It wasn't until Jesus told Judas during the Passover meal, 'What you do, do quickly!', basically telling him to 'hit the road,' that He began this special evening when He started unfolding some of the most important mysteries ever revealed.
The very first one to be unveiled was: The Rapture of the Church. The message He was preparing to share was EXCLUSIVELY intended for His disciples, and Judas, NOT being one of them, had to leave first.
Jesus opened this conversation with His primary commandment: 'Love one another as I have loved you,' emphasizing the fundamental quality of a genuine disciple of Christ, which is to love His people just as He did. He proceeds to explain that He is about to be taken, and wherever He goes, they cannot follow Him at that moment. However, He adds, 'you shall follow Me afterward.' (Hint!)Then He says: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
This wasn't a consoling speech from someone facing death to comfort His friends/disciples. It wasn't an attempt to alleviate the sadness or depression they were experiencing—this was a revelation! It's clear and direct; He is going to prepare a place for us to "take us" there! He disclosed this new information in obedience to the Father. There's no mention of it in the Old Testament.
It was intended for the New Testament, for us today — it is the same Blessed Hope that Paul revealed in detail to the Church later on.
He continues His night of revelations, unveiling more truths such as being "The way, the truth, and the life," His unity with the Father, the promise of the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Father and Son in us and us in them, and the concept of the true vine, among others. During this night of revelations, He discloses the rapture of the Church, a revelation given 15-16 hours before His crucifixion. Why do we know this is NOT His Second Coming?
Let's read His ascension in Acts:
" ...until the day in which He was taken up after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen.." Acts 1:1-2 "...
while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-10
Who received invitations to attend the Ascension event Were the unbelievers Sadducees, and Pharisees, present to witness Christ's ascension? NO! Were the representatives of Rome there? NO! Were the skeptics, fence-sitters, mockers, and scoffers invited to look for just one more sign that Jesus was the Messiah in order to get them on board with the program? NO! The answer is that this invitation was ONLY for His disciples! It was a private
"invitation-only" event! As opposed to the Second Coming where "every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him". Rev 1:7
The rapture of the Church IS a doctrine introduced by Jesus Christ, NOT an idea invented by Tim Lahaye (Left Behind Series), Scofield, or John Nelson Darby. Don't let the enemy deceive you!
"Let not your heart be troubled!"
These were the comforting words spoken by Jesus into a storm on the Sea of Galilee, a storm that threatened the lives of His disciples. And He is speaking these words to us as well, into the storms of this world.
God has a plan for us that is far better than we can possibly imagine! He is in heaven, preparing a place for us—His disciples, His Church, and He intends to reveal it ONLY to those who believe in HIM! He is coming for us, —only to those who follow Him, only to His disciples! Let's keep Looking UP! There is a place waiting for US!
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If you are NOT a disciple of Jesus, It's time to become one!
He's coming for His Church!
Believe Jesus is the Son of God, who died on the cross for our sins, He was buried and resurrected during the third day, according to the Scriptures, so we can have eternal life with Him.
The moment you believe in Him and that He died for your sins - you're saved, justified, sealed until the day of redemption, and rapture ready!
The Holy Spirit will come to live inside of you - He will help you, guide you, change you, and be with you FOREVER!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Eph 2:8-9,
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