Fact Or Fiction The Rapture Of The Church

For a number of reasons, not the least of which is the Middle East crisis, there has recently been an upswing in interest in the matter of the Rapture of the Church.

Ever since Israel became a nation again in 1948 people have been watching to see what would happen and whether as some expected, we would witness the fulfillment of Biblical prophesy or if nothing would happen, effectively rendering the Bible as interesting but unreliable.

The Rapture of the Church, what is it?

This significant event, proposed to take place when Jesus Christ the Messiah returns to earth. Anyone alive at the time (or if they have passed on that were believers while alive)that are believers in Yashuah Ha Masciach (The Messiah Jesus in Hebrew), will take part in this rapture event

will actually be transported up into the sky to meet with the Lord just before His return to the earth where He will set up His Millennial Kingdom over which He is going to rule and reign for 1000 years.

Why is the rapture of the church such a contentious issue? There are very few believers that do not wholeheartedly believe in the event of the rapture. The Bible makes it very clear in fact that it must happen. The big bone of contention is when it will happen!

The Great Tribulation

So this is where the disconnect comes. The Bible describes in the book of Revelation this terrible time called "The Great tribulation" when God pours out His wrath upon the earth to punish the impurity of those that just refuse to hear His voice.

Some churches teach that this rapture of the church is meant to save the Christian believers from having to endure going through this terrible time that will essentially see two thirds of the earth's population wiped out. They believe that Messiah will come and take them all out of harms way before the start of this terrible event. This perspective is usually referred to as the pre trib thinking.

In some instances the teaching differs. The proponents of Mid trib thinking suggest that during the first half of the seven year period of great tribulation, all of the believers will still be present on the earth and will witness the devastating power of God's wrath poured out upon the earth. Then, just before the earth's remaining population is suckered into believing in the "peace" presented to them by the new leader of the united world, the "Anti-Christ", the Christians are raptured away to safety thus avoiding the total devastation of the remaining 3 and a half years.

Last and by no means least, we have the less popular position that the rapture of the church will not take place until after the 7 year period of tribulation, post trib. So all the Christian believers get to stay on earth with everyone else and suffer the trials and tribulations in the same way. When you read the convincing arguments of the ardent supporters of any of these positions, they all have merit. They all can be supported to some degree by finding scriptures that uphold their desire to be correct. It really is quite fascinating!

Whats says God regarding this rapture of the church?

It surely makes sense that His is the only valid opinion after all as His is infallible. In the book of second Timothy chapter 2 verse 15, He says "Study to show yourself approved"

There is a common trap to be avoided, that of being complacent, don't rely on what other people interpret for you. The Lord Himself recently gave me a wonderful teaching regarding the perils of being complacent which you may well find enlightening.

What should you know about the church's rapture?

I personally believe that the whole issue of the churches rapture is a 'guidepost' if you will to an issue of even greater importance; The coming Kingdom and the part each individual will or will not play in it.

I will pray that anyone discovering this message will find that their pursuit of knowledge of the rapture will launch them on a voyage of discovery which will plumb the depths of the scriptures regarding the coming Kingdom (which is nearer than we know)

To find out more about the rapture of the church visit my site at http://in-amen.com