June 29, 20226 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
(The views expressed in this article are my personal interpretations of the Bible, particularly concerning biblical prophecy and the end times. They are offered for discussion, study, and personal reflection. I do not claim special revelation, nor do I speak on behalf of any church, denomination, religious organization, or its leaders. Readers are encouraged to study the Scriptures for themselves, seek God’s guidance through prayer, and draw their own conclusions.)
I spent my entire life in a religion that was “Good,” but taught something that was against the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people might consider this difference of this teaching as “no big deal,” yet is a TREMEMDOUS DEAL, and one that might keep a person out of heaven, as well as to miss the rapture. Let me explain this to you.
God has a “Rescue” plan to keep His followers away from the terrible 7 year Tribulation Period which will soon begin. This rescue is called the RAPTURE. Let me first teach you this “end times prophecy,” as written in the Bible.
Jesus Christ will come and call up His followers to rescue them from the earth, and have us meet Him in the air, and “Forever be with Him.” The dead “in Christ” will go first. Their bodies will be resurrected at this time that that they are lifted up into the air to mee Christ. Followed by those presently living “in Christ.” Because they are not dead, their bodies will not be resurrected, but rather, “changed” into the same perfect bodies just like those resurrected.
This event is separate from the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which will follow 7 years after the event of the rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 (KJV)
16 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:
17 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Another key passage is:
1 Corinthians 15:51–53 (KJV)
Paul describes the sudden transformation of believers and that their bodies will be changed during the “last trump,” or rapture.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
John 14:2–3
Jesus, in talking to His apostles taught how He will come to receive His followers to Himself at a future date.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions…
3 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.
Matthew 24:40–42 (KJV)
Not all mankind will be taken in the rapture. This event is for a certain group of people. Some are taken, and some left behind.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Luke 17:34–36 (KJV)
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luke 21:34–36
Jesus warns believers to watch and pray so they may escape the coming judgment, (7-year Tribulation Period)
34 And take heed to yourselves…
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The rapture is God’s rescue plan to remove His followers from the earth before the 7-year Tribulation period even begins.
Now, let’s go back to see what qualifies a person to be taken up during the rapture. The initial scripture states that those “in Christ shall rise.” Let’s continue our studies in the Bible scriptures about what it means to be “in Christ.” (Others churches teach something different that conflicts with Christs teachings.)
To be “in Christ” means that you have personally placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You are no longer trusting in your own goodness, religious works, church membership, baptism, or any other effort to make yourself acceptable to God.
Instead, you believe that Jesus’ death on the cross fully paid for your sins, and that His resurrection gives you eternal life. The moment you believe the gospel, God places you in Christ, and Christ is in you through the Holy Spirit. “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). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, KJV).
Being in Christ is not about becoming perfect—it is about belonging to Him. Those who are in Christ have been forgiven, justified, and adopted into God’s family by grace through faith. They continue to grow in obedience and good works, not to earn salvation, but because they have already received it.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV).
Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the cause of it. If your trust is in Jesus Christ alone and in His finished work on the cross, then you can have confidence that you are in Christ and have the promise of everlasting life. (John 5:24; Romans 8:38–39, KJV).
Now, here is the FALSE teaching that I was taught through my former church:
“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23)
‘It is only after a person has done all that they can do, that the atonement becomes effective in a person’s life.’ This is in major conflict with the teachings from Jesus Christ. The atonement is a GIFT to all of those who accept it. It is offered in grace if we will accept in in faith. Our good works has NOTHING to do with qualifying for Salvation, (living forever with Jesus Christ in heaven).
Christ’s personal teaching regarding the thief on the cross is a perfect example of this teaching.
The thief on the cross is one of the clearest examples in Scripture that salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ, not by good works. As he hung dying beside the Lord, he had no opportunity to be baptized, perform good deeds, join a church, keep religious ordinances, or live a changed life. He simply acknowledged his own sin, recognized Jesus as the innocent King, and said,
“Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42, KJV).
Jesus immediately replied, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43, KJV).
The thief was welcomed into Paradise solely because he placed his faith in Christ. His good works did not save him; rather, the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ secured his eternal salvation, demonstrating that salvation is God’s gift and not the result of human effort (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV).Bottom of Form
The Qualification for the Rapture – Being “in Christ”
The assurance that you are “in Christ” comes from trusting God’s promises, not from your feelings or your performance. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are accepted by God because of Christ’s finished work on the cross, not because they have earned it. If you still think that you are earning your way into heaven, you are not yet understanding the gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Some churches teach salvation in a way which is the opposite of what Jesus taught. Instead of pointing people to complete trust in Christ alone, they place the emphasis on human effort, church membership, religious ordinances, or sacred rituals as necessary for salvation.
This shifts some of the glory that belongs to Jesus Christ, onto people or religious institutions. According to the New Testament, salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith in Christ—not something earned through religious performance (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV). Good works and obedience are the result of salvation, not the means of obtaining it. Jesus alone saves, and all the glory belongs to Him.
Born again believers have a tremendous desire to do good works. Their desire to sin decreases because of the “Spirit” that now resides in them. Good works are the proof that a person has been born again, not as a way to earn their way into heaven.
It is very likely that because of your church teachings, you never felt good enough, or that you have done enough to make it into heaven. I personally wondered where I would end up when I died, far different from the knowledge that I now have, that I will be with Jesus Christ from the moment of the rapture all the way through into being in heaven with Him forever.
