Left Behind?

Left Behind?

If tens of millions of people worldwide have recently disappeared, then Read this. This article will explain what happened to them and what you can expect to happen in the coming days.

No doubt, many have noticed that a common denominator of the missing people is their spiritual belief in Jesus Christ as Son of God, Savior and Lord.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the events that have occurred and will soon occur have been prophesied in the Bible, the Word of God:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (2 Pe 1:19-20)

I. The Rapture

First, concerning the disappearance of tens of millions of people. This is what has been referred to as the “Rapture” in common Christian terminology. The term rapture isn’t found in modern English translations of the Bible; but is derived from the Latin Vulgate translation. In verse 16 below, the phrase “caught up” is from the Latin root word “rapio”: to take away by force. The word rapture is simply the label given to the event that the apostle Paul calls a “mystery” in the verse below. That is what Jesus Christ has done with his believers.

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. (1 Th 4:16-17)

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Co 15:50-53)

Above, the Apostle Paul declares the “catching away” as a mystery. The rapture, as we call it, was first revealed to Paul and not entirely understood or accepted by believers throughout the ages. But now, you have witnessed it. Why did it happen? Because the Lord Almighty is about to pour his wrath upon the earth.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Th 5:9-11)

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Re 3:10-11)

God has kept his faithful servants from the tribulation the world will soon experience; as He promised to the church above. Jesus also warned about the times to come and the signs of the age and gave this alert:

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. (Lk 21:35-36)

There are other similarities between the rapture and the days of Noah and the days of Lot.

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (Lk 17:24-33)

All of these scripture passages plus the parable to follow clearly teach that Jesus Christ will return to instantly take away his believers filled with His Holy Spirit to keep them from His wrath to follow. Clearly, God removes His faithful before his wrath arrives. I believe the “oil in the lamp” in the following parable is symbolic of the indwelling Holy Spirit present in true believers.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Mt 25:1-13)

In Jewish tradition, the bridegroom would prepare a home under the guidance of his father. When the father decided the home was ready, the bridegroom would return in a surprise to take away his bride. Below, Jesus tells His followers He will do just that.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (Jn 14:1-3)

Christians are now in heaven with Jesus for the next seven years of the tribulation. The Saints in heaven will worship God and partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Re 19:5-9)

II. Global Government and the Antichrist

Now that we have established where all of the true Christians have gone and that the Word of God, the Bible, had prophesied this thousands of years ago; pray that you will see the truth in the rest of the article and believe the Word of God concerning what will happen in the coming days, months and years.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Th 5:16-22)

I believe that the disappearance of tens of millions of people will cause the world to panic including economic, political and military instability; especially nations where enough Christians have vanished; including the United States. The world economy follows that of the U.S. Certain nations will try to take advantage of the world confusion and try to fill the power vacuum. It is very easy to see from my perspective of writing this that Iraq and Syria would try to attack Israel at this time when the U.S. is severely weakened after the rapture. In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, chapter 49:23-27 and chapters 50-51, prophesies indicate such a war.

This war seems to be fierce and fast, involving nations to the north (Jer. 50:9). The bulk of Europe and the U.S. are both north of Iraq. Damascus in Syria is mentioned as being destroyed (49:27); and Babylon, modern day Iraq, is also destroyed (50:18).

This scenario of war may happen in other ways, involving other countries. But, however it happens, the stage will be set for the final seven years of human rule on this planet.

The war above will help cause a global shift of political power and a person commonly referred to by Christians as the antichrist will be the prominent world leader. He will promise peace and prosperity if the world follows him. The world will follow him to avoid a more dangerous war and a worldwide economic collapse. He will convince the world to follow him by lying. The prophecy below symbolizes him as the false christ on a white horse. White usually symbolizes peace, but he will achieve it with military threats (the bow) and an attitude of conquering.

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (Re 6:1-2)

The next passage is in the context of world empires and the final reign of human government. Insight into the antichrist’s ways is given, along with his future.

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Da 8:23-25)

Not only does God rapture believers to keep them from wrath, but the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers must be removed to allow the time of lawlessness to begin upon the earth. In the verse below, the one ‘holding it back until taken out of the way’ is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will still be on the Earth to enact God’s specific plan; but His restraining influence will be taken out of the way. The man of lawlessness is the antichrist. This verse includes a brief preview of what you can expect from the antichrist.

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Th 2:1-12)

In verse 11 above, God allows a powerful delusion to spread among the world so people will believe the lies of the antichrist. If you are still reading this article, then I believe you would rather believe the truth than delight in wickedness. Time is running short for you to make a decision between the two; before you are deluded and deceived by Satan and his servant, the antichrist. This is a good opportunity for you to consider believing the Bible is the Word of God and praying to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, for He will return at the end of the tribulation period to conquer, judge, rule and reign forever.

