I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this amazing look into the future…

…As a pastor and teacher of the Word of God, I enjoy the subject of history, especially that which pertains to the Word of God. Down through the centuries, I’ve witnessed a dramatic change in the way followers of the Christian faith have viewed God’s Word. Today, it is refreshing to see a turning back to the study of the Word of God in its original form and manner. Indeed, for centuries following the birth of the church came an erroneous system of interpretation called the allegorical method of interpretation. This was not God’s plan, nor the way of faithful bible believing scribes of prior centuries. However after the church lost its apostolic leadership, men arose like Origen of Alexandria (AD 183-232) and Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-386) who became leading voices for the church in the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries and all that followed. 

These men did many good things for the church, but alas did great harm to the Word of God. For with the rise of ecclesiasticism (ritual Christianity) and the movement of establishing the organized church as the ultimate authority in all interpretation of the Bible – this gave great acceptance to the system of bible interpretation these men promoted. As a result, soon the dark ages began to move in and the light God intended to be broadcast from His Word grew dim.

Yet, in spite of this God overruled, and with the rise of the Reformation, more than a millennium later, the Church began to return to its roots and the literal, grammatical and historical interpretation of the Word of God. Men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Richard Hooker, and others turned back to reading and interpreting the Bible “literally” and upholding it as the sole source of authority for faith and practice. The result was the Book came ALIVE!

Well, in a moment after another pause for some musical refreshment, I’ll return to share with you the amazing prediction one great believing scientist made that in part has uniquely come true. Stay tuned…

…In the 17^th century most Bible scholars following in the unbiblical interpretation rules of interpretation set up by Augustine of Hippo and Origen of Alexandria, saw the departure of a few godly men who turned to studying the Bible literally, especially in the area of prophecy. One such man was Sir Isaac Newton (AD 1643-1727). Rather than bypassing and ignoring the biblical prophecies as Augustine did and recommended, He dove into them with faith and a literal following. As a result it brought him to understand what the future held for the believer and unbeliever. No longer did he see prophecy as a collection of odd symbols, and meaningless metaphors of the past, rather he saw God’s Word reveal to him the real purpose and place God’s children were to have in this world and the next. Such study gave him a new outlook on life as a believer and friend of Scripture. Later in his life, by applied wisdom of the Word of God, he made this astounding prediction that has in part come true:

“About the time of the End, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation in the midst of much clamor and opposition.”1

What an amazing statement that is, for 300 year later we see the church has finally returned to its roots, especially in the area of a literal method of interpreting the Bible, and its desire to understand the future as it predicts. Now one area of the future predicted in the Word of God that comes alive by the literal grammatical and historical method of interpretation is the Bible’s teaching on the Church of Jesus Christ. Who are they, what are they and for what purpose does it exist? Well the answer is found in the pages of the Bible. Let’s look at this now and see the most amazing truths revealed about God’s children who trust and believe in Jesus Christ alone for the salvation and life eternal.

First of all, the Bible tells us a truth that is not only amazing, but perhaps one of the most comforting and blessed concepts of life today. What is it? Well the Scripture tells us that all those who follow Christ, trusting Him alone for their salvation and eternal life, become a member of the Body of Christ called in Scripture, “THE BRIDE.” Listen to the Word of God,

Rev 19:7 (NIV)  “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”

Rev 21:9 (NIV)  One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."

Amazingly, this reference to the Body of Christ and all believers who are folded into it through faith in Jesus Christ by the power and work of the Holy Spirit literally become the “Bride of Christ.” What does that mean? Well it means exactly what it means to us today concerning a “bride.” A bride is the life companion of a man, joined together by a covenant and committed to serving each other in a lifelong relationship that is to be filled with love and joy and ever-growing intimacy and fellowship. Yes, that is what the Bible says is God’s plan in saving mankind from its sins and separation in a Hell to come. God is rescuing lost sinners and drawing them to His Son Jesus Christ, to be His eternal companion and Bride.

Now as a pastor, one or my greatest joys and duties is to officiate in a wedding ceremony. How wonderful it is when the moment comes and the “bride” all dressed up in her beautiful wedding gown enters the church, and at the sound of the music and walks down the aisle to her waiting groom. As a pastor, I’m usually the first to see her but as all heads turn as she comes up the aisle, the beauty of her adornment and her person shines out and burns a memory few forget.

Well friend that is what the Bible says is to happen when the spiritual “Groom,” Jesus Christ, meets His “Bride the Church,” and the wedding and feast come to pass.

Now when is this “wedding” date to occur? Well, that is what Scripture says is the “Rapture” of the Church. Yes, like an oriental wedding ceremony of Jesus’ day, although the plans for a wedding are made, the exact moment when the groom comes to receive his bride is kept secret. When the time has arrived, and the Bride knows the groom will come soon, the bride makes herself ready for that imminent moment, Yes, she awaits in expectation for her “husband-to-be” to come and fetch her for the consummation ceremony and feast. Listen to God’s Word concerning His Bride the Church, and what “she” is to do as she awaits His coming for her.

