I was recently asked by a friend to study the "Book of Revelations" with her. My response seemed to unsettle her as I told her I didn't feel compelled to do so at this time. The primary reason is because there are so many other books that I want to study so that His Word would transform my heart, allowing me to live a life of spiritual abundance and a life lived drawing others to Him. It is not that I have never studied this book. I have studied it on my own and I have sat under teaching from more qualified individuals than myself. I am drawn to understanding the reasons that people choose to study this book. What seems to arise from conversations is a sense of curiosity as to how it relates to current events so that we can answer the question "Are we living in the end times"? My friend in particular seems to be consumed by fear rather than a desire to understand that this book is actually "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" rather than "The Revelation of End Times". The emphasis is on understanding Jesus and what we are to expect at His second coming. It is to instill us with hope and an understanding that there will be a day of judgment. The sobering reality is that the end may come for each of us today, tomorrow or sometime in the near future. Are you ready? While this book speaks of a tribulation of global perspectives, there are many believers that have, are and will experience a personal tribulation of suffering, beatings, imprisonment and even death because they dare to be bold enough to declare themselves a follower of Christ.
I feel, as in all our beliefs, we should know what the Word says on this subject and we should ready our hearts no matter whether the Rapture, Tribulation and Christ's 2nd Coming occurs in our life time or not. I am curious about current events and even excited that the possibility that I may experience the Rapture may occur in my lifetime. It is a common belief that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation but, in my limited conception of Scriptures around this topic, is an understanding that the Rapture is not anchored to any set of events. Unlike the Tribulation which is anchored to a peach treaty with Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple. The Rapture can actually take place before during or at the end of the Tribulation. There have been many theories outlining why individuals think that it will occur at each of these times. Why we think that we can determine this is a loss to me for God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. I take delight in believing that the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation because 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, "For God id not appoint us to suffer wrath." Of course, I understand that to also mean that we will not experience judgement and condemnation because Christ endured the penalty for our sins but the context was within a passage devoted to the last days. Also in speaking to the Church of Philadelphia, Christ says, “…because you have kept the word of my patience, I will keep you from that hour of trial [temptation, tribulation] that will come upon the whole world to try them that dwell on the earth.” [Revelation 3:11].
According to Tim Lahaye, Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, the Church of Philadelphia represents the church age from 1750 to the Rapture. According to Lahaye (pg 57), "The world has never known a universal period of tribulation. This passage is an obvious reference to the Tribulation Period of seven years. This promise, however, is to the church of Philadelphia: she will be raptured before that Tribulation begins. It seems difficult to understand why some false teachers suggest that the Church must go through the Tribulation in view of this clear-cut statement of our Lord."
What did Jesus tell us about the last days and what are we compelled to know and how are we compelled to respond?
I feel, as in all our beliefs, we should know what the Word says on this subject and we should ready our hearts no matter whether the Rapture, Tribulation and Christ's 2nd Coming occurs in our life time or not. I am curious about current events and even excited that the possibility that I may experience the Rapture may occur in my lifetime. It is a common belief that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation but, in my limited conception of Scriptures around this topic, is an understanding that the Rapture is not anchored to any set of events. Unlike the Tribulation which is anchored to a peach treaty with Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple. The Rapture can actually take place before during or at the end of the Tribulation. There have been many theories outlining why individuals think that it will occur at each of these times. Why we think that we can determine this is a loss to me for God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. I take delight in believing that the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation because 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, "For God id not appoint us to suffer wrath." Of course, I understand that to also mean that we will not experience judgement and condemnation because Christ endured the penalty for our sins but the context was within a passage devoted to the last days. Also in speaking to the Church of Philadelphia, Christ says, “…because you have kept the word of my patience, I will keep you from that hour of trial [temptation, tribulation] that will come upon the whole world to try them that dwell on the earth.” [Revelation 3:11].
According to Tim Lahaye, Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, the Church of Philadelphia represents the church age from 1750 to the Rapture. According to Lahaye (pg 57), "The world has never known a universal period of tribulation. This passage is an obvious reference to the Tribulation Period of seven years. This promise, however, is to the church of Philadelphia: she will be raptured before that Tribulation begins. It seems difficult to understand why some false teachers suggest that the Church must go through the Tribulation in view of this clear-cut statement of our Lord."
What did Jesus tell us about the last days and what are we compelled to know and how are we compelled to respond?
- Matthew 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
We are to be watchful that we are not deceived. This speaks of false Messiahs specifically but my first introduction about this topic was from a minister that said that the rapture was going to take place in 1988. As a young girl I was greatly impacted by adults that based decisions regarding their future on this prediction. I know a couple that chose not to have any children and another individual that was reckless with their finances because they didn't think it would matter. 1988 came and went. I wouldn't say this ;minister was a false teacher but his message could not have been Spirit inspired. These individuals allowed themselves to be deceived.
We will also hear of wars and rumors of wars. I think this was a warning not of the end but of the "signs of the times" that we will be living in. In hearing of all this turmoil across the world, it is easy to think how much longer can we survive before the world implodes. But Jesus says not to be alarmed...these things must happen but it is still not the end. Things seem pretty ripe for the end but I'm trusting in His perfect timing. - Acts 1:6-8 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The urgency of the end times, should cause us to want to go and be witnesses to all the world, beginning with those around us. Yes we should be aware of current events but our focus should be on being witnesses. In fact, the "Faith Missionary Movement" was started by William Carey in 1793. According to Tim Lahaye, Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, pg 55, "[One of the factors] that contributed to this missionary movement was the increased interest in the study of the doctrine of the second coming of our Lord. Around 1800 the doctrine of the premillennial return of Christ which had been all but dead since the end of the 3rd century, was revived. This teaching...contributed to a consecrated and separated church. In preparation for her Lord's return, she was willing to do whatever He commanded. [which included "go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature]." - Matthew 24:44 "So you also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." I hear people talking about watching for the signs of the times, but I don't know how this contributes to our readiness. This passage speaks of two men working side-by-side and one will disappear. It goes on to talk about the faithful and wise servant who was found doing what he had been commanded to do when his master returns. The unfaithful servant became lazy thinking his master would be gone for a long time but his master returns at a time he did not expect. "He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
I think we are to respond like the faithful and wise servant, who was going about her master's business, caring for those in her sphere of influence. So although she does not know the day or hour of her masters return, she will be ready and found faithful at His return.