Chariot of the bride

SOLOMON’S CHARIOT

Caught Up in a Chariot of Clouds                                                                         by Terry Smith

        The "catching up" or rapture of the church, as it is commonly called, has long been associated with a chariot. The prophet, Elijah, was caught up alive into heaven by a chariot of fire and serves as the spiritual precedent for those of us who believe in these words from 1Thess.4:17; "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".
        Christian and non-Christian alike are familiar with the old spiritual, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, ("comin' for to carry me home"), as a desperate, but beautiful plea for deliverance from this world through the hope of the resurrection, for those who "sleep" in Christ, but mainly for those who remain alive at the time of the Lord's appearing. Paul made this reference to it also when he declared the prize that awaited him, and many ‘other righteous ones’, who after finishing their course, fighting the good fight of faith and being vigilant and victorious in the spirit will get their reward: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8
       But there is another chariot, one which also speaks of the Rapture, a chariot sitting in a hidden showroom, parked quietly among the verses of the greatest love song ever written, The Song of Songs, which we call The Song of Solomon. Amid the verses of hope for the appearing of our beloved and the outcry of a betrothed lover waiting for her bridegroom and champion to come and sweep her away, our chariot, called Solomon's chariot, has been carefully and painstakingly built from the frame up with the finest materials expressly fitted for the great moment of the "catching up".
       But instead of the chariot of Elijah, one of fire dressed and fitted out in the glory and majesty from which it came – God’s holy heaven; our chariot has been furnished and built on this earth in the Spirit by the Spirit, for those who walk in discipleship of Truth, so they may be raised up to "meet the Lord in the air" and be with Him for evermore. The chariot for Elijah (because Jesus had not yet died and been resurrected) had to travel the distance through the heavens to earth to escort him home. Solomon's chariot, our chariot, the chariot of the virgin, undefiled bride, (figuratively and spiritually speaking, of course) will be activated in the "twinkling of an eye", and will dart instantly out of that heavenly ‘garage’ of faith so we can fly away to meet the Lord, our beloved, in the air. We will be transformed instantly and this, Solomon's chariot, is symbolic of the preparation God wants of His people as they by way of installment of faith and obedience to the Spirit put all their life’s hope in that promised moment which God has called the "first fruits resurrection". This is not the only resurrection of the dead, but the first delicious and long awaited fruits of His burgeoning kingdom in His Son.
       With great hope and expression of undying and unequivocal love, Solomon's great love song holds out this promise to a forlorn lover. In chapter three Christ's beloved searches desperately for her ‘one and only’. For a brief moment she meets Him and He takes her to her mother's house. (We have been born-again, gone back to our original birthing place and now testify to a new found life and an undying love.) But suddenly the mood of life changes - there are warriors, fear in the dark, a chariot, an instrument of war, and King Solomon is seen riding in it with a crown which he wore in "the day of his espousals, and the day of the gladness of his heart". How apropos. He is decked out to win his espoused. In verse eight Solomon tells of a vision of mighty men of valor with their swords drawn because of fear in the night. Such a scene sets the stage for the atmosphere that will prevail during the construction of Solomon's chariot. Is it not like the hour in which we live? Is it not an expression of the perilous times that have defined the Church Age? The world is a dark place and the darkness grows with every tick of the prophetic clock. Men and women of God must be armed with God's word to fend off the darkness. At times they must be on the offensive, all the time they must be armed with the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) and dressed for battle with the armor of God against the forces of evil and wickedness in high places.  

"In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God: having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3:1-5 

In the shadow of this darkness, people are building personal, spiritual, Solomon's chariots. The frame is of precious wood, the pillars are silver, the bottom is gold, the covering of purple and the middle is paved with love. 

THE FRAME OF WOOD: "OUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST"
       
The frame of wood as described in verse nine, "King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon", is equivalent to our new life in Christ. All believers get this frame of beautiful wood when they become born-again. On this frame we can begin to build our vehicle, our passage to the resurrection, and if we remain alive at the time of its happening, God will spare his beloved from the terrible trials to come with catching them away in a rapturous moment like a champion snatching away his betrothed in the face of mortal danger. 

