By CPR Admin
Pastor Alvaro & Linda Matehuala – April 7, 2020
INTRODUCTION
The current worldwide pandemic that has shaken the entire world has come from a virus measuring only at 125-nanometers. Known as Coronavirus, the chain reaction it has caused since November of 2019 has biochemical scholars, professionals, and political leaders investigating on an international scale in order to better understand and come up with a solution to bring this virus to a halt. This virus has changed the way 7,700 million people socialize and has brought humanity to a complete state of alertness due to the visible consequences among those infected.
The question many are asking is: “Is this a part of the end of a century? Are these the beginning of birth pains?”
I want to remind you of the 3 questions that our beloved Lord Jesus Christ answered in response to his disciples about the end of the age on the Mount of Olives.
Let’s look at the following analysis of the book of Matthew chapter 24.
Verses 1-2: “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
This prophecy signals towards the 70th year of our era when Titus, emperor of Rome, arrived with the Tenth Roman Legion, destroying the temple and city of Jerusalem.
Verse 3, “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age’?”
Here are the 3 questions:
- Tell us, when will these things take place?
- What will be the sign of your coming?
- What will be the sign of the end of the age?
The answer to the first question: “When will these things take place?” is found in Luke 21:20-24: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
Hosea 9:7 says: “The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is mad, because of your great iniquity and great hatred.”
In other words: “Until there remain no stone upon another.”
We will find the answer to the second question in Matthew 24:23-52 and the answer to the third question in Matthew 9-22.
In order to continue and better understand the answers that Jesus gave to these questions, it’s important to point that Biblical history denotes 3 existing groups: “Gentiles, Jew and the Church”.
Just as Paul mentions in his first letter to the Corinthians in chapter 10:32, “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.”
It’s also fitting to mention that the Church of Jesus Christ has nothing to do with Matthew 24, but it does have to do with the first letter to Thessalonians in chapter 4:13-18 and 5:1-11. These passages deal with the rapture of the church.
But before we dive into studying the rapture of the church, let’s analyze Matthew 24:4-8.
Verses 4-5: “And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.’”
It’s important to note that today there is so much deception, just as the Apostle Peter mentioned in his second letter in 2 Peter 2:2, “And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
Matthew 24:6-8, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
The UN (United Nations) has not been able to resolve this problem.
On the other hand, there have been many natural disasters (such as earthquakes, tidal waves, floods, hurricanes). Remember the earthquake in Haiti back in 2010? It left more than 316,000 dead. In 1556, another earthquake left 830,000 dead in China. A tidal wave hit Indonesia back in 2004, killing 260,000 people, and in Pakistan, a flood affected 20 million people back in 2010.
Not to mention all the world wars that involve and affect so many: [WWII] – Russia, Spain, India, Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Cambodia, Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda; the Persian Gulf War – Syria’s involvement with Hamas’ constant bombing against Israel.
On the other hand, we have catastrophes as a byproduct of differences between different ethnic groups. The Bird Flu, AIDS, Swine Flu, MRSA [Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus], a type of staphylococcus bacteria that’s resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams: ozones, solar flares, asteroids, oil spills… and recently, among others, is the Coronavirus that is affecting more than 200 nations around the world.
Societal changes will pave the way for end-time events, and there will be no going back.
This was prophesied, and this is what is happening!
The answer to the third questions: “and of the end of the century?” we find in Matthew 9-22.
The following verses in Matthew 24:9-22, activate the 70th week that was prophesied by the Prophet Daniel. Let’s look:
Daniel 9:24: “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.”
It’s worth noting that between week 69 and week 70, prophesied, God opened up what we know to be a period of Grace, from death, to life through resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, until the present time almost 2000 years later.
Matthew 24:9-10, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.” [Internal conflict within Israel in 2 Peter 2:1]
Let’s also make note that while the church of Christ is still on the earth, there won’t be a worldwide anti-semitism [tendencies or attitude of systematic hostility towards Jews].
Matthew 24:11-12: “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow old.”
Note: Be careful of the liberal culture which will only continue to grow in the end times.
Matthew 24:13, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Note: The Israelites have not believed in Jesus for the past 2000 years, except for the Messianic Jews. However, within the 70th prophetic week, the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Let’s take a look at what Jesus told to his disciples in John 10:26-30: “But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Note: For the past 2000 years, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached, but in present time, with all of the available and advanced technology at our fingertips, the gospel and message of Christ has been translated in almost every tongue and dialect on the planet.
This is a very blatant sign that we are closer to the end times.
Matthew 24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)”.
This is a prophecy that talks about the future antichrist.
However, history tells us of a certain event that took place, when Antioc Epiphanes attacked Jerusalem in 170 BC and more than 100 million Jews were killed, he erected an image of Jupiter to be worshiped inside the temple. He also shed the blood of a pig, committing an extreme act of abomination.
