RAPTURE: Forgotten, Fabricated, or Factual? ~ Precious Victor Akah

There are three categories of people in our world today. This article aims to help you identify where you belong and encourage you to join the right group if you're presently in the wrong one.

FIRST CATEGORY 

These individuals have heard, read, and are aware of the rapture. Initially, some believed in it and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ to partake in the rapture of the saints. Others embraced this belief after giving their lives to Christ, living according to expectations to ensure they do not miss the rapture. However, as time passed and the rapture has yet to occur, many have forgotten about it, living as though it were a lie, a fallacy, or a myth.

SECOND CATEGORY 

This group consists of nominal Christians or non-Christians who do not believe in the rapture at all, considering it a fabricated lie.

THIRD CATEGORY 

These are genuine Christians who firmly believe in the reality of the rapture. They live with this awareness, ensuring that nothing—sin, immorality, evil, wickedness, or compromise—prevents them from being raptured.

So, which category do you fall into? Being dishonest with yourself about this question can lead to self-harm. Be honest so you can make any necessary changes quickly.

THE TRUTH 

Firstly, the word "rapture" does not appear in English translations of the Bible. It derives from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” Although "rapture" is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of being “carried off” is clearly taught in Scripture.

The rapture of the church is the event in which God “snatches away” all believers from the earth to make way for His righteous judgment. This event is primarily described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50–54. God will resurrect all believers who have died, giving them glorified bodies, and take them from the earth along with all living believers, who will also receive glorified bodies at that time (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

The rapture will involve an instantaneous transformation of our bodies, preparing us for eternity. “We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

It is concerning that if the rapture were to occur today, millions of individuals—especially those identifying as Christians—would not partake in it. The current state of the Church reflects moral decadence, a lack of spirituality and holiness, and a rise in carnality, worldliness, and unrighteousness among Christians.

Many Christians have forgotten a crucial truth: when a person receives Christ, two significant things happen. First, they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Second, they acknowledge Him as their Lord. This means that Jesus becomes the PRINCIPAL figure in their lives, and His PRINCIPLES should be their standard for living. While we are saved by GRACE, the Person of Jesus Christ, we must live by His principles (His commandments) thereafter.

However, when someone accepts Jesus as Savior but refuses to acknowledge Him as Lord, their life cannot model Christ. Many Christians today receive Jesus as Savior yet ignore His teachings and commandments.

This behavior explains why many Christians would miss the rapture if it happened today. Many resemble the seed sown among thorns: "And the ones sown among the thorns are those who hear the Word; then the cares and anxieties of the world, distractions of the age, pleasures, and deceitfulness of riches creep in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful" (Mark 4:18-19).

They attend church every Sunday and listen to the Word of God, yet fail to produce fruits of righteousness. Everyone seems to have forgotten about the significant upcoming event—the rapture of the saints—and instead, they pursue money, riches, power, pleasure, and material possessions.

When browsing the social media pages of most Christians, it is rare to see them preaching the Gospel or promoting Christ. Instead, they flood their timelines with business promotions and personal achievements, neglecting the promotion of God's Kingdom. This behavior aligns with Scripture, which warns that in the last days, many will become lovers of themselves, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (1 Timothy 3:1-5).

Some Christians may not post about their businesses, but their pages are filled with pictures and videos of themselves, with little to no effort to witness to unbelievers. This selfishness raises an important question: if the early Christians who sacrificed so much had focused solely on money and personal gain, would we have heard and received the Gospel? Why deprive others of the Good News of Christ? Why enjoy our lives while millions face eternal separation from God?

Today, many Christians prioritize personal comfort and careers over genuine spiritual work that advances God's Kingdom. They often refuse to preach the Gospel or use their social media platforms for evangelism, yet they offer flimsy excuses when asked to contribute to spiritual assignments. Such excuses fall short because, ultimately, there is no justification for not preaching the Gospel.

It’s a misplacement of priorities to hope for the rapture while neglecting to prepare others for it by sharing Christ's message. We often inconvenience ourselves for parties or events offering food or rewards, yet hesitate to do so for the sake of the Gospel.

In Churches today, we see a decline in modesty and virtue. A social media post featured a placard reading: "Ladies, please cover your breasts and thighs in church." This reflects a troubling trend among Christian women. People attend church, lifting their hands to sing and praise God while harboring anger and malice towards others. Yet God's Word instructs: "In your anger, do not sin; do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" (Ephesians 4:26).

Additionally, we are commanded to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Jesus died as our Savior but lived as our model. Anyone claiming to believe in Jesus must order their life according to His example. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). After believing in Jesus Christ, we must follow and obey His commandments to be raptured when the time comes.