THE PILLARS OF SILVER "KNOWLEDGE AND DOCTRINE"
        The pillars holding up our frame are built from the silver of truth in God's Word. Verse ten says, "He made the pillars thereof of silver". These silver pillars are representative of the foundational knowledge we are given from the Scriptures. The understanding and wisdom of the gospel revealed in the New Testament, revealed after the first coming of Jesus through His life, death and resurrection is basic to the strength and integrity of our vehicle which we must have prepared and ready to go when the trumpet blast is given from heaven.
       In seven places of the New Testament, God exhorts the church "not be ignorant" of certain fundamental truths. As Proverbs 9:1 prophesies, "Wisdom hath builded her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars" Each one of the pillars in the Tabernacle of the Congregation was overlaid with silver. And it is true. For the last two and a half decades, while the darkness and blindness of the world has increased, the sight and enlightenment of God's Church, His household of faith, has also increased with much silver in the knowledge of the living God. Once ignorant on all seven counts, the Church is no longer ignorant but has been given wisdom and understanding in these crucial areas of knowledge. Without going into detail, the seven areas of understanding are: 1.) Israel, God's chosen people, 2.) dying to self, 3.) the gifts of the Spirit, 4.) fellowship and fruits, 5.) the true nature of salvation, 6.)eternal judgment, and finally, 7.) the Rapture. If we have received instruction from the Word, as we ought, then these pillars of pure silver have been placed securely in our Solomon's chariot. The Bride has made sure of it and has incorporated silver knowledge into the integral structure of her vehicle. 

THE BOTTOM OF GOLD "BEING COMPLETE IN CHRIST"
        
The bottom of our chariot is gilded with our experience in Christ. If it is perfectly covered then we are standing on the solid Rock, which is Jesus and His fullness. As Colossians puts it, "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power..."
       Our chariot foundation will be cast totally in pure gold if we have received Christ in complete obedience. When we have done so we will have been baptized into repentance (been born-again), been baptized into the Holy Ghost (no doubt, with evidence of speaking in tongues), and been immersed in water to, as Jesus said, "fulfill all obedience", to show our willingness to die with Christ and be resurrected into newness of life in the faith of the operation of God.
       
This is the foundation of gold on which the Scriptures and the Spirit have shown the Church that they can ride. It is important to be complete in Christ so we can move on to perfection. Heb. 6:1-6 (See article entitled: The Doctrine of Baptisms) The Bride says, little sisters, if you have not experienced these things please, by all means seek the Lord for their meaning and value in your walk with God. Let no man rip you off, or talk you into selling God short for all He has for you. 

COVERING OF PURPLE "A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD"
        Once we have constructed Solomon's chariot by yielding, patience, experience and devotion to faith and studying dutifully God's Word, Christ will call us to His service and bring us into a deeper appreciation of His royal priesthood. The covering over our Solomon's chariot is purple because it signifies royalty and majesty in Christ. Revelation 1:6 notes that Christ "hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father ...”
       A basic commission and duty of the priesthood is to teach, comfort and exhort the people of God in the ways of God and to offer spiritual sacrifices, such as alms, good works, praise, the burnt offering of our flesh and prayer, which are acceptable to Him. Once we are strong and sturdy in faith Christ will call those who wait on His return to be in His service. As His servants, one of our great commissions is to invite others first to come to Jesus and second, to set the table and make ready the marriage supper of the Lamb. Until His return we serve our betrothed in the power of the Holy Ghost. Our Solomon's chariot is covered in purple because we can say, and live, these two scriptures from 1 Peter 2. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." And, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." We are royalty because we are the king’s espoused wife.

