkness.” The earth was without plan or purpose—but then God said, “Let there be light!”
How will Christ restore His devastated world? We can be assured that our Lord and King, the Creator of all things created, will certainly do it.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5
As sons of Christ, we are also co-heirs of his kingdom. And as He returns as conquering King, we step down onto the soil of the earth with Him.
Remember Adam and Eve, once the trusted caretakers of the garden? At last, those of us in Christ will have finally stepped into that trusted position. But it’s much more than that! We will be used in ministry, as a literal participant of His rule and reign upon earth. For the earth—and those people still in human form living on it and repopulating it—has literally become our inheritance.
“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”
2 Timothy 2:11-12a
Yes, we can put our trust in this faithful saying. We who have died to self, and submitted our lives to God’s own will. We who have suffered for just a little while—in this short lifetime—will soon reign with Him, throughout His vast eternity.
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:
and we shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:9-10
Surely now, we see our very destiny in Christ.
This goes way beyond what God through Christ accomplished two thousand years ago, entering the world as a humble child. Then, he was proclaimed to be our Immanuel (God with us!) But soon, He will again enter His world as conquering King!
And those of us in Christ, have been chosen to share in this mighty and immediate reign upon earth!
Let yourself visualize that new position you will soon be given to fill.
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying,
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ;
and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 11:15
Powerful! Can you hear it? That great, emancipating proclamation?
That transfer of earth shattering power and authority—as the old kingdoms of a failed world order are at last released, and transformed into the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ!
For He will absolutely rule in righteous authority! Faithfully, and forevermore!
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
Revelation 2:26-27
Wait. Did you catch that? This is our Lord speaking to His church—proclaiming that whomever overcomes and keeps (Christ’s own) works—to him, (you and me) will he (Jesus) give power over the nations!
That certainly sounds like the promise of a “ruling class” upon a post-tribulational planet earth. Hey, somebody’s got to clean up the mess, and restore order! And what a privilege it will be for us, to be a part of Christ’s own earth-renewal program!
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Matthew 25:21
These must be the words that all true believers in Christ so long to hear. What a promise! To be found faithful over a few things, but now enabled to rule over many things. Truly, God’s plans for us are far beyond our natural understanding!
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Revelation 20:6
There are many who try to turn this verse, and many other verses of Bible prophecy, into symbolism.
But the scriptures clearly tell us there will be a literal one thousand year, literal reign of Christ upon the earth. And we, who have taken part in the first resurrection in Christ, will also be literally taking our places within His promised reign.
We are identified here as “priests” of God. Can you feel that coming authority being placed upon you, in such a righteous kingdom? Believe it. For it will soon be your new identity!
“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;
and his servants shall serve him:
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:
and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 22:3-5
You may have heard the old church saying: “We’ve read the end of the book. And we win!”
Well, it’s true. And it just gets better and better. And why shouldn’t it?
After all, we serve the living, everlasting God! Christ Jesus—who was before time, who made all things, and who now firmly and faithfully holds all of eternity!
Were you expecting some boring, surreal little existence, playing your harp on a cloud somewhere? Sorry. Not a chance. Our Great God has such marvelous plans awaiting us, that only a loving God could conceive of, and freely give!
And in the middle of this mess—right now—imagine your place in those perfect plans. Even as the old, failed world must arise anew, from her ashes—and even as the old disorder is once and for all put to her final rest…
Who will you be? And what will you become?
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
You won’t be able to dream big enough dreams, about the things our God has in store for those who have loved Him! So, as scripture identifies you as someone who will soon reign with Him forever and ever, believe it.
You can believe it—as long as you know that it was never about who you are—but all about who you have been enabled to be, through Christ your Lord!
Yes, things are getting worse here on earth. So don’t look back. You have nothing to look back on, but everything to look forward to.
Until the moment comes where you will suddenly be changed, look up. For up is your soon and certain destination!
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Revelation 22:17
Yes, Lord! Thank you for your blessed hope, that now resides within us, your waiting Bride!
Come Lord Jesus! Make all things new!