Section F: The Future Expectation of Believers

It is important to correctly understand biblical prophecies so as to be able to react to them in an appropriate manner. Many people spiritualise virtually all prophecies, thereby depriving themselves of various fixed promises which the Lord made to His disciples. The danger is that such people usually argue away end-time biblical realities and then substitute them with their own views. Within their alternative scenario they continue to pursue a manmade kingdom without any regard for the fact that the world is deteriorating and heading for tribulation under the leadership of the Antichrist.

In the midst of all the bad news about end-time judgements which will lead to a great tribulation that will be unprecedented in human history, there is also the good news about the physical salvation and safeguarding of Christ’s bridal congregation (Tit. 2:13; Luke 21:36). True believers are not destined for the judgements of the tribulation and will therefore escape these disasters. The Lord will not only intervene to judge the wicked, but remove those who belong to Him before He punishes the rebels.

The final destination and eternal abode of all believers is the New Jerusalem. A vivid consciousness of the wonderful place which is our eternal destination should motivate us to remain spiritually steadfast in the present wicked world, and to persevere in faith. The positive news in biblical prophecies is that Jesus Christ will take us away to be co-heirs of His eternal heavenly kingdom. The bad news applies to those who have not accepted the good news, and thus became subjects of God’s wrath because of their own negligence.

18. The Future: What can we Expect?

There are basically two ways of interpreting biblical prophecies, i.e. the spiritualised and literal methods of interpretation. These two approaches lead to completely different and even conflicting expectations on what the future holds, and therefore confront us with the responsibility of gaining greater clarity on each of them. We should indeed know what lies ahead if we wish to be ready for it.

False expectations on the future give rise to disillusionment, confusion, as well as uncertainty on how the Bible should be understood. The absence of a clear future expectation produces lukewarm believers who are not properly acquainted with the Bible’s prophetic programme. Only a correct, biblical expectation enables us to be vigilant and to correctly interpret the signs of the times (Luke 12:54-56).

The spiritualising of prophecies

The approach of spiritualising biblical prophecy is subjective, confusing and completely unsystematic. It is totally out of touch with important prophetic themes such as the restoration of the people of Israel, the emerging of an antichristian new world order, and the literal establishment of Christ’s millennial reign of peace on earth. The spiritualising and denial of a literal Millennial reign after the second coming of Christ is described as amillennialism. Supporters of this approach express themselves against the promise of a literal Millennium as a final dispensation in humanity’s history of salvation.

Although amillennialists reject the idea of a Millennial kingdom after Christ’s coming, that does not mean that they reject the revelation of God’s kingdom on earth in principle. Their error lies in wrongly interpreting this kingdom by equating it with the church dispensation. They do not recognise the chronological order in the unfolding of God’s prophetic plan, and therefore fail to observe the systematic, dispensational sequence in the fulfilment of biblical prophecies. Because of their preconceived dogmatic orientation they make wrong assumptions on how and when certain prophecies will be fulfilled.

This error of judgement gives rise to a major dilemma, since nothing works out properly when the concept of the kingdom – and specifically the revelation of this kingdom – is erroneously interpreted. The following are the major problems encountered by amillennialists in their eschatological views:

· The duration of the future dispensation of the kingdom will be one thousand years (Rev. 20:4, 6), but the church dispensation with which they equate the kingdom has been in progress for almost two thousand years now. At what point did the Millennium begin and when will it end?

· During the kingdom dispensation, Christ will reign from the throne of David in Jerusalem (Luke 1:32; Acts 15:16-17; Isa. 9:7), but this throne is still fallen down with nobody reigning from it. Amillennialists clearly do not appreciate the fact that the physical revelation of God’s kingdom on earth can only occur in association with a fully restored Israel in the Holy Land. Israel first has to accept Jesus as Messiah and King before their own kingdom, as well as the Messiah’s kingdom, can be revealed.

· During the kingdom dispensation, Jerusalem will be the religious and political capital of the world, and the Lord Himself will be consulted and served in this city by the nations (Isa. 2:2-3; Jer. 3:17; Zech. 8:22). In stark contrast to this situation, Jerusalem was destined to be trampled by the nations during the church dispensation (Luke 21:24), and could therefore not in any sense have been the main seat of the Messiah’s kingdom.

· During the Millennium, the physically as well as spiritually restored Israel will be the Lord’s special witnesses on earth and all of them will serve Him in perfect unison (Isa. 27:6; Jer. 31:34; Zech. 8:23). At present, the great majority of Jews still reject Jesus as their Messiah. They first have to be reconciled with Him before they will fully revived spiritually and able to serve Him as they should (Zech. 12:10; 13:9).

· The church dispensation does not culminate in great revivals as a manifestation of God’s kingdom on earth, but in widespread deception and a great tribulation under the rule of the Antichrist (Matt. 24:21; 29-30; 2 Thess. 2:3-4). The battle of Armageddon will occur at the end of the tribulation period, when Christ will destroy His enemies (Rev. 16:16; 19:19-21). There is no biblical reference to a great revival right at the end of the church dispensation before Christ comes.

· During the kingdom dispensation, the devil will be bound in the Pit and shut up so that he should deceive the nations no more. The names of the idols will be cut off (Zech. 13:2), the nations will all live in peace and no longer wage any wars (Isa. 2:4; Jer. 3:17), the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isa. 11:9), and Jerusalem will be a praise in all the earth (Isa. 62:6-7). It is completely unrealistic and unbiblical to expect conditions of this nature to prevail on earth during the church dispensation.

What are amillennialists doing to justify the impossibility of their own prophetic scenario, and what explanations do they offer to account for all the contradictions in it? They resort to spiritualising and allegorising in order to escape the literal implications of a large number of prophecies. If they still cannot succeed in sweeping certain end-time prophecies under the carpet they apply them to the distant past by alleging that they were fulfilled long ago (e.g. during the reign of Nero). The following are some of the deceptive statements which are made by amillennialists in an effort to justify their unsystematic eschatology:

· They do not accept the fact that Christ’s Millennial reign will last for one thousand years, despite the fact that the duration of His reign of peace has been clearly stated in six verses in Revelation 20 to be one thousand years. According to them, “one thousand” is a symbolic number which merely indicates “a long time”. Does that apply to all numbers in the Bible, e.g. the 70 years of the Babylonian exile of Israel? (Jer. 25:11).

