Rapture Ready

By Tanda Thompson

In this book you'll learn what the Rapture is, background on the Rapture and how to stay on fire in your relationship with Jesus. Gain knowledge about end time events, along with explanations concerning the Seven Seals, 7 Feasts, the 144,000 and the Two Witnesses (from the book of Revelation) and the 70 Weeks in the 9th Chapter of Daniel.  Read how Tanda unlocks prophetic mysteries of Israel as it relates to our present and future days. There are pictures throughout and words to encourage as you read along.  This book provides scriptures, prayers and study notes needed to prepare for the meeting in the clouds. Rapture Ready is like a guidebook to navigate you through end-time events.  And there are two bonuses: 1) Encouraging Biblical Promises and 2) An Eschatological Timeline Chart towards the back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tanda Thompson
• Release date: Oct 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393138259

Tanda Thompson

Tanda enjoys reading and writing books. She is currently writing a book on Self-Publishing for those who want to control the publishing aspects of their books while doing so on a miniscule budget.  She has an Associate's Degree in Business.  Tanda recently received a Certificate from a University for Grant Writing.  She tutored and taught over 1,000 children for 20+ years for which she also developed their curriculums.  A portion of the proceeds from her books goes to feed the hungry programs. Tanda's strongest desire is to help people be and live their best lives.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Rapture Defined

THE WORD RAPTURE COMES from the Greek word harpazo.  It means: to snatch away or to seize, and explains that Believers in Jesus Christ will be snatched away from earth into the air. (Wikipedia, 2016).  When the sound of the trumpet blows, we will be caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds.  Strong’s Concordance describes it as: carry off, take by force, pluck, catcheth away, caught away, pulling. (The Strongest Strong’s Concordance, 2001).   

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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:  I Thessalonians 4:14-16

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." I Thessalonians 4:17

Purpose of the Rapture

There could be a hundred reasons for the Rapture, but most could probably fall under these three reasons: 1) Jesus loves us, 2) Gather His followers who have walked in obedience, and 3) To fulfill prophetic scriptures.  Jesus does not want us to experience the devastation that will come upon the earth.  Christians will experience trials and testing, but none of these things will compare to the turmoil that will occur after the Rapture.  Jesus knows we’ve been serving him in loyalty and faithfulness and He wants to spare us from the Tribulation period. 

"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.

Behold, I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."  Revelation 3:10, 11 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 4:9

And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:17 

The Bible is the inerrant Word of God.  It is impossible for the scriptures to lie. See Isaiah 40:8.  The Word says Jesus is coming in a twinkling of an eye so we can rest assured He’s coming.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, 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."  I Corinthians 15:51 - 52

Based on what I’ve read in the scriptures, Jesus will rapture us before the Tribulation period.  The Tribulation period will last seven years on earth. Point of clarification: this book describes the pre-tribulation experience when talking about the Rapture.  We’ll delve a little into the Second Coming of Christ when Jesus comes down to earth, but the focus of this book is the Rapture.  Jesus does not touch down to the ground in the Rapture, He meets us in the clouds.  But in the Second Coming, Jesus comes all the way to earth.

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. I Thessalonians 4:16, 17 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16 

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. Matthew 5:18 NLT

If God is Love, Why the Tribulation?

I can hear someone asking, if God is love and He loves us so much, how can He allow people to go through such a horrendous time of tragedy and disasters during the Tribulation period?  God is a King, but He is also the righteous Judge.  It would be unjust of Him to allow people to go to heaven that don’t want God in their lives.  Let’s be real.  God is the central theme of heaven.  The entire span of heaven is filled with the glory of God.  All of heaven is filled with God’s light. How can you go to heaven if you don’t want God?  If someone misses the Rapture, it will be because they rejected Jesus Christ or His instructions.  All who truly love God and live according to His plan will be raptured.

If you love me [Jesus], you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 ESV

For this is the love of God, that we keep his command-ments: and his commandments are not grievous. I John 5:3  

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6

Note: the brackets with Jesus’ name in verse above was added for clarification.

I believe the Tribulation period will occur as a result of major rebellion against God and His ways.  Satan believes he can overstep God and His plans for mankind.  The enemy seeks to pull the masses into a global rejection of God.  During the seven year Tribulation, people will only have two choices, God or the Anti-Christ.  The earthly leaders will seek to find Christians who refuse the mark of the beast and will want to kill them.  Of course God always has a way of escape. Most Believers will lose their lives during those seven years, but not all.  If they hold onto Christ and not deny Him, their eternal destination will be heaven. Christians living during the Tribulation will need to heavily rely on God’s guidance so He can supernaturally direct them during that period. 

