The Day That Will Shock the World
The Day That Will Shock the World
By Nathan Jones
Does the Bible prophesy a day that will shock the entire world?
Our special guest on Christ in Prophecy, Dr. Mark Hitchcock, answers that amazing prophetic question. Mark was a lawyer who felt called by the Lord to give up his legal career and enter into full-time ministry, so he enrolled in Dallas Theological Seminary. Since 1991, he has been the Senior Pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. Mark’s published many books related to Bible prophecy, including one of his best titled The Amazing Claims of Bible Prophecy: What You Need to Know in These Uncertain Times.
Mark claims the Bible prophesies a day that will shock the world. Just what kind of day is this that causes so much distress?
The Day That Will Shock the World
Mark Hitchcock: The day is, of course, the Rapture of the Church.
First Corinthians 15 prophesies that a certain people shall not all sleep, meaning they will not all die. Not everybody will face death. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” Not everybody is going to fall asleep, meaning not everybody is going to die. An entire generation of believers in Christ are going to do an end run on the grave!
When that shocking day finally and gloriously arrives, the Rapture is going to happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Millions of Christians from all over this earth are going to suddenly disappear. They are going to be caught up to be with the Lord, as 1 Thessalonians 4:17 tells us. No day is going to be more dramatic than since the floods of Noah began drowning the whole earth. We have no idea how just how much this is going to change the world. Millions of people suddenly gone, why such a miraculous even could only shock the world.
The Rapture is going to be secret in the sense that it is going to be sudden, and people will not know when it is coming. But, it is going to be anything but secret when it happens. Millions of people suddenly disappearing from all over the earth, well that can’t be something that’s kept secret.
There are Rapture scoffers who often talk about how those of us who believe in the Pre-Trib Rapture believe in a “Secret Rapture.” It’s not going to be secret because it’s going to be sudden, and it’s going to be shocking to the world. How could an event that cataclysmic be something that’s secret?
The Rapture I believe majorly shifts the whole world. We have no idea what a game changer that’s going to be, but it’s going to be huge. The world will look like it is today, but after the Rapture, we will not be able to recognize how different a world it will be.
Events then will align exactly as the Bible predicts, and that includes the Rapture of the Church.
How horrible the Tribulation will be! Thankfully, we know from the Bible that God has promised that believers in Christ in this Church Age will not have to suffer God’s wrath. God’s promise gives me great hope! The Rapture is indeed our blessed hope.
One of my friends used to say, “We’re going to get an airlift, accompanied by a facelift.” That’s a great reminder for us as believers. Christians are leaving to go be with the Lord before the Tribulation commences. We’re not escapists. We certainly don’t believe that somehow we are so wonderful that we don’t deserve to be persecuted. After all, a great persecution exists for Christians right now. There’s tribulation — small “t” — in this world for Christ’s followers, but we are promised in verse after verse exemption from Tribulation — capital “T” — meaning the wrath of God that is soon to come.
And for that, we as God’s people should be thankful for His mercies. Jesus is returning at any moment, and He will be calling His faithful to live with Him forever!
The Perfect Track Record
Bible prophecy is the greatest apologetic for the truth of the Bible, because of all of the prophecies in the past that have since been fulfilled, and really with such stunning accuracy. Fulfilled prophecy grants believers in Christ hope that the prophecies that are yet unfilled will also be fulfilled, and with 100% accuracy. Fulfilled prophecy gives us hope in Christ’s future victory.
The Bible runs on a 100% proven track record with fulfilled prophecy, being accurate in all the events that it predicts. Such a record should give you hope, as it gives me hope.
Fulfilled Bible prophecy also proves that the God of the Bible that we believe in is the one true God, and that the Bible is the very Word of God. Therefore, everything we read about in Scripture is true. The stories we read about concerning Jesus were true. The characteristics we read about concerning ourselves, such as our sinfulness and need of a Savior, are also true. Humanity’s need for salvation through Jesus Christ, and His resurrection from the dead, are true as well. And so, the Bible is reliable.
The Bible gives us hope for the forgiveness of our sins and salvation from the just penalty of Hell. The Bible gives us hope for the future in that once saved, the punishment for our sins no longer hangs over us, and the wrath of God against us is abated. Hope springs eternal as we believe the truth that Jesus will come back at any time to intervene in human affairs and catch His “Bride” away to live forever in Heaven with Him.
For those who have never put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, today is the day. My favorite verse in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:21 exclaims, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we can become the righteousness of God in Him.” So, if you’ve never trusted in Jesus, you can trust in Him now, and He will give you His very righteousness.
The same God who has made these predictions in the Bible that have come true with 100% accuracy, He is the God who will save you. Jesus promises to wash away yours sins and give you the gift of eternal life when you put your faith in Him. You can believe in that promise. Believe that great promise of Scripture that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. May you receive that free gift right now, that pardon that Jesus purchased for you when He died on the cross. Ask Jesus to be your Savior.