· The promise that Christ will restore the throne of David and rule the world from this throne is not at all taken to be literal. It is argued that Christ now rules over His kingdom from heaven. Since when is the throne of David in heaven (Luke 1:32), and how can the nations now go up to earthly Jerusalem to be instructed by Him? (Isa. 2:2-3; Zech. 8:22).

· The promise that the saints will be raised from the dead to reign with Christ for a thousand years (Rev. 5:9-10; 20:6), is also spiritualised. It is alleged that the deceased saints are now reigning in heaven with Christ. How do people fulfil this function before they have received their resurrection bodies? Revelation 20:4 says about the martyrs of the tribulation period: “And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

· The hundreds of promises on the restoration of Israel as a people in their own land (cf. Ezek. 36:22-28; 37:21; Isa. 11:11-12; Rom. 11:25-26), are spiritualised and applied to the church. To which country are Christians restored in the end-time? The Lord clearly only addresses Israel when He says: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel” (Ezek. 11:17). Likewise, prophecies on the time of Jacob’s trouble, which refer to Israel’s experience during the coming tribulation period (Jer. 30:7), are spiritualised or interpreted historically.

· Amillennialists hold the view that we are now living in the kingdom dispensation and that the devil is presently bound “so that he should deceive the nations no more” (Rev. 20:1-3). However, this prophecy will only be fulfilled after Christ has returned, destroyed the Antichrist and false prophet and judged His enemies (Rev. 19:11-21). The devil will remain incarcerated during the entire course of the millennium, and this period has not yet begun. As for the present situation, the Bible says that the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19), and that we should put on the whole armour of God to remain standing against the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:11-12). He is described as “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30), and also as “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4). That is the reason why Christians are living in a predominantly evil world during the church age, in which we suffer tribulation (John 16:33) and are faced with the responsibility of waging a spiritual war against the kingdom of darkness. We are clearly not living in the millennial kingdom of peace, and daily experience the hard reality that Satan has not yet been bound in a pit and sealed off from the world.

· Amillennialists adamantly defend their view that the church dispensation will not end in a period of an unprecedented spiritual and moral falling away as a prelude to the great tribulation. They also reject the literal fulfilment of prophecies on a personal Antichrist who will rule over the world during the tribulation period. Neither do they believe in the promise of the rapture shortly before the revelation of the Antichrist, since they don’t expect an Antichrist to appear on the scene. They are of the opinion that all the dark prophecies pertaining to the tribulation period were fulfilled in the first century during the reign of the Roman dictator, Nero. He was allegedly the Antichrist. But what then about prophecies which clearly state that the Antichrist will be a living person when Christ comes? (2 Thess. 2:6-12; Rev. 19:19-20). And who is his withholder who must be taken out of the way so that he can be revealed? There is clearly an “escape” for believers before the outpouring of divine judgements on earth, and believers should watch and pray to be found worthy for this imminent event (Luke 21:36).

· Because of their particular view on the kingdom, amillennialists cannot accept the fact that the church dispensation will end in a Laodicean state of utter failure and deception (Rev. 3:15-17), followed by the revelation of the Antichrist and his world government (Rev. 13:3-7). To them, it is much more acceptable that great revivals should occur now to usher in a global process of Christian transformation. That is the vision which they entertain, and many of them are even prepared to engage in ecumenical ties with other faiths in order to ensure a worldwide adoption of their peace plans.

Transformation

It is evident that amillennialists are pursuing a manmade, ecumenical kingdom from which the following biblical characteristics of the future revealed kingdom of Christ are absent: the nation of Israel does not feature in it; the city of Jerusalem was never during the church dispensation even close to being a world capital; the throne of David upon which Christ will rule as King, is still fallen down; the devil is far from being bound and still walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8); the Gentiles do not live in peace and have definitely not yet started beating their swords into ploughshares; neither do they honour Israel (Zech. 8:23; Isa. 60:10-12) but rather persecute and harm them in every possible way.

In spite of all the differences between the manmade kingdom of heaven and the real kingdom of heaven, amillennialists are proceeding with their efforts to transform the entire world into a Christian kingdom. The fact that they are trying to do it in an unbiblical, ecumenical way is a certain indication that they will not succeed in their efforts. However, they continue with their plans, among which are transformation rallies which are held annually in different countries throughout the world.

The following is one of the scriptures which they often use at transformation meetings: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). This promise was given to Israel, the people called by the Name of God. However, most of the time they were unfaithful to the Lord and because of their apostasy they forfeited His blessings. During New Testament times they were driven from their land because they were spiritually blind and unaware of the fact that God had visited them through the Messiah (Luke 19:41-44).

Are there any nations today that formally associate with the Name of the Triune God by recognising Him in their constitutions, offering Christian education to the young generation, observing Christian morality, and imposing biblical penalties on serious criminals? There are no such nations, and that is precisely the reason why the Bible says that the whole world is under the control of the devil.

It is always the right thing to call people to repentance, but that should primarily be done with a view to saving souls – not in vain attempts to save nations. The number of people who react positively to the call to repentance when preaching the gospel, will never be so high that it will dramatically change the character of an entire community. The Lord Jesus has warned that only a minority of people would repent when invited to do so. Because of this situation, the broad way will always carry the heaviest traffic, regardless of how eagerly we may exert ourselves to bring about change (Matt. 7:13-14; Luke 13:23-24).

It is of no avail to entertain unrealistic expectations that entire cities and even countries will repent in sackcloth and ashes, thereby experiencing a complete transformation to Christian standards. Strategic spiritual warfare and the attempted pulling down of evil strongholds in the air are unbiblical and unfeasible, and only give rise to false expectations. We should rather accept the fact that in the last days perilous times will come (2 Tim. 3:1), culminating in a great tribulation as there never was since the beginning of the world (Matt. 24:21). This scenario is on the verge of fulfilment.

The Bible clearly prepares us for a great falling away that will occur in the end-time: “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:11-12).

People should be warned against the impending judgements, to ensure that they remain vigilant and take care not to be swept along by the rising tide of spiritual and moral falling away. Unsaved people should be plucked like brands from the fire. It will be of no avail to try and declare an entire apostate country like South Africa to be Christian in the hope that all its citizens will heartily repent. The only thing which they will do in unison after the rapture will be to follow and worship the Antichrist: “And the whole world marvelled and followed the beast ... and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? ... And he was given authority over every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Rev. 13:3-4, 7).

