The Rapture, the day of the Lord, and the end of the world

When it comes to Bible prophecy and people’s reactions to it, two responses are clear, the first and perhaps most prominent being that of great interest. Some years ago I routinely drove out to Point MacKenzie Correctional Farm and held services for the inmates there. No matter what the topic, a good night seemed to limit out at about five attendees, but when I announced the beginning of a study in the book of Revelation, five to seven became the norm. After a lengthy study of with upwards of 12 in attendance, the numbers plummeted to three or four the very next meeting.

It is amazing that there is such a keen interest in future events, yet such an apathy toward that which pertains to every day life.

The second response is that of confusion. It seems that no matter how clear you try to make things, when you begin to mention the rapture, they begin to envision the end of the world as though they were synonymous, which they are not.

Now to those who are left behind, the rapture just may seem like the end of the world, particularly for those in our own country. Out of all the countries in the world, there is no other with such a large percentage of blood-bought, born-again believers as America. Now, before some of you get started, I did not say “church-goers” or “religious” or those who are “good”; only those who have repented of their sins and turned to Jesus Christ for the salvation of their soul are included.

While many polls may indicate Christianity numbering above 40 percent of the population, a more reasonable number departing in the rapture would likely be 10 percent, if that high. These polls simply are not asking the right questions. But even 10 percent is a large number, especially when you take into consideration that God has believers in key positions in this country, and when they leave, it just won’t be the same.

But while it may seem like the end, the end is yet at least another 1,007 years in the future. We know this because the Bible tells us that prior to Christ’s second coming, one man will rule the world for a period of seven years. Most commonly known as the Antichrist, he will stand against everything good and godly. But before he is allowed to appear on the world’s stage, God will first withdraw his spirit from the world, according to II Thessalonians 2. And it will be at this point that true Christianity will be taken out of here.

The next stop on our calendar is what the Bible calls the “Day of the Lord” some seven years or so later. This is the literal, physical return of Jesus Christ to this earth. Though he came the first time as the Lamb of God, he will come this next time as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Last time he came to redeem lost mankind by shedding his blood, but this next time he will shed the blood of his enemies, the volume of which will fill a trough 200 miles long to a depth of five to sex feet.

Will your blood be part of this mix? During the seven-year reign of the Antichrist, the greatest mark of rejection of the Son of God will be to receive Antichrist’s mark on either your forehead or the back of your right hand. Once done, this mark is accounted of God as permanent, and that soul will forever remain damned.

Upon Christ’s return, he will establish his literal, physical kingdom upon this earth. He will conquer as a warrior and will rule as a tyrant, as is told us passages such as Psalms 2 and 45. It will be a reign of 1,000 years of peace, but it will be an enforced peace because those who were not killed during his entrance will still have a sin nature to contend with.

During his kingdom, Jesus Christ will reign as king of kings and lord of lords; that is, he will be the Supreme Ruler, even as the Caesars who reigned supreme with kings and lords beneath them. And guess what? True Christians are promised to rule and reign with him in his kingdom, and I am included in that number.

My first choice for service will be Wasilla, home sweet home.

Despite 1,000 years of peace, not to mention prosperity, mankind will once again seek to rebel against the Lord’s Christ. This will be the end of this world according to Revelation 20. In II Peter we are told the elements will melt with a fervent heat. These will be the cleansing fires that shall purge this universe as we know it from existence because of sin.

While I must end for now, God’s story does not end here, for he will create a new heaven and a new earth. For those interested, you can go to Revelation 21:7-8 to find out your destination.

Ron Hamman is pastor for Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229.