No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13 WEB

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:13 NKJV 

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Revelation 15:2 

Distinguishing the Signs Leading Up to the Rapture

We have a lot of signs to prepare us for the Rapture.  These signs will increase in intensity and frequency so that we’ll know we’re about to go up.  There have been famines, wars and pestilences for thousands of years. As they mightily increase, you can look up because Jesus is on his way to catch us up to the clouds.  The time leading up to the Rapture is called the Beginnings of Sorrows. We are in that season.

The verses below provide us with some signs of Jesus’ return. 

"But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet."  Mark 13:7

"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.  These are the beginnings of sorrows." Mark 13:8

And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.  Mark 13:10

Note:  bold added to print in verses above for emphasis.

1+ Million Haven’t Heard of Jesus

Over one million people have not yet been reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Notice Mark 13:10 above says the Gospel has to be preached to all nations first [before the Rapture].  According to an article by Global Frontier Missions, there are approximately 269 people groups (ethnic groups) who are beyond the reach of the Gospel of Jesus. My guess is that language barriers or location have prevented missionaries’ access to them.  So this probably means, Jesus won’t come back just yet.  He wants all people groups to have an opportunity to hear the Gospel. (GlobalFrontierMissions.org, 2020)

The signs are: 

Wars

Rumors of wars

Nation rising up against nation

Earthquakes

Famines

Troubles

Are We in a Spiritual Matrix?

It’s not about jumping through hoops.  God is not trying to take us on a rat race.  He doesn’t have time for that.  He’s not about games.  Time is winding up and He needs us to be about His business.  People have their own opinions about who is going to hell and who is going to heaven.  Someone might say, you should fast at least once a month.  Someone else may say you should keep your house clean because cleanliness is next to godliness.  Someone might think, I forgot to fast last month and this month my house is a mess.  Does that mean you’ll miss the Rapture? I don’t think so, but if God told you to fast, you should obey.  If God told you to clean your house, and you’re thinking, no I want to spend more time in prayer – remember obedience is better than sacrifice. You can pray while you’re cleaning the house. 

There’s a passage about Mary and Martha being happy about Jesus visiting.  Martha was busy serving (probably cooking and cleaning), at which time Mary sat at Jesus’ feet.  It says, But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.  Luke 10:40-42.  Does this mean that Martha was wrong for serving the food?  Is it wrong to choose being in the presence of Jesus over service?  There’s a time for all things.  Jesus was saying being there with Him was the most important thing at that time.    

What we have to understand is that Jesus is not trying to complicate this walk.  His will is that all would have everlasting life.  See Isaiah 9:6, John 3:36.  God loves you.  You are the apple of His eye; more special to Him than anything in creation.  He wants you to be with Him for all eternity.  That was His plan from the beginning.

Believeth Defined

The Bible says, whoever believes in Him would not perish. See John 3:16b.  Let’s look at that word believe to get the original intent.  The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek.  The Greek word for Believeth and Believes is pisteuo.  It literally means: to believe, put one’s faith in, trust, with an implication that actions based on that trust may follow; (pass.) entrust:- believe, committed, commit to trust, committed unto, commit, put in trust. (Strong’s Greek, 2017).

You can’t base your life of commitment, trust and belief on what someone else is doing.  You will be Rapture ready based on your own actions.  Your trust and belief is in Jesus.  You may hear someone else cuss periodically and on the day of the Rapture, they go up and you’re wondering why you got left behind.  That’s because your allegiance should be to Jesus.  The Word says, if you love me, you’ll keep my commandments and they won’t be grievous to you.  What is it that He has called you to do?  What is He requiring from you?  An example would be: some people are babies in Christ, although they may have been saved 10, 20, 30 years. Another example: some don’t understand the full implications and weight of their mistakes, maybe because they don’t know the Bible that well.  Whereas you may know that whenever you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit gently whispering for you to share your faith and you say, I don’t want to bother that person, for you that is sin.  For someone else who doesn’t know how to witness, nor do they yet recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice, for them it is not sin.  People are on different maturity levels when it comes to the things of Christ. 

This is why we need to cultivate our relationship with Jesus and learn His Word.  God is not trying to take us on a wild goose chase. He just wants us to learn the ways of the Kingdom so we can experience all of the wonderful things He has planned for us. 

Thought to solidify Chapter key: supernatural removal of the saints are Christians who have lived in intentional surrender.

Chapter 1 Recap

Quite simply, the definition of the Rapture is: the supernatural removal of Christ’s followers from the earth on a date that has not been disclosed to anyone.  Only God knows when Jesus will appear in the clouds and the sound of the trumpet will blow.  The dead in Christ will rise first and then we who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.  If we trust Jesus as Savior and live according to God’s requirements, we will not be left behind.  The Rapture will occur in the blink of an eye so we must be ready when Jesus comes.

Chapter 2

Are There Rapture Requirements?

IS THERE A RAPTURE Checklist?

So what are the requirements for making the Rapture?