MIDDLE PAVED WITH LOVE "LOVE BINDS IT ALTOGETHER"
        Our chariot will be of no use if it is not bound together with the love that Christ has loved us with. All our experience, understanding, faith and spiritual work, all sacrifices will be useless if it is not paved with love. Paul puts it, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
       But we will also have a special love for the "daughters of Jerusalem", or as Paul suggests, "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." If we will learn obedience and exercise our spirit so that we can hear the Master's voice and do it then we will abide in His love and against such there is no law. What Jesus will require of us and ask us to do will always be the loving thing. Our battle is to hear and obey and not presume to know what is needed in situations, but rely on the leading of the Holy Ghost. As 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Love covers a multitude of sins." 

SOLOMON HAS HIS CROWN: "THE BETROTHED"
        Now that the chariot is built and ready there is but one thing missing: the passenger. That person, dear saint, should be and can be, you. Solomon represents the diligent believer who has carefully prepared for that special and historic day of his Betrothed Lord's return. Solomon is seen with a crown on his head and the daughters of Jerusalem go out to see him in the moment of his great triumph and immense gladness; the moment of the Rapture. As Roman generals and emperors once strode streets of gold in magnificent ‘victory’ celebrations, this is the real ‘victory’ scene of all time and forever. Those who have been accounted worthy to escape all the tribulations that will come upon all the earth and stand before the Son of Man, their espoused Lord and husband are the victors. It will likely seem to be a procession into heaven of all the victorious believers in Christ who have readied themselves for the great Marriage supper of the Lamb.
       How ‘bout it saints? Is your chariot ready to meet the Lord in the air? Have you done all, so you can be ready for that moment when we shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye? The Lord may instruct His angel to sound the call at any time. Be ready. As you read this right now, if you listen carefully, the sound of rumbling wheels can be heard; clouds of dust can be seen on the spiritual horizon; saints around the world are sewing their purple covering together, fitting the silver pillars, lining it with gold, making the most beautiful tile work in the middle upon which to stand as they wait. They wait and watch and listen and look up. As Elijah they may travel about waiting for the day, going to one mountain top, looking, listening, going to another mountain top, waiting, watching, listening, their chariot polished and being made ready. Always they work on the chariot like an obsessed mechanic works on a race car. It is never perfect, but always ready as possibly can be done. Still, it is a beautifully constructed chariot. Each one has the frame of salvation, the silver of wisdom and knowledge, the gold of the fullness of Christ, the purple covering of priesthood and kingship, and the love wherewith Christ has loved us upon which we stand. All we await now is the crown we will be given in the day of our espousal, the day of His appearing.


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   THE FIVE BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RAPTURE

 

 

Destination Brideship

An Open Letter Answering

 
What, When, Why, Who and Where

of The Rapture

 

RE: Its Scriptural foundation.

To provide systematic answers for the 5 W’s

 

We submit this open letter to the students of our website in answer to questions most often raised in regards the Rapture. While the Rapture has gotten more than just a little play in Hollywood and Christian and secular fiction, as well as on TLC and other television channels, as well as gobs of Christian literature, wild and crazy ideas have added to the general ignorance rather than dispelled it. This glut of fabulous and sensational misinformation is nothing less than a transport full of useless baggage which exacts a great hidden price from those who might be inclined travelers along the way to Brideship. The cost of this bogus baggage is too high a price to pay. The weight of it has dragged the message and purpose of the Rapture to the ground and through the mud of ignorance  so that the very word rapture is nothing but a worn out and meaningless cliché, an interesting fiction or fairy tale, like jack in the Bean stalk, More’s Utopia, Stoker’s Dracula or whatever the latest outer space or alien craze might be.  For the bulk of people the word Rapture conjures up a quagmire of rumor, a quicksand of gossip, just another chapter in the fiction of apocalyptic mumbo-jumbo for Hollywood to cash in on. This hurricane of info constantly swirls about this great mystery of the Christian faith and generally flat-lines its living reality in the minds of otherwise and normally objective people. Even Christians have accepted all the stolid notions and have been thoroughly anesthetized having lost all vision of the great promise that is The Rapture. False spirits of man and demon demean those who hope for deliverance as cowards seeking escape from trouble even as deserters in the face of the enemy. If they are ‘kind’ they chalk it up as hope for being raptured as the burden of weaklings who just want to get out of dealing with hard times. They’re branded, however kindly, as weaklings and cowards, essentially. But these half-baked ideas just prove the cliché, ‘A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing’.

