The Spirit and the Bride Say Come
The Holy Spirit is praying "Even So,
Come Quickly Lord Jesus;" It’s a prayer that will soon be answered.
By Chris McDonald
TEXT: Revelation 22:16-17-I Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and the Morning Star. And the SPIRIT and the BRIDE say "Come!" And he who hears says, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
As we write this message, we have just entered the Jewish New Year or Rosh Hashanah, known in scripture as the FEAST OF TRUMPETS. Trumpets represents in type, just like all of Israel's feasts, events in the divine plan that have either already taken place on this earth or will take place soon. All of these feasts are but shadows of the work of Messiah Jesus during His First Coming AND His Second Coming. The Feast of Trumpets was the FIRST of Israel's FALL FEASTS after a three-month break after PENTECOST, the last SPRING FEAST. All the Spring Feasts represented Messiah's work during His First Advent while all the FALL FEASTS represents events yet future. In typology, TRUMPETS represents the RAPTURE of the Church, which we believe could happen at any moment. We are living in the Day of Pentecost WAITING on the Feast of Trumpets! Glory to God. This journal is in honor of this great Jewish Feast and the closeness of the hour when Jesus will come.
John, the last living apostle, was nearly 100 years old when he received and wrote down this precious message and promise from the Lord Jesus on the Isle of Patmos. John had been banished to Patmos, an island of exile by the Romans for the lowest of criminals, "for the testimony of Jesus Christ." While there, he received the Revelation, or consummation, of all things which were shortly to come to pass. Within the prophetic words of Revelation, there is a clear warning from Jesus three times in the last chapter: Behold, I come quickly. (Rev. 22:7, 12 and 20)
Even though the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible, it remains one of the cardinal doctrines of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. While many want to say the church should be preparing to go through the Tribulation, the Holy Spirit, I believe, is instilling a sense of urgency in the true Body of Christ to quickly prepare itself for the rapidly approaching appearing of Jesus for His church. While we all have seen the foolishness and uselessness of setting dates, knowing that the rapture could take place at any moment is vital to one being prepared to meet the Lord. Sad to say, many in the church are not getting ready to meet the Lord since they do not even believe He is coming back to begin with.
The
Next Great Event
The next great event to shake the world is the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH when millions, possibly billions, of people will literally disappear or be "caught away" from off the face of the earth. While many in the world are hurrying to buy homes, cars and invest in the stock market, it’s time for God’s people to get their eyes off of ‘SODOM" and get ready to meet the Lord in the air. When the rapture takes place, saved mothers and father will go missing while frantic lost sons and daughters look without a clue. Lost mothers and fathers will awake to find saved children also gone without a trace.
Many who have spurned the Spirit’s call and hardened their hearts against Godly parents, preachers, husbands and wives, who never ceased calling them back to Jesus, will all of a sudden realize the last altar call has been given, the last song has been sung, and the last chance to get inside the ""door" has been closed. Those left behind will know in utter horror they must now face the Great Tribulation period, a seven-year period that Jesus said would be so terrible that no other time in human history has been like it, nor will there ever be a time like it ever again. The message of this hour is an urgent call of the Spirit to the church to GET READY FOR THE RAPTURE. The events of 1989 and the early winter of 1991 were just small portions in an unraveling world scene in which the stage is being set for the entrance of the Anti-Christ. God is setting in order the events which He has already foretold through the mouth of Holy prophets long ago. The recent uprisings and violence in the Middle East as early as last week are thunderings in the distant that something is on the horizon and we're getting ever so close to this great event.
The
Spirit and the Bride Come
In this passage, the Holy Spirit is literally praying Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus. You will find that this is the only prayer the HOLY SPIRIT actually prays Himself throughout the entire Bible. He is groaning for Jesus to come quickly. In the book of Romans, we are given even more insight into the Spirit’s groaning for the Lord Jesus Christ’s coming.
Romans 8:19, 21-23: For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the
revealing of the sons of God. 21 - because the creation
itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the
glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the
whole creation groans and labors with birth pains together until
now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the
FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. even we ourselves groan within
ourselves. EAGERLY WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION. the
REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY.
Since the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, we also groan in ourselves as believers for the First Resurrection. The First Resurrection of Life, or, as it is commonly referred to, the "rapture," will include every child of God who has ever lived from the time of Abel through the Great Tribulation period. Jesus was the first-fruits of this Resurrection. Keep in mind that there are several raptures mentioned in scripture that are yet future. The one spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4 is but one. We know from scripture that an untold number of tribulation saints will be raptured, the two witnesses will be raptured and the man-child spoken of in Revelation 7 and 14 will be “caught up to God.” These are literal raptures that will take place throughout the tribulation. The First Resurrection will include ALL of the company of redeemed saints in these raptures and will make up a portion of the Bride of Christ.
