6.  Jesus Gave Two Clear Pictures of the Rapture and Coming Destruction

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In Luke 17:26-30, we learn:

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

There are countless pictures of the rapture, removing God’s people, before destruction. Noah, Lot, the children of Israel and Red Sea are just a few.

So, for reflection: explore the Old Testament stories and look for pictures as well as prophecies. What do you observe?

Jesus was quite concerned that his followers understand the activities that will ultimately occur in the temple.

The placing of the abomination of desolation is the signal that tells Israel to scatter and run because the greatest wave of anti-Semitism ever known is about to commence (Matthew 24:23).

7.  Jesus Said His Second Coming Will Be Quick, Surprising, And Devastating

So be ready!

“That is how will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; while be taken and the other left. Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:39-40)

He could come at any moment.

Few people are anticipating the rapture. Most people never give it a thought. Take a moment and imagine what happens emotionally to those left behind when thousands of Christians rise up to meet the Lord. Are you ready? Consider how embarrassing to be caught in sin when he arrives?

“In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

How fast is the twinkling of an eye? It will take the speed of light (183,000 seconds) to move from the front of the eyeball to the back. Blink your eyes! That was too slow.

Now, imagine that you’ve just heard the trumpet call “when the Angels gather the elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (Matthew 24:31). Julie and I are planning to hold hands as we ascend.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Ronnie Chua