When the rapture does occur, billions of people will be left behind full of surprise, and shocked at the sudden disappearances of their loved ones, friends, and acquaintances.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Who knows what explanation the Antichrist will use to explain away the disappearances of millions of believers. But, one thing is for certain - once the main obstacle to his plan for the world removed, the way will be paved clear for the Antichrist to implement his evil plan for the world, as is prophesied in the Bible. With the followers of Christ gone, few would stand in the way of a world religion that deifies man, and a world government that criminalizes belief in God.
II Thessalonians 2:3, 6-7 "Let no one in any way deceive you for it (the Day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. And you know what restrains him now, so that in this time he may be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way."
The word Apostasy may have 2 different meanings. The first is to fall away from the faith. In our world today, many are turning to a new age faith that vilifies belief in salvation through Christ, and changes the Word of God to fit an inclusive, creedless, self-gratifying religion that requires nothing and promises everything, including godhood. A belief that releases us from any responsibility, accountability or consequences in life, is becoming more popular in our humanist society and will gain in popularity as the end times progress.
The second meaning for apostasy in this verse is to depart, and may be a reference to the rapture. The forces of the Antichrist are restrained on Earth until the Holy Spirit which dwells within God's Church is removed by the rapture. With Christ's followers removed from the scene, the Antichrist will be released to usher in the world's new age religion with all of its evils.
However, as this depressing time descends upon us, we can rejoice. God promised us that he would deliver his Church from the persecutions of the Antichrist and the wrath of God that will follow his rise to power. The rapture is the fulfillment of that promise.
I Thessalonians 5:4,9-10 "For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come, just like a thief in the night. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him."
Christ will return for those who have died and those who are still living and deliver us from the wrath and tribulation that will be suffered by those who follow the Antichrist.
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."
I Thessalonians 1:10 "and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come."
God will come for his Church suddenly at a time when we least expect it. For this reason, He instructs us to be ready, always prepared, and on guard for his coming. As those around us turn their backs on God, worshipping themselves, other gods, or false prophets instead, we should be looking up. We should have our spiritual lives in order. Now is the time to walk right with God, so that we might escape what is to come. Especially as we are now witnessing the beginnings of birth pains, God reminds us that we need to be in prayer constantly, so that we will not be led down the other path and miss His coming.
Luke 21:34-36 "Be on guard, that your heart may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon the face of the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
God felt it was so important for us to be alert and watchful for his coming that he reminded us several times to be ready.
Matthew 24:42 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming."
Matthew 24:44 "For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."
Matthew 25:13 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour."
It is to our benefit that God didn't tell us the hour of His coming. Because it encourages us to live righteously as Christ may return any time, and it encourages believers to work diligently for the souls of friends, family and the lost of this world. It reminds us that we have much work to do and may not have much time to do it. If there was ever a time to be an example, share your faith, and make sure that everyone you know has heard the name Jesus, it is now.
After the rapture of the Church, great tribulation will fall upon the Earth.
Isaiah 26:19-21 "Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust awake and shout for joy. For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits. Come, my people, enter into your rooms, And close your doors behind you; Hide for a little while, Until indignation runs its course. For behold, the Lord is about to come out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; and the earth will reveal her bloodshed, and will no longer cover her slain."
Many Christians will read about the rapture of the Church which will occur before the tribulation andrespond with "It's too good to be true!" or "I don't deserve to be saved from the wrath to come." We often overlook, however, that trials and tribulations are a standard part of everyday life in a fallen world. But our Lord specifically informed us that this great tribulation is a special judgment of God. It is for our sake that these days will be shortened for us. This escape from wrath is not based on merit, but on what the Bible says. God deals with us on a basis of grace when we accept Him as our Savior, and this basis extends itself to the tribulation. We should celebrate the saving grace of Christ. Let the joy that fills your soul at the mention of His return show in your life. Let it be an example that draws others in. Then tell everyone you know the reason for the hope that is within you, so that they too may look to the future with excitement, hope and confidence, and you will see them in your Fathers house at that great time of reunion and rejoicing.