John 5:28-29 - Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 And come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
1 Cor. 15:20,23 - 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have fallen asleep 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
Rev. 20:6 - Blessed and holy is he who hath part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
When this first resurrection takes place, it will include not only all the sainted dead, but will also include those who are alive and remain. (1 Thes. 4:17)
1 Thes 4: 13-17 - But I do not want you to be ignorant brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope 14 For if we believe Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will be no means precede those who are asleep 16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel. and with the trump of God, And the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Romans 8:17 - And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint-heirs of Jesus Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be
Glorified Together
Being glorified together has two meanings:
1. This corruptible must put on Incorruption.
This means that the sin nature, which every Christian still has and which causes all of us great difficulties in the flesh, will be taken away. (1 John 1:8). In other words, there will no longer be a sin nature. Once the saint of God is glorified, which will happen in the First Resurrection, not only will be inclination to sin no longer be· there but, it will be impossible to sin. The "corruptible’ at that time will put on "incorruption."
2. This mortal must put on immortality. This speaks of the new body. (1 Cor. 15:38).
What will this new body be like? John wrote in 1 John 3:2:
1 John 3:2
- Beloved, now we are
the children of God: and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for
we shall see Him as He is
From this, we know that the glorified body which Jesus had when He was resurrected is an example of what we will have. It was a body that had no blood, but it did have flesh and bone, as you see me have (Luke 24:39). The blood is the life of the old body; the Holy Spirit is the life of the new body (John 6:63). As well, Christ could appear and disappear at will. (Luke 24:36-37). The prospect of being transformed into the likeness of Christ motivates Christians to live righteously.
1 John 3:3 - And everyone who has this hope in Him, purifies himself, just as He is PURE
When Jesus
comes back our nature will be revealed for what it is. Those who are LIKE HIM
will be taken in the rapture. Those who are not will be left behind to face the
Tribulation. If we have the hope of the rapture in us, we are purifying ourselves
through the blood of Christ to be sure we will be pure as HE IS PURE.
The Spirit is Groaning This Expectation In Us.
There are those who are thirsty for a move of the Spirit of God in these last days. There are those who are literally groaning to become like Jesus. Those who are suffocated with this world’s ideals, fortune and glitter are not saying “Even so come Lord Jesus.” They are not hunger for God. Their lives mirror an attitude of complacency, lethargy and worldly care and drunkenness. Those who are abiding in Jesus have the presence of the Holy Spirit transforming them daily. Those full of the Holy Ghost are groaning for Jesus’ coming: their tired of this world’s wicked atmosphere. They’re longing for "another country." Those who are groaning for His coming will not be ashamed when He appears for they will have the confidence that their lives have been pleasing to the Lord and they have been doing the Lord’s will.
Many Christians have hidden sins in their lives that make them ashamed. When the Holy Ghost is given total liberty in one’s life, He is allowed to shine the light of God’s word upon the darkness of our hearts. TO MAKE THE RAPTURE. WE MUST NOT HAVE HIDDEN AREAS OF DARKNESS IN OUR LIVES.
The Spirit and the BRIDE say Come.
As Jack Hayford writes in the Spirit-Filled Life Bible Commentary, ‘The climatic focus of the Revelation is an evangelistic appeal, COME. The Spirit without the Bride does not issue the invitation. The bride without the Spirit cannot." The church in some parts of the world is truly praying for Jesus to come. Unfortunately, in this age of lukewarm Christianity the western church (especially in the United States) is so consumed with materialism, greed and the deceitfulness of riches, millions don’t give the rapture a second thought. In addition, most in the west see only a Gentile church taking part in this glorious event. The veil of religious bigotry and arrogance has hidden from our eyes the TRUE purposes of God in this last hour to make “one new man” of both Jew and Gentile. Yes, there will be a good number of Jews left behind to face the tribulation – BUT THERE WILL ALSO BE A HUGE NUMBER IF NOT MORE GENTILES LEFT BEHIND TOO! Paul warned us a Gentile believers that we would do well NOT to boast in our standing in the vine but FEAR. If it were not for the Jewish heritage upon which we were built, there would be no NEW COVENANT
Our actions reflect our attitude in the church about the rapture. God help those who are asleep on Sunday morning or in from of a television set Sunday night at a time when Jesus comes. Many sit in a state of drunkenness and worldly ease, a condition that Jesus said will disqualify one from making the rapture.
