For the storm, as it massed heavier and nearer, filling the earth with its desolation, bridged vast spaces for him, and he found himself suddenly face to face with the might-have-beens of yesterday.”
–James Oliver Curwood (The Valley of Silent Men a Story of the Three River Country)
“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
–Matthew 24:27 (NASB)
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We watched a movie a few nights ago, “Left Behind” with Nicholas Cage. I had never seen this particular movie before but I knew the premises of the story–the Rapture. The term, “rapture,” does not appear in the Bible, however, it is implied. It comes from a Latin word meaning, “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” Paul states, “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. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NKJV–caps added).
I have heard this teaching all of my life, and from what I see taking place in the world, including this country, the coming of the Lord must be near. But the movie, what stuck out to me from this particular film was the hours and days right after the Rapture. Try to imagine, I know that it is really not possible, but try… The film depicted the mayhem afterwards. The stealing of goods, people fighting over material items, anger over traffic, not realizing what had taken place. There were those in fear and those opening weeping over the loss of loved ones no longer with them. It reminded me of the words of Jesus, “I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” (Luke 17:34-36, NKJV) Imagine that scene! Then there were those wandering around, hopelessness in their eyes, walking in a daze.
Chaos will abound, mayhem will be rampant. The people will not realize what has taken place. I am reminded of the terrible teaching of Nietzsche, “One must have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.” Out of this chaos will come order; Nietzsche said, “Once you said, ‘God’ when you gazed upon distant seas; but now I have taught you to say ‘Superman.'” The missing millions will be explained away, by the “Superman” or known in Paul’s writing as the “man of lawlessness,” or the Antichrist. People will believe him, because they have no other answer, and also because, “For this reason, God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11, NKJV)
If people thought there was selfishness abounding after the Rapture. If they saw chaos swirling around them, people missing, death all around, well, it will only get worse. There are three sets of judgments ready to be poured out upon the earth as well as the hatred of the Antichrist: the Seals, the Trumpets, and the Bowls. “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth…” (Revelation 8:13, NKJV) Through all of the horrors that come upon the earth, the people still will not repent and turn to God–amazing. We even see that men will, in their condition, blaspheme the name of God (Revelation 16:9) rather than fall on their faces in repentance.
The Lord will come as a thief in the night upon those not ready, those not expecting. We should not worry or have anxieties regarding this matter. Read again verse 18, “comfort one another with these words.” We, as believers, should be looking upward. We should be encouraging one another as the day of the Lord draws nearer. We should praise Him for this blessed hope that we have and that we will be removed from the chaos and judgment that will befall the earth. We should be working for the kingdom while waiting for the Lord’s return.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
–Revelation 22:20-21 (NKJV)