III. Salvation

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (Jn 3:35-36)

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 Jn 1:5-10)

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 Jn 2:1-2)

Dear reader, the above verses sum up the plan of salvation that God has given us.

Please read them carefully and pray to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord. You will endure tough times, persecution and most likely death from the antichrist and his followers. But be strengthened by these verses:

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Co 5:5-10)

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Re 2:10-11)

If you have prayed and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are now considered a tribulation saint. Again, you will suffer and most likely die for your faith in God because the antichrist is directed by Satan and wishes to destroy God’s children.

IV. Peace Treaty; Israel is the Focus of God and the World

Once the antichrist has power, the seven-year tribulation period officially begins when the he makes a peace treaty involving Israel and other nations.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Da 9:27)

In God’s prophetic timepiece, He has appointed a specific number of years to finish dealing with His chosen people, the Jews.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Da 9:24-26)

Each “seven” above is seven years. Sixty-two and seven “sevens” have passed. Leaving one “seven,” since the first verse says there will be seventy total. This is the final seven years of tribulation that have now arrived. The Anointed One is Jesus Christ. Christ was cut off when He was crucified. Then, the Roman Empire in A.D. 70 destroyed Israel and the Temple in Jerusalem. The “people” referenced above is the Roman Empire and the ruler who will come is the antichrist who rules from the modern day Roman Empire, perhaps the European Union.

Isn’t it amazing how a nation that was destroyed and most of her people scattered about the world over 1900 years ago, has been restored. Just as God’s Word said it would happen. This is unparalleled in human history. Israel and Jerusalem are the center of the world’s attention.

And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God. (Am 9:14-15)

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. (Zec 12:1-5)

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Zec 14:1-3)

V. Persecution of Saints

Clearly, a peace treaty and a strong leader will be seen as necessary to stop the world from destroying itself. The antichrist will seem to fit the bill, but will really be setting up the world for destruction. Again, the antichrist is demonically possessed, possibly by Satan himself. The goal of Satan is to destroy God’s creation and children.

In the passage below, the beast is the antichrist and the dragon is Satan. Notice how the antichrist is given forty-two months to exercise authority. This is three and a half years, or until the middle of the ‘seven’. Compare that with Daniel 9:27 that follows.

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Re 13:1-10)

VI. Mark of the Beast

The following passages show how the antichrist will coerce people to worship him by using a tracking system, also known as the mark of the beast.

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (Re 13:14-18)

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Re 14:9-13)

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. (Re 16:1-2)

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Re 20:4-6)

Clearly, you should not take the mark of the beast or worship him, the antichrist.

The antichrist will want to control everyone and modern technology can now easily accomplish that. People who accept Jesus Christ after the rapture are the tribulation saints. They will be persecuted because they are now children of God. The antichrist will have good-sounding reasons to persecute the saints and enforce the mark. With the world in chaos, perhaps more terrorism, and missing people, keeping track of everyone will sound necessary for the world to become stable and safe again. The raptured Christians will probably be blamed for the world’s problems and the new tribulation saints will be seen as a problem, as well, and therefore persecuted for not being committed to the new system of the antichrist. Some children as young as 5-7 years of age may have been raptured because they were believers, even if their parents weren’t. Christians will be blamed for the missing children, as well as the failing world economy. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now will not be easy. Even so, please consider doing just that, right now. Go back to page 6 to read God’s plan of salvation and accept Him. Then seek out a Bible and other believers and pray.

VII. Jewish Temple

It appears as though once the antichrist defiles the temple, his authority over the world will decrease. It is obvious that a Jewish temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt, then. This probably happens as a result of the peace treaty he signs with Israel and other nations. Again, the Word of God correctly prophesied that there would be a temple in Jerusalem more than 1900 years after it was destroyed.

VIII. Conclusion

A world war then begins and lasts for about three and a half years until it culminates in the battle of Armageddon. This final period won’t be covered much here. It will be enough to say that it will be filled with war, famines, plagues, pestilence, natural disasters and more to kill at least half of the world’s population. There is much I didn’t cover here that is in the book of Revelation. I just wanted to present to you enough truth that you would believe the Word of God and give yourselves to Jesus Christ and take comfort in Him. If you do this, you most likely will not be around for the second half of the tribulation. If you are around, you will have had plenty of time to read the Bible and other, more complete works. Or you will be a follower of the antichrist and be doomed to death and hell.

God Speed. (From www.raptureready.com)