 There are a profuse number of people who also acquire just a bit of information here and a bit there, never really studying it, who end up with their heads spinning around so that they give up on the whole promise of promises. Or, they become beleaguered after waiting a measly handful of days, never mind years or decades, or a lifetime as the apostles and early saints, and thousands of other faithful Christians down through the centuries, all have done. Today’s evangelicals are hardly better off. They have been cast into a hypnotic spell by presumptive ignorance and indoctrinated by years of repetitive teaching to believe that Christians, regardless of their life of faith, automatically deserve to be raptured because they know Jesus Christ – period! End of story, their ‘saved’ as far as they are concerned. They like to believe that how they live and what they do is essentially irrelevant. But here we shall try to give people (though they may only have just a smattering of mish-moush knowledge) a good foundation for starting their study of the Rapture by answering the classic question of the honest news reporter: who, what, when, where and why of the Rapture. In the interest of the ABC’s of good reporting- accuracy, brevity and clarity -  we seek to supply the student with an outline of basic knowledge in which they can launch themselves into a full study of the all-important promise of the Bible. After cruising through this introductory report on the Rapture, the reader should be able to find a rather complete understanding of the subject in the various articles, testimonies, gifts of the Spirit and teachings published throughout this website, ThePhiladelphiaFaith.org. We begin with the question, what is the Rapture?

  

WHAT?

Let's start at the beginning. The Bible is the one and only authoritative source for understanding the Rapture. The movies, The Learning Channel, professors from Princeton University or Books from The Church of the Latter Day Saints will not give you the real dope. The Rapture is one of only a few subjects on earth that even nonbelievers have to agree is the exclusive property of the Bible. Hindus, Buddhists, Confucius, Zoroastrians, or Maharishi Hamburg-Yogurt have never had knowledge, let along ownership of this great mystery.  People who ask for Biblical understanding of this event are very much on the right track. Again, the Scriptures are the one and only source that proclaims the promise of the Rapture.

However, it must be said from the outset that the word Rapture does not appear in the Bible. It is the common name used by Christians to sum up an incredible promise of mercy made by God to His Church. The promise is that He will "catch up" faithful believers in the clouds to be with His Son Jesus forever. That is, in fact, what the word Rapture means, "To catch up". This Scripture from the epistle of 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 expresses the promise more perfectly than any other place in the Bible.

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the corning of the Lord shall not prevent (Old English for, "go ahead of”) 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."

(The Scripture 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 also adds to the overall picture. Both of the passages cited above should be read in context.) And that - in a nutshell - is the Rapture. The catching up of Christians, both those that sleep and those which remain alive at the time of Jesus' calling, to meet Him in the air to be with Him for evermore. But this only tells us what it is, not, who, why, or when. To understand the Rapture we must answer those questions as well.

 

WHEN?

During His three year ministry on earth, Jesus referred many times to this "mystery", as it is called in 1 Corinthians 15. More than once, Jesus warned us to "watch and pray" and to be "ready" because His call, and His ‘appearance’ to believers, would happen suddenly and unannounced. He said that it would "come at a time when you think not".

The epistles and Jesus both declare that the day of the trumpet sound, when Christ will call His faithful people into the clouds, will come as a "thief in the night". His appearance will come suddenly, without warning, it will be unseen and unheard, just as a thief might come and go in the middle of the night without anyone ever knowing he had been there except for that which was missing. The image is one of total surprise and vanished goods. In a parable He said, if the good man of the house knew when a thief was coming he would be ready for him and not suffer loss, but we are to be always ready, on our toes, looking, waiting, watching, praying, and living as if His return is scheduled for that very minute, so we do not lose out on being part of the Rapture.

