“Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
Before delivering the Lord’s message for this week, kindly allow me to share a short vision with you given to me (Glenn) by the Lord on the morning of October 11, 2014. I have searched the Scriptures and the Lord confirmed with me that the Bible passages mentioned here are relevant to the vision. Brethren, I am in no ways writing an article on the Rapture, nor am I supporting or endorsing a specific view – whether post-tribulation, mid-tribulation, or pre-tribulation. I certainly don’t want to get involved in such a web of speculation. I only share what the Lord permitted me to say for now. Let me also clarify that even though the English word "rapture" is not used in the Bible, the meaning is Biblical. “Rapture” is derived from the Latin verb "Rapere" meaning "to carry off," or "to be caught up" as written in 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them [the dead in Christ] in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
I prayed to The Lord saying: “Lord, please don’t make me write an article about the rapture, because I read many and various explanations on this subject, and I certainly wouldn't want to be influenced by any. I believe in the rapture, and there is much speculation relating to the rapture that has caused widespread confusion leading to the shipwrecked on many people’s faith.”
In His goodness and faithfulness, The Lord answered my prayer, and I will share what He revealed to me, along with the relevant supporting Scriptures. If The Lord so wills to reveals more, I will update this article accordingly.
Vision of Two (2) Raptures
In the vision, I saw myself preaching to a group of people who were listening attentively to me. The message the Lord gave me to minister to the people was about ‘Rapture’. I saw a book lying on the pulpit and I read from it the following words regarding the rapture from the Lord Jesus Christ: “There is a FIRST ONE and the NEXT ONE”. As I attempted to explain to my audience the message while looking into the book on the pulpit, the above words were the only ones left and the rest of the text disappeared. This was the end of the vision.
The Scriptures that describe the first rapture are these:
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man[a] with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested (Revelation 14:14-16).While there are no Scriptures that explicitly mention the second rapture, The Lord says there would be another rapture, this one occurring after the great tribulation:
“I [Apostle John] answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).Again, I am only sharing what the Lord revealed to me. I urge you, Brothers and Sisters, to be ready so that when the Lord comes you may be found awake and clothed (Revelation 16:15), with your lamps full of oil (Matthew 25:1-13), for The Day is near!
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh (Romans 13:11-14).
The Power of Words
There are many Scriptures in the Bible that deals with the use of words and the price one would pay for it, for example:
"From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:20-21).
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).With the “freedom of speech” most of us enjoy today, many people including Christians are in the habit of offending, insulting and hurting others with their words. While I acknowledge that some social media platforms can play a positive role in promoting friendships and family bonds, people often use these channels to spread malicious gossip, slander, and poisonous words intended to hurt others.
The above quoted Scriptures serve as a warning to Christians and others not to belittle or shame other people. Christians are commanded to make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to do what leads to peace and mutual edification (Romans 12:18; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14). By this we are not saying that you should ignore a person’s wrong doing; the Lord commands us to rebuke wicked conduct in a spirit of love (Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 4:2), since this warning may help save a person from hell (we also discussed this subject in the “God’s Serious Judgments” article and visions shared in April, 2014).
Some people are not humble enough to accept a rebuke which is aimed at correcting them. They defensively see it as an insult or feel disrespected. In the Lord’s recent rebuke and judgement to at least three (3) of our ministry members, He chastised them for “feeling sorry to hurt their children and offending people’s feelings,” thus allowing them to continue in their wrongdoing. I guarantee you that you will be hated and persecuted for your efforts (Matthew 10:22; 24:9; John 17:14) but remember they hated Christ first (John 15:18; 24; 25).
Often times, people feel hurt when you correct or rebuke them in love. As children of God, we also may feel hurt when The Lord corrects us (Hebrews 12:11; John 21:17). This kind of hurt is acceptable as "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Corinthians 7:10); some might even be saved as a result, like Paul who received salvation through the Lord’s rebukes (Acts 26:14-18).
The Lord said that a truly God fearing Christian would abstain from insulting others and calling them names to make their hearts sore: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
Don’t Use Words to Hurt others
Admittedly, I was in the habit of insulting and hurting others earlier in my walk with God. I adopted this habit from friends who were in the habit of proudly peddling their arguments as superior, while using insult to belittle and hurt those who disagreed with them. This is a common practice among politicians and the ‘wise’ of this world. The Lord forbids Christians from engaging in such practice; our work is to “spur on one another in love…” (Hebrews 10:24), in our hearts revering Christ as Lord, and always "prepared to give an answer …with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15; Proverbs 15:1). The Lord told me not to say things to hurt or make others feel bad, for when we say something we have the choice and motive to present it to either hurt or gently correct others. I was also warned for being loud when talking or rebuking; the fruit of love and of the Holy Spirit encourages us to be gentle (Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Likewise, many other brethren were warned not to engage in strife, offend others, or hurt people who are otherwise disabled or of a different race. In addition, laughing at people even if or when others do offensively is equally wicked. The question we should ask ourselves is this: are we building up or offending? (Luke 11:23; Luke 17:1-3).
In conclusion, let us work for peace with our neighbours and fellow brethren. Using social media as a tool to insult and pour hurtful feelings onto others is not building up, but breaking people’s hearts. I was warned several times by the Lord against such behaviour. Learn to hold your peace and say only what will benefit others. In a recent visit to my parents, I heard people around me hurting one another with abusive words. Some were swearing and saying nasty things to one another, while others poked fun at the kind of sins others commit. They were doing all these in front of my children and I took liberty to rebuke them. In Jesus name, brethren, be gentle with your words, and keep them few; avoid being loud when rebuking, for that too may be construed as being offensive and ill- mannered (Proverbs 10:19;Proverbs 15:1).
Finally, don’t forget that the Lord is near and He is coming for a pure and spotless bride, so be fit to enter the first rapture, for the second one will bring untold tests. Do you have the faith to survive the coming storm and the dreaded Day of the Lord? (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5, 30:3; Joel 1:15, 2:1,11,31; 3:14; Amos 5:18, 20; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:7,14; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi. 4:5; Acts 2:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 6:17; 16:14). Or would you rather take refuge from the Coming Judgment (Isaiah 26:20-21)? If you desire a relationship with the Lord, here is a
Blessed grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Brother Glenn.
