May 23, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
We are all on emotional overload right now, and actually have been since COVID 19. There is just too much going on in this world.
We’ve discovered that we have been deceived by our government, leaders, and even our very own religions. We stop listening to the news because it just seems to draw out any last ounce of hope that our world will once again return to normal. I think it’s fair to say that we had just about all that we can take on this roller-coaster ride.
Many are aware that we are in the end times, but as a matter of self-preservation, have decided to just avoid hearing or learning anything about these events, because they are just too frightening. If you can relate to what I am writing, then this article is for YOU!
Let me simplify the end times, and show you what God has planned for people who belong to Him.
ALL of the frightful events of the end times will happen in a 7-year period of time called the Tribulation Period, which is soon to begin. I want you to set these events entirely aside and never give them another thought. Why is this? It’s because it is very likely that those events are not intended for YOU, they are for other people. Let me explain.
Do you remember the bible story about how God parted the Red Sea, which allowed the fleeing Israelites to escape certain death from the pursuing army? God “Rescued” these people through a miraculous event. And, God has another rescue plan scheduled. It is already planned, as taught through God’s prophets of the Bible
The events of the coming Tribulation Period are difficult to read about and even more difficult to imagine. God’s judgments during that time will be unlike anything the world has ever experienced. Yet there is something many people overlook: those judgments are not intended for those who belong to Jesus Christ.
The Tribulation Period is God’s response to a rebellious world that has rejected Him. It is a time when evil will be judged, deception will be exposed, and God’s righteous justice will be poured out upon the earth. But for those who are “in Christ,” God has provided a way of escape.
Before these terrifying events begin, God promises to remove His people from the earth. That means believers will not be required to endure even a single day of the Tribulation Period. Think about that for a moment. While the world is preparing to face unprecedented judgment, God is preparing a rescue for those who have placed their faith in His Son.
This incredible rescue plan is known as the Rapture—the moment when Jesus Christ comes to gather His Church, raising believers who have died and transforming those who are living, taking them to be with Him.
It is not a message of fear; it is a message of hope, and love. God has not left His children without a way of escape. He has lovingly provided a means of rescue before His judgment falls upon the earth. Can you see of His love and devotion towards those who follow Jesus Christ?
Here are the prophetic teachings about the Rapture:
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV):
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The phrase “caught up” comes from the Greek word harpazō, meaning to seize, snatch away, or take suddenly. This is where the doctrine of the Rapture originates.
Notice in this scripture, Christ does not come down to the earth, but calls for those “in Christ” to meet Him in the clouds. This event is VERY different from the second coming of Jesus Christ, when He physically comes all of the way down to earth, with His “Feet placed upon the mount of olives.”
Christ will later return to earth at the end of the 7-year Tribulation period WITH His followers to defeat the antichrist and finish the battle with evil. This is His final coming to the earth, which will occur 7 years after the rapture happens. It is important to see these two appearances of Jesus Christ as SEPARATE and occurring at different times, and for different purposes.
The central message of the Rapture is simple: Jesus Christ is coming again for His people. The dead in Christ will be raised and resurrected in the process, living believers will be changed into their “perfect bodies”, and together they will meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.
Let’s keep learning.
1 Corinthians 15:51–52 (KJV)
“Behold, I shew 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 trump…”
The first scripture teaches us that the Dead in Christ will rise first. They will actually be resurrected into their perfect bodies at this time, so that they can dwell with Christ forever. Those of us who are “in Christ” and living upon the earth are not dead yet, will have our bodies “changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” into the same perfect condition as those who were dead. This is how we are able to live with Christ forever in another place.
In simple terms:
- Resurrected = dead believers raised
- Changed = living believers transformed
Both receive glorified, incorruptible bodies fit for eternity. This again happens at the same time, DURING the rapture.
