For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. I Thessalonians 4:16
The Rapture of the church means the carrying away of the church from Earth to Heaven. The Greek word from the term “rapture” appears in I Thessalonians 4:17, translated “caught up.”
When I first came to the Lord, I believed that there would be a rapture or a catching away of the church, but as I grew in the Lord, I was taught that there wasn't a rapture, and I bought into that until recently I felt the Lord wanting to straighten out my doctrine! The fact of the matter is this: it is in scripture before our very eyes, and it has not happened yet!
Lately, I have felt a need to prepare myself and others for this end-time event because of everything happening worldwide, in America, and with the upcoming election. Many of the prophetic scriptures have sparked a new interest in the timeline of our departure. Several years ago, at our men's meeting one of our men handed me his cell phone and said, "Have you heard these strange sounds that are happening around the earth?" I listened and I knew immediately what it was, the trumpet blast of a shofar!
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:17
THE DAY OF THE LORD
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the "Day of the Lord" so comes as a thief in the night. I Thessalonians 5:1,2
Today many doctrines are either for or against the Rapture and its timing such as pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation. I personally believe in pre-tribulation because the Bride of Christ will be taken to the marriage supper of the Lamb and will eventually come back with the Lord Jesus Christ after the tribulation.
The disciples asked Jesus, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered them and said, "There will be false Christs, wars and rumors of wars, nations will rise against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, persecution and many false prophets will arise. "But he who endures to the end shall be saved."
It is a fact that these signs have appeared and are happening now around the world and people are still ignoring the signs of the times. Another unmistakable sign is the armies are beginning to surround Israel! Her enemies are coming against her on every side!
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14
BLOW THE TRUMPET IN ZION
Sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the Day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand: a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, the like of whom has never been nor will there be any such after them, even for many successive generations. Joel 2:1,2
The song was wrong this scripture is not talking about the saints, the people great and strong are the powers of darkness, the army of God! It describes a fire before them devouring and behind them a flame. The land is like the garden of Eden before them and behind them a desolate wilderness.
Joel is describing the Day of the Lord and the demonic forces that will destroy the land and inhabit human beings! "They run to and fro in the city, they run on the wall, they climb into the houses, they enter at the windows (eyes of the soul) like a thief." Joel 2:9. This is not God's people; it is God's army sent to bring darkness, sorrow and possession.
This is the beginning of the great tribulation, seven years of pure hell on earth with the forces of darkness wreaking havoc upon the whole world. I believe the church will be taken up and rescued from this horrible time of mourning and woe! "Are you ready?"
The Lord gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word, for the Day of the Lord is very great and terrible. Who can endure it? Joel 2:11
Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