There are many Christians who believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will be in two phases. First, He will come for believers, both living and dead, in the “rapture”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17."
16
KJV: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
17
KJV: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.
In this view, the rapture—which is the transformation and catching up of all Christians, dead or alive, to meet Christ in the air—will be secret, for it will be unknown to the world of unbelievers at the time of its happening.
The Rapture is the GREAT ESCAPE from the horrendous Tribulation period that is SOON to come on ALL THE WORLD! It is for a body of born-again believers in Jesus Christ. The question is, “IS THE RAPTURE FOR ALL CHRISTIANS?”
It is probably safe to say that a majority of Christians reading this letter would say "YES". We are NOT addressing the issue of salvation, or "once saved, always saved," or "eternal security". For those of you who answered "Yes", CAN YOU FIND EVEN ONE SCRIPTURE THAT GUARANTEES THAT ALL CHRISTIANS ARE GOING IN THE RAPTURE?
Among Christians, the rapture is the most focused on event in Bible prophecy. Without a doubt, the most discussed question about the rapture is when it will happen, in both absolute and relative terms. Absolute timing would be all the date speculation and date setting constantly made (that constantly fails). Then there is the endless debate over the rapture's timing relative to the Great Tribulation. It would be an understatement to say Christians do not agree on whether the rapture will come before (“pretrib”), during (“mid-trib”) or after the tribulation (“post-trib” or “pre-wrath”). This debate will probably not die out until it actually happens.
For those of you who believe that ALL Christians will be taken in the Rapture, I hope and pray that you are right. On the other hand, if one believes that way, and feels no need to change his backslidden, lukewarm, compromising, unwatchful, worldly, or fence-straddling ways, WOE BE UNTO HIM, if he suddenly finds the Rapture happened and he was left behind.
Isn't it much safer to get as close to the Lord as we can in these VERY LAST DAYS? Is there any negative in doing that??? It is much safer and wiser to believe that all Christians are NOT going in the Rapture.
WHY MOST CHRISTIANS WON'T BE RAPTURED
The rapture is the hope of hundreds of millions of Christians. Unfortunately, according to Bible prophecy, most will be "left behind" weeping and gnashing their teeth because Jesus said "depart from me; I never knew you." This will happen if we trust in what men have taught and not what Jesus actually said about belonging to him at his coming
(1Co 15:23)AMP:"But each in his own rank and turn: Christ (the Messiah) [is] the firstfruits, then those who are Christ’s [own will be resurrected] at His coming".
Find out what most Christians are missing about the true requirements for the rapture so that you can be sure not to be left behind.
HOW YO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR RAPTURE.
The Bible definitely teaches that we shall be caught up in the air (i.e. The Rapture) at the return of our Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; etc.). It is therefore necessary for everyone to prepare for this most important future event in human history. Here some hints that will help us to get ready for the soon-coming Rapture:
1.REPENTANCE :
Turning away from sin and turning away from walking on the broad road and asking the LORD Jesus Christ with sincerity from your heart to wash you with His precious blood and to have mercy on you and forgive you your sins.
Asking the LORD Jesus Christ to always cover you with His precious blood and baptize you with His Holy Spirit.
The LORD is merciful and He will forgive you all sins.
But since we live in a sinful world, Repentance on a daily basis is essential.
Remember to also forgive all those who have wronged you.
- LIVING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS:
-Living a life that is right with the LORD. It entails being obedient to the LORD by following His commandments. This involves seeking and following the truth as stated in the Bible. So reading the Bible will show you how to live a life of Righteousness.
3.-SURRENDERING COMPLETELY TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The LORD requires complete surrender of one’s life to him. Half world and half Christ is not accepted by the LORD, and those who live such life are known as lukewarm Christians. The LORD says in the book of Revelation chapter 3 that He will spit such lukewarm Christians because they are neither warm nor cold.
So surrender fully to the LORD and let Him take care and control of your life.
- WATCH AND PRAY
The LORD is only coming to pick those who are watching for His return because inso doing they will be like the 5 wise virgins in the book of Mathew Chapter 25 whose lamps are full of the oil (The Holy Spirit) because they endeavor to be in the presence of the LORD in prayer, Repenting, Righteousness, Holiness, Truth and full surrender to the LORD Jesus Christ.
The constant theme of Revelation, Chapter 2, is the
NEED OF THE END-TIME FOR CHRISTIAN TO REPENT! Rev. 2: 4-5 says, "I have somewhat against thee, because THOU HAS LEFT THY FIRST LOVE. Remember, therefore, from whence thou are fallen, AND REPENT, and do the first works; or else I WILL COME UNTO THEE QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK OUT OF HIS PLACE, EXCEPT THOU REPENT."
Conclusion
To be included in the rapture is not as easy or as simple as just knowing and accepting a simple fact about Jesus' role as savior or Lord. Jesus taught of the need to make major changes of attitude, character, and habits with love of God and fellows as the goal.
After understanding the real requirements for the rapture, to some Christians they might sound like too much to ask. Some of you might be thinking that you didn't sign up for such an all-encompassing, sacrificial, life-changing commitment. Indeed, Jesus was not kidding when called believing in and following him the narrow path that few find:
