The Last Days Session 4 - After the Rapture and God Deals with the Nation of Isreal

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now doing a study of the last days which we define as the days that started with the beginning of Jesus' ministry until his return. 

In Session 3 we talked about the Rapture of the church.  In Sessions 1 and 2 we looked at what is yet to come. and wee that the coming of Jesus Christ could be very soon and the next thing to happen as the signs that Jesus said would happen get more intense is the Rapture of the Church.   The word rapture that we use is from the Latin word rapturus which means “to be caught up” or “to be snatched up”  The event itself is described by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV‬ [13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. [14] For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. [15] According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] 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. [17] 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. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

As we learned the rapture comes then the Anti-Christ then the tribulation,  It is during this period after the rapture that God will, initiate a national turning back to God by Israel.  The implication is they will turn to Jesus as the Messiah, and God will pour out His Spirit on the nation of Israel again. 

‭Romans 11:25-27 NIV‬ [25] 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, [26] 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. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

Alarming: Attacks on U.S. Churches More Than Doubled in 2023, Report Finds

The number of hostile actions against churches more than doubled in 2023, according to a major new report that suggests the data could point to a “collapse in societal reverence and respect for houses of worship” that comes from the “marginalizing” of core Christian beliefs.

The “Hostility Against Churches” report, released this week by the Family Research Council, uncovered 436 acts of hostility against churches from January through November 2023 compared to 195 in 2022. Attacks on churches have been on the rise for at least years, according to the data. There were 96 in 2021, 55 in 2020, 83 in 2019 and 50 in 2018.

FRC initially released a report on the issue in December 2022. Since then, the problem has only grown worse. 

“Although the motivations for many of these incidents remain unknown, the rise in crimes against churches is taking place in a context in which American culture appears increasingly hostile to Christianity,” the report said. “Criminal acts of vandalism and destruction of church property may be symptomatic of a collapse in societal reverence and respect for houses of worship and religion -- in this case, churches and Christianity. Americans appear increasingly comfortable lashing out against church buildings, pointing to a larger societal problem of marginalizing core Christian beliefs, including those that touch on hot-button political issues related to human dignity and sexuality. Attacks on houses of worship may also signal a discomfort with religion in general.”

If you think the world is troubled now, just wait until the Lord takes the true believers—that is, those who have put their faith in Christ—out of it. All hell will break loose, literally. Right now, the Holy Spirit within the church is a restraining force in this world, stopping the spread of evil to a large degree, using us, as followers of Jesus, to stand up and speak for what is true and what is right. But a day is coming when the Lord will call us to be with Him, that’s the Rapture and then the Antichrist will emerge and the Tribulation period will begin.

Take, for example, two illustrations from Scripture as to why believers will not face this wrath. When God was about to judge Sodom and Gomorrah, did He get His people out first or did He leave them in the wicked cities? 

He got Lot and his family out first, and then the judgment came. 

‭Genesis 19:16-22 NIV‬ [16] When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. [17] As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” [18] But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! [19] Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. [20] Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.” [21] He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. [22] But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.)

When God was about to bring judgment on the earth through the Flood, did God leave Noah there to drown with everyone else? No, He placed Noah and his family in the ark, where they would be safe.

‭Genesis 7:5-10 NIV‬ [5] And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. [6] Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. [7] And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. [8] Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, [9] male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. [10] And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.

In the same way, God has not appointed us to receive the wrath that will come upon a wicked world. 

‭Revelation 3:10 NIV‬ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

In other words, the Lord is saying, “Because you have hung in there and persevered, I will keep you from the Tribulation period.”

A COMING WORLD LEADER

The book of Revelation is the unveiling of the future. “Revelation” means “the unveiling,” or “to uncover or reveal something that had been previously hidden.” We find its originsin the same Greek word from which we get the English word “apocalypse.” The book of Revelation is the apocalypse revealed for you. While it is a glimpse into the future, it is also an unveiling of history from God’s perspective.    

