Messianic Perspectives

Liz Aiello: Shalom, and welcome to Messianic Perspectives, a daily program where we look into the scriptures from a distinct first-century Jewish point of view. This is Liz Aiello. Some of God's mysteries are meant to be understood, and others are not. In this series of messages, our Bible teacher, Pastor Al Runge, discusses the mysteries of the kingdom of God. I'll be back a little later with information about a special offer, so have your pencil and paper ready. And now, with today's message, here's Pastor Al Runge.

Pastor Al Runge: Thank you for tuning in. I am speaking on a series of messages about the mysteries of the kingdom of God. They are secret mysteries to the world, but not to the children of God. The question often comes up, why does God hide the mysteries of His kingdom from some people and not from others? Why is it that so many religious people and even educated theologians have no understanding of God's truth? God's word explains.

Isaiah the Jewish prophet, in his writings in Isaiah 29:13, speaks as a voice of God. "Therefore the Lord said: 'Inasmuch as this people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.'"

A person can be pious and very committed to a religion without loving God. God wants our heartfelt devotion. In essence, He desires a personal relationship with us. Today, I want to build on my previous messages about the three mysteries of the church and focus into the mystery of the Rapture. The word Rapture is not found in the English Bible, but the event is clearly revealed there.

For example, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Paul spoke of our gathering together to Him. And now look with me at God's word found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. "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."

The Rapture is being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we always be with the Lord. We will be reunited with our loved ones who preceded us in death. This is our comfort and hope. Let me point out that when Jesus ascended to heaven, only His disciples were allowed to witness His ascension. There were no unbelievers there. No unbeliever saw Him depart in the clouds. To the world, it was a secret ascension.

So will it be with the Rapture. Look with me at Acts 1:9. "Now when the resurrected Jesus had spoken these things, while the disciples watched, Jesus was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight." Let's go on in Acts 1:10-11. "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'"

Listen, beloved, this same Jesus will come again in the like manner as the disciples saw Him go up into heaven. The world will not hear the shout, or the voice of the archangel, or the trumpet of God. It will be a secret Rapture, even as His ascension was a secret to the world. The good news is, it is not going to be some other Messiah. It is not going to be some other Jesus. It will be the same Jesus that the disciples knew, the Jesus that taught them, died for them, rose from the dead for them, and ascended into heaven for them.

He will return from heaven in the like manner as He left. Remember Jesus' warning to His disciples that many would come in His name but that they should not be deceived? Look with me at Matthew 24:26-27. "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."

Lightning comes from the sky above. There is no warning for lightning. When it strikes, it strikes without any pre-warning. Lightning is unpredictable and quick. So it will be like the coming of the Son of God. He will come as a thief comes in the middle of the night without any forewarning. He will take your believing loved ones, and if you don't believe in Jesus, He will leave you behind. The world will not see the Rapture of the church, but they will see the results of the Rapture in the sudden disappearance of multitudes of people that believe in Jesus.

Paul explains what happens to believers in the Rapture. Look with me at 1 Corinthians 15:51. "Behold, I tell you a mystery." There is that word again, mystery. To the world, it is a mystery, but not to us. The Bible says we shall not all sleep, that is, we are not all going to die, but we shall all be changed. Have you ever wondered what kind of transformation at the Rapture will take place for us? How will we be changed?

Look with me at Philippians 3:20-21. This is such a wonderful truth. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." We are now registered citizens of heaven, and at present, our eternal home is there.

A transformation is necessary in order for us to reside in heaven. Our earthly incorruptible bodies will be transformed into an immortal, incorruptible, and glorious body that can function both in heaven and on earth. The Lord changes us by His own power. Turn with me in your Bibles to Romans 8:11. "But if the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

God transforms us by the indwelling presence of God. But how long does it take for the Spirit of God to do it? Listen, Paul tells us in verse 52, "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." I don't know how fast a twinkling of an eye is, but it is faster than a wink of an eye, so fast that no one in this world will see the event of our transformation and transportation to heaven.

We will simply disappear instantly from their sight. The purpose of the Rapture is to deliver us from the wrath of God that is coming to the earth during the Great Tribulation. Look with me at 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. "You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

The idea of being left behind is one of the most powerful evangelistic appeals for sinners to come to Christ. When an unbeliever realizes by the conviction of the Holy Spirit that he could be left behind to suffer the wrath of God during the Great Tribulation, that can move him to repentance. I have witnessed many accepting Jesus after a message on the Rapture. I am often asked the question, why should the church escape the Great Tribulation when Christians are suffering great trouble in the here and now, and they are suffering for their faith? Why should we escape it?

Well, let me answer that question. It is true that many Christians are suffering for their faith in this age, but they are suffering because of the hatred of Satan and the unbelieving government officials of this world. In the Great Tribulation, the world will suffer the righteous wrath of God. We aren't looking forward to that wrath or to the revelation of the Antichrist or the plagues that are coming down upon this wicked world, but we're looking forward to the Rapture.

Our hope is not in mere wishful thinking, because we have the witness of God's Spirit and His written word. There is much blessing waiting for us in heaven. Listen to the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:8. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also who love His appearing." Do you love His appearing? Are you ready for His coming? Is His return your hope and longing?

Do you want to escape the wrath of God? Then come to our Lord Jesus Christ. He will return to deliver you from the wrath that is to come. It's not popular to preach about the wrath of God today. People want to hear messages of love and hope and certainty, and these are important truths. But we need to warn people of divine wrath. In fact, His wrath is not just a message for the future. Listen to God's word in John 3:36. "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

People need to understand that without a Savior, they are presently under the anger of God. Why is God so angry with people? He's angry because they have rejected His love. They have rejected His offer of reconciliation. They have rejected the suffering sacrifice of His son. So why not come to Jesus now? Be delivered from the wrath of God, and you can find the peace of God, peace with God, and the peace of God.

That's my prayer for you, that this message will turn you to the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you are already a believer, that you will also be motivated to share that wonderful hope that we have with those who do not know the Savior. May God bless you and be with you. This is my prayer for you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Liz Aiello: Thank you, Pastor Runge. We've been listening to Pastor Al Runge teach on The Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. If you would like to have your own copy of this series, or perhaps you'd like to share it with a friend, you'll be glad to know that it's available on convenient compact disc. Just ask for ART 24, The Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. It's available for a suggested contribution of just $6 or more. Just visit our secure online store at messianicspecialties.com to place your order.

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And as always, when you're in touch with us, please mention the call letters of this station. If you're listening to our webcast or podcast, we need to know that too. This is Liz Aiello. Join us next time, won't you, as Pastor Al Runge continues our series on The Mysteries of the Kingdom of God, right here on Messianic Perspectives. Messianic Perspectives is sponsored by CJF Ministries of San Antonio, Texas, and is made possible on this station by the free will contributions of our listeners in this area.