Have you ever wondered what has happened to the Rapture of the Church? I certainly have, and I have also questioned whether Christians today even believe that Jesus is coming back at all.
For most of my life, the message of Jesus Christ coming for His church was alive and well. I remember on Easter Sunday morning in 1973 when our church choir sang the popular Gaither song, The King Is Coming. Only the choir knew that a skilled trumpeter was strategically perched in the balcony, and at just the right moment he would blow the trumpet. It was a stirring event to say the least!
Then there was that perfect red heifer born in the mid-80’s that confirmed the Jews would soon be offering sacrifices in the Temple. And who didn’t read the best-selling Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins? First published in 1995, the intensity of the message was clear: Jesus is coming soon, and if you’re not ready, you will be left behind!
For decades stories circulated through the church attempting to tie current events to the coming of Christ. Things like a government assigned number could eventually become the mark of the beast. This caused many to be leery of social security numbers, direct deposits and credit cards—basically anything that had a number. Another story was the increasing population of vultures in the Middle East that was surely a sign of the approaching Battle of Armageddon. On and on they went—one unnerving story after another.
For years I struggled with too little faith to believe that Jesus would save me, so preaching on the rapture was a frightening thing. However, when I was born again at age twenty-three, my fear of the rapture subsided. My faith had grown and I was able to believe that Jesus would do what He said: “For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”1 It’s been a love affair with my Savior ever since, and I began looking forward to His coming.
Over forty years later, we are still bombarded with stories about four blood moons, ginormous earthquakes and tsunamis. I don’t keep up with which Biblical prophecies have being fulfilled and whether the signs match what Jesus said would signal His return in Matthew Chapter 24, but it does seem like it could be just around the corner. After all, the fig tree is in full bloom. There’s a whole lot of shaking going on, since everything that can be shaken is now shaking. The world is clearly in a quagmire of muck as some kind of crazy has replaced common sense. There are plenty of wars and rumors of more, while mankind has sunk to a new low on God’s moral scale. Today, you don’t have to look very far to see that evil is called good; and good is called evil. Surely it can’t be long until the Father says, “Son, go bring my children home!”
Has non-stop media coverage of world events numbed us from the realness of what we once believed? Have too many books been written suggesting the rapture isn’t Biblical after all? Could it be that modern-day preachers no longer expect Jesus to return and thus do not preach it? Has the long delay nullified Jesus’ words, or maybe the Lord has forgotten His promise? Not. Even. Remotely!
The Bible is clear: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”2
Jesus gave us a clue about the timing of His coming: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”3 Did you see what I saw—at the doors?
A few nights ago I had a dream that lasted perhaps only a few seconds, yet it was very real nonetheless. In the dream, I was asleep in my bed when awakened by a strange sense of being pulled upward. A suction-type force was swirling all around me, as if I were wrapped in it. I wasn’t afraid at all, but remember having a smile on my face and a sense of joy deep inside. I calmly thought to myself—this is it…this is the rapture! Then the sensation ended and I attempted to tell someone what had happened to me. I explained like this: “I just experienced the rapture!”
The next morning I wondered what might be the purpose of my strange dream. Had I been given a brief preview of that amazing moment when the power of Holy Spirit will draw the Redeemed upward towards heaven? Could Jesus be giving us a heads-up of His soon return? Could it be that Jesus actually is—at the doors?
The best advice I know is the words of Jesus Himself: “Now when all these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near!”4
Personally, I believe Jesus IS coming back soon! Are you ready for that amazing moment? ~ Janie Kellogg
1Romans 10:13 (NKJV); 22 Peter 3:9 (NLT); 3Matthew 24:32-33 (NKJV) 4Luke 21:28 (NKJV)
TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS 
Thought provoking post. Certainly, the Word is true. However, the Scriptures have never been fulfilled according to man’s interpretation. So many have made predictions and given deadlines and declared their faith that things would happen as they had declared. Those people for the most part have come and gone without an answer to their predictions.
In the end, we can only rely on Jesus’ words and hang onto them for dear life. He said in Matthew 24: 35, 36: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
God gives us brief insights at times, but He puts His greatest premium on faith. If we knew how everything would transpire, we would not have to live a life of faith. I believe that living out our faith every day is so important, living out the Scriptures day in and day out no matter what circumstances lay before us. We help as many as we can and hope that some might take note and try to hop on board the salvation train because of what they see in us.
These days are really dark. It’s hard to imagine that things could get darker. When we were young, we never could have imagined the things that happen daily nowadays. No matter what happens, we as Christians and keepers of the faith must encourage ourselves in the Lord as those who went before us did.
Thank you so much for your comments. I totally agree with you…it’s the walking out our faith day by day, living our beliefs, and helping others along the way that matters most. And in these really dark days we certainly need one another’s encouragement. On the subject of the rapture, my husband says, “Jesus will either come for us all at once or He’ll come for us one at a time. Either way, we win!” Thanks again for you words. They blessed me. ~ Janie
Amen and amen!
Thank you for your comment. It is always a blessing to hear words of confirmation and encouragement. God bless YOU!
Janie:
Great Post on the Rapture of the Church, so agree:
Jesus is coming soon, and we’ll all have that sense of being pulled upward!.
The “Sheila” Book is just what I need.
Thank you so much.
Lanie
‘Back in the day,’ I grew up with Biblical understanding of the Rapture or catching away of The Church and the end of The Age. Just like most young people then, I hoped and prayed Jesus would delay His return until I had a chance to experience love, marriage, children, etc.! So naive. These many years later, I find myself longing more and more for the return of Christ. But now I’m hoping He delays a bit longer (!?!) Why? Because many I love are not really prepared. Reminds me of the parable about the wise and foolish who were waiting for the Bridegroom. Some of them had their lamps trimmed and burning. Others needed to go find oil for theirs and while they were gone, said Bridegroom returned. It urges me on to more fervent prayer for the salvation of loved ones. Thanks for bringing to bear the neglected truth of Jesus’ return. Unfortunately, The Church, at large, has fallen in with those of the world who say, “Where is the sign of His coming? Everything remains as it has always been.” (paraphrase mine). Thanks for shining the light so eloquently.
“The King Is Coming” is one pOwerful song, Janie ❤️ I’m sure looking forward to hearing
the trumpet call of Jesus when He calls us ‘up hither’ at the Father’s perfectly appointed time!
Another song I recall is “When We All Get To Heaven”… Yet lately, and not wanting to judge
another’s salvation, must admit to prayerful wondering how many of us will actually meet there 💔
Surely the rapture is nearer than most even imagine… Maranatha! 😇✝️🙏💜 Jackie@KWH