Luke 12:35-40 (NIV)  "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning… 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes… 40 because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Rev 19:7 (NIV)  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

That expression the “bride has made herself ready,” and Jesus’ warning to His followers, “Be dressed and ready for service,” explains much if interpreted literally. God is telling His Church that “she” is to make herself ready by her faithful service to Him here and now on earth before the moment comes when the Bridegroom arrives to escort His bride to her new home with Him. Indeed, the very works and service we do for Christ, that brings Him glory here and now, will actually be a part of the adornment we will wear at the marriage ceremony in Heaven that literally will occur upon the “Rapture” of the Church. Listen again to God’s Word with the addition of the next verse,

Rev 19:7-8 (NIV)  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Oh how important it is to understand that when one comes to Christ by faith, and embraces Him as their God and Savior, they become the engaged bride, awaiting the marriage ceremony and wedding feast to come. Now saying all that, every Christian should be busy preparing the symbolic “wedding dress” of eternity, that is the clothes we shall wear in the literal presence of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Indeed, our works, our service and our personal sacrifices we give and perform for Jesus sake, will be ours to display for all eternity after the marriage and wedding feast occur.

Say, Christian friend, are you busy glorifying God with your works, sacrifices and service? Who gets the glory for it when you perform them, God or man? How much have you done that will count for eternity? These are searching questions, we as the Bride of Christ must answer before He comes.

Now with that last thought let’s explore this teaching of the “Rapture” of the Church, the final moment when God snatches His bride, the church, off the earth to be with Him for all eternity. We read of this in the word of the Lord’s promised return for His own,

John 14:3 (NIV)   I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Mat 24:44-46 (NIV)  So you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Titus 2:13 (NIV) [until then]  we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

1 Th 4:14-18 (NIV) [as such Paul the apostle stated]  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 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. 17 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. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Throughout prophetic Scripture in the New Testament concerning the Church, we are admonished to get ready for the wedding ceremony and feast that is quickly coming, and that our Lord Jesus, the Groom will come for His entire church at any moment. How will we know when He comes? Listen again to God’s Word,

Acts 1:11 (NIV)  “Men of Galilee,” the angels said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

1 Th 4:16-17 (NIV)  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. 17 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.

Rev 1:7 (NIV)  Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

There will one day be a dramatic unpredictable personal and visible return of Christ for His Bride, the Church. Following this instantaneous moment when we shall all be changed into the immortal likeness of the resurrected and living Christ ¾ we shall be with Him forever! At the moment of Rapture, as the Church leaves the earth, we are told that all the believers in Christ since the beginning whether Old Testament saints or New Testament saints who will compose the “Bride,” will meet together in our permanent resurrected bodies God will create. Then, that glorious moment arrives and the Church is “wed” or brought together to be with Christ in His home forever. Now once this Bride, the Church, is swept away from the earth to Heaven and eternity, what happens to the rest of humanity left behind?

The answer isn’t pretty. In Scripture it is called the GREAT TRIBULATION, a period of seven earthly years when Satan and His hoards of demons are allowed to gain control of a Christ rejecting world. For so long sinful man has wanted God to leave them alone, well God finally gives them their wish, but it doesn’t last long for Satan moves in to take control. During these seven years, terrible and chaotic life and living occur. It will be so bad that God has said He limited this God forsaken period to seven years lest the population of the earth be annihilated (Mat. 24:22). 

However, at the end of these seven years we are told the long prophesied “Return of the Lord,” the “Second Coming” occurs where Jesus Christ, the infinite God-man, takes back the world He created long ago (Col. 1:16-18), for this earth is going to be the central place where God and redeemed mankind will live together for all eternity. Now listen to the Scriptures that prophecy of His Second Coming, which is different from the “Rapture” that unites the Bride with God.

Mat 24:36-42 (NIV)  “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Dan 7:13 (NIV)  “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven…”

Mat 16:27 (NIV)  For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Mat 24:30 (NIV)  “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

Mat 26:64 (NIV)  “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Zec 14:4 (NIV)  “ On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

Rev 19:11 (NIV) [John the apostle declared] “ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

Rev 19:13-15 (NIV)  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

This then is reference specifically to the Second Coming of Christ, an event wholly different from the Rapture of the Church. Yet, the Church, the Bride of Christ, will escort Him as He returns in victory to claim the earth for His own. Oh that glorious day that Sir Isaac Newton and other discovered when they turned back to the Bible and believed it as it was written. Say friend have you? The Bible says plainly and literally, and Jesus so warns,

Mat 11:28 (NIV)  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

John 8:24 (NIV)  I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Rev 3:11 (NIV)  I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Friend, time is literally running out. Yes, no one knows the day or the hour of God’s plan to rapture away His Bride the Church, but biblically it can be at any moment. When this happens it will usher in a time of great suffering and pain for those who are left behind. Know this, God wants to rescue all that are willing to be saved. Are you? Have you neglected to come to Christ? Going to church, living a good life, doing good works, even performing religious rites and giving of sacrifices cannot and will not save you, nor relate you to God in Christ. Only those who reach out by faith and put their trust for Heaven, eternity and forgiveness in Christ alone can be saved, and become a member of the Body of Christ.

Right now, friend, if you cannot look back at a time when you confessed your sins to God, and called upon Jesus Christ to save you by His death and resurrection, now is the time – now is the accepted time. Who knows, Christ can return at any moment for His Bride, who is to be making herself ready by her faithfulness and works of love. May God add your Name to His roster of believers, and may you so adorn yourself for His glory when He shall appear. For Jesus sake, I plead with you to save yourselves from this perishing generation, and become a part of God’s forever family in Christ Jesus. Amen…

…One day, one moment the world and eternity may hear the angels shout “HERE COMES THE BRIDE!” She will be adorned in her best as she is swept off her feet into the very intimate presence of her bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Oh what a glorious day that will be. But the question is will you be there to meet the Lord in the air when He comes? Only those who have believed by faith, will experience that great and glorious moment. May it be so in your heart and life, made sure today by your prayer of faith to call upon Jesus Christ to save you from your sins.