Pastor Rick Ponzo teaches on the reason he believes the Bible supports a pre-tribulation rapture.

After the Rapture

If you are still here after the Rapture, there is still hope.

The prophecies from God warned that the Rapture was coming. He urged humanity to be spiritually ready for it. God is fair, and the fact that the Rapture happened, simply proves that God is true to his word.

But take heart—all hope is not lost. God still offers sinners the opportunity to be saved from eternal separation from God. Unfortunately, you will have to live on the earth and endure some very hard times.

Why am I still here?

• Because all have sinned and are not worthy of heaven. That’s the result of Adam and Eve disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. That’s why Jesus went to the cross, to wipe away the consequence of sin. No matter how hard we try, we will never be good enough. But God made it possible for us to be qualified by accepting the gift given through His Son.
• Because God’s standard of morality is higher than ours. We are used to comparing ourselves to other humans to determine how good we are. In reality, we need to compare ourselves to God to qualify for eternity.
• Sin has disqualified every unforgiven person from the lifeboat, which is the Rapture.

What do I do now?

Even though times will be tough, God will not abandon you. Look for other believers and read the final chapter of the Bible, Revelation. Finally, pray, pray, pray. God still answers prayer.

Before the Rapture

The English term Rapture comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where Paul writes that we will be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air. The Latin term for caught up is rapturo, which is the root word for the English term Rapture. The word “Rapture” indicates a swift catching up and taking away.

The Rapture is God’s method of removing the church from the earth and bringing them to heaven before the wrath that will be inflicted on the earth. In Revelation 3:10, Jesus said believers would be “kept from the hour of testing that shall come upon the world”.

Paul wrote about the Rapture saying: “Behold I show you a mystery we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye…for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised…and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Can we be sure when the Rapture will happen?

Numerous indicators suggest that we are currently residing in what the Bible refers to as the End Times or the Last Days. Jesus specifically highlighted wars and rumors of wars as significant signs. Additionally, he pointed out an increase in earthquakes, a trend that surpasses any previous occurrences. The prevalence of famines and diseases is also foretold.

Among the numerous signs mentioned in the Bible, a particularly noteworthy one is the parallel to the days of Noah. In Noah’s era, people were engrossed in doing what they deemed right, disregarding the warnings from God. Strikingly, this mirrors the state of our present world, where similar patterns of disregarding divine warnings and pursuing self-interest are apparent. The world laughs about the idea of a Rapture, the same way they laughed at Noah about the coming flood.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:42 that we don’t know the day or the hour when He will return. He was telling us that we need to be ready at all times.

Preparing for the Rapture

God’s love for you is immense, and He desires you to be prepared for the uncertainties that lie ahead. The key to readiness is extending an invitation to Jesus to become the Lord of your life.

Jesus assured us that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Serving Him is more manageable than navigating life independently. The decision to commit to following and serving Him is yours to make.

Once Jesus is acknowledged as the Lord of your life, His presence becomes a constant, offering solace during life’s storms. A vivid illustration comes from the apostles’ experience on a boat in the Sea of Galilee. Despite a tumultuous storm, Jesus, initially asleep, was awakened. With a mere command, He silenced the raging elements, bringing calm. Similarly, when we share our fears with Jesus, He provides comfort and protection.

Confessing our sins to Him is pivotal, as His faithfulness ensures forgiveness. This forgiveness is a prerequisite for being declared righteous by God.

There is no better time to be prepared for the rapture than today!