 In the first three chapters, Jesus addresses the seven churches of Revelation. Beginning with the church of Ephesus and ending with the church of Laodicea, these chapters speak of three different things:         

1.  Actual churches that once existed

2. Stages of church history

3. People who would find themselves in the same spiritual condition as the churches to whom Jesus was speaking

Revelation 4 describes the fact that the Church will be catapulted into the presence of God in eternity. It is a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Then the scene shifts back to Earth, and Revelation 6 describes what the Tribulation period will be like.

We talked about Satan and the Anit-Christ being restrained by the Holy Spirit operating in the church then when things start to get really tough and evil there’s the Rapture which means there is nothing or noone  to restrain evil on the earth.

‭2 Thessalonians 2:2-8 NIV‬ [2] not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. [3] Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. [4] He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. [5] Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? [6] And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. [7] For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 

Who is this “lawless one” or Antichrist and how will he come on the scene? 

He will be a charismatic world leader who will emerge with answers to the troubled economy of the world and he will be a man who will bring about a peace making possible the complete absence of war for three and a half years.

‭Daniel 9:27 NCV‬ [27] That leader will make firm an agreement with many people for seven years. He will stop the offerings and sacrifices after three and one-half years. A destroyer will do blasphemous things until the ordered end comes to the destroyed city.”

‭Daniel 9:27 AMPC‬ [27]  And he shall enter into a strong and firm covenant with the many for one week [seven years]. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and offering to cease [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and upon the wing or pinnacle of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate, until the full determined end is poured out on the desolator.

Now this is a man not Satan himself but he will be advised and guided by Satan. He will come as a man of peace, a man with solutions.

Although it is clear today that he was not Hilter was a sort of prototype 

Hitler did something very similar when he came on the scene. After World War I, Germanywas in desperate financial straits. Inflation was so bad that thousands of people were virtually starving on the streets. He came on the scene with benevolent gestures and then revealed himself for who he really was. He had a wicked plan that he called “the final solution.” It was his desire to kill every Jewish man, woman and child.

He effectively destroyed 6 million Jews in his concentration camps, and probably would have achieved his goal of total elimination of the Jewish race had it not been for his defeat by the Allies.

Keep in mind that an international focus on Israel is one of the distinctive signs of the last days.  Remember the church, those who believe and trust the sacrifice of Jesus for the remission of sin. It is important to understand that modern Israel today is largely a secular nation.

‭Romans 11:25-27 NIV‬ [25] 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, [26] 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. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

Here Paul is implying a national turning back to God.  The implication is they will turn to Jesus as the Messiah, and God will pour out His Spirit on the nation of Israel again.  But before He does this and pours out His Spirit upon the Jews, the full gathering of the Gentiles must take place, the church will be Raptured.

Over most Jewish people today, certainly not all, there is a spiritual blindness in which they are not all that open to hearing about Jesus as their Messiah. God says that He will lift the blinders.          

Diverse Interpretations:

End Times View: Some believe that God will remove their spiritual blindness in a dramatic way near the end times, potentially through a series of events and supernatural signs. This may align with prophecies found in books like Ezekiel or Zechariah which discuss Israel's restoration.

Ezekiel contains some of the most striking and vivid prophecies about Israel's restoration. Here are some specific verses and their significance:

Physical Restoration

• Ezekiel 36:24-28  “I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.”

• This passage combines promises of physical return to the Land of Israel with an inward, spiritual transformation.

• Ezekiel 37:11-14 (The Valley of Dry Bones) “Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.”’”

• This powerful vision symbolizes Israel's resurrection from a state of spiritual death and exile back into a revitalized nation in their homeland.

Spiritual Restoration

• Ezekiel 11:19-20 "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God."

• This speaks of an internal transformation where God changes the hearts of His people, enabling them to follow Him faithfully.

• Ezekiel 36:33-36 “Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt...Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

• Here we see that spiritual cleansing leads to the restoration of the land, signifying the holistic nature of Israel's renewal.

Future Leadership and Unity

• Ezekiel 37:24-25 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever."