Daniel 12:11 makes reference to Revelations 13:11-18 and refers to the 1290 days and 3 1/2 years that make up the second part of the Great Tribulation.
Revelations 13:11-18 “Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”
Matthew 24:16-20 “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.”
Note: Judea is located in the territory that is currently home to Mount Moriah and that is where there will be the rebuilding of the third temple. The people that are being referred to here are those under the mosaic system. If we think about it, there are millions of Jews who are still under this system to this day.
Matthew 24:21-22 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
Note: The Great Tribulation gets its name because something like it has ever existed! The chosen ones to whom He refers to is the nation of Israel.
(There are several theological views, and the following is my personal view): The Church of Jesus Christ will not undergo the wrath of the Lamb. She will be taken before all of that happens.
Let’s look at the His response to the second question: What sign will be of your return?
We can find it in Matthew 24:23-52:
Verses 24-26 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”
Note: These false christs are workers of lying prodigies.
Verses 27-28 “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
Note: Verse 28 makes reference to the Battle of Armageddon.
Revelations 19:17-19 “‘For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.’ And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, ‘What city was like the great city?’ And they drew dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, ‘Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.’”
Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Note: “After” is to say, the Great Tribulation is the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST!
Isaiah 13:9-10 “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.”
Matthew 24:30 “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Note: The use of “then” speaks to us about the sequence of this huge event that is to come. “Great glory” refers to the Shekhinah of Jesus Christ [the glory of the divine presence of the SECOND COMING of Christ].
The church never had this type of glory [only three of Jesus’ disciples saw him on the Mount of Transfiguration – Peter, James and John in Matthew 17:2]. The Jewish people, as a Nation, did experience Shakinah glory and when they see it, they will recognize it.
Matthew 25:31 “And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other.”
Note: It was the Hebrews who were spread out in accordance to what the prophet Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 16:14-15: “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers.”
Matthew 24:32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.”
Note: In accordance to the Prophet Jeremiah, chapters 24:1-5 and Hosea 9:10, the Fig Tree is symbolic of the Jewish people.
Jeremiah 24:1-5 says: “After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metal workers, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me this vision: behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the LORD. One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, bu the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. And the LORD said to me, ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ I said, ‘Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten.’ Then the word of the LORD came to me: ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.’”
Hosea 9:10 “Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.”
Matthew 24:33-36 “So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Note: When he speaks about [this generation], it can be in reference to two different things.
- It could mean that the generation that lived in those days would see all of these events.
- It could also mean that the nation of Israel will not pass [not Haman the Agagite in Esther 3:10, not Pharaoh, not Hitler could destroy them].
Matthew 37:41 “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.”
Note: It is fit to mention that in the days of Noah there was a lot of immorality, corruption, violence, rebellion, etc. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
They didn’t give glory to God but went after the sins of the flesh. They lived as if God did not exist. The Bible says that only 8 people were transported along with the animals inside of the ark. Everything and everyone else died [possibly millions of people].
Note: When scripture says that ‘two will be in the field; one will be taken and one left’, it does not refer to the Church – THE CHURCH WILL HAVE BEEN TAKEN BEFORE THE GREAT TRIBULATION – The Church will not see the wrath of God.
As we wrap up examining Matthew 24, we will talk specifically about the rapture of the Church that we find in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and 5:1-11.
Matthew 24:42-43 “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.”
Note: The words stay awake have to do with the fear and angst. Those that will be around during the Great Tribulation people will experience terrible times.
The word thief will be further explained as we study the Rapture of the Church.
Matthew 24:44-51 “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. ‘Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself: My master is delayed, and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come one a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Note: These are parables that Christ used to exemplify the importance of being ready. [And ever since these words were spoken, we should be ready at all times].
THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH
The rapture of Church is a prophesied event that has nothing to do with Matthew 24. We’ve observed Matthew 24 and that it explicitly has to do with the nation of Israel.
Let’s take a look at the letter that was to be written by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Thessalonia about 50-51 years of our era.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
Verse 13: “But we do not want you to uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”
Let’s begin with breaking down the expression: “those who are asleep”. This makes reference to the body, not the spirit. Given that the spirit never sleeps.
Sleep is temporary; meanwhile death has its resurrection.
Let’s clarify a few things. There are three types of death:
- Physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death.
Someone said: He who is born only once, dies twice and those who are born twice, only die once. [This is in reference to the new, spiritual birth], We find this in John 3:1-6.
Also, Romans 8:6 says: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Here is an invitation to occupy ourselves with the Holy Spirit. [Note: The word Spirit, capitalized, always refers to the Holy Spirit].
