Titus 2:13 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST;"
Several people have tried to predict the exact date and time of the imminent (any moment) return of JESUS CHRIST for HIS bride, the church. They have ridiculous calculations and formulas that usually, even on the surface, are nonsensical. In itself, claiming to know the timing of an imminent event is self-contradictory - it would not be "imminent" if one knew when it was to take place. What happens when these predictions fail ? The world mocks Christianity as a whole, regardless of how much we may attempt to distance ourselves from the foolishness of these deceitful prophets.
Nothing can be imminent and at the same time able to be predicted as far as its timing is concerned. No "signs" need to occur before the removal of the church from the Earth. The truth of the imminent rapture of believers is our "blessed hope" (v.13). The fact that the LORD JESUS CHRIST is returning to the clouds to catch away HIS bride, the church, is a biblical promise to which we hold in both good times and bad. We do not have some special insight as to when prophetic events regarding Israel will be resumed; however, we do know that nothing further needs to happen in order for the rapture to take place. The sole event that believers in the church age (which age we are currently in) are to be eagerly anticipating is the catching away of CHRIST's church up to our home in Heaven - where we all belong !
Many scoff at the doctrine of the rapture, denigrating it as "the secret rapture," since only believers will experience the first phase of JESUS' return, or "the great escape," as if those who teach the rapture are merely escapists from the real world (Please check out how Enoch and Elijah left this Earth as examples of a rapture). Nevertheless, let us be eagerly watching for the SAVIOR and not for some "sign" of HIS "imminent" return !
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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