• This refers to a future time of unity under a righteous leader, often interpreted as pointing towards the Messiah.

Physical Restoration

• Zechariah 2:10-12 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you." (ESV)

• God promises His return to Jerusalem and Israel, with the inclusion of Gentiles among His people.

• Zechariah 8:7-8 "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.'" (ESV)

• Emphasizes the return of exiles to Jerusalem under God's protection.

Spiritual Restoration

• Zechariah 1:3 "Therefore say to them, ‘Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.'" (ESV)

• Stresses Israel's repentance and return to God as pivotal for restoration.

• Zechariah 13:1 "On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness." (ESV)

• Images of spiritual cleansing and forgiveness.

• Zechariah 10:6 "'I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them.'" (ESV)

• A pledge for Israel's restoration and reconciliation with God.

Future Blessings

• Zechariah 8:12 "For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.'" (ESV)

• Promises agricultural abundance and prosperity.

• Zechariah 8:23 "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" (ESV)

• Envisions Israel's spiritual influence drawing nations towards God.

Gradual Process: Others view it as a more gradual process rooted in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. It suggests that through interactions with Christians, studying the full scope of Scripture, and personal encounters with God, Jewish people may increasingly recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Both/And: Some may hold that both miraculous and gradual elements will be part of this process.

Important Considerations:

• God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, the timing and specific methods for removing spiritual blindness from Jewish people rests in God's hands.  Christians are called to share the Gospel and pray for Jewish people but respect God's ultimate plan.

• Respect and Sensitivity: Discussions on this topic should always happen with deep respect for Jewish people and their faith. Avoiding any language that comes across as proselytizing or dismissive is crucial.

• Focus on Love: The Christian worldview centers on love for all people, including Jewish people. Dialogue on this topic should be marked by love, understanding, and a genuine desire to learn from different perspectives.

The Last Days Session 3 -The Rapture

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now doing a study of the last days which we define as the days that started with the beginning of Jesus' ministry until his return. 

In Session 2 we looked at Jesus' answer to the disciples" question “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3 NIV)

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:4-8 NIV)‬

In summary this is what he said would happen in the last days.

An Explosion of Religious Deception

Wars and Rumors of Wars

Famine and Pestilence 

Earthquakes, Hurricanes and Tsunamis

Religious Persecution

What we see today are the labor pains of what is yet to come. As we watch these things happen in our world, as we sense these labor pains getting closer and closer together they tell us the coming of Jesus Christ is near.

While we don't know when Jesus will return we do know that the next event to happen will be the Rapture when the church will be removed from the horrors that the Anti-Christ will initiate leading up to the Great Tribulation described in Revelation chapters 6-18

In Session 3 we talk about the Rapture

For our study we are using the book "Are These the Last Days?" by Greg Lauri

Review

Let’s start with the disciples' question after Jesus told them that the temple would be destroyed.

‭Matthew 24:1-3 NIV‬ [1] Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. [2] “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” [3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Why is that important? Because if this happened as Jesus said it would, and other things happened as Jesus said they would, then we know that what is yet to come also will happen just as He said.

In A.D. 70, the Roman general, Titus, built large, wooden scaffolds around the walls of the Temple buildings, piled them high with wood and other flammable items, and set them ablaze. The fires were so intense that the stones of the Temple crumpled. 

To retrieve the melted gold from the temple walls, Roman troops dismantled the Temple stone by stone, fulfilling exactly the prediction of Jesus Christ. 

Now let’s take a look at Jesus’ answer to their question 

‭Matthew 24:1-8 NIV‬ [1] Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. [2] “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” [3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” [4] Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. [6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of birth pains.

In summary this is what he said would happen in the last days.

An Explosion of Religious Deception

Wars and Rumors of Wars

Famine and Pestilence 

Earthquakes, Hurricanes and Tsunamis

Religious Persecution

Are we really in the last days? The answer is yes. What we see today are the labor pains of what is yet to come. As we watch these things happen in our world, as we sense these labor pains getting closer and closer together they tell us the coming of Jesus Christ is near.

