The Rapture

The Coming Rapture

Meeting the Lord in the Air

In the Gospel of Luke in Chapter 17 it talks about a last days rapture event where one who is alive is taken up, while another, who is also alive, stays. And then the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians in Chapter 4 also mentions about believers who are alive, and how they are raptured into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and forever be with the Lord. All of this happening around the days of tribulation.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus is coming back for his Bride. But the question I have is, — who are the ones that are taken up, and who are the ones that are staying? Knowing that we are living in the days of the coming rapture, — to define the two would benefit all of us. Obviously the ones who end up missing out on this first round of meeting the Lord, get to figure it out during the times of global tribulation, only to end up with one heck of an extended journey as they get another crack at this thing once again during Armageddon. But who are those ones that get to meet up with the Lord on the first round? And also, does this coming rapture include all who know the name of Jesus, or is this coming rapture only for those that have been transformed by Jesus? Many today have built upon the name of Jesus but demonstrate very little to what that name truly represents? So where do we draw the line?

When I think about Enoch and Elijah, two men who had their own personal rapture experience, it makes complete sense for me to tap into their characters, and look into their journeys and see what it is that I can learn from. Romans 2:11 says: "For there is no respect of persons with God." What it's saying is that God has no favorites. God is looking for those who are interested in pursuing righteousness, — those who want to line up with what is right! If there is such a thing as favorites, — those pursuing righteousness would probably be the ones! God is looking for an ongoing landing place, and eventually a permanent dwelling place for His righteousness, but at the same time He knows that we are all a work in progress and graciously gives us a lot of room for growth.

Rapture of Enoch

When I researched Enoch I noticed that he was a man who personally pursued righteousness at all cost. He did what was right and he was determined to speak out what was right when it came to right vs. wrong. He was also one who scribed things out as he was being exposed to those amazing levels of that Heavenly Kingdom. His relationship with God was more than just an acquaintance; he was actually a friend of God. His was a profound friendship, and that relationship with his God transformed him in so many ways and on so many levels.

He was eager for the truth and curious about the Kingdom of Heaven. He was adventurous, and when he walked out the mysteries of the Kingdom, — a greater wisdom and a greater understanding, along with a deeper relationship with God became an every day reality. He lived in a world that was absolutely horrible and chaotic but he did not allow himself to get stained by the corruption. He was determined to hang tight with his God. Engaged with the angelic, he seemed to ask all the right questions as he explored the details of his God. Getting to know the depths of his God, he in turn became a spokesperson for God.

Rapture of Elijah

When I look at Elijah, I see a man who has learned a life of letting go. A man who learned how to walk a life in the Shadow of the Almighty, a man who learned a life of obeying and embracing the virtue of self-denial, — to put to death his own glory for a greater display of Gods glory.

Elijah recognized that in order to receive the provision of God; he had to do the right thing by being at the right place. He learned that there are no guarantees that things are actually going to work out prior to stepping out. But that the working out part only came when he stepped out in faith. He learned that any solid confirmation, any solid revelation, to help him know that he was on the right track came as he started to put boots on the ground.

Elijah learned that when he started heading in the right direction, there came a supernatural flow of provision. What I see in Elijah is that I need to find my place called “there” and start heading “there” because that very place called “there” can become a serious game changer for me, and for those that are already “there”. As the Lord moved, Elijah learned to move with Him. For Elijah, when he acted upon the word of the Lord, — boom, he became a powerful force and the air was filled with Gods presence. He was blessed, — miracles, signs, and wonders followed.

Rapture Conclusion

When I look at the quality of character that these guys walked in prior to their personal rapture experience, — I realize that many today are standing on shaky ground. Many are lacking true character. Many are going to possibly miss out. In Matthew 7:21-23 it says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ”

It's all about a relationship. Jesus says in the gospel of John Chapter 10 — "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." Many know His name, but only a few, out of the many, are actually familiar with the Lords voice. And just walking along with the academics will not guarantee anything. The adversary knows the bible inside out, he's memorized it completely, and is able to quote anything at will, but at the end, it wont help him one bit. "Depart from me I never knew you." will be a message to many as their busyness had nothing to do with the Fathers business. ( The book of Revelation talks about the great deception within the believers in these last days.)

My guess is that just knowing the name of Jesus is not going to cut it. But having a relationship with the one behind that name, and being led by the Holy Spirit, — will. It’s one thing to believe in the rapture, — it’s another thing when it comes to getting your ticket punched! For many, it may be a good time to recalibrate. Getting stranded on that launching pad could make for a horrible day!

All I can say is that it's a good thing we have a God that believes in second chances!

EkklesiaRising.com / JesusMinistries.ca