Christ taught that no one can earn eternal life by their own goodness. Instead, salvation is God’s free gift to those who come to Him in faith. Jesus said, “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28), “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), and “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). The thief on the cross had no opportunity to perform good works, yet Jesus promised him, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
The message of the gospel is that we are not saved because we are good enough, but because Jesus Christ paid the full price for our sins. Those who trust in Him receive eternal life by His grace, and good works follow as the fruit of a changed life, not the means of earning heaven.
According to the KJV, a person is “in Christ” by trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. If a person’s confidence rests in their own works, religious ordinances, church membership, or any other means of earning acceptance with God, then they are not relying on Christ alone. Scripture calls every person to place their faith entirely in the finished work of Jesus Christ rather than in themselves or any religious system.
Why is this so important?
Only those “in Christ” will be rescued in the rapture. Only those “in Christ” will go to heaven, and the others who are just “religious:”
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
— Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
Becoming Born Again – The Process for Being “in Christ”
When Nicodemus came to Jesus, the Lord said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, KJV). He went on to explain, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). To be born again is to receive new spiritual life from God through the Holy Spirit. It is the beginning of a new relationship with Jesus Christ.
A person is born again by believing in Jesus Christ with all their heart. The Bible teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. When we recognize that we are sinners, turn to Him in repentance, and place our trust completely in His finished work on the cross, God forgives our sins and gives us eternal life. “For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV). Salvation is God’s gift, not a reward for good deeds, religious ordinances, church membership, or personal effort.
When a person believes, God gives them His Holy Spirit. They become one of His children and are made a new creation in Christ.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12, KJV).
From that moment forward, the Christian desires to follow Christ—not to earn salvation, but because they have already received it. Good works become the evidence of a changed life, not the cause of salvation. The new birth is entirely God’s work, received by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
How to Become Born Again (KJV)
1. Recognize that you are a sinner.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
Understand that no one is righteous enough to save themselves. You are a sinner and need Jesus Christ and His atonement in your life.
2. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for your sins and rose again.
“That Christ died for our sins… and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Trust that Jesus did everything necessary to save you.
3. Repent of your sins.
“…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” — Luke 13:3
Repentance means turning from sin and turning your heart toward God. Repentance is done through prayer, just between you and God. A church has no part in the repentance process, and certainly does not have the authority to offer forgiveness.
4. Place your faith in Jesus Christ alone.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31
Do not trust in your own goodness, religious works, church membership, or ceremonies. Trust Christ alone. This might be new for a lot of you reading this. Your church might help you be a better person, but church membership is not necessary for salvation. Temple ceremonies, paying tithing, good works…NONE of this is necessary for salvation. Salvation, (living with God forever in heaven) is only possible because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and our accepting that atonement as “payment in full” for salvation.
No one but God truly knows the heart of every man and woman, so we cannot say with certainty who will or will not be taken in the rapture. God alone knows those who genuinely belong to Christ.
What we do know is that the Bible teaches one of God’s purposes during the seven-year tribulation period is to bring many people to faith in Jesus Christ. Those who have trusted in religious systems, traditions, or teachings that differ from the gospel
Christ preached may come to recognize the truth during that time. For some, missing the rapture could become the very event that causes them to seek Jesus Christ personally, placing their faith in Him alone rather than in any church, religious ordinance, or doctrine that adds to the simple gospel revealed in the New Testament.
5. Receive Jesus Christ.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” — John 1:12
Welcome Him into your life as your Lord and Savior.
6. Confess your faith in Christ.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9–10
Openly acknowledge your faith in Him.
7. God causes you to be born again through His Spirit.
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3
“That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” — John 3:6
The new birth is not something you accomplish—it is what God does in you when you believe. This happens “instantaneously!”
What Happens Next?
Once you are born again:
- Your sins are forgiven. (Colossians 1:14)
- You receive eternal life. (John 3:16)
- The Holy Spirit dwells within you. (Romans 8:9)
- You become a child of God. (John 1:12)
- You are “in Christ,” and there is “now no condemnation” for you. (Romans 8:1)
- Good works become the fruit of your salvation, not the means of obtaining it. (Ephesians 2:8–10)
These verses present the consistent New Testament message: salvation is received by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and being born again is God’s work in the heart of everyone who believes.
I have spent the past few years trying to help people who have been mislead in the gospel of Jesus Christ, through the incorrect teachings that their church has them believe.
Recently, I have found great peace in knowing that if these people miss the rapture, and have to face the unprecedent challenges of the 7-year tribulation period, it is exactly what they need in their life to come to Christ.
This period of time will expose the false prophet, as well as all other deceptions and hidden truths. (God must reveal all truth before He judges all mankind.) They will be humbled, and be in a position to let go of their pride and arrogance in placing their own salvation in the hands of their church, and themselves through their good works.
The very thing that I have been trying to get them to avoid, going through the Tribulation Period, is exactly what they will need to have the correct understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as He taught when He was on the earth. I find great wisdom in God’s plans for the end times.
One last thought. If you are teachable right now, go to God in prayer and ask Him to teach you the truth of His gospel relating to being Born Again and being In Christ. I can PROMISE you that He will teach YOU, just as He has done for me, 4 years ago. If you go into this study, just to prove me wrong, the holy ghost will not accompany you in your learning.
Let your journey for truth start with a clean canvas. Just you, God, Jesus Christ and the teachings through the Holy spirit, as you study the Gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible, and nothing else. And I promise you…
John 8:31–32 (KJV):
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
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