By Revd. Dr. Idowu Ibitoye
The Rapture is an eschatological position, consisting of an end-time event when all Christian believers who are still alive, along with the resurrected believers, will rise “In the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”. The term Rapture was coined from the vocabulary used by apostle Paul in I Thess. 4 where he used the Greek word “harpazo” meaning “to snatch away” or “to seize”, and explains that believers in Jesus Christ shall be snatched away from earth into the air. Jesus Christ talked about his return several times to his disciples “so you also must be ready because the son of man will come in an hour when you do not expect him” Matt. 24:44, he also said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” John 14:3. Immediately after Christ ascension into heaven, two individuals believing to be angels appeared and said to Christ’ disciples “men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” Acts. 1:11.
Likewise, the apostles taught the early church of Christ’ return. Paul in his admonition said, “for the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” I Thess. 4:16-17. Other apostles like Peter, James and John taught about Christ’ return, (Heb. 9:28, James 5:8, I Jh 3:2). In His (Christ) revelation to John in Rev. 22:20, he declared “surely I am coming soon” and John responded, “Amen come, Lord Jesus”
Christians should eagerly long for the return of Christ, however, true Christianity trains believers to be upright, godly and pure in this world, because “… our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” Phil. 3:20. Christians should not allow the pleasure of this world to hinder them in the eagerness of Christian expectation of Christ’ return.
No one knows the time when Christ will return, several biblical passages indicated this; “The son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44). Also, “watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” Matt. 25:13. The time, day or the hour is not known to anyone; only to God the father will determine when Christ shall return, (Mk. 13:32-33). Anyone who claims to know the date on which Christ will return from whatever source should be out -rightly rejected as an heretical teacher. Grudem Wayne(2007), reported that one Edgar Whisenant predicted that Christ will return on September 12, 1988 and published several copies of leaflets to back up his prediction, many people withdrew their children from schools and many stopped working, in order to be together as a family when Christ shall come on the date predicted. When the prediction failed, Edgar Whisenant, revised his prophecy and gave another date of 1st September, 1989; that if not then, Christ shall return in 1990, 1991 or 1992 or at the latest date September 15-17, 1993. All the predicted dates failed. Christians should not be deceived by any fake prophecy or predictions on Christ second coming.
The signs that will precede the return of Christ
Christ Himself in his discourse with His Disciples, taught on the signs that will precede His return and every Christian awaiting His return must take cognisance of this:
- The gospel of Christ shall be preached in all nations of the world (Matt. 24:14; Mk. 13:10).
- Time of great problems – such as earthquakes, famine and wars and rumors of wars, (Mk. 13:7. Matt. 24:15-22; Lk. 21:20-24).
iii. False prophets performing miracles – (Matt. 24:23-24; Mk. 13:22).
- Fearful signs in the sun, moon and stars – (Matt. 24:29-30; Mk. 13:24).
- The appearance of the lawless man and the Rebellion (II Thess. 2:1-10) – Apostle Paul admonished that Christ will not come unless the man of sin is first revealed, and Jesus Christ will destroy him at His coming. This lawless man is sometimes identified as the beast in Revelation 13, and is often called the anti-Christ.
- The salvation of Israel – Paul taught that many Israelis will come to the saving knowledge of Christ, before his second advent, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited; Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved, As it is written, the deliverer will come from Zion he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins” Rom. 11:25-27
The rapture shall take place before Daniel’s 70th week and the tribulation of Rev. 6:1-19. Also, according to Daniel 9:27, anti-Christ will be on earth for 7 years, for he shall make a 7 year covenant with Israel. The church will be taken out of the way (rapture) before He comes, then the rapture will take place before the last 7 years.
In conclusion, It’s evident that the return of Christ is imminent considering all the signs of coming, it is imperative for the wise Christians to prepare for His appearance, in other to reign with Him.
