HOW TO MISS THE RAPTURE!

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 End Times 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.

Jesus 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! 

Written February 20, 2021 by WD Kemner for http://bibleswordfinal.blogspot.com/

Revised June 18, 2025 for https://bibleswordfinal.neocities.org/

Silence from Exodus to the Church

 When Exodus starts there is a “new king of Egypt” (Exodus 1:8) who did not know about Joseph.

He is worried that “children of Israel are more and mightier than” he is (Exodus 1:9). He plots many ways to fix the problem.  We then step into the story of the birth of Moses, his growing to adulthood (Exodus 2:11), now age 40 he kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian for 40 more years. This Egyptian King dies while Moses is gone and a new one comes to the throne. (Exodus 2:23)

This one would have been “raised in the same court” with Moses.  Therefore, the purpose God had Moses spend his first 40 years a “prince” of Egypt because as a nomad, Moses would have had trouble getting “audiences” before the king but not as a prince.

Then we FINALLY get to the last half of verse 23:

“…Israel…cried, and their cry came up unto God…”

THEY JUST NOW CRIED OUT TO GOD!

God Never Left……..the People Did!  Do we wonder how much sooner they could have left Egypt if they had only asked?

Scholars have all written of the “years of God’s silence” while the Jews were in bondage in Egypt.  Their mistake, it was “years of silence by the children of Abraham”.

One other side note in the story….that is often “MISSED”

When this Pharaoh decides to give chase to Moses…Exodus 14:7 says Pharaoh took 600 “chosen chariots”.  These chariots were the ELITE vehicles in the army.  They were inspected for all faults!

That adds more flavor to verses 24 and 25 when the “Lord….took off the chariot wheels…” in the middle of the sea.

Then there is the fact that World Historians have had trouble pin-pointing the story of the Exodus because they cannot prove which “Pharaoh Ramses” was the king during the Exodus. The records for those years are all “jumbled” as thought some MAJOR catastrophe happened!  DUH! Three Pharaoh’s died during the first 80 years of lifespan of Moses (remember the heir to the throne also died in the plaques). This Pharaoh (unlike what Hollywood depicts) died in the river at the HEAD of His army. He was…

“Washed from History”….. Imagine the “recovery period” for Egypt.  Economically, environmentally and militarily alone would take decades to recover.  All caused by the plaques and the total annihilation of their army in the river.

Egypt would once again provide sanctuary for the seed of Abraham when Joseph would flee there with Mary and their child.  Egypt also has the promise of a significant part in God’s plans for the children of Abraham in the Last Days.

The Pharaoh in chapter 1:8 was worried about the eventual downfall of his empire from the Jews taking sides with an eventual enemy.  If he had lived long enough he would have seen the death of the next 2 generations caused by his own throne.

Silence of Israel

For 40 years the Children of Abraham would wander until they could get their lives in servitude to God.

They would eventually get into Canaan and go through years of ups and downs always forgetting God. They did not listen when they had Moses.  They did not listen when he sent Judges one after another to “bail out” the children of Abraham.  Then through the generations of Kings and their guilty pleasures, they would not listen and time came for the Prophets.

That did not work so, God allowed them to go back to “Egyptian Bondage” that they wanted so badly.  Five more empires over the generations to come would chastise (oh, I love that word) them.

Assyrians, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greece and the Roman Empire all would take them captive. Every time, ONCE the children would “cry out” for HELP, their Father would rescue them!

The last time he did….God sent HIS Son!  What did they do?  They killed him…….

Now enters the Gentiles, now enter the “Church”, now enters “Christianity”……

Silence of Christianity

The Jews turned their backs too many times and the door opened to the rest of the world.  Scripture from beginning to end is still about His plan for the Children of Abraham.  However, the Church and Christianity have now been added to the script that is playing out before our eyes.

