COME UP HERE….

Rev.4:1,2 – After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and someone was sitting on the throne.

There are a lot of opinions and theories about the book of Revelation. Prophesy can be quite challenging and can be abused by the more dogmatic types. Of all the prophetic events that we see in the book of Revelation the catching up of the church, the rapture, is often the most controversial of all. Now before you get too excited I know the term ‘rapture’ is not in the Bible. The word Paul uses is harpazo, to be caught up. The English word rapture comes from the Latin word raptura. You can call it what you like but at some point the dead in Christ and the alive in Christ will be caught up together in the air. Today’s verse from Revelations is often said to picture the rapture of the church. John just dictated the Lord’s letters to the church and the next moment he is caught up into heaven. As the revelations unfold it appears that the church is in heaven and the Lord is judging the earth and still reaching out to those who remain on earth through various ministries that are raised up for this appointed time in history. The Fire Bible has some interesting observations about Revelation 4.

“It appears that instead of one continuous vision, John was given insight into various times and events of the future. For this reason, we have this change of scene and time. Many Bible scholars and interpreters believe that at this point in Revelation (i.e., before the fulfillment of the events described from here forward), Christ has already taken the “overcomers” out of the world. Thus, the catching up of the true church to meet Christ in the air takes place before the tribulation period. This belief is based on the following statements: (1) Beginning with 4:1, the terms “church” or “churches” no longer appear until 22:16. (2) The bride of Christ appears in ch. 19 already with Christ in heaven before he returns to earth to judge the wicked and to reign on earth for a thousand years, closing out time as we know it. (3) The promise given to the Philadelphia church to spare it from the time of worldwide trial pertains to all believers who stand true to Christ before the tribulation.”

People have argued about the meaning of these prophesies for 2000 years, I am sure neither you or I will get the explanation perfectly right. What I am certain of is this: Christ is ruling the Universe from His throne, judgement is about to break out on the earth, Jesus will soon return to establish the throne of David over all the nations, and the church will reign with Christ on earth. Oh, I almost forgot, the believers will be like Him, changed in the twinkling of an eye, and we will be with Him forever.