The Bible, the Word of God, tells us about our Father God, His Son Jesus and Holy Spirit. It is the inspired Word from God. It was written over long periods of time, and by many writers, and yet is perfect in all ways. Many philosophers and scholars have studied the Word, some to try to discredit it, but could not help seeing that it tells the Truth.
For as heaven is higher than earth,
so My ways are higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
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God made plans before the foundations of the world. His son Jesus was already dedicated to come to us in the flesh as a baby, live a servant’s life for mankind, and because of the sin of Adam and Eve. He suffered persecution, was crucified and died on the cross to pay the price for the sin of all mankind, for all time. He arose on the third day, and was seen by many in the city before ascending to His heavenly throne. This is a God who loves us. Do you know any other God who would do such a thing?
Isaiah wrote about the birth and death of Christ over 600 years before He came on the earth. How did he know about Christ? He knew through the Holy Spirit who was giving him the words to write. His words came to pass – exactly.
When the Christ Child was born, the wise men of the east came to follow the new star in the night sky, and they followed by the inspiration of the Living God whose Holy Spirit lead them to the baby. They were bearing gifts to present to Him. How did they know? Through the writings of the Word of God, and the move of the Holy Spirit that was upon them.
Josephes was a historian during the time of Jesus walking on this earth. He followed His story and wrote about it. Josephes was not a believer, but he wanted others to know about Jesus, and about all that was happening at the time.
He gives us great insight into the times and how life was at that time. These are his words, as quoted in Agapius, “The book of the Title”:
“At this time, there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the Messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.”
There are archaeologists who have unearthed many treasures of the history back in those days, and of the life of the Messiah, Jesus. We have discovered, over the years, many things to back up the stories of the times.
One of the most important items was the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were written between 150 B.C. and 70 A.D. and hidden in large pots in caves to protect them from those who would destroy them. Why would God leave them hidden for such a time as this?
It was done this way to keep them for proof – that His Word is True!
The Lord wants to share His glory.
The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey. If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey. (Exodus 40:34-38)
The promise to Moses that God would indeed dwell with His people was finally fulfilled, when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The Shechinah glory of ADONAI filled the Sanctuary. They would know God’s perfect love. For 40 years, they were reminded every day that they were in the presence and the power of His Spirit.
From the Genesis through to the Acts of the Apostles, the descendants of Adam have witnessed the glory of the Lord. Moses would later participate in the glory:
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transformed in front of them, and His clothes became dazzling—extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what he should say, since they were terrified.
A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud:
This is My beloved Son;
listen to Him!
Then suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone. (Mark 9:2-8)
In this “Transfiguration” we see a perfect representation of the future Rapture. In the original Greek, the word was metamorphothe, which was translated into Latin as Trans Figura, the changing of appearance or of the body itself.
Notice who is present:
- The Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- The Old Testament believers, represented by Moses as the law-giver and Elijah as the first prophet
- The New Testament believers, represented by Peter, James, and John
The Rapture representation is complete when considering the word Mark uses for the transformation: stilbein. This is the Greek word used for the glistening gleam of burnished brass or gold, or of polished steel, or of the golden glare of the sunlight. This radiance is the natural state of Jesus the Messiah. At the Rapture, we will also shine with this radiance.
Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)
This is the perfect love of the Lord. This is what it is to be in the presence and the power of the Living God. We experience the glory of the Lord when we are filled with His Holy Spirit:
Romans 8:28 — We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Psalm 23:6 — Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
1 Corinthians 13:4 — Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant …
1 Corinthians 13:6 — Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.
Galatians 5:22 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness …
2 Timothy 1:7 — For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
1 Corinthians 13:8 — Love never fails…
1 Corinthians 13:13 — And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Psalm 91:14 — “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”
John 15:13 — Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Galatians 2:20 — I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Romans 8:39 — … neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Soon, the Lord will take all of us who are sealed with His Holy Spirit:
As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. So this is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be: Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one left. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:37-42)
For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)
Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3)
If you are not sure that you are saved, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”
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Rapture and End Times 