The Rapture 

 What we see today are the labor pains of what is yet to come. As we watch these things happen in our world, as we sense these labor pains getting closer and closer together they tell us the coming of Jesus Christ is near. In fact, I see nothing in Scripture that needs to occur before the Rapture of the Church can take place. In my understanding of Bible prophecy, it is the next event on the prophetic calendar. And it could happen at any time.

The word rapture is not in the Bible that we use today unless you have a Latin  one.  The word rapture that we use is from the Latin word rapturus which means “to be caught up” or “to be snatched up”  The event itself is described by Paul.

‭1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV‬ [13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. [14] For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. [15] According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] 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. [17] 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. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

‭Matthew 24:40-42 NIV‬ [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [42]  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 

‭John 14:2-4 NIV‬ [2] My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] 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. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going.”

‭1 John 2:28 NIV‬ [28] And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

What we know about the rapture is that Christians will be received into the presence of God instantaneously. 

‭1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NIV‬ [51] Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 

A blink is fast—so fast that most of the time you don’t even notice it when you blink—but the time it takes for an eye to twinkle is even faster.

There has been debate among Christians as to when the rapture will happen.  Not in terms of dates but when it will happen relative to the tribulation. 

Under no circumstances should we believe anyone who tells us that they know the date of the Lord’s return., Why? Because Jesus said, “No one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows” (Matt. 4:36, NLT).

The important differences between the rapture and second coming are as follows:

1) At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). We read that 

 In the Rapture, Jesus will come like a thief in the night.

‭Luke 12:39-40 NIV‬ [39] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

In the Second Coming, everyone will see Him.

‭Matthew 24:27 NIV‬ [27] For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 

‭Revelation 1:7 NIV‬ [7] “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth.

‭Revelation 19:13-16 NIV‬ [13] He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. [14] The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation and we are going to talk about that later. If you want to read ahead, read Revelation chapters 6–19. 

The rapture occurs before the tribulation.

‭1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV‬ [9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

[11] Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

‭Revelation 3:10 NIV‬ [10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance.

‭1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV‬ [9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The second coming is an act of judgment.

‭Matthew 24:40-41 NIV‬ [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place.  We talked about some of them last week and we will talk about the others when we talk about the stuff in Revelation 6-18.

The rapture is imminent; it could take place at any moment.

Why is it important to keep the rapture and the second coming distinct?

1) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the tribulation.  (

2) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent—there are many things which must occur before He can return.   

3) In describing the tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6–19 nowhere mentions the church. During the tribulation God will again turn His primary attention to Israel because the church is with Him.

‭Romans 11:13-32 NIV‬ [13] I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry [14] in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. [15] For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? [16] If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. [17] If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, [18] do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. [19] You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” [20] Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. [22] Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. [23] And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. [24] After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! [25] 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, [26] 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. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. [30] Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. [32] For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

The rapture and second coming are similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end-times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences. In summary, the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God’s wrath. The second coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the tribulation to an end and to defeat the Antichrist and his evil world empire. 

So the rapture comes then the Anti-Christ then the tribulation,  

THE RELEVANCE OF THE RAPTURE

Now let’s consider what the Rapture means for Christians today who have put their faith in Christ.

The human body was not meant to last forever. In fact, the Bible compares it to a tent: “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1). We do all sorts of things to try to prolong our lives. But eventually, our bodies will wear out. 

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (vv. 20-21).

      

We are going to heaven, where God will give each of us a new, glorified body. Whata great hope. That is one reason we don’t have to be afraid.

 

We Know That Jesus Is Coming Again

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). Jesus is speaking of the Rapture here.

      

Notice that Jesus says that He will come again and receive us unto Himself. He doesn’t say that He will take us. He won’t take us if we don’t want to go. Hebrews 9:28 says, “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Are you eagerly waiting for the return of Jesus Christ? That is the kind of person whom Jesus is coming back for.

      

 Are you ready?