Of what benefit is it to pursue an ideal of national transformation while the entire country, whole communities, and even large churches together with their theological seminaries, are built upon the sand of spiritual deception, prophetic ignorance and moral opportunism? False hope cannot avert the disasters which are in the offing. Believers should rather be admonished to watch and pray to be worthy to escape the coming judgements and tribulation, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

Instead of transformation rallies, basic evangelistic work should be done while strongly emphasising the current fulfilment of biblical prophecies. We should intercede for all unsaved people, and specifically also for the people of Israel, in the hope that some of them will be saved. However, many of them will still take wrong decisions, as was the case during the first century when the Lord Jesus said: “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive” (John 5:43).

People still reject the true Christ and His Word, thereby rendering themselves candidates to accept, follow and worship the coming Antichrist. One of his ideologies against which people should be warned now is that of globalism. In terms of this approach, world unity is pursued in all spheres of life: a world government, an alliance of world religions in which all the deceived faiths will worship the false Christ, and a world economy which will enable the Antichrist to fully control all people.

The erroneous interpretation of biblical prophecies by amillennialists is responsible for the fact that they are ignorant about these dangers and consequently do not warn other people against the difficult times ahead. Their wrong view on the kingdom is the main reason why they are inadvertently building the Antichrist’s world empire by way of a modern tower of Babel.

How and when may prophecies be spiritualised?

There is definitely symbolism in the Bible, but the Bible itself explains these symbols. From the context in which figurative language is used it will be evident whether a literal interpretation is fitting or not. If a statement is logical it should be literally interpreted: “If the plain sense of the word makes common sense, then seek no other sense.” When the Bible speaks of Israel, Jerusalem and the 144 000 saved Jews of Revelation 7, these concepts should not be spiritualised and applied to the church. The same rule applies to numbers and periods such as a thousand years, seven years, 42 months and 1260 days.

When it is clear that metaphoric language is used, it is usually done with a view to emphasising certain characteristics of a person or a group of people. The metaphor therefore does not only have an abstract, allegorical meaning which is far removed from the physical reality as, in most cases, it has a literal antitype. The Lamb of God refers to Christ, the snake and dragon to the devil (Rev. 12:3, 15), the stars which Satan drew from heaven during his fall refer to fallen angels, while the beast with seven heads depict the Antichrist (Rev. 13:1-2). Likewise, the future world economy of the beast, in which all transactions of buying and selling will be controlled by way of allocated numbers, should also be taken literally (Rev. 13:16-18).

The battle of Armageddon – a big world war that will be waged during the second coming of Christ – is the description of a literal, physical confrontation and not merely a spiritual war somewhere in the sky (Rev. 16:13-16; 19:19-21; Zech. 14:1-13). Even an abstract, spiritual concept such as “the mystery of lawlessness” is associated with a person, the Antichrist or “man of sin”, who will be physically revealed on earth in the end-time, shortly before the coming of Christ (2 Thess. 2:3-8). In similar fashion, reference should not only be made to the devil as a metaphor of evil; he is a specific being, an evil god who will be bound in the Pit after the second coming of Christ, and afterwards judged because of all the evil deeds committed by him (Rev. 20:1-3, 10).

In view of all these clear prophecies we should accept the fact that we are living in an evil world and do not find ourselves in God’s revealed kingdom right now. The Lord Jesus came to the world “that He might deliver us from this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). When He comes again, He will reward His servants and judge the sinners as well as the demonic triumvirate of the devil, the Antichrist and the false prophet (Rev. 11:18). The sooner we accept the intrinsic value and true meaning of the Bible, the better we will be prepared for the future.

We are waiting for a kingdom which has not yet been revealed because the King of kings has not yet come to eradicate the strongholds of evil. After His coming, the time of our pilgrimage in an evil world will be over, and then only will we rule with Him as kings on earth (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:9-10).

A final warning

The integrity of the prophetic word in the Bible should always be honoured. In the final chapter of the Bible we are warned not to take anything away from biblical prophecies, nor should we add anything to it (Rev. 22:18-19). People who do engage in practices of this nature have no place in the kingdom of heaven.

In the end-time, there are many self-appointed prophets and prophetesses who claim that, through dreams, visions and other means, the Lord has revealed to them new prophetic information on the future, which is supplementary to what we find in the Bible. Such prophecies are false! In this way, a direct assault is made on biblical revelations, suggesting that they are incomplete and insufficient for our edification. According to modern seers, prophetic appendages should be added to the Bible after the book of Revelation. However, all these additional prophecies are, with the passage of time, proven to be false, thus underscoring the Lord’s strict warning against presumptuous people who are guilty of this practice.

Conversely, biblical prophecies are also undermined by taking away certain parts of it. That may be done by denying certain prophecies, e.g. that there is a personal devil who will be cast in hell together with sinners, that there will be a first resurrection for the just, etc. The most common way of depriving the Bible of some of its promises and warnings is to argue them away and misrepresent them by way of spiritualising. This presumptuous attitude has already given rise to the practical denial of the fulfilment of the following biblical prophecies on the end-time: the great falling away of the last days, the emergence of an antichristian new world order, the restoration of Israel in their land, the rapture, the appearance of a personal Antichrist and false prophet, the tribulation of seven years under their rule, the battle of Armageddon, as well as the subsequent thousand-year reign of peace.

People who deny the basic meaning of the prophetic word through spiritualising or allegorising, usually go further and also, in a similar fashion, rob other biblical statements of their obvious and literal meaning. Because of this, many of them no longer believe in the virgin birth of Christ, the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible, the resurrection and ascension of Christ, and eventually they also deny the redemptive significance of His crucifixion. In this way they disqualify themselves to have any part in the biblical Jesus, and in the resurrection, eternal life and heavenly kingdom which He has promised to His true disciples. How will they escape if they neglect so great a salvation? (Heb. 2:1-4).

19. Reasons for the Rapture

In any sermon, study or book on the end-time explicit mention should be made of the rapture, since this event is a precondition for the revelation of the Antichrist and the outpouring of divine wrath upon the wicked. As in the times of Noah and Lot, a separation should first occur between believers and unbelievers before the unbelievers can be judged. The promise on the rapture gives Christians a positive and indisputable future expectation – a substantial hope of divine intervention and blessing to look forward to in an otherwise dark scenario of impending judgements upon a wicked world. The unsaved are warned that very hard times are awaiting them if they are not ready and worthy to be snatched away from planet earth.

