The revelation of the rapture was made BY Jesus 2,000 years ago TO His disciples during a secret special event. In the same way, it will take place. It will be a private "invitation-only" event for His disciples! He's telling you: DON'T let your heart be troubled believe in Him!
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 about to deliver was meant only for His disciples — and Judas not being one of them needed to be gone first. He started stating His first commandment, 'Love one another as I have loved you,' providing the main ingredient of a true disciple of Christ, which is to love His people—just as He did.
He goes on to explain that He is about to be taken and wherever He goes, they cannot follow Him, BUT '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 go 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 was not a talk from someone who is about to die intended to make His friends/disciples feel better about his death. This is not a happy talk, to counteract the depression or sorrow they were feeling — this is a revelation! This is simple and straightforward, He is going to prepare a place for us to "take us" there! He revealed this new information in obedience to the Father. This was nowhere to be found in the Old Testament. This was meant to be in the New Testament, this is the Blessed Hope that Paul will talk more about it later on.
He follows His night of revelations, unveiling many others like He is "The way, the truth, and the life", "He is in the Father and the Father is in Him", the promise of the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Father and Son in us and us in them, and the true vine among others. He is disclosing the rapture of the Church during this night of revelations, 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 was invited to this 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 or the fence-sitters 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 NOT a doctrine introduced by Jesus, NOT an idea invented by Tim Lahaye (Left Behind Series), or Scofield, or John Nelson Darby.
Don't let the enemy deceive you!
"Let not your heart be troubled! Jesus spoke these words into a storm that arose in the Sea of Galilee and threatened the lives of all the disciples — and He is speaking those words to you as well into the storm of this world.
God has a better plan for us than we can possibly imagine! He is in heaven preparing a place for us — His disciples — His Church! There is a place waiting for YOU!
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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