Still Not Yet
Still Not Yet
By Terry James
Some weeks ago I wrote in my blog a commentary I called “The End Is Not Yet.” It began as follows:
Even those who operate issues and events from Christian and even prophetic perspectives are painting a picture that the world is now almost certainly already in an era not unlike that described as the biblical apocalypse.
Aside from the fears about the millions who might die from coronavirus are the just-as-feared economic ramifications of the now officially declared pandemic.
As the weeks progress, I continue to get many emails that want me to reconsider my pre-Trib position regarding the Rapture.
Realizing most who come to Rapture Ready comprehend the term, to make sure everyone fully understands what is meant by the term “pre-Trib Rapture,” I’ll try to make it clear.
The Rapture is the instant (in the twinkling of an eye—that is, a time that cannot be measured) when Jesus Christ will call all believers of the Church Age (Age of Grace) to Himself. Paul the apostle prophesies that stunning event:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)
Paul further explains:
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)
This promise from God of deliverance from history’s most terrible time (Revelation 3:10) is for all who believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation (Romans 10:9–10). Those who have trusted Christ for salvation of their souls and who have died during the Church Age and all who are alive when the great event of Rapture takes place will go instantaneously to be with Jesus when He shouts “Come up here!” (Revelation 4:1).
In that second of time, all of these saints will be lifted into the clouds and will return with their Lord Jesus to the Father’s House, where He has been preparing “dwelling places” for us (John 14:1–3).
Back on planet earth, terrible things will be taking place. Ultimately, history’s last and most terrible dictator will arise and implement his rule of terror upon most all of earth’s inhabitants. This will be the Tribulation.
So, Christians will be removed, as we have seen, before that Tribulation takes place. Thus we term it the “pre-Trib Rapture.”
This is why Paul writes just after telling of this glorious going home: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
So the emails continue to indicate that some are now beginning to doubt this rescue. More are trying to get me to read theories that the Rapture is delayed until sometime into the Tribulation—which these contend we’ve now entered.
One such email begins: “I know many have been soured on the subject of what is known as ‘the rapture,’ but 1 Corinthians 15:52 makes this a biblical event, despite the confusion around the subject. In this message, I have included a link to the book, in magazine format, that I wrote after God showed me how 1 Corinthians 15:52 would actually occur. This is worth your reading, because it will shake and wake the Church!”
Not to be rude or pompous, but the title of his book told me all I needed to know. I have long ago ceased to chase after these alternate theories or debate them. There simply isn’t enough time to devote to things contrary to what the Scripture plainly teaches. It is so important at this late date at the end of the age to just plainly teach and believe what God’s Word says on this most important matter.
While we are not in that dreaded Tribulation era, as many believe, issues and events coming at us minute by minute in the news show how close we must be to that moment of Rapture and the beginning of that era of horror which will certainly follow.
One such indicator in the news of where we stand that isn’t talked a lot about today was sent to me by a friend who helps keep me up to date on breaking news.
The Tribulation, in large part, will come upon the earth because of God’s desire to bring about a remnant of believers from the House of Israel—His chosen people.
They are “chosen” because He brought into the world through them the Savior—Jesus Christ—in order to be the slain Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
God has promised to save one-third of the Jewish race as a remnant to be His chosen nation, Israel, during the millennial reign of Jesus on the throne of David.
That one-third will come from the Lord bringing Jewish believers through the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30: 7). This will be the last half of the seven-year Tribulation era.
So the article my friend sent is an important one dealing with the Jews, as God begins preparing that people for this horrific time to come.
Brooklyn, NY: Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Frankel, also known as the Rime over Rebbe, issued an unequivocal order last week for Jews in the diaspora to leave their homes and immigrate to Israel before a civil war breaks out in the United States reports Bhadrei Haharedim.
Rabbi Frankel is an heir of Menachem Mendel of Rimanov—who was among the early promoters of the Hasidic movement in Poland.
He has been active recently years on social media, especially with his lectures on YouTube, which are usually on the subject of the coming of Moshiach.
But while on a visit to South-American and French Jews who have moved to Florida, Rabbi Frankel was unusually specific about the urgent need to return to Israel and aliyah now: “Leave while it’s possible. Things will get worse and it will be difficult to move from one country to another” the rabbi said.
“After World War II, the survivors came and asked why the Gedolim and the Rebbes (rabbis) did not order European Jews to leave while there was still time and emigrate to Israel or the United States before the war broke out,” Rabbi Frankel told the audience attending his lecture. “Truth be told, they (the rabbis) said and then some, they begged the Jews to flee the scorched earth, but part of the decree was that the Jews didn’t listen.”
“Today,” he continued “Listen to me well, dear Jews, whoever can afford to rise and ascend to the Holy Land should it as soon as possible, and this includes large parts of South America and most of Europe. The US will also become a dangerous place mired in war, and it is still too early to tell which US state will survive, but many parts will be destroyed and poisoned, and a civil war will break out within the US. And states will secede from the federal government. (David Sidman, “Fearing Civil War, Prominent NY Rabbi Suddenly Urges American Jews to Leave for Israel,” Breaking Israel News, April 29, 2020)
Most who study Israel and its end-times juxtaposition within the nations of the world believe God will move most into Israel for the coming Tribulation. The prophecy seems wrapped up in the following.
Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border. (Jeremiah 31:16–17)
There can be little doubt that God’s hand is moving, especially upon His chosen people of the House of Israel. But, the end still is not yet.
We are witnessing spectacular stage-setting for that time of Tribulation and Jacob’s trouble. But the apocalyptic play has not yet begun. It won’t begin until God first raises the curtain with the Rapture of His other chosen people—all believers of the Age of Grace.
And when you see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your head; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)
—Terry