The following reasons for the rapture are mentioned in the Bible:

1. It is a meeting with Jesus Christ

When the Lord Jesus comes to take away His bridal congregation, those who died in Christ will be resurrected from their graves, while the living ones will be changed from mortality to immortality in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:51-53). Directly afterwards, all true believers will be caught up [raptured] to meet the Lord in the air:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

The first and foremost expectation which we should entertain with regard to the rapture is not merely to get away from the sin-drenched world in which we are living as sojourners and pilgrims, but rather the exalted prospect of arriving at our final destination in heaven! The longing bride eagerly looks forward to be united with her heavenly Bridegroom. On that day He will come “to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe” (2 Thess. 1:10). They will look at Him with radiant faces.

People who reject the idea of a rapture, or catching away, should ask themselves how else they intend to be removed from earth and taken away to the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus in heaven? The Bible says that Christians will be “caught up” to heaven (1 Thess. 4:17). After His earthly ministry, Jesus was bodily “caught up” to heaven (Rev. 12:5). Paul was “caught up” to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2). In all these cases the same verb, i.e. “catch up” (Gr. harpazo) is used, which means “rapture” or “sudden snatching away”.

On this occasion the heavenly Bridegroom will come secretly like thief in the night (Rev. 16:15). He will only appear publicly, when every eye shall see Him, at the end of the seven-year tribulation period which will follow the rapture (Rev. 1:7). At the rapture He will not set foot on earth but meet His bride in the air and take her with Him to heaven. Those who remain behind will discover with a shock that all true Christians have suddenly vanished without a trace! The saints will then be in heaven, in the divine presence of the King of kings, and only return with Him after the dark days of the tribulation (Zech. 14:4-5).

2. It fosters a Christ expectation

It is important to note that a pretribulation rapture fosters a Christ-expectation – not an Antichrist expectation. We are waiting for the heavenly Bridegroom, not for the man of sin. The entire 70^th year-week of Daniel 9 is part of Israel’s divine history, and will be initiated by a covenant which Israel and the nations will conclude with the false messiah. Christians who wrongly believe in a mid-tribulation rapture are diverting their attention from Christ as the central focus and often spend large amounts of money, time and energy in putting strategies in place to survive during the coming tribulation of seven years. Some of them even prepare places of refuge away from big cities because they do not expect the rapture before the outpouring of divine wrath. However, the Bible says that we should expect the Son of God from heaven, “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10).

The promise of the rapture fixes our attention on the sudden and unexpected coming of Christ for His bride. There are no explicit signs preceding this event – least of all the appearing of the Antichrist. We should engage in preparations aimed at leading a life of holiness unto the Lord, while inviting everyone to accept the long-standing invitation to the marriage feast of the Lamb. When the house of the Lord is filled He will descend from heaven with the sounding of God’s trumpet. After that, all the signs of the times which herald Christ’s public appearance at the end of the tribulation will finally be fulfilled. It will be a time of wars, pestilences and natural disasters as never before (Matt. 24:6-7).

3. It is a direct intervention by God

The supernatural nature of the rapture, in which millions of Christians will be caught up in the air, will so clearly be an intervention by God that no scientific explanation will be found to account for this astounding phenomenon. There might be a few absurd explanations – as in the case of the evolution theory by which agnostics try to explain away God’s works of creation – but these theories will only be accepted by those whose minds have been blinded by the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4). The Almighty God can indeed resurrect and change millions of Christians in the twinkling of an eye and catch them away from planet earth. He will take away His own and leave the others behind:

“I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:34-36). The “taking” of certain people will occur at the rapture. The “leaving” of others is an indication that unbelievers and deceived people will be left behind on earth to face the dark days of the Antichrist’s reign of terror during the great tribulation.

The hand of the Lord will also unmistakably be seen in the devastating judgements that will be poured out over a degenerate humanity after the rapture (Rev. 6:12-17). The dramatic effect of the rapture, as well as the severity of the apocalyptic judgements that will follow in its wake, will be a clear message to an agnostic, multireligious and apostate humanity that their only hope is in returning to the Triune God and His inerrant Word. The rapture will also utterly refute allegoric interpretations of the Bible, in terms of which literal and logical statements in Scripture are spiritualised and thereby deprived of their meaning. In this way, liberal theologians have nullified many of the precious promises and dire warnings in the Bible by alleging that they are merely to be understood in a metaphorical sense.

After the rapture, millions of people will continue to harden their hearts. As a result of this attitude they will receive a spirit of delusion which will induce them to believe the lies of the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:11-12). However, there will also be many people who will show new appreciation for the Word of God. They will seek the Lord and call upon His Name, regardless of the consequences which their Christian testimony will elicit in the midst of a Christ-rejecting new world order.

4. It is associated with the first resurrection

The rapture is directly related to the first resurrection when all believers will receive glorified resurrection bodies. Millions of those who will be caught away are already dead; consequently, they must first be raised from the dead in incorruptible, glorified bodies, which are conformed to Christ’s glorious body. At the same moment, the mortal bodies of the living believers will be miraculously transformed into glorified bodies while they pass from mortality to immortality without dying. Paul explains this promise to fellow-believers:

“Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-53).

To the Philippians he said: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Phil. 3:20-21; cf. 1 John 3:2).

The first resurrection is also referred to as “the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14), as well as “the resurrection of life” (John 5:29). These people are indeed blessed to be partakers of the first resurrection: “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).

The godless will have no part in the first resurrection, the rapture, or the Millennial reign of Christ. That is why John says: “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Rev. 20:5). They will be raised at the second resurrection which is also described as “the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:29), and be judged before the great white throne (Rev. 20:11-15).

5. It separates true and nominal Christians

Apart from the separation which the rapture will bring about between saved and unsaved people in the world, it will also separate true believers from nominal Christians within the church. Those who only have a form of godliness will be left behind. This fate will befall them despite the fact that they may have regarded themselves as members of the church of Christ – that is much the same mistake as the one made by the foolish virgins (Matt. 25:6-10). Many of them will only make an honest assessment of their spiritual status after the rapture and then discover that there is no evidence of the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Although they can still surrender themselves to the Lord during the tribulation period, the Bridegroom will not open the door to them by way of a second rapture, much as they may desire it and pray for it. They will have to remain outside in the cold, face the dark days of the tribulation and be prepared to die as martyrs for their faith – all because of their own negligence.

