There are many different theories about the occurrences that must happen in the end times. The most discussed and asked for is the second coming of Christ and the rapture. People are inquiring about it, and each one comes up with a different theory, some made up and some based on the Scripture. We have to go to the Scripture, however.
Some people support the idea of pretribulationism, which means they believe the rapture will occur before the great tribulation, allowing Christians to escape the trials that will affect this world. Others adhere to midtribulationism, the belief that the rapture will take place at the midpoint of the tribulation, while others believe in posttribulationism, meaning they believe the rapture will happen after that tribulation. Apparently, these are the three mainstreams of thought about how and when this will happen.
There are many ideas about the topic, and we will not mention all of them. Some people even set dates for when they think it will happen.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only“ (Matthew 24:36).
From this scripture, we clearly see that no one knows the exact hour when the rapture will happen.
I believe that the rapture event is a mystery for a reason, and it’s no wonder why because we as humankind always want to know exactly when something will take place and how it will happen. It is difficult for us to believe and take something on faith, which means that when someone believes, they completely trust that God will do something in His way, according to His will and timing. That person is confident in God. He understands that whatever God does and plans will occur in the best way, which aligns with God's will; he is aware that He is in control.
But instead of having confidence in God, man generally doesn’t want to lose control of his life. He desires to be the one controlling each event, which is why he struggles to believe and trust God with his life.
Taking the rapture event as an example, most people want to know precisely when it will take place so that they can be in control and know when exactly to be ready. Why not live the way they want to, and when the rapture is about to come, they will repent? This is the thought in man’s heart in general. Instead, God intended for us to take this and many other things on faith, so that we can trust completely with all our hearts and be ready, waiting on Him.
To believe doesn’t mean we know everything or control something, but it means that we trust in God, and He is in control. It means that we trust in His way. We don’t even know when our own end will come. God established this perhaps because He knows that if we knew everything, we might live our way, knowing that the rapture or our end would still be far off. In this way, we wouldn’t desire or rush to repent, postponing it for another time, making it much harder to happen. Some people say that they will accept and obey the Lord at the last moment of their lives. Still, we must never postpone repentance or taking action for the Lord when He knocks on our door, even if we feel we need more time to make that decision. First, we don’t know when our end will come, and second, who knows if later we might change our minds and our hearts may already be hardened?
God knows what is best for us, and we need to trust Him. Some things, like the rapture, will remain a secret to us for a reason, so we can always be watchful and have the right attitude in our hearts.
There may be signs through which we can see that the time is approaching, but we don’t know when it will happen.
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So, you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” (Matthew 24:32-33).
This means that by observing the signs and what is occurring around us, we will be able to see in part that the time is approaching, though we still won’t be able to know the exact hour and time. That’s why we will only find out when it happens. Until then, we need to do what Matthew 24:42 says and live by faith: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.“
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