This is a difficult topic considering not many believers are even aware that there is a “Rapture of the Saints” about to take place. In the study of Biblical Endtimes prophecy, there are no precursors that are required to yet happen prior to the Rapture taking place. The rapture of true believers in Jesus Christ can occur at any moment.
1Thessalonians 4:16-17 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.
It is a FACT that it WILL HAPPEN. There are however some things that are often not considered when this topic is discussed.
1Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
This event is described in many passages as “a thief in the night”. When the event happens there will be no announcement, there will be a trumpet sound and those that are “watching” and “waiting” will be gone in an instant. It will happen like a thief who steals in the night time when no one is watching and gets a way with the criminal act.
1Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Mark 13:32-37 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
We must be “watching” for this event and not
“sleeping”. We need to be expectant for
the Lords return and actually keeping our eyes attuned to see his return. Not
sleeping, not being preoccupied in keeping busy and always finding things of
this world to keep us busy.
Artwork by
Alex Pokos
Jesus talks about this in Matthew 25 and warns that it is possible to be busy and miss His return.
Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
There is no indication that the five foolish were not suitable brides for the groom. Instead they were simply not prepared for Him to come and GOT LEFT BEHIND. They had “something to do” and were to busy when the trumpet sounded.
1Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the 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.
I am not creating a new doctrine here. I am only stating that scripture does indicate that a believer can and a lot will be too busy to hear the trumpet blast and will miss the Rapture!