Millions of “Christians” indeed find themselves in this category of self-deceived and unsaved church members who only have a dead form of godliness! They argue that since they are baptised and confirmed in the church, they have entered into an eternal and irrevocable covenant relationship with God. In the light of this deceptive idea they feel quite comfortable about eternity despite the fact that they don’t have a clear testimony of being saved and born again. The Lord Jesus said to such a nominal believer: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). It is only the regenerating power of the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, that can change your heart and save your soul!

Make very sure that you are not a victim of a dead form of godliness at the time of the rapture, because such people are without a testimony of rebirth. You will then be left behind when the Lord Jesus suddenly comes to catch away His bride (Matt. 25:10-13; John 14:2-3). A condition for salvation is an honest confession of your sins, together with faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour (1 John 1:9; Acts 16:31).

6. It marks the end of the church age

The rapture formally ends the dispensation of the church on earth since the members of the true church will then be removed from earth and taken to heaven. Only the backsliders, nominal believers, members of deceived and spiritually dead ‘Christian’ churches, as well as all the followers of false [non-Christian] religions will remain behind on earth. Those who do not subsequently turn to Christ to be saved, will join the deceived masses who will enter into a covenant with the false messiah to worship and follow him. The signs of the times indicate that we are at present very close to the end of the church dispensation. The Bible describes this time as a period of great falling away from the truth, and also of intensified demonic activities. Satan is lulling certain churches into a deep spiritual sleep, while occupying the attention of others with deceptive signs and wonders performed by false prophets.

At the same time, the coming antichristian dispensation’s inclusive ideology of universal or cosmic unity (holism) is actively propagated. Global structures are established for the world government, world religion, and world economy of the Antichrist. Ultimately, a false Christ will also be offered to the world. It was with a view to exposing this intense, end-time deception that the first warning in the Olivet Discourse of the Lord Jesus was devoted to a description of the satanic delusion which will culminate in the appearance of a false world leader: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many” (Matt. 24:4-5). Do not be swept away by the strong current of postmodern thinking, by which the perverted principles of an antichristian new world order are promoted.

It is important to consider the rapture in its dispensational context – i.e. at the end of the church age and just before the beginning of the tribulation period. Within this perspective, we should resist the moral collapse and spiritual falling away that are typical of the last days of the church dispensation. We should also oppose the reforms aimed at promoting the global governance and ecumenical alliance of world religions that will allow the Antichrist and false prophet the opportunity to gain control over the world and to institute their new world order. We are dispensationally in a terminal situation in which most people sadly grow cold in their love towards Christ while unrighteousness is increasing due to an emerging international culture of sin. We should actively denounce this trend, as well as the globalising reforms aimed at ushering in the next dispensation.

In times like these, preaching about the promised rapture is critically important. We are like long distance runners who have heard the bell ringing to announce the last round of the race. This situation should motivate us not to relax in our efforts but to persevere to the end. Peter says: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God?” (2 Pet. 3:11-12). We should not lose perspective and start compromising under the pressure of a rapidly changing world, but keep on fighting the good fight of faith while resisting all forms of evil.

7. It affords the Antichrist the opportunity to be revealed

The rapture is directly related to the revelation of the Antichrist: “And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 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. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:6-10).

The true church of Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is withholding the Antichrist who can only be revealed after the church has been taken out of the way. The Holy Spirit in the church is stronger than the spirit of error that is operating in the evil world to deceive people (1 John 4:4). When evangelical Christians are suddenly taken away, the light of the world will disappear and the hour of complete spiritual darkness will take effect. Under these circumstances, the man of sin will be able to reveal himself without any opposition. The rapture has to occur before he can be revealed!

To prepare people to be ready for the rapture calls for a spiritual disposition of absolute loyalty to the true Christ and also the unqualified rejection of the false cosmic Christ of all faiths. You should be a withholder who can take a bold stand against antichristian ideologies and false prophets.

8. It is a strong motivation for steadfastness in a time of backsliding

The coming of the heavenly Bridegroom will occur during a time of religious compromise and worldliness. There will be a great falling away from the truth of God’s Word. A relatively small group of evangelical Christians will shine like lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Phil. 2:15). As in the times of Noah and Lot, the earth will be filled with violence, materialism and sexual perversion.

Unfortunately, the spirit of unrighteousness and immorality will also take its toll among Christians. They will relax their vigilance by continuously lowering spiritual standards: “And because lawlessness [sin] will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12). Many Christians will keep such a low profile that they ultimately lapse into complete passivity (spiritual sleep). Jesus warned His followers against this phenomenon and emphasised that the expectation of His sudden coming is a strong motivation for steadfastness: “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:35-37).

Inactive Christians are obviously not strongly dedicated to the Lord and display a tendency to grow cold in their love towards Him. The process of growing cold manifests in two ways: firstly, they develop a love for the world and worldly parties where they eat and drink to excess; secondly, anxiety and depression take root in their minds and also weaken them spiritually. The Lord Jesus warned His disciples against this kind of waywardness by offering the rapture as a positive motivation to remain steadfast to the end:

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Do not leave your first love by backsliding from Jesus Christ – it will cost you dearly! The Lord withdrew His Spirit from the apostatised church in Ephesus; as a result, the congregation pined away and ultimately closed their doors.

9. It is an escape from the disaster area of divine judgements

The rapture also constitutes a dramatic rescue operation in which true believers will be removed from the scene of divine judgements. Although the rapture will be a unique occurrence, there are examples in the Bible of occasions when God poured out His wrath but provided an escape route to true believers since they were not the objects of His wrath (cf. Gen. 18:23). During the time of Noah, God announced His judgements upon a wicked and perverted generation: “And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark” (Gen. 6:13-14). Shortly before the beginning of judgements, eight believers escaped the disaster area by entering the ark. God Himself closed the door behind them before judging the sinners (Gen. 6:16-23).