The Church and Christianity that came into existence upon the message that Jesus preached. They have had 2000 years to do what the Jews did not. Has it been done? Christians might be eagerly awaiting the return of Christ but what are they doing in the meantime?  The best effort they can generate usually comes on Sunday mornings.  As long as it occurs early enough on Sunday to be done before the sports kick-off at noon.  And the preacher does a good job on the sermon; they have succeeded in doing their requirement for the week. Out the door on Sunday, turn on the electronics and get caught up on what was missed during the hour in church!

How is that any different than what has gone on for the past 6000 years? How is this any different than the Children of Abraham in Egypt or in Canaan?   Silence from the Church and Christians.  TOO BUSY FOR GOD.

WHERE IS THE DESIRE TO SPEND EVERY BREATHING MINUTE WITH THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE?

Be-ATTITUDES

Every preacher has probably preached on the Beatitudes at some point in their time in the pulpit. There are probably a few people who can even quote them.  A lot of people reading the Gospel of Matthew probably skim over these nine verses just to get past them since the passage is so familiar.  The verses can even be found on knick-nacks at a discount store. Nothing here to waste time on.  HOLD ON a minute, turns out Jesus had a lot to say about the ATTITUDES prevalent in our society right now. There are more solutions in this passage than in any other media available.  What? Well, take a better look at it ONE VERSE AT A TIME.

Matthew 5:3-11 are the BE - ATTITUDES…

1) BE POOR IN SPIRIT – Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

How do you think of yourself?  In humility or pride? If in humility, then what form of humility?

There is vanity when one considers how much was sacrificed in giving.  Being proud of how much offering was given or how wonderful it was of us to give those groceries to the needy.  Being proud of how “un-wealthy” we are is just as bad as King Midas counting every one of his gold coins.

Be poor but not proud.  Job was as thankful for the “taking away”; as he was for “the giving”!

Be humble and lowly.  Matthew Henry puts it this way:  “accommodate ourselves to our poverty…not in pride or prejudice….not throwing away what God has given us…be as little children in our opinion of ourselves…”

2) BE MOURNFUL – Receive comfort

Has this verse ever been used for anything other than during the occasion of the death of someone?

We are to be mournful.  Not the sorrow of life in this world but mournful over sin.  We must feel the sorrowfulness for our sins.  Sins which were paid for by the high cost of a blood sacrifice.  Mournful enough that we are apologetic for our sinful nature. Life must be lived in repentance.

There is a second reason for being mournful.  We need to have sorrow for the sins of others.  Do you feel the sorrow watching your fellow man wallow in his depravity?  Jesus did.  That is why he blessed those who mourn.  In Luke 19:41, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and its “state/condition”.

3) BE MEEK - and inherit the earth

This word IS NOT even a part of our vocabulary today.  What does it mean?  You have heard the expression: “Google it”.  Well do that and you will find this definition:

 “quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive”

That entire definition is so opposed to what is broadcasted from every angle of culture and society.  Look for an example of a person around that fits this description of being meek.  How many can you list?

For a follower of God, this one should hit them in some sensitive areas of their lifestyle and attitudes. What a directive on how a child of God should live and conduct themselves daily. It is also a VERY SIMPLE answer from God on how we should be reacting to the strange chaos we are finding ourselves living in today.

Then there is submissive.  An entire paper can be written on that.  Submission is expected to both authority here on earth and in heaven.  We are expected to be submissive in our homes, marriages, jobs, and authorities.

This is “Quiet Submission” to God and man. Not boastful about that submission or humility.  Calling attention to the fact that you are being submissive is false humility.  Titus 3:1-2 dictates that we are to be gentle in dealings with the evil of men.  Not allowing ourselves to being provoked.  OUCH, does that mandate what our reaction is to look like?

4) BE HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS – and you will be filled

Thriving constantly for purity.  Not for perfection.  When are you hungry?  Have you ever missed more than one meal?  Your stomach starts talking to you.  When you have that kind of desire for God’s Word and for being in the presence of God you are getting closer.  Unlike eating food, you will never reach a full “stomach” until you are standing before the throne of God.  Our goal is to be as much like Jesus as possible without the self-righteousness displayed by the Pharisee in scripture.