Luke 21:34-35 - But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with CAROUSING, DRUNKENNESS and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and PRAY always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
With fear and trembling Noah prepared the ark for 120 years, warning those around him that God would send a flood. Only eight people, his family, listened. Only eight were saved from the flood.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household. by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
1 Peter 3:20 - who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared. in which a few. that is eight souls. were saved through water.
We have heard the message of the rapture for nearly 2,000 years. Millions, including many in the church, walk in a scoffing attitude that Malachi described saying ""there is no fear of God in their eyes." How many preachers will be left behind when Jesus comes and have to face congregations the Sunday after the rapture occurs? Many will have to explain why they denied the Lord’s second coming from behind pulpits and did not warn their flock about being prepared.
Where have our priorities gone? Parents no longer worry about their children’s soul being right with God. What we have produced is a generation of selfish, stubborn and rebellious young people who have no respect for authority nor know about the ways of the Lord. The rebellion in our young people today is a scathing rebuke to a generation of worldly, uncommitted, divorcing, unforgiving, divided, uncaring and unprepared parents who are so lukewarm, they seem as Lot did to his sons-in-law when he was warning them to get out of Sodom. Noah’s righteousness condemned the world of his day because of their unbelief. Those who are taken in the rapture will leave behind a world facing a similar fate. Most of the southern part of the country prides itself in being called the “Bible belt.” But I ask you friend, what’s more important, being called the “bible belt,” or being called, “the JESUS BELT?” We search the scriptures in hopes of finding eternal life in them. But the scriptures are mere testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith. We can know the Bible and not know the one who wrote it.
Preacher, I don’t care what you may or may not believe about the rapture of the church. I plead with you as a minister of the gospel, WARN GOD’S PEOPLE OF THE SOON COMING OF JESUS! The rapture is not a doctrine that is supposed to be DIVIDING the church. It’s a reality that should be bringing the church together in UNITY to quickly spread the news that Jesus is coming to both Jew, Gentile and Arab. We have a message of warning to deliver to a sleeping world that is headed for tribulation like it has never seen before.
During a trip to San Antonio, Texas in 1994, I heard of the hunger for God’s word in countries like Siberia, Korea, China and Japan. Countries where people are walking 20 miles just to get a Bible from a missionary. In America, we won’t even walk across the street to be in church on Sundays to hear the word of God if it is going to cause us to miss our "recreation" time. God is going to hold America so accountable for this attitude. The church in many parts of the world is truly praying "COME LORD JESUS." Places where the church is being persecuted cries out as the Bride to the Bridegroom to come quickly. Most in America really don't want the Lord to come back. He would probably mess up their great programs and plans for the future. The time to build the KINGDOM OF GOD is now. It is not time to be putting down roots in this cursed earth that is doomed to destruction. The harvest of the earth is nearing quickly. The rapture is close. The SPIRIT and the BRIDE say COME.
Let Him Who Hears Say Come!
In this last hour, you had better be careful to what teachings you listen to concerning the rapture of the church. I don’t care if an angel walks into your church and says "Jesus isn’t coming." He’s lying. If your preacher isn’t preaching a gospel that says "Jesus is coming soon," he’s preaching another gospel. In reality he’s listening to Satan.
A well known evangelist recently said: "Satan is a master of making people believe that something which is of God, is not, and that something which is not of God, is." John said, He who heareth, says Come. Those who are hearing what the Spirit is saying to the church, are hearing “Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.”
The Apostle Paul warned of religious humanism and such other teachings that would deny the rapture of the church:
The humanism of the New Age movement has so involved itself in society that is has found it’s way into the church. It denies the Bible and therefore, the God of the Bible. It offers man a humanistic method for salvation, not God’s way. It’s the same road that Cain wanted to travel nearly 6,000 years ago when he brought the fruit of his hands instead of a lamb. Several false teachings that now abound in the church have their root in the following philosophy:
"Christian
man is going to solve this problems of this world by spiritual and political
means, thereby ushering in the Millennium and then welcoming Christ back to
earth."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come For men shall be lovers of their own selves
This doctrine appeals to so many because it appeals to man’s pride. Under the guise of Christianity and with prideful hearts, men think they can save society. However, the message of the gospel is not directed at society as much as it directed to individuals. We are instructed to save men out of society, not to save society. This world is doomed. Its problem is not inefficient political structure; its problem, along with man’s in general, is SIN. Man’s problem is not a lack of good men in public office, but of evil hearts that can only be changed by the gospel of Christ. We are so concerned in this country with removing dictators out of countries. Our lack of vision has blinded us to the fact that dictators are mere men with hearts that if turned to God can change the very countries they are destroying. God has the power to take the dictator out of the man without destroying a human life. That’s the power of the gospel!