John 14:2–3 (KJV)
“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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
In this verse, Jesus was explaining His return to the apostles. He wasn’t JUST meaning that He would be with be reuniting with the apostles, but with all of those who are “in Christ.” He will come again, and receive us unto Himself.
Matthew 24:40–41 (KJV)
“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”
Jesus is teaching us about the rapture, NOT His second coming. He is not coming for everyone. He is only coming for “His Bride.” Those, “In Christ” as it states in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. One will be taken up, and the other one left behind as it states in this scripture.
The Rapture will occur before the Tribulation Period because Scripture teaches that believers are not appointed to God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV) declares:
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Likewise, Jesus gave a promise to the faithful church in Revelation 3:10 (KJV):
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
For those who know Jesus Christ as Savior, the Rapture is not a message of fear but of hope and comfort. Paul concludes his teaching with these words:
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18, KJV)
THIS is the message that I want to convey to you today. “Comfort one another with these words.” God does not want those who belong to Him to be stressed out regarding the events of the end times. He wants us to see His rescue plan, teach that to others so that we can “Comfort one another with these words.”
So, will this rapture involve you? Will you be one that is taken, or will you be one that is left behind to have to endure the 7-year Tribulation Period which will then follow?
I can answer this for you, in a way that you can KNOW for sure if you will be included in the rapture or not, by asking you a simple question?
Are you “in Christ?”
To be “in Christ” in KJV teaching means to belong to Jesus Christ through faith, having your life spiritually joined to Him. It is not just knowing about Him, but being united with Him so that His righteousness, His salvation, and His life become yours.
The Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). This means a person who is in Christ has been spiritually changed (born again)—no longer defined by their old life of sin, but made new by God’s grace.
Being in Christ also means you are justified before God, not by your works, but by faith in Him.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 KJV).
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV
Your standing before God is secure because it is based on Christ’s righteousness, not your own “good works.” You realize that salvation is a gift from Jesus Christ, and you accept His gift (the atonement) and see it as complete, and enough. You do not feel that you have done anything to earn your way to heaven, but realize going to heaven is made possible only through accepting Jesus Christ into your life, and repenting of your sins, NOT because of your good works.
It also means you are spiritually joined to His body, the Church of believers.
“For as the body is one, and hath many members… so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12 KJV).
In Christ, you are no longer separated from God, but brought near through Him.
So, to be “in Christ” is to be saved by faith, made new by His Spirit, covered by His righteousness, and united to Him forever. Becoming “Born Again” is not just a simple prayer, it is inviting Jesus Christ to be a part of your life, learning of Him, repenting of your sins, and having faith in His atonement. By doing this, there is a “Spiritual Transformation” that occurs within you. That happens “Instantaneously.” You then immediately become “in Christ” or “Born Again.”
If you are “in Christ” you will 100% be included in the rapture, and will be immediately changed and be with Him forever. Let me tell you more about this, for it is something that you MUST know.
I know this is a lot to take in, but there is one truth I want you to remember: everything God has promised after this life is connected to being “in Christ.”
Eternal life, forgiveness of sins, peace with God, the resurrection, going to Heaven, and all the blessings God has prepared for His children belong to those who are in Christ.
That is why being born again as taught by Christ in the New Testament is so important. It is not something to put off until later. It is a decision that must be made in this life. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ and become one of His followers, you become part of God’s family and receive the promise of everything He has prepared for those who love Him.
The question is not whether God has a rescue plan. The question is whether you are “in Christ” and ready for the moment when He calls His people home.
And, for those of you who are “in Christ” please realize that you will be rescued from all of the frightening events of the end times. You will be rescued by Jesus Christ Himself personally. And for those of you who can just not take another day of this world, just know that we are weeks away from the Rapture happening. =)
Scripture states three different times that nobody knows the “Day” nor the “Time” of His return, not even the angles of heaven. However you will note that it says nothing about not knowing the Season or the YEAR. This is defiantly something that those who seek to know, can find through dedicated study of the end times.
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
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