I wrote this series on the Rapture to dispel a notion I’ve observed many Christians hold. It’s the assumption life will be pleasant and then Jesus will whisk us out of the world. The Bible teaches enough about the suffering of the saints to undermine that belief.
Since God’s people have endured trials for thousands of years, why would conditions surrounding the Rapture be any different? The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites, the Babylonians exiled the Jews, and the world persecuted the first Christians for their faith in Christ. It stands to reason conditions at the return of Jesus for His Bride will be tough. There’s biblical precedent.
Yet I didn’t want to swing to the other extreme and portray a grim future. Before God flooded the ancient wicked world, He had Noah build an ark so he could survive. When the angels were about to rain fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah, they first led away Lot and his family. And when God judged Egypt, He shielded the Israelites from most of the afflictions.
We see God’s protection in the New Testament, too. Jesus was impervious to crowds who sought to kill Him (Luke 4:30; John 7:30; 8:20, 59). An angel broke Peter out of prison (Acts 12:6-11). And after a viper bit him, Paul shook off the snake with no adverse reaction (Acts 28:3-6). These examples shouldn’t surprise us; Jesus promised His witnesses supernatural power (Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:17-20).
But while we can count on Christ’s power, we can also expect trials. It’s not God’s will that we suffer, but that we remain loyal to Jesus no matter what we go through. That’s what God wants, and if it costs us, we must be willing to pay the price. This is the point to Peter’s exhortation to Christians about suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19).
I’m under no illusion this is easy. (I hope I’m not anyway!) Paul’s introduction of the remnant to his discussion about the Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) is sobering. Few believers will be alive by the time the Rapture occurs. Many will have abandoned Christ to save their own skin. They will have caved into the world’s demands and let go of Jesus. And opponents will have killed many of those who refused to compromise.
The Rapture is the resurrection of the saints, whether living or dead. It’s the moment of our transformation and glorification. We will become like Jesus, as John promised.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” – 1 John 3:2
Jesus died on Good Friday but God raised Him on Easter Sunday. Resurrection follows crucifixion. The empty tomb follows the cross. This is the pattern of the Christian life, as Paul declares.
“I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:10-11
The cross is the way to new life. So let’s take up our cross and follow Jesus. As we do, we prepare ourselves for the joy of His return.
I find it to be comforting to know that the rejection of the world is from joining in Christ’s suffering. Praying for the salvation of those who reject us seems appropriate . It brings great joy when we find out they have chosen to follow Christ because of the way we have treated them.
You’re so right, Barb! When we respond to trouble with faith in Christ and demonstration of His love, that’s a powerful combination. And unusual, too! It’s not something people can explain, but they know it’s right! God bless you!