The rapture: Part 5

The timing of the rapture: Does it matter?

 

By Craig Portwood

 

Invariably, when one presents a case for the view that believers will suffer in the great tribulation, those who hold the contrary view will argue that it doesn’t matter. If and when it happens, they are sure that God will protect them somehow. The problem with that kind of thinking however is that, when it comes upon them, they will not be prepared in their hearts to testify to a world that will want them dead.

 

An examination of the history of Christianity shows that suffering is precisely what we have had to do. The idea that we will not have to endure persecution for the sake of Christ, runs contrary to the experience of those who have gone before us.

 

Why would we who have not been afflicted as have the martyrs of old, escape their fate? Are we somehow better that they? Why would God spare the end times saints and not people like John Foxe? His book, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs is a cold, hard, sober look at the truth.



It was the blood of the first century martyrs in Rome that watered the church and made it grow. It was the persecution of our brethren in Europe that made the Protestant movement possible. Would we have had today the King James Bible if not for those who braved the inquisition? Christ told us to take up our cross and follow him. How many verses must be presented before modern Christendom wakes up to the fact that we were promised tribulation?



John 16: 33

 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

 

After being stoned and left for dead, Paul returned to Lystra not preaching an escape from tribulation but, promising that believers could expect suffering. It is interesting that the word tribulation is occurs 22 times in the Bible. It is one of the promises we have received. It is tragic that is not received by large numbers of modern American believers. Compare the following scriptures with the teaching of the “rapture ready” crowd:



Acts 14: 22

 

the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

 


The pre-tribulation rapture group denies this teaching, obstinate in their belief that they must not suffer tribulation.


Romans 5: 3

 

not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 

 

The rapture cult find no glory in suffering and seem to have no patience for those who hold otherwise.



Romans 8: 35

 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 

 

 Rapturists teach that to suffer in the great tribulation is to be separate from Christ.




Romans 12: 12  

 

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

 

We were not told to live carefree in delusions of peace and safety. We were told to be vigilant.

 


1st Thessalonians 5: 1-6 

 

of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

 

 

The modern rapture oriented believers rejoice in their belief that they are too good to suffer in the tribulation. They prefer to hear smooth things over the truth. God warned his people through the prophet Isaiah of the false teachings which would be prevalent in these end days.



 Isaiah 30: 8 -11  

 

Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

 

 

 Isaiah 30: 12-13  

 

Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

 

 

This warning was repeated by God’s Son.

 

Mark 13: 35-37 

 

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.

 

 

You have now been warned. Sooner or later, we will all meet Christ. You alone get to decide the terms of that meeting. You can meet him as your Savior or your Judge.

 

Prepare to meet your God.