During the time of Lot, believers were also rescued shortly before the impending judgements. The night before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah they were commanded to leave the city and flee to the mountains. The angels clearly stated that they could do nothing as long as Lot and his family were still among the wicked. Fire and brimstone rained down from the heavens directly after their departure. The wicked cities and all their inhabitants were destroyed (Gen. 19:13-25). The Bible says that there is a clear correlation between these historic events and God’s end-time dealing with believers and unbelievers (Luke 17:26-30; also read Gen. 6 and 19).

People who are cynical about the promise of the rapture reveal a very irresponsible attitude as they are not inclined to heed the admonition to be prepared to escape the coming tribulation period. What do you think would have happened to the believers (and the entire human race) if Noah argued as follows: “God is a God of love and I don’t really believe that He will send a flood to destroy all people; therefore, I am not going to build an ark to escape this so-called judgement”? Or what would have happened to Lot and his family had he taken the following stand: “I think the prophesied judgement over Sodom and Gomorrah should be interpreted metaphorically. I don’t have to escape to save my life. Even if disaster does occur I believe that God will protect us against His wrath right here in this place”?

The coming judgements during the tribulation period are irrefutable biblical facts which will be literally fulfilled, and there will equally literally be an escape from wrath for the children of God. The tribulation period of seven years should not be equated with the tribulation which Christians always experienced in a wicked world because of their faith. The end-time tribulation will be God’s judgements upon a Christ-rejecting world. True believers are not destined for these judgements: “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9; cf. John 5:24; Rev. 3:10).

10. It is a summons to appear before the judgement seat of Christ

The need to be well prepared for the rapture arises from the fixed appointment which all believers have to give account of their lives before the judgement seat of Christ (the Bema). This will take place directly after reaching our destination in heaven. The reality of the rapture clearly confronts believers with the responsibility to appear before the same Lord who has commissioned His disciples to proclaim the gospel of salvation, and thereby fulfil their obligation to be the light of a dark world and the salt of a corrupt earth. Our Saviour is also our King and Judge.

One of the explicit reasons for the rapture will therefore be a summons to appear before the judgement seat in heaven. Paul says: “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). To the church in Rome he said: “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10). The Lord Jesus said: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12).

The Bema judgement is not aimed at pronouncing the eternal destiny of believers and unbelievers. On this occasion Christ will assess the lives of believers with reference to the works which they have done after salvation, thereby revealing the quality of their faith and service to Him. Successful disciples will be rewarded while the lazy and carnal servants will be rebuked (Luke 19:20-23).

In view of the important appointment before the judgement seat we should never think about the rapture in a narrow way as merely a wonderful journey to heaven, without considering what is waiting for us at the end of the journey. An inherent part of the whole experience of the rapture is our obligation to give account of our earthly lives to Jesus Christ. To basically qualify for the rapture demands a clear testimony of rebirth. However, to be fully ready for the rapture in terms of what is expected of us in heaven, we must also be able to testify about sanctification and dedication to the service of the Lord.

Since only Christians will be caught away during the rapture, they will be the only group to appear before the judgement seat where their works will be tested during the presentation of rewards of grace: “...each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour. ... For we are God’s fellow workers. ... But let each one take heed how he builds on it [the foundation]. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:8-15).

We are not saved by works but by faith. However, faith without works is dead. In the lives of Christians, a true faith will produce works that are worthy of repentance. For these works of dedication which are done through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, rewards of grace will be given at the judgement seat of Christ. On that day it will be evident that some Christians were much more productive in the work of the Lord, having used their talents to their full potential. Others will be found to having been less productive, and yet others will stand there empty-handed – saved as through fire. The following five crowns will be awarded to Spirit-filled Christians for their service to the Lord:

· The imperishable crown for a holy life, dedicated to service (1 Cor. 9:24-25).

· The crown of rejoicing for people who lead others to Christ (1 Thess. 2:19).

· The crown of glory for faithful pastors who were not motivated by pride and greed (1 Pet. 5:2-4).

· The crown of life for Christian martyrs and all who suffered severely during their earthly lives (Rev. 2:10; Jas. 1:12).

· The crown of righteousness for believers who loved the coming of Christ, eagerly expected it and refrained from pursuing a manmade kingdom of humanistic dominionism (2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 11:10).

11. It is a journey to the marriage of the Lamb

After appearing before the judgement seat of Christ the bride will be united with her heavenly Bridegroom, never again to be separated from Him. The eager expectation of the rapture therefore expresses a desire to be part of the marriage feast of the Lamb in His ivory palace, and to be led to the King in a spotless garment woven with gold (Ps. 45:9, 13-15), “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2).

Jesus Christ is not only our redemption but also our sanctification: “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27). Have you also trusted Christ for sanctification? The bride of the Lamb is “granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev. 19:8).

12. It is a journey to our eternal home

The Lord Jesus promised that He would return to take His bride to her heavenly abode. Before He ascended to heaven He said: “In My Father’s house are many mansions. … 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).

This mansion in heaven is so beautiful that it cannot even be imagined by mortal man. Paul says: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). John says that the mansions and streets of the new Jerusalem are built with pure gold, like transparent glass. Each of its gates is a large, magnificent pearl. The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with all sorts of precious stones, and its light is like a crystal clear stone (Rev. 21:9-21).

This description conveys the idea of heaven being a quite superlative environment of dazzling beauty, magnificence, radiance and glory beyond anything we can imagine at present. To be caught up to such a place is indeed a most desirable thought and something to earnestly look forward to! “As the Scripture says, In Thy presence is fullness of joy; and at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11).

13. It leads to the acceptance of our judicial and royal position

After the rapture, the glorified Christians will judge the world together with Christ in righteousness (1 Cor. 6:2), and subsequently reign with Him as kings on earth. In Revelation 4 and 5, the glorified church is represented by the 24 elders: “And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:9-10).

14. It is a firm assurance of blessing before judgement

A final argument in favour of a pretribulation rapture is the fact that the book of Revelation is written in a dispensational and chronological way. First, the church dispensation is reviewed in Revelation 2 and 3, followed in Revelation 4 and 5 by a description of the glorified church in heaven after the rapture – the church is depicted as 24 elders who represent saints from all nations. The seven year-long tribulation is described in Revelation 6 through 19, which will be ended by the visible coming of Christ. Revelation 20 describes Christ’s thousand-year reign of peace, and Revelation 21 and 22 elaborate on the new heaven and earth which will be created after the final judgement at the end of the Millennium.

