RAPTURE – PART VI
The Doctrine of Imminency
The Rapture is Our Next Expectation
We expect to see Yeshua return for the Church, a rapture, at any moment. Nothing needs to precede the Rapture. This is not a complete statement of Church Doctrine. This is mostly just notes from Chuck Missler’s teaching on the Rapture.
Philippians 3:20-21, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Master Yeshua HaMashiach, 21who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
Titus 2:13, “For the grace of Yahweh that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great Mighty One and Savior Yeshua Messiah, 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
Hebrews 9:28, “so Messiah was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
1 Thes. 1:10, “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Yeshua who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
1 Thes. 4:17, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Master in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Master.”
1 Thes. 5:6-10, “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For Yahweh did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Master Yeshua Messiah, 10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.”
Rev. 22:20, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.””
Results in a victorious and purified life. 1 John 3:2-3, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
1 Thes. 4:15, 17, “For this we say to you by the word of the Master, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Master will by no means precede those who are asleep. . . 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Master in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Master.”
2 Thes. 2:1, “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Master Yeshua Messiah and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,”
1 Thes. 5, “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of Yahweh [Judgment Day] so comes as a thief in the night. 3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For Yahweh did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Master Yeshua Messiah, 10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Master and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of Yahweh in Messiah Yeshua for you.
19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.
23Now may the Mighty One of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Master Yeshua Messiah. 24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.
26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27I charge you by the Master that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28The grace of our Master Yeshua Messiah be with you. Amen.”
1 Timothy 6:14-15, “that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Master Yeshua Messiah’s appearing, 15which He will manifest in His own times,”
Yeshua will return in one of two ways: according to His Sacred Calendar, which is what the Greek in 1 Timothy 6:15 reveals, for the word time in English is times in the Greek, a plural noun!!! Or, there are 3 advents of Messiah to earth!!If we are raptured at Shavuot, Pentecost, on the Church’s birthday, then even the 3 advents could be accomplished on His Sacred calendar, with the 3rd advent coming at Yom Teruah, Feast of Trumpets, announcing the King!! Quite interesting indeed!!
Hebrews 10:37, “For yet a little while, And Hewho [or that which] is coming will come and will not tarry.”
Luke 19:13, “So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’”
Expectation so great in the imminency, they stopped working. Get back to work!! 2 Thes. 3:10-12, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Master Yeshua Messiah that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
Be patient, because His return is IMMINENT!! James 5:8, “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Master is at hand.”