© 20 Colin Melbourne
Caught Up Together
Q: Is Luke 21:34 describing The Rapture?
A: The expression “Rapture” is Christian jargon for the event described by the Holy Ghost in verse 17 of 1 Thess. 4:13-18 KJV;
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Spirit of God, through Paul, writes to Christians to comfort us with the sure knowledge that those who sleep in Jesus, that is; who die as born again believers in The LORD Jesus Christ, will be resurrected first, not left as dust in their graves or cremation urns.
They will be raised up physically in glorified bodies, and every genuine Christian still alive on Earth at that time will be caught up with them in mid-air, transformed instantaneously into our glorified bodies.
Together we will meet The LORD Jesus Christ, in the air, who appears from Heaven to call us to Himself.
This glorious event is alluded to several times in the written word, for those with open spiritual ears. For example in Luke 17, 1 Thess. 4:17, 1 Jn. 3:2 and Titus 2:11-15 KJV;
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Notice it is called that blessed hope
The dead in Christ are resurrected first, and those who are still alive are caught up to be with Him in the air, we go to The Marriage Super of The Lamb in Heaven, and The Great Tribulation follows on Earth.
You ask if Luke 21:34 is describing the same event; The Rapture, the blessed hope, the catching up of believers to meet Christ in the air?
No, it cannot be; here it is in its setting, Luke 21:34-36 KJV;
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
That is Almighty God manifest in The Flesh describing to His disciples the divine judgments preceding His Second Coming..
He’s warning disciples to stand firm in Christ to the end, so that we may in turn warn sinners what is about to come upon them.
It simply cannot be about the Rapture of believers because of the context and Jesus’ words, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass…
Notice that God’s desire is for worthy believers to escape all these things.
What things?
The Great Tribulation
The Living Word describes them in the same Luke Ch. 21 discourse;
Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Christ is describing the time of divine wrath, the like of which has never been seen since Noah’s day. The world’s a tragic mess today, but you really do not want to be on Earth when this occurs.
The immorality, earthquakes, fires, floods, droughts, famines, pestilences, new epidemics, corruption, wars, and climatic upheaval we are witnessing in our day, will be as nothing compared to what is at hand.
Such are the cataclysmic “things” The LORD Jesus Christ was alluding to in Luke 21:34.
Whilst they are unfolding, a handful of sinners will repent and turn to Christ, but billions will perish in their sins rather than turn from unbelief, sin, religion, and idolatry.
Then, when the situation appears to be utterly hopeless for tiny Israel, surrounded by the bristling military might of Russia, Iran, and the West: The LORD Jesus Christ will come for the second time: No longer a mere Carpenter of Nazareth, but manifested as the reigning Glorious King of Kings and LORD of Lords.
Armageddon
All true believers will also return with Him, and He then delivers Israel, and judges the nations in righteousness. (See Rev. Ch. 16-19 KJV)
Halleluia! Are you looking forward to that?
You ought to be, because the Holy Ghost writes, in 2 Tim. 4:8 KJV;
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Oh Glory… yes!
We yearn to be caught away from this doomed Earth, we long for His appearing, and The Rapture; but first we have a mission to complete.
Not building “palaces of worship”, or ministry empires, but going forth in His Name proclaiming; His Word, His Name, His Power, His Blood, His righteousness, His healing, and His peace, to all who will repent and believe on Him.
Let’s occupy until He comes for us!
If you’re not certain of being caught up together with Christ when He appears, you can be made ready right now.
God’s word asks you to do just two simple things
© 20 Colin Melbourne
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