Jesus repeatedly warned:  

1 John 2:4: "Whoever says, 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him."  

John 14:21: "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."  

John 14:15: "If you love me, obey my commandments."  

John 14:23: "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them."

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior but choose not to submit to His Lordship and live in obedience to His commandments, it is unrealistic to expect to be raptured should He return today.

Consider this: How can one expect to be raptured while knowingly breaking God's commands and living in disobedience to Scripture?

The same Jesus you wish to take you to Heaven is the one who commands you not to lie, engage in sexual immorality, steal, slander, kill, envy, or harbor malice. If you disregard His instructions, why would you expect Him to regard you?

To be raptured, you must submit to Jesus as your Lord and live in obedience to His commands. Accept Jesus as your Savior and submit to Him as your Lord by following His teachings in the Bible. Start adhering to His commandments to be prepared for the rapture.

Do not merely call Jesus your Lord or Master; act according to His teachings.

Matthew 7:21 (MSG): “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance— isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.”

Obedience to God's commandments is the key.

I believe in the rapture.

~PRECIOUS VICTOR AKAH 

I have come to realize that the greatest and biggest event (The rapture of the saints) that should be highly anticipated has been downtrodden by negative attitude of skeptics scattered around the world. Attitudes like:

• Disbelief. Treating the truth about Christ coming as a myth or fantasy.

• Criticism and cynicism. Viewing it as outdated and irrelevant.

• Disinterest. Taking a serious matter such as this so casual (forgotten even) and focusing on immediate concerns and pleasures rather than eternal ones.

If you happen to fall under any of those category, you have to repent today because the reality of rapture isn't just factual, it is truth. And nothing or no one can change truth because it is unchangeable and incorruptible. 

The truth about rapture is well stated out in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 amongst other scriptures.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air...."

Now, think about it. If you're still here when the righteous is caught up, what will be the fate of those on the earth? The tribulation and destruction that'll befall them will be massive. There's no second batch rapture for those who may have forgotten or thought it isn't real.

So, if this is truth, what then must be done? You must be conscious and ready for it. How?

"For IF WE BELIEVE that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep IN JESUS." (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

You have to BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST and His finished works and REMAIN IN JESUS with your affection on the kingdom of God (the place you'll be raptured to). The corruptible and those whose whole heart is in this world will definitely remain here. And trust me, you don't want to experience what comes after missing the rapture. Please, let's live prepared and be part of this great event.

I believe in the rapture.

~FAVOUR CHUKWUDINOBI 

JESUS IS COMING SOON: We have been hearing that a long time, some of us since we were born, yet nothing has happened, so, this has made many to forget about the Second Coming of Jesus.  

Peter 3:3-4 warned, "Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

Brethren, let's not forget, this is closer now than before. Prophecies spoken about in the Bible have been fulfilled, some are being fulfilled now. 

Matthew 24 vs 3 talks about these signs. 

The word rapture wasn't necessarily used in the Bible, but the Bible does mention that God's people will be caught up to meet Him in the air on the last day, according to 1st Thessalonians 4 vs 17.

Finally, the return of Christ is the most significant day for all mankind because it reveals the ultimate destiny of every person, unveiling who will receive eternal life and who will receive eternal death. Do not let it take you unaware.

I believe in the rapture.

~ ELIZABETH YEMISI AJIBOLA 

Rapture can be referred to as an end-time event when all dead Christian believers will be resurrected and, joined with Christians who are still alive, together will rise "in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4 vs 16-17). 

Rapture is an event that will certainly take place, no matter how long it has taken, and it's taking to take place. Yes, one may say this rapture thing has been talked about over decades, yet, it hasn't happened. This has made some lose their belief in rapture, therefore living life anyhow, with the notion that there's nothing like 'Rapture'. But this doesn't cancel the fact that it'll happen.

It's a factual event and not fabricated, though it has left the consciousness of some people. Every Christian should get prepared by living a life that's pleasing to God, not forgetting that there's a crown awaiting those who endure till the end (2nd Timothy 4 vs 8). 

And to you who's oblivious of this event, may God show you mercy, and bring your consciousness to it.

I believe in the rapture.

~QUEEN ESTHER OKOYE 

The rapture is real and it'll happen one day. Believe in it now and live ready for it, because Heaven is a real place, and only believers in Christ Jesus will live there. Have you believed in Jesus Christ? Are you living according to His teachings?

Accept Jesus Christ today and live prepared for the rapture. It'll soon take place.

God bless you.