Ecclesiastes 12:7 says: “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
On the other hand we find that the second letter to the Corinthians says this:
2 Corinthians 5:1-4 “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened – not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
Question: Who are those that ‘don’t have any hope’? They are those that rejected Jesus Christ as their one and only, sufficient Savior.
1 Thessalonians 4:14: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
It is of utmost importance to believe this apostolic message.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, through some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
Note: Those who reject this powerful message will be left without the opportunity to be a part of the rapture of the Church.
Why? Because they are not a part of it [the Bride of Christ].
However: those that slept in Him refers to all those that believed the Gospel in all of time, beginning with those in the 1st century and onward, that died believing that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, believing that the blood of Christ shed blood on the cross of calvary, and that it was enough to cleanse us of all of our sins and make us heirs and co-heirs with Christ in the heavenly realm, our name written in the book of life of the Lamb of God that came to take away all of the sins of the world.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 “For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not preceded those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descent from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
Firstly: Those dead in Christ rise up before us the moment that the rapture of the Church takes place. They are currently in Paradise, waiting for this unique event to take place, as they will rise and come to earth to take their bodies so that they will experience the resurrection [“and the dead in Christ will rise”].
Secondly: Because the Lord himself with a commanding voice, with the voice of the archangel, and with a trumpet of God, will descend from the heavens.
If we carefully observe this, there aren’t any angels present; the angels are connected to Israel but not the Church. Sure they will rejoice to see this powerful event of divine metamorphosis [we will be transformed!] – we will go from having an earthly body to bearing a celestial image. 1 Corinthians 15:49 says that since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit corruption. [1 Corinthians 15:50]
The Apostle Peter in his first letter, chapter 1:3-5 says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
The word “raptured” (snatched up, taken): has a topology with Enoch, Elijah and the Church.
- Enoch: Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”
- Elijah: 2 Kings 2:11 “And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
- The Church: John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
In reference to chapter 5:1-11 of Thessalonians, we see the following:
Verse 1 “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.”
Times [Kronos] are for Israel and the Gentiles [you have no need to have anything written to you].
Because:
Verse 2 “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
In order to fully understand this, we need to consider Isaiah 2:12 “For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up — and it shall be brought low;”
Isaiah 13:9-10 “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.”
Joel 1:15 “Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.”
When we read the expression ‘the day of the LORD‘, this refers to the wrath, divine judgment, that will activate over all of the inhabitants of the earth once the Church is taken [raptured into the heavens].
The expression: “like a thief in the night” is under the context of [the day of the Lord]; it is to say, under the period of the Great Tribulation!
If we carefully analyze the following verses of Thessalonians chapter 5, we’ll find the following:
Verses 3-5 “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.’”
As we well now:
- The White House announced in January 28, 2020, the peace treaty, of peace and prosperity [which was welcomed by Israel and other nations, but rejected by sanctions of Palestine].
- This expression will become globalized, and beginning with the second half of the 70th week as is prophesied to Israel, it’s to say that it will happen after the first 3 and a half years. This will take place in Israel and all around the world.
“Then sudden destruction will come upon them”.
Who is ‘them’? The context refers to those that are left to experience the wrath of God. [Those, both Jews and Gentiles, that rejected Jesus as the Messiah].
“But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief” (vs 5) This clearly is an address to the Church. The Church is not, and should not, be in darkness. “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”
ATTENTION: The rapture of the Church can happen at any moment!
One single event accomplishes two things: It finalizes one time period and opens up another. Note: When the Lord takes His Church, the period of Grace comes to an end, and then commences the period of “the Great Tribulation”.
When “the day of the Lord” comes, we, the Church, will be WITH the Lord.
Where? In heaven, the courts of Jesus Christ!
2 Corinthians 5:10 says: “For we must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in body, whether good or evil.”
Now, this will not be a judgement of condemnation, but to receive rewards.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 “Now if anyone build on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”
1 Thessalonians 5:7-8 “for those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”
1 John 3:2 says: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
If we observe this well: the Apostle Paul emphasizes time and time again that we should be sober, this is to say: [calculated in our speech, behavior, etc.].
Ephesians 6:10-18 also points to us the importance of wearing the complete armor of God at all times: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
These scriptures also help us to understand clearly that [the Church of Jesus Christ will not forego the wrath of God through, according to Revelations 6:16, the Great Tribulation]. “Calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb’”.
Finally:
Let us remember that it is an enormous privilege to be called “Children of God”, washed and bought by the precious blood of Jesus.
For every believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to the Word is not negotiable.
If we want to be part of the Church that is taken up, or raptured, we need to incessantly seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 teaches us that only those that had enough oil in their flasks were able to be made ready: “Here comes the Groom! Let us go out to meet Him!” Only the prudent ones had enough oil to light the way towards their encounter with their Groom and Beloved [Jesus Christ].
What does this mean? This means that with urgency and without wavering, we should seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said in Luke 3:16 “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”