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There seems to be a disagreement on the clause, “I will come again,” in Jn 14:3. Is Jesus referring to His Second Advent or the Rapture of the Church? I belong to the school of the latter. I could set forth some compelling reasons why I believe that Jesus is referring to the Rapture here, but this is not the scope of this three-part series. However, we are here, and His return is part of addressing the troubled heart. I would like to at least submit something to you for your consideration without getting bogged down in apologetics, and we will move onward to the conclusion of the series.
This rapture-event of the saints can also be found in 1 Cor 15:51-54 and 1 Thes 4:13-18. Preachers across the spectrum are, wittingly or unwittingly, treating the Rapture and the Second Advent as one and the same, and they are actually two different events, separated by seven years chronologically, give or take possibly a few months or weeks or days. Pastors and speakers propagate this idea, intentionally or unintentionally, by using verses associated with the Second Advent with the Rapture of the Church, implying there are signs of the Rapture. When I hear good evangelical preachers doing this, I wonder if this is simply due to ignorance, or do they really believe that the Rapture and the Second Coming are one and the same? Surely not!?
The return of Christ is one of those essentials of the faith. Though I would not separate fellowship over eschatological systems supporting God’s return (pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-mil, post-mil, or amil, for example), I would not fellowship with those who deny that God is returning at all, which is a position contradicting the teaching of Scripture and making God out to be a liar!
If I can show you there is a physical difference of locations between the Advents and the Rapture, then you will logically understand that all of those sign verses of His Second coming cannot apply to the Rapture. This is all that I intend to do here (maybe one other thing); for you to see the distinction between the wonderful events of the Rapture and the Second Coming.
Think of the Rapture as a parenthetical event sandwiched between the First (Lk 2:7, touchdown in Bethlehem!) and Second (Zech 14:4, touchdown on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem!) Advents. What the two Advents have in common, paying attention to the references, is Jesus Christ being physically on the earth. The first coming was to redeem; the second coming will be to reign.
One of the unique features of the Rapture that distinguishes itself from the Advents is Jesus will physically meet the saints in the atmosphere (“in the clouds,” “in the air,” 1 Thes 4:17), and we will all return to heaven with Jesus! There will be no terrestrial touchdown during the rapture event, and that’s my point; therefore, the Rapture is not a part of the Second Coming or any phase of it. This is why I avoid conflating the Rapture with the Second Coming.
Ready for the next significant point? There are no signs given for the Rapture of the Church because it has always been imminent in nature. The Apostle Paul looked for Jesus in His day! There are no prophecies that need to be fulfilled before the Rapture occurs. It is literally looming overhead, impending, and at any moment it could become a reality! This means that all of those prophetic verses spoken of from pulpits and lecterns to say the rapture is near is sort of misleading because there are simply no sign verses for the translation of that generation who will not experience physical death!
Although it is true that if we see signs or indications of the seven-year tribulation period approaching, we know that the rapture will precede it (I am pre-trib) between now and then; this is logical but not a sign. I think Israel’s regathering and becoming a nation in May of 1948 is significant. The tribulation requires a nation of Israel to be in existence, but it is unwise to conflate the Rapture with the Second Advent. If you believe Jesus could return for His saints at any moment, John admonishes us to be pure as He is pure. The reality of the Rapture should motivate those who love the Lord to live holy lives right now (cf. 1 Jn 3:2-3)!
We can definitely say that the Rapture of the Church is nearly two thousand years closer than ever before. With each passing day, it draws nearer. God is full of surprises! The Rapture will be one of those unexpected events, not knowing the second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year of His return for us. This will be one of those when we are caught completely unaware of the will of God. So, it is best to be prepared by holy living. We need to expect the unexpected because we can read of this in the Word of God.
Back to the Upper Room, what struck me with this disclosure by Jesus in the Upper Room, a day away from His crucifixion, and the hearts of the disciples being troubled was God’s will doesn’t always sit well with us. It sounds so unspiritual to say it, but, look at the reaction of the disciples to Jesus disclosing God’s will for His life. Jesus came to do the Father’s will which is always according to His Word. His attitude was one of “not My will but Your will be done.” This, too, is Christlikeness: Your will, not mine.
Recall Jesus’ pattern of prayer in Matthew 6 from the Mount, more specifically verse 10b, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” How is the will of God performed in heaven? Immediately and completely, no discussion. This surely doesn’t characterize our obedience to God down here, does it? We squirm, debate, delay, doubt, and question. But the disciples were ripped out of the frame concerning Jesus’ announcement that He would be leaving; their hearts were stirring, swimming in a sea of mixed emotions.
There was no doubt the eleven disciples loved Jesus; they were not perfect by any stretch, but they loved Him. As indicated earlier, they left all to follow after Him, and now, Jesus is leaving them behind. We know that in the end, their love grew and matured; ten of the eleven experienced a martyr’s death. Though John was persecuted, he was the only apostle to die of natural causes. He penned the book of Revelation near the end of the first century, ca. 94-96 A.D., on the Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea.
To be clear as mud here, I am not saying or suggesting that the disciples in the Upper Room tried to prevent Jesus from doing what He had to do because they were so distraught over Jesus leaving. They were, however, emotionally going to a place that had nothing to do with the will of God, and they made promises to Jesus they would not keep! What Jesus was going to do shortly was incomparably greater than what the disciples wanted Jesus to do – stay and be with us.
