The rapture

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Matthew 24:32-3 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Jesus is coming again, and you do not know the day of His Coming. Have you ever had unexpected visitors turn up? Suddenly, there was a ring on the door. You went and opened the door and heard someone say, "Hello, we thought that we would drop by to see how you're doing," or "We were close by and thought that we would stop by." Oh, there they are, standing in front of you --completely unexpected. Yes, you did once invite them to pay you a visit at anytime. Now they are there - so sudden, so unexpected. It is the same way with the Coming of the LORD.

There will be a "ring on the door." However, the LORD is not dropping in to drink a cup of coffee with His people, but rather to take them into His kingdom. For now, the time of the judgment over the world is coming. Jesus Christ is coming again. He has already said it, but who is ready for His coming?

His first coming to Bethlehem was prophesied by many prophets of God. They said, "Israel, get ready, your King is coming suddenly." He arrived unexpected. Although, the whole nation already knew hundreds of years ago that their King would be born there in Bethlehem, they did not prepare anything in advance. There was no place prepared for Him. No house was built for Him. No room, no place to stay at was available for Him. There were not even any presents prepared for the King. Others, "Heathens" from the Orient, had to come and bring Him presents. His own people, the Jews, had nothing prepared for Him! They were not ready. They knew the Scriptures, but they simply did not believe that He would come. Even a messenger, John the Baptist, had to go ahead and cry out, "Your King is coming, repent!" Why did they not do that before? Why did they not live as according to the Scriptures? After all, they had them in their possession. I can tell you the reason; whoever does not love Him from their whole heart will not get ready; and will not be ready for His Coming. They received all their blessings, protection, and love from God; and yet not one of the rulers, nor one single person thought of preparing something for Him before He comes.

Perhaps it was the same way as today - that the people say, "I'll only believe when I see Him." How can it be, that people first of all noticed the King after He had begun His ministry and not before? And even then, there were only a handful who did.

How can it be that the rulers and those who served in the temple were not ready to receive God when He came to His temple? Did He not say through the prophet Malachi that He would suddenly come to His temple; and yet, nobody was ready to receive Him.

Did He not tell them that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep? And yet, they were not ready for His death on the cross.
Is it not written in the prophecies that He would suffer and die for them; and yet not even a grave belonging to Him would be ready for Him?

He said that He would resurrect on the third day from the dead, and yet they did not believe Him. When He appeared to the people afterwards, they could hardly believe that they were seeing Him again. Others did not even believe at all.

Many today say, "Where is God? I can't see Him. I'll only believe when I see Him!" If they only then first of all want to believe, then they will end up seeing Him as their Judge, and not as their Saviour!! They have no knowledge, no idea of God's time plan. Everything has been written down. The next period in God's time plan is the Second Coming of Jesus for His faithful ones in the Church. For Jesus says (John 14,3), "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Where will you be at His Second Coming? Have you prepared yourself? What are you doing? Will the day surprise you just like the rest of the world? For they say, "He won't come." They are not expecting Him. As a result, they also live accordingly to the way that they think. However, concerning me and my house - we are ready. We have washed our clothes in the blood of the Lamb. Have you done the same? If you have any questions, we will be glad to help you. (rw)