Jesus continues, "Of that day and hour knoweth no man, except the Father in heaven." But why is its time withheld? Simple. God wishes to encourage Man to live rightly and expectantly day to day. To live in anticipation of the Rapture, is the true essence of taking life "one day at a time".

But. Jesus did say we could get an idea about the general timing. We must live as if this sudden and instantaneous resurrection of believers could take place in our next breath. Jesus said, when you see the "fig tree" budding (alluding to the Scriptural symbol, Israel) then we could know that not another generation would pass away before His promised gathering of the saints and the coming judgment of the world. The state of Israel budded again in 1948 and Jerusalem became the capital of a Jewish state for the first time in nearly 2,500 years in 1967, constituting the "budding of the fig tree". Jesus said about this, "When you see these things happening, look up for your redemption draws near."

 

WHY?

The Bible warns us that before Jesus' return the world will be in a similar state of unrighteousness as it was in Noah's life. This not only gives us insight into why God will catch up His faithful saints from the earth but it tells us something about the kind of faith people must have if they are to believe in the Rapture. The analogy speaks both of the condition of the unbelieving world and the condition of the faithful.

As in Noah's day the world is turning reprobate. People are giving themselves over to sin, having as the Scriptures say, "Their consciences seared with a hot iron." We need only read the papers, listen to the conversations at work, or go to the movies to see and feel this unconscionable Noah like world. This reprobate condition not only assumes a lack of knowledge of good and evil but the inability to distinguish between truth and lies, even fact from fiction. For example, a completely fallacious idea from human pride is a current boast from Evangelical camps that the courageous will not desert the world but want to stay behind to punch the Antichrist right in the mouth and not run from a fight. This denies the primary purpose, the real why, of the Rapture, namely: that it is God’s mercy that some will escape the terrible, overwhelming and dreadful things that will befall the whole planet in those final days.

On the other side of the days of Noah analogy are the faithful. As Noah was faithful to believe that God would save him from the torrent of coming judgment, so today's faithful are being required to believe that they will be saved from the flood of God's wrath that is to come. As Noah was figuratively and literally lifted up by the waters and the people died beneath him in a flood of judgment so it will happen again. This time people of Noah-like faith will be lifted up, "caught up" and removed from the impending doom beneath and the world below will be deluged with disaster. The Rapture saves the believer from going through the judgment which is intended for the unrighteous and sinful world.

 

WHO?

Here is the really all-conclusive question and the one most ignored and abused. Once we know the answers to what, why and when, then - the question, who becomes the million dollar question, the one demanded by the other three. This we know for sure from everything about the Bible - those who are offered this great deliverance must be believers and followers of Christ, they must be watching, praying, and waiting for their Lord's return. Jesus said to His disciples, "pray that you be accounted worthy to escape all these things (judgments coming on the world) and to stand before the son of Man".

Jesus told many parables about lazy and unrighteous servants who did whatever they wanted and ended up being caught unprepared on the day of their Lord's return. He told a parable of 10 virgins who waited for the coming of a bridegroom. The wise virgins are destined to be Christ’s Bride for eternity. They will go wherever He goes. They will be purified by keeping their lamp (light/Jesus) ‘stocked’ with oil (obedience to the Holy Ghost). They will be perfected by keeping their lamp ‘trimmed’ (taking care of spiritual business so that the light of Jesus can shine). The bridegroom's appearance came in the middle of the night, came upon all of them suddenly. Five were ready, had their lamps trimmed, filled with oil, and burning bright. The other half, sadly, had let their light go out and had fallen asleep. When the sleepers heard Him coming they tried to prepare. They tried to get the others to help them, to give them oil, but it was too late and they were shut out of the wedding party. The imagery is simple. Be ready at all times! Those who are raptured will have taken heed! They will have been vigilant to the signs of Jesus’ Return and have watched. They will have prayerfully sought deliverance. They will have made themselves ready by showing all preference to spiritual things, by preferring the Holy Spirit for Jesus’ sake. They will have followed the Signs of His Return like a hunter follows tracks, like a fan follows his favorite ball club. They will have been poised themselves to be part of the great fulfillment of prophecy called the ‘First Fruits Resurrection’ by the Bible, called the Rapture by us of the present day.   