Being sad is not a sin, per se, depending on why you are sad, but the eleven disciples did not want to see Him harmed in any way, but the Father, however, intended for His Son to be harmed (Isa 53:5; Mk 10:45; 1 Jn 4:10). The point of this article, however, is that Jesus, our Mentor, our Example, the Object of Christlikeness, refused to allow His feelings (cf. Jn 13:21; Lk 22:42; Heb 4:15) or the feelings of others (Jn 14:1, 27) to distract or deter Him from carrying out the will of the Father. We all need this trait of Christlikeness evident in our lives (cf. Jn 8:29)!
The truth is that far too often we are emotionally driven, energetically so, which can easily derail us from the truth of Scripture or the will of God if we are not careful. Service to God is not about feelings but faith. An example of this is the all too common practice of opting for human affection over the traits of agape (Divine love) in “loving” the brethren or our neighbors. This is such a huge problem in Christendom because of spiritual ignorance and mistaking natural affection for supernatural affection. Let’s face it; agape-like affection can be a challenge at times; there are some unlovely people out there, but Jesus loved the unlovely, didn’t He, us (Rom 5:8)!
Feelings come and go and are not known as a champion of reflection like the intellect. As a team, they work sensibly striking a balance between subjective and objective. Our cognition, emotions, and volition need to be subordinate to the teaching of Scripture. When one is allowed to dominate over the other, something always goes askew. Part of Christlikeness is not to allow our feelings to prevent us from doing what is right; that “right” being in agreement with the Scriptures (contrast Jdg 21:25). God's will is found in there!
Neither mother, father, grandparents, spouse, children, other family members, friends, colleagues, organizations, societies, counselors, circumstances, culture, secular or religious authorities should ever be allowed to usurp biblical authority and leverage on us in such a way that we cannot be obedient to the teaching of Scripture. We must give Christ the preeminence (Col 1:18; cf. Mt 10:37). In reality, we often get caught unaware by the will of God. How we respond to that realization when it hits will reveal if we are going to behave like Christ or unlike Christ. Consider the words of C.S. Lewis,
“Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is.”
“Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is.”
Because of who Yahweh is, if God has to do what is necessary for our good and His glory, it will be done right, and all things will work together for good. It takes an all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful God who delights in exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness on the earth to pull off the truth of Romans 8:28 in the lives of all of His children. Talk about sovereignty!
Who among us had heard of those who lost loved ones, for instance, and wrestled greatly with God’s decision or timing in the matter? What about bitterness from a debilitating illness (contrast 2 Cor 12:10)? What about hating your life, where you live, and where you work? Are you disgruntled as all get out? Cluelessly depressed? If you have lived long enough, you know what I am saying. Also, I know believers who disagree with God on this or that because it doesn’t fit their narrative on life; even though the Scriptures are very clear on God’s position.
Oh, I forgot; sometimes we want God to show us things in His Word to relieve us of our misery, but we remain disobedient to what we already know! Nonetheless, God is righteous and holy in all of His decrees (cf. Deut 32:4; Psa 36:7; 37:28, 23; Jer 9:24; Rom 8:28) which should not come as any surprise.
Below are some simple but profound offerings I want to leave with you whenever the will of God catches us by surprise, and we are not necessarily pleased with it! Again, do not consider this reaction a strange thing, or that we are innocent of being displeased with the will of God; I know better. I am thankful God does what is necessary because we have a tendency to slip; we let our feelings compromise on thinking or doing what is right, according to the Scriptures!
First and foremost, we need to always remember and be thankful for His great love and sacrifice for us, no matter what goes down in our lives.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21; cf. Rom 5:8; Eph 2:4-7). He knows a thing or two about suffering.
Second, God is sovereign in all things. Recognize and acknowledge His authority! He is the Creator God, after all!
Third, God is sufficient in all things. The drive for self-sufficiency is spiritually defeating and places the hand in the face of God.
Fourth, the will of God is everything. This was a definite modus operandi of Jesus.
Fifth, the will of God never conflicts with Scripture. If we fail to believe that the Scriptures are the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice, we are heading for deep trouble!
Sixth, keep on believing for Jesus is returning. This is the best way to calm a troubled heart, a hope that you can wrap your faith around!
Seventh, disagreeing with God is a sin (cf. 1 Jn 1:9, confess = agree). Bucking the authority of God in your life is highly unwise and foolish for a believer. Incidentally, never reading, reflecting, and acting upon the truths of Scripture is bucking the Authority, too! It reveals no love for God for you cannot obey what you don’t know (cf. Jn 14:15), no fear of God, no desire to know or be like God, no recognition of His authority, and no wisdom!
When caught unaware by the will of God, we will either submit or pitch a fit, won’t we? With a troubled heart, there is the potential for our feelings to conflict with the will of God. Jesus wasn’t deterred by feelings in doing the will of the Father. I am sure He wasn’t laughing on the way to the cross for us either! Selah.
Our love is always measured by our obedience, not by the emotional expressions of our words or tears. We have some zillion reasons to be thankful and let not our hearts be troubled when caught unaware by the will of God. Stay holy! <><
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