Revelation watch: Day 9

Revelation watch: Day 9

Rapture in September ...

The rapture (harpazo in the Greek), or at least one of the raptures of the End Times, will baffle humanity. Even after reading and being told about it, watching movies like the "Left Behind" series, many people will resort to denial. They will consider any other possibility to explain the missing millions (billions?), including UFO abductions, except to admit that they blew it. They messed up.

Bibles. Image by DZN.

The rapture - the term used to describe the "snatching away" or getting "caught up" of believers - is not the same thing as the Return of Jesus Christ at the end of this age. (I and others lean toward the idea that there will be multiple raptures during the seven-year End Times period. Not only is this likely, but it also makes the most sense. 

Christians debate over whether we will have a rapture before tribulation begins, in the middle of the tribulation or at the end of the tribulation period. All of them argue their views from scriptures. It may be that the scriptures actually indicate that we will have three groups of people raptured during the End Times period.) People who procrastinate and decide to turn to Jesus after the first rapture shift is gone, will have another chance later, but they will have to go through greater persecution.

Several prophetic messengers and Ezekiel/Chapter 33-watchers have gone out on a limb by predicting specific extraordinary events for the month of September. Brenda Weltner, a Bible study teacher who does not consider herself a prophet, also risked her reputation by alleging that the rapture (the first one anyway) will occur on September 28 of this year, over the Day of Atonement. She also teaches that believers will receive their glorified bodies (glorification) over the Feast of Trumpets, days before the rapture. Brenda Weltner

For more details on how explains these dates, watch her videos on YouTube. She is going through Revelation, chapter by chapter, and her series might end right around the take-off time. She includes more details in her book "A Kingdom of Priests: The Stories of Revelation," which I recommend. Don't let its 590 pages intimidate you; it is a quick and easy read. She's also made much of her material available for free and in different languages.

Christian authors continue to publish many new books on very interesting topics. However, I believe that reading and studying the Book of Revelation (the Apocalypse) is the best possible investment of our time in this prophetic season. It is also the most relevant book to take up now. The Return of Jesus Christ is the most exciting and significant event we have to look forward to. The United States has a presidential election that is only weeks away, and the entire world is anxious over the possible outcomes. Regularly, I would be steeped deep in political punditry, watching TV news and analysis about the election, and viewing political talk shows without end. No more.

I feel totally at peace about my own relationship with the Lord; at the same time, I feel a churning in my stomach because many people still do not know Jesus. I don't want anyone to be left behind.

Jesus died for everyone: young and old, male and female; of every ethnic background, political persuasion, religious background or no religious background. When He hung on the cross, naked and completely vulnerable, His arms were stretched out even then to all of humanity. Sin separated us from the Father, but Jesus took our sins with Him to the cross, and He also took the punishment that we were due. He was raised from the dead, and through His own sinless life, He as the Lamb of God defeated death and the power of sin. He offers salvation as a free gift to anyone who calls upon Him.

There is still time to turn to Jesus. He said at the start of His earthly ministry, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Let's make that first rapture lift-off, and if happens on Sept. 28, all the better!

Scriptures

I Corinthians 15:52 (NLT) - "It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed."

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 (BSB) - (16) "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. (17) After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore encourage one another with these words."

Matthew 4:17 (WEB) - "From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." 

Acts 2:38 (NIV) - "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." 

Romans 10:13 (NLT) - "For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

God bless all of you! 

Shalom 🙏

Diana Washington-Valdez/Faith Today Christian Ministries/Exalting the Name of Jesus! 

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