5) BE MERCIFUL – and you will obtain mercy

How quick are we to snap a response at the actions of those we see on media today? We are very quick at pronouncing our judgment.  This does not mean or dictate we condone a sinful life style.  A sinful life will send the soul to Hell. Period, end of story!  BUT, there is NO SOUL THAT IS NOT ABLE TO BE SAVED! 

How much do we assume the afflictions, problems or needs of others?  To little time in our seemingly busy schedule to bother with them.  Where is the compassion and care for our fellow man?  Scripture is filled with examples of mercy.  There were those who lowered their friend through the roof just to be healed.  Boaz allowed Ruth to get food from his fields.  It is also filled with those who treated lepers as outcasts and did not show mercy.  Which form of mercy do you display?

6) BE PURE IN HEART – and you will see God

Cleanliness of the heart.  If your heart has never made a commitment to Christ, then none of this will mean anything to you.  The first thing needed is a heart that has been totally surrendered to God and has agreed to Him being the master of everything.  Once that has happened, priorities begin to change and these Be-Attitudes begin to make sense.

7) BE A PEACEMAKER – to be called the children of God

Are we striving to obtain peaceful solutions or are we always an instigator to say or do something to cause dissention or unrest.

8) BE RIGHTEOUS AND PREPARED FOR PERSECUTION

This covers both blatant persecution and the suffering that comes as a result of standing for the righteousness of God. Persecution WILL COME for adherence to righteousness!

Those living in America have not known true persecution. Are they prepared for it?  There are those who have given their lives for the Gospel.  Persecution can come in many forms from simple name calling and false accusations. However, are you prepared for persecution that results in not having food on the table or a home to live?  How about the loss of a job to pay the bills UNLESS you agree to a lifestyle or organization that denies Biblical principles?

Remaining true to convictions and righteousness is the most difficult of all these.  Being rooted in God’s word will be the greatest weapon available to the children of God.

Each of these BE-ATTITUDES builds upon one another. They were not spoken by Jesus to be used as just another common liturgy or as a cute plague on the wall of an office. Better read them slowly again and pay more careful attention to them before quoting them.

Got Nothing To Do?

Got nothing to do?  Read a book!  Have you read the greatest book of all time?  You will not be able to put it down. It has thousands of stories covering every topic found in any other book and it is all under one cover and binding. It has stories involving:  Murder, Treachery, Feats of Strength and Valor, and Reality Survival in the most remote parts of the planet.

Here are just a few samples from this book:

Murder:

Brother kills brother; a King kills a man to get his wife, men are beheaded and crucified

Treachery:

One man tricks first his brother and then later his father to get the family inheritance.

A man passing off his wife as his sister and making a fortune in the process

A betrayal and sell out for 30 coins

Feats of Strength and Valor:

One man leading an army of 300 to victory over 10,000

Killing a Lion with bare hands and then 10,000 soldiers with a jaw bone

Shepherd boy killing a bear and a lion and then a nine foot giant with a stone.

Romance:

A man works seven years to earn the hand of the woman he loves only to end up with the “ugly sister”

Peasant girl wins beauty contest to become Queen and saves her people

Woman who loses her husband and sons meets the love of her life and becomes grandmother to a King

Remote Survival Skills:

Man alive after spending three days inside a fish.

Man survives for 12 months with his wife, 3 sons, 3 daugher-in-laws and animals in a boat he built himself

A nation of almost a million nomads survives 40 years wandering in circles in the desert

Amazing events:

Sun stands still for an entire day, Earth covered with flood waters, Earthquakes swallow entire populations, food falling from the sky, rivers parting to let millions pass, dead people walking around

If that is not enough, it also has: Love, Romance, Peace, Cure for Illness and Plans for the Future.

Have you read the BIBLE from cover to cover yet?

What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting until you have more time available?

Waiting until you have no where to go or nothing to do?

WHAT IS KEEPING YOU BUSY?

written WD Kemner - April 2020