There is much more that can be expanded on concerning the Who, What, When, and Why of the Rapture. The Bible has much, much more that it can add to your faith about this great mercy of God, but we all need to escape from the wallboard halls of rumor and gossip so we can enter into the granite sanctuary of Scripture if we want to know the truth about God's "catching up" of the Church.

If you have not accepted Christ as your personal Savior, and that means much more than simply being a member of a Church, then do it today. Only then can you begin to make preparations for His coming and be ready on that day. Only then does one begin the journey to Brideship which ends with destination Rapture.

 

WHERE?

Three of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, tell us this about where the Rapture shall take place: "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Also, when we couple these announcements with the notification in 1 Thessalonians 4.17; "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.", it is clear that we shall be raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. In Matt. 24.31, Mk 13.27  we are informed of this: "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." and "then shall He send angels and gather together His ELECT from the four winds from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” Take notice that the ELECT are gathered from the uttermost parts of heaven and earth. Where shall they be found? All over the earth and from around the heavens because the Rapture includes the dead in Christ (whose spirits wait in an heavenly abode) and those who living at the time of the trumpet sound. Two places, heaven and earth. This also takes us back to 1 Thessalonians 4.16-17 "the dead in Christ" (who's spirits wait in heaven) and "we which are alive and remain (on the earth) 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." The ELECT shall be gathered from both heaven and earth to one place with Christ in the ‘clouds’.

This is the literal physical place of our departure and the literal place of our destination. But we are told where the gathering point of departure actually will be also. There are two most interesting verses that speak of a gathering of eagles. Matthew 24.28 says; "For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." And in Luke 17.37 it is stated; “Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together." Isaiah 40.31 prophesies: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." The eagles represent those saints who sore by faith, who shall be "caught up to meet the Lord in the air.” Where they will gather is around the body, the carcass (dead body) which is symbolic of Christ. Where? The eagles from all over heaven and earth will be gathered around Christ. He will be the center and drawing card of all the saints who stand  and fly in the airy realms of faith for the Rapture. 

These eagles shall have their strength renewed. They will have glorified bodies as spoken of in 1 Cor. 15.50-54. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in a 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.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?”

We must lose our attachment to the world if we hope to be one of the ones taken. As Jesus warned, "I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."(Luke 17.34&37

"Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21.34 Matthew 24.40-41 says; ''Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken the other left." Anyone not prepared will be left behind. ARE YOU READY?!

 

Are You Ready!

Here is the primer for what, when, why, who and where of the Rapture. The Lord exhorts His people to be vigilant and prepared for His call to "come up hither.”

"Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" Matt. 24.42 also in verse 44 "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” In Mark 13.23 & 37 Jesus said; "But take heed, behold, I have foretold you all things." and, "what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH!"

This firm instruction for us to watch is for us today, saints! From Luke 21.36 we have one of Jesus' most loving and important pleas to us, that we might not suffer the horrors of the seven year tribulation which are "coming on the whole world." One of the horrors will perhaps be execution by guillotine in order to escape taking the mark of the beast. “ ... and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their forehead or in their hands". Rev. 20.4

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Lk 21 As always our Lord and Savior is faithful not to leave us without promises and rewards. "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over his goods." Matt. 14.45-47 In both Mark and Luke we find this; "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled." Mark 13.27 I must repeat here. "And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." God promises that He will gather His eagles, His elect, those who wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40.31), together. They will come from heaven and earth to be "caught up" in the clouds to meet Him in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. So let us ‘comfort one another with these words’.