At present we are in Revelation 3, in the seventh and last church period shortly before the end of the church dispensation. The spiritually lukewarm, apostate and materialistic church of Laodicea is dominant in the end-time world. Shortly, the true church will be called to heaven with the sound of a trumpet. Only the true disciples of the Lord Jesus have received the promise that He would return to take them away after He has prepared a place for them in heaven (John 14:2-3). Not all people who regard themselves as Christians are truly saved.

This sequence of end-time events, in which believers are first safeguarded and blessed before the wicked are judged, is also confirmed by Christ in a parable. In Luke 19:11-27, He says that when He returns as King he will first call His servants together to reward them for their service. When that is done, He will turn to His enemies and judge them for refusing to recognise and accept Him as King and Saviour.

A promise to lift up your spirit!

Do you realise how extremely important the rapture is to every Christian, how highly dramatic the events are that are associated with it, and how exceedingly worthwhile it is to be ready for it? Christianity and the church stand to be spiritually deprived and impoverished if this promise, as well as all the obligations emanating from it, is not earnestly proclaimed. Without the Bible’s prophetic perspective on the end-time we will be uncertain about the future, grope in the darkness of spiritual ignorance, and never correctly determine our priorities.

While we are discerning the approaching footsteps of the Lord Jesus in the signs of the times, we must be very sure that we really belong to Him and comply with His standard of holiness. Unsaved, nominal Christians who have never had a personal encounter with the Lord will in vain plead for mercy before the great white throne of the final judgement. The Lord will declare to them: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practise lawlessness!” (Matt. 7:23).

There is no need whatsoever to be heading towards a tragic end of disillusionment and ultimate rejection. If we have truly repented, trusted the Lord Jesus to cleanse us from all sin, and surrendered ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we will have sanctified hearts and lives, worthy to meet the heavenly Bridegroom when He comes at the end of the church dispensation.

The Saviour, who is also the heavenly Bridegroom, said to His disciples: “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master. … Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. … Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:35-40). Be ready for His sudden coming every day!

20. The New Jerusalem

The New Jerusalem will be the eternal abode of the Messiah’s saved ones from Israel and the nations. John says the following on the significance and illustrious appearance of this wonderful city:

“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ... Then one of the seven angels ... came to me and talked with me, saying, Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. ... Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. ... But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light” (Rev. 21:2, 9-14, 22-23).

From the context of the description it is evident that the New Jerusalem is the personification of its inhabitants – it is the home of the Lamb’s bride. The exalted status of the city should be understood in the light of the presence of its Builder and the glorified status of its dwellers – not primarily in terms of the physical structures of the city itself. The beauty of the city is only a reflection of the holiness of its inhabitants, as the city is adorned like a bride for her husband – it is not the bride herself!

It is an established biblical practice to refer to a certain group of people in terms of their dwelling-place. That is the reason why a city is often the personification of its people. The Lord Jesus addressed agnostic Jews as follows: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!” (Matt. 23:37). Although He addressed the city His words were specifically directed to Jerusalem’s leaders and occupants.

The New Jerusalem is clearly the final destination of all believers of all times, i.e. born again believers from Israel and the church. The 12 gates of the city have the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written on them, thereby indicating that it is, among others, the dwelling-place of the true Israel of God (Rev. 21:12). Furthermore, the wall of the city also has 12 foundations which carry the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb (Rev. 21:14). This is a clear indication that the city is also the final destination of New Testament believers, since the 12 apostles were commissioned to preach the gospel to all nations.

The Lord Jesus made the following promise to a Gentile congregation in Asia Minor (the present Turkey): “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name” (Rev. 3:12). As the members of the bridal congregation we are called upon to put on the Lord Jesus, and received the promise that the New Jerusalem will be our eternal abode – it is also our city.

The Lamb was sacrificed for sinners of all times

An important aspect of the New Jerusalem’s inhabitants is that they do not only comprise of believers from all nations but also of all times. Old Testament believers waited on the Messiah and their sins were forgiven by virtue of the preliminary, shadowy sacrifices of the old covenant, pending the coming and atoning death of the Messiah. Christ validated the preceding typological sacrifices, as He fulfilled the promises contained in the repetitive sacrificial acts. Animal sacrifices of themselves could not purify from sin, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). These sacrifices pointed ahead to their fulfilment in the crucifixion of the spotless Lamb of God.

When the Son of God paid the ransom for the sins of the world, all believers from the Old Testament also became Messianic believers in the full sense of the word and consequently members of the redeemed people of the Lamb. In Old Testament times Israel was metaphorically described as the wife of God as they were attached to Him by faith (Isa. 54:5; Hos. 2:16). Their relationship with the Messiah will be the fulfilment of this intimate bond with God, and for that reason they will also be described as the bride or wife of the Messiah.

In the New Jerusalem, there will be a uniting of Old and New Testament believers into one body. Old Testament believers had embraced the promise of the Messiah but did not receive it in their lifetime: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, they were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth” (Heb. 11:13). Together with thousands of other believers Abraham, the founding father of Israel, “waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10).

Because of their faith in God, Old Testament believers were, after their death, kept in Paradise in the lower parts of the earth until the coming of the Messiah to vindicate their salvation. Between Paradise and the unsaved dead in Sheol (Gr. Hades) there was a great gulf (Luke 16:26). After Christ’s death on the cross He “descended into the lower parts of the earth” (Eph. 4:9). Here He showed Himself to believers in Paradise as the fulfilment of the promise on which they waited, and in Sheol as the salvation of God that was rejected by unbelievers.

Only at that moment, Old Testament believers could receive their heavenly inheritance and be taken from Paradise in the lower parts of the earth to heaven. Since that time Paradise is in heaven. In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 Paul says that he was caught up to the third heaven, which he describes as “Paradise”. At that time, Paradise was no longer in the underworld but somewhere in the heavenlies to where Jesus also ascended 40 days after His resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:9-11). Here, in His Father’s house with its many mansions, He is preparing a place for all those who belong to Him (John 14:2-3).

There will be a simultaneous glorification of the bride of Christ from Israel and the Gentile world (Old as well as New Testament), and for that reason it is said of Old Testament believers: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Heb. 11:39-40). We will be glorified together with them in the New Jerusalem.

