Authors note: Due to my need to concentrate on other matters as I prepare for speaking at the Colorado Springs Prophecy Watchers Conference, my commentaries this week will be selections I’ve written in the recent past. This is from February 20, 2023.
This Rapture Generation
My commentary title this week will likely be construed by some as audacious because it implies that people of Earth alive now are those who will, without doubt, be the generation of believers who go to Christ in the Rapture, doesn’t it?
Those who have named specific dates for that stupendous event have earned consternation through the years, and deservedly so. Jesus Himself declared that no one but the Father knows the day or hour when it will occur. And certainly, to date, that truth has played out exactly as He said.
Yet, at the same time, the Apostle Paul implied that he would be part of the generation that would be raptured:
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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15–18)
Paul obviously expected to be part of those who would be living when Christ calls believers to Himself in the Rapture. The pronouns used are pretty clear, aren’t they? Yet Paul has been dead for two thousand years or so, and the Rapture is still in the future, as we are all too aware.
So is God’s Word (the “Word” who, in fact, is the Lord Jesus Christ, according to John 1:1) less than truthful through the prophecy given Paul regarding the Rapture? We know the answer to that is a resounding “no.” God cannot lie, therefore we are to think through Paul’s words with our born-again, Holy Spirit-influenced discernment to understand the statement. Paul’s declaration was as audacious as my title for this commentary, I think.
So what is this seeming contradiction all about?
The answer, I believe, is found in another familiar statement by Paul, one we use frequently in studying the Rapture.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13)
I believe that wrapped up in this profound statement of faith is an instruction to all believers. During this Age of Grace (Church Age), we’re to be earnestly expecting Jesus to snatch us from this fallen sphere at any moment. This instruction—this commandment—has been in effect since the Church was born (Acts chapter 2). Every believer since that time should treat the promise of the Rapture as if it absolutely will take place while we are still living on Earth.
As a matter of fact, all who love the prospect of Christ’s appearing are promised a crown of righteousness.
With this in mind, the title, “This Rapture Generation,” is appropriate for those of us who are believers now. Jesus will come for us in the Rapture at any moment—perhaps today!
I hope to go much deeper in expressing this certainty. And we do go deeper with each and every article presented. At least that is our aim.
The signals are brilliantly projected for those with discerning spirits to understand. Our Lord is unfolding prophetic signals of such unmistakable significance that we would have to look in another direction to miss just how near we are to the Tribulation. The Rapture is thus right at the exit door of human history for believers in Jesus Christ.
Sadly, most who should be helping God’s children focus on the lateness of the hour continue to feed only baby’s milk about how to grow into Christian adulthood.
Such spiritual food isn’t bad, of course. The Scripture is necessary to spiritual growth. But there comes the time that requires us to take a deep look into just how late the hour is on God’s prophetic timeline. We are now very near that instant of Rapture.
This is almost certainly the Rapture generation, and I cannot feel sheepish in declaring it.
Tell everyone you know, using your own words, the soul-saving truth encompassed by Paul’s Holy Spirit-given formula for going in the Rapture when Christ calls:
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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
After a detailed account of the end-times signs, Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (Matthew 24:34)
Unfortunately, many naysayers claim Jesus was talking of the generation of his own time and that his words never came true. They further use this as an argument that the Bible is imperfect, and worse, so is Jesus himself.
However, those of us who believe the Bible is 100% accurate can easily refute these assertions.
Notice in previous verses that Jesus presents the parable of the seasonal revival of the fig tree. Fig trees, vines, and olive trees are often used to symbolically represent Israel so comparing a reviving fig tree to the restoration of Israel to its original homeland makes a lot of sense. This happened on May 14th, 1948.
“This generation,” in fact, must refer to the one that sees Israel restored as a nation once again and all the other signs which already came to pass since then and of seeing the rest of them fulfilled as well.
In other words, it can only be US!
I cant wait, whether it be escaping this world so distorted by us humans, who proclaim to be smart, aligning with the god of this world. Maybe even those who do as they please with NO care for others. Even the global elect/elite who think they are doing (what they) feel is right. Or as our Word states “doing God a favor”.
I lean more towards being with the One who loves & cares for me/us. Safety, no pain nor tears is my desire. Those who I know who will not be taking that trip, gut-punch! Each time I think of them known or not. As I know what awaits this dying world. Sadly, I even feel for my cat, profound, is it not.
I have a twin brother and his best bud who got me into all this JC stuff back in HS (40+yrs ago) It didn’t stick at first but always knew who was right because of them. Then when THE Holy Spirit said its time, I let go of this world. Back to my twin & his friend they did well (in life, real well) make good jack but are not at all in JC’s court anymore. My twin is extremely worldly and his best bud don’t believe anymore. It is sad, my twin although intelligent and smart shuts me down as if we are still the young HS kids we once were. OSAS???? I can only hope!
Thank you everyone who replied to my last post! I don’t converse with many and have yet to find a JC preaching church. I thought I did once but only a Pep Rally. There is soooo much wonderful content & teaching on-line through this sight, RR and YouTube it gets one lazy to go out searching for a good church.
Love you all
Tyler
What about Zechariah 14 saying Jesus will come back to Mt Olive ???
And the last verses of Zechariah 14 also talk about Jesus telling Nations that do not come and Worship will have NO RAIN; especially EGYPT ???
The angel told the disciples of Jesus that He will return in the same manner they saw Him go up. That was from some point on the Mount of Olives. Most preTrib students –including yours truly— believe that means Christ will touch down on the exact spot from which He left to go into the clouds.
Christ will then set up His Millennial Kingdom, from which He will Rule with “a rod of iron,” meaning His Rule will be Absolutely perfect in its Justice. Anyone who breaks the Laws of that era will suffer the Perfectly Just consequences.
This includes entire nation-states that violate His Kingdom Laws. If a nation fails to comply with His Command that they come to Worship, etc., like in times of the Egyptian plagues, they will suffer no rain, etc.
‘It may be at morn, when the day is awaking–when sunlight thru darkness and sorrow is breaking—that Jesus will come in the fulness of glory—to receive from the world His own! O, Lord Jesus, How long? How long ere we shout the glad song? Christ returneth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah Amen! I have been thinking strongly something catastrophic will happen prior to the election. Perhaps something in the political arena or global catastrophe, but….it could very well be the rapture. Now that’s exciting!! MARANATHA!
Cathy Patnovic, dutchdoodler1@gmail.com
The Parable of the Fig Tree first and foremost identifies with a blooming taking place as the branches are yet tender. The question must be asked when did Israel bloom as a nation? It was yet in 1967 during the Six Day War when the branches did short forth.
Israel in this military campaign expanded in territory capturing East Jerusalem, Temple Mount, as well as the West Bank from Jordan. The Sinai and the Gaza Strip was captured from Egypt. From Syria in the north the Golan Heights were in Israeli hands. The young modern nation of Israel expanded greatly in territory as a result of this war brought upon them.
It is clear that all End Time Prophecy could not yet be fulfilled without one key element taking place, this of course was Jerusalem being in Israeli hands. We know from modern history that Jerusalem was not unified until 1967 during this miraculous Six Day War. It would seem that this Fig Tree generation began at this time rather than 1948.
When we include 1948 as the start of this clock, it is clear we have already surpassed this time frame for all things to be fulfilled specifically, if we include the final 7 years within the parameters. It is, therefore my belief, that this generation that would see all things be fulfilled with the coming of our Lord to establish the Kingdom, began in 1967.