Friends, considering the lives that depend on us, please give some thought to preparing for a potentially, near-term, life altering event known as the “rapture”, which will unfortunately catch many unaware, and left behind.

Whether this is a new paradigm for you, or a topic that you’re somewhat familiar with, biblical scholars who have followed end time prophecies for a generation assert that we’re now in a “rapture window” that closes on Tishri 1 (September 9, 2010).

For context, the rebirth of Israel in May of 1948 (Isa. 66: re-started a prophetic countdown (Matt. 24:34) that expires within a 70-year generation (Ps. 90:10), or 2018. Although this period ushers in the return of the King, it will be preceded by the rapture event and global tribulation for those left behind.

For reference, the rapture is the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation (1 Thess. 4:16; Titus 2:13) to translate His church from this earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:15-5:11) and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

Why is the rapture important? Since humanity was created to be related to the Father, failure to be party to the rapture will result in being left behind during the horrific period of judgment known as the tribulation.

While this seven-year period will spur the greatest revival in history, it also forces individual choices between either martyrdom, or allegiance to Satan, the latter leading to certain perdition

In short, our generation is in a rapidly waning age of grace. So this potentially final appeal presents one more opportunity for outreach leading to salvation, by grace through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:4-10).

If you’ve never invited the risen Christ to be your leader and forgiver, we invite you to do that now. And if you’ve already trusted that the Lord’s sacrafice at Calvary atoned for your imperfection, we invite you to reach-out to others.

In summary, immediately following the rapture (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-1 the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 16).

These judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matt. 24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised, and the living will be judged (Dan. 12:2,3; Rev. 20:4-6).

This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27; Matt. 24:15-31; 25:31-46).

For additional information on how to prepare for the rapture, please either review the resource links on my facebook wall, or visit my external links at:
http://www.scribd.com/Servant%20Leader (see the collections for context)
http://myessaysarchive.blogspot.com/ (see links under “Just the Essentials”)
http://ad2018.blogspot.com/ (see 12-months of prophecy commentary here)

May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Roy Tanner

Post Script:

Key proof texts on: our generation, Israel’s rebirth, the rapture, Armageddon, tribulation judgments, and the millennial Kingdom:

Matthew 24:34
I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Isaiah 66:8
Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Luke 21:24
Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Revelation 16:1
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”

Revelation 20:4
I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

1. Jay - September 7, 2010

   This window actually “closes” on Sept 10th or Sept 11th. Although technically it doesn’t close until the Rapture has happened.

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