Friday, August 21, 2015

What should I do to prepare for the rapture?

What should I do to prepare for the rapture?
 (based on John Piper's interview)

The rapture is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. That in essence is rapture. It is when the Church (those who died, and those who are living) rises to meet the Lord.

Therefore, encourage one another - you will meet him. Don't worry! He is coming.
2 Thessalonians 1:10 - He comes to be glorified, and to be marveled. We are made to marvel - and this will be the day when we have the best marveling experience.

But, does this event happen after or before the season of the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14). Do we go through the tribulation? Or do we go skip the seven year period of tribulation? There's difference of opinion about this order. Piper believes in post-tribulation (the former). The reason he believes in post-tribulation is because of the following verse.

2 Thessalonians 1:5-9 -  All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.  God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you  and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

According to Paul, God will give you relief from the suffering when he is revealed from heaven.  So according to Piper, there's only one second coming, and it happens after the suffering and tribulation. 

How should you prepare for the rapture? 
1. Pray for Jesus to come. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus.
2. Trust the promises of God to turn all our suffering for our good. 
3. Do the will of God so that when he comes, he will find you faithful. 

 



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