There is a simple and logical definition of the bride of the Lamb – she represents all true believers of all times. The New Testament church, which only includes born again people, is part of the bride of Christ. Paul says to one of the congregations: “I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). Jesus Christ gave Himself over to die on the cross in order to save and sanctify us, “that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

The glory of the bride

The bride of Jesus Christ, with whom He will be united at the marriage feast of the Lamb, is composed of born again people who are filled with the Holy Spirit. They seriously regard the command to put on the Lord Jesus and cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord (Rom. 13:14; 2 Cor. 7:1). The fruit of the Spirit in their lives affords them a spotless wedding garment: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev. 19:7-8).

A life of holiness obliges us to build with gold, silver and precious stones on the foundation of repentance (1 Cor. 3:11-14), as only these are the fruit of the Spirit. Works of this nature will not only ensure that we have a proper wedding garment, but also give us confidence to appear before the judgement seat of Christ where rewards of grace will be given to those who have led fruitful lives of service to the Lord.

In the Wedding Song of the Messiah the marriage between Christ and His bride is described as follows: “All Your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of strings makes You glad. ... At Your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir. ... All glorious is the princess within her chamber, her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the King. ... They are led with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the King” (Ps. 45: 8-9, 13-15; NIV).

The golden thread and precious stones which are used to embroider her garment emerge from “the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev. 19:8). These acts are the gold, silver and precious stones with which she has built on the foundation of her repentance, and they symbolise a life consecrated to the Messiah. Those who did not strive after higher levels of dedication through the filling of the Holy Spirit, simply don’t have a trimmed wedding garment and will appear before the Lord empty-handed, saved as through fire (1 Cor. 3:15). They will be in the kingdom of the Lord but forfeit the upward call to be numbered among the bride.

A motivation for complete surrender

We should be motivated by the promise of our heavenly inheritance to lay up treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matt. 6:19-20). The righteous acts of the saints on earth are directly related to the glory and rewards of grace which they will receive in the New Jerusalem. Are you wholeheartedly committed to the command towards sanctification? Without a commitment towards holiness the Lord cannot use you: “... every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ... Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:2-4).

We need to confess and forsake all carnal works and surrender ourselves completely to the Lord: “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).

If it is the highest purpose of your life to serve and love the Lord with all your heart, you will one day be astonished at what Christ has prepared for you in the house of His Father. The beauty of the New Jerusalem cannot even be imagined or adequately expressed in words by mortal man. Paul said: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

21. Harvest time: The Final Separation

We are now rapidly approaching the time when millions of people who are presently on the narrow or broad way will reach their eternal destination – the one group in the New Jerusalem and the other group in the lake of fire. The Bible describes this final parting as harvest time:

“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares? He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Do you want us then to go and gather them up? But he said, No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn” (Matt. 13:24-30).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good seed that was sown in the field of the world, and its fruit refers to the saved people who accepted the seed of the Word. However, they find themselves in a predominantly evil world in which most people love darkness rather than light (John 3:19). The unsaved ones are the children of the devil who are spiritually blinded by him (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 4:4).

Spiritually speaking, there are only two groups of people on earth – the children of God who are on the narrow path leading to heaven, and the children of the devil who are on the broad way to perdition. Because this is a spiritual distinction, the narrow and broad way cannot always be clearly discerned in the physical world as saved and unsaved people live together and also work together in the same place. They are like wheat and tares that grow side by side in the same field. In many cases they also attend church services together, albeit for different reasons. Unsaved people sometimes pursue a deceptive form of godliness in order to be socially more acceptable.

However, at the end of the church dispensation there will be a sudden and dramatic separation between the two groups when the Lord intervenes to take away Christians to be with Him in heaven (1 Thess. 4:16-17). The other group will be left behind on earth because of their unbelief, to be judged by God and surrendered to the authority of the Antichrist. This action is implied by the burning of the tares. During this time of distress and judgement, relatively few people will survive the severity of the divine wrath (Isa. 24:3-6; Matt. 24:21-22).

This sudden separation of humanity when the Lord will come for His own will hardly be noticed in societies where there are few or no Christians. In societies where there are more Christians, including nominal Christians who deceptively pretend to be believers, the consequences of the rapture will be highly dramatic and also shocking. This separation will even affect families: “On that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:34; NIV). Also at places of employment the righteous will be taken away and the unsaved ones – including those who only had a form of godliness – will be left behind (Luke 17:35-36).

Nominal believers are likely to be more severely shocked by this event because most of them are members of churches in which they are declared to be saved just because they were baptised, attend church and make financial contributions. However, if they don’t comply with the demand of rebirth they are not truly Christians (John 3:3). They are among the foolish virgins who also wait for the Bridegroom, but only at the very last moment they will discover that the light of their witness is fading away (Matt. 25:1-13). This group will suddenly be separated from the true Christians when the others leave and they are left behind.

The unsaved and backslidden Christians who remain behind will still be able to be saved during the dark days of the tribulation period, but only under very trying circumstances. The Antichrist’s power to deceive will be so strong that he will persuade the majority of people to accept his multireligious ideology by which they will be further blinded. They will be carried away by his new ideas, heartily embrace him, and also worship him (Rev. 13:3-4, 8).

Only people who have availed themselves of the prophetic foreknowledge of the Bible will know that the coming world leader is a false messiah from the devil. They will reject him, repent and accept the Messiah as Saviour. Among this large group of people from all nations who will be saved during the tribulation period, there will also be 144 000 Jews (Rev. 7:1-17). However, they will still be a minority compared to the large group of enthusiastic followers of the Antichrist.

Any person who recognises the Antichrist’s claim to be Messiah, concludes a covenant with him, accepts his number and also worships his image, will thereby destroy the possibility of being reconciled with the true Christ. All that remains for such a person is to share the Antichrist’s judgement with him in the lake of fire (Rev. 14:9-11). When the wrath of God is poured out upon them during the tribulation period, these hardened and unrepentant sinners will curse God because of His plagues (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21).

The Lord Jesus will welcome all the saved people into His kingdom and also reward them for their service to the Lord. The unsaved ones who took sides with His enemies will be turned away to a place of everlasting torment. The same will happen to the false, nominal Christians whose hearts are still darkened by pretence and unbelief (Matt. 7:22-23).

It is vitally important to get into a right relationship with Jesus Christ now and to be filled with His Holy Spirit, who will guide you into all truth. “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:10).