Much of the modern church has no idea of what we are speaking of when we say the "rapture." They believe so very little of the Bible that there is little or no teaching on this all-important subject. Thus, no one HEARS a word from the Lord to "get ready for the rapture."
The Feast of Trumpets
Numbers 10:1-2 - And the Lord spake unto Moses saying: - Make two silver trumpets for yourself, you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for the calling of the congregation and for directing the movement of the camp.
John’s reference to him who heareth also has reference to the Old Testament Feast of Trumpets. This feast celebrated Israel’s journeys through the wilderness and into battle. The trumpets enabled the camp to be directed from the center for assembly and for moving in and out of camp formation. The trumpets, which were silver in color, had both a military and worship function. Prophetically, the Feast of Trumpets spoke of the day when the trump of God would sound for the church. The feast also spoke of the regathering of Israel by a trumpet’s sound when Jesus comes back to reign on earth after the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24).
The key to note here is this: When the assembly was to be gathered, they were to gather together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting and listen for the sound of the trumpet. However, no alarm would sound prior to the trumpet. They were to be ready to move once they heard the sound. (Numbers 10:7).
WHEN JESUS COMES FOR THE CHURCH, THERE WILL BE NO ALARM. There will not be time to "get ready" any longer. You will either be ready to go or you will be left behind! Only those hearing the voice of the Spirit are saying COME, Lord Jesus. Those who hear the Spirit’s voice are listening for the trumpet! (Read more about this feast on our Feasts of Israel Study)
There
Are Three Types Of People Who Are In Danger of Missing the Rapture:
Those
who reject and resist the power and moving of the Holy Ghost are usually
people who do not believe in the rapture of the Church. Entire
denominations have become apostate because they have rejected the moving
of the Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost filled people are people who are looking
for Jesus to come!
2. Those who have not obeyed the command of God to Come out from Among The world, and be ye separate. (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
Jesus
is coming for a people who are thirsty for Him. Rapture people are those
who have shaken themselves free of the dust of this world. They are not
satisfied with the world’s entertainment that only provides seasonal
pleasures. When Jesus appears, there cannot be any idols in our heart.
We must have a single devotion and love towards Him. Even if we have a
billion dollars in our bank account, we will not be able to take it with
us when the trump of God sounds!
The people who will be prepared to meet Jesus will be those full of the Holy Ghost. Those whose affections are set on this world will be left behind just as Lot’s wife became a standing testimony to.
3. Those who are lukewarm. ‘ I will spew thee out of my mouth”
Here
Jesus is speaking directly to the Laodicea church. Several things
stated here characterizes the modern-day church.
-
They were "lukewarm."
-
"I have need of nothing."
This speaks of self-righteousness. But Jesus said of them: "I knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, arid blind, and naked?" (Rev. 3:17).
-
"Repent"
Repentance is an ugly business, and, consequently, most of the Church will have no part in it. The Modern Church says that if you repent, ministry is over. JESUS SAID "If you repent, ministry begins" (Rev. 3:19-20)
Here Jesus is pictured as standing outside the door knocking, trying to get in. He will not force entry, but, sadly, the machinery of the Church with its unceasing activity is carrying on grandly without Him. The indication here is that a majority in Laodicea had lost their way and they were no longer in CHRIST. If these who call themselves Christians will not let Christ in, it’s obvious that Christ will not force them to come with Him in the Rapture. Most in the church today are not saved, they are just religious. The call to Laodicea had ceased to be a corporate call, just like most of the calling of God today has ceased to be corporate. HOWEVER, God IS speaking to individuals who are apt to listen to His voice and obey what He has to say. If we will but listen, we will HEAR Him speak. Most of us are too busy arguing God away because the way He speaks to us doesn’t fit our theology. That’s the way God is. He usually comes to us in a way that is easy for us to reject. The test for us in the last hour is to discern what voices we are listening to.
Let Him Who Thirsts Come; Whosoever Will, Let Him Take of the Water of Life Freely.
In this last hour false doctrine will continue to seek to erode the truth of the Lord’s coming. Consequently there will be many who will cry "Lord, Lord," when the trump sounds. Sadly, Jesus will say "Depart from me, I never knew you." The Spirit is dealing with those who are "thirsty" for a drink of the living water only Jesus can give.
The Spirit and the Bride say Come. That prayer is soon to be answered. It’s not a matter of getting ready, It’s a matter of BEING READY for the rapture! Are you READY?