Pickle Heaven Press-James R. Johnson

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Tag: 1 Thessalonians 5:9

a rupture in the rapture — July 23, 2025

a rupture in the rapture

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There has been a rupture in the rapture.  Some reject the idea that the church will one day be raptured to be with Jesus.  And yet a passage of Scripture that is almost always recited at a funeral service clearly affirms it.   

The old reliable King James says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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” – 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17.

Paul teaches that Jesus will return one day to gather His church – both those who have died in Christ and those who are still alive at that time.  We shall be caught up together with them.”  The phrase “caught up” is translated from one Greek word “harpadzo” (which sounds like one of the Marx brothers).    The word means “to snatch up, or to seize.”  And note – this will take place in the air. 

The Latin translation of this phrase is “rapturo” which is where we get the word rapture.  Theologians needed a convenient way to refer to the event of 1 Thessalonians 4.  “The rapture” seemed to be more pleasing to the ears than “the harpadzo”.

If the Scripture is true (and it is) then we can agree with certainty that this event will take place.  But we find it hard to agree as to the “when.”

Some believe it will happen before the 7 years of the Great Tribulation in the book of the Revelation.  Jesus will take His church to heaven, before God pours out His wrath on the earth (1 Thessalonians 5:9)   

Others see it happening in the middle of those 7 years.  Then there are those believe that it will happen when Jesus returns to the earth to reign – as if the city were going out to greet a conquering hero to accompany him back to town.  

Mountains of books have been written to defend each one of these positions.   

Unfortunately, Paul described the event, but he left out that one single detail on which we seem to be obsessively focused – when is it going to happen?   

We assume that it will happen during the period of time recorded in Revelation, but even there we find no clear mention of it. 

I, therefore, assume that God must have had a strategically divine purpose in hiding this information from us. 

Let’s go back and notice the emphasis in Paul’s words, “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” (vs. 17)

Paul wasn’t concerned about when it would happen, only who he would be with.  He told us that we will meet the Lord in the air and forevermore be with Him.  That’s the climax of the passage.  His focus was limited to the joy of being united with Jesus – forever.   

Jesus, spoke of the future in John 14:3.  Surprisingly He was also focused not on the timing, but on who He would be with.  He said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” – John 14:3. KJV

Jesus with us, and us with Jesus.  That is the grand delight of the rapture.  That is the only thing that is of the utmost importance when it comes to the great “harpadzo.”  Let’s focus on that!

A PRAYER: Come Lord Jesus

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord be with you.

in the cockpit — October 11, 2023

in the cockpit

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The pilot was a dear friend, so he invited me to sit in the cockpit of his Boeing 727 as the plane was being boarded.  What an honor!  I sat down, lifted my head, and was immediately stunned.  Facing me was a myriad of knobs, buttons, pedals, levers and gauges and maybe a cup holder or two.

The view out the window was panoramic, but the view of the cockpit led me to panic.  What if I should accidentally lean on a lever and cause all the luggage to fall out.  What if I mistakenly goof up the fuel gauge so that we run out of gas midair?   What if I should bump a button that would eject the lady sitting in 26E? 

It was clear to me that I didn’t know enough to belong there.  I folded my arms and locked them tight and refused to move.  I said to my friend, “Hey this is nice! – OK I’m done!“  I went back to coach, found my seat, and sat down and relaxed for the duration of that trip, knowing that someone who actually knows what they are doing is in the cockpit.

That’s also the way I feel when I watch the news these days. I sense that I am in a cockpit of complexity that I want to manage – but can’t.

Jesus may have been describing our era of history when He predicted, “For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these things are the beginning of birth pains.” – Matthew 24:7-8

It is disturbing to be sure!  Russia in Ukraine, China poised to seize Taiwan and Hamas overwhelming Israel.   A quick Google search reveals that at the moment (October 2023) there are 32 ongoing conflicts in the world.

Jesus went on to say, “Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold.”  –  Matthew 24:10-12

He, spoke of an era of moral decay that will supersede the past; an era also tainted with betrayal and hatred and deceptive religion. 

He also cited an increase in lawlessness.  That sure seems to be apparent these days – whether it be nations flouting international law or mobs of individuals looting jewelry stores.  The casualty of this lawlessness is that the love of people grows distrustful, self-centered and ice cold to the needs of others. 

Are these the beginning of birth pangs which will soon manifest itself in the return of our Lord Jesus?  Don’t know – it certainly could be! 

In the meantime, we sit in the cockpit of complexity, fearful that we or perhaps those who lead us will touch the wrong button.   Maybe the wise thing is to leave the cockpit to someone who belongs there. 

In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord left us a little something to calm our nerves.  He said, “I am the Lord, the God of all humankind. There is, indeed, nothing too difficult for me.”  – Jeremiah 32:27.

Nothing, nothing at all is beyond His ability to manage and control.  He is the ultimate pilot.  He is omnisciently aware of our circumstances and can negotiate every storm.  It is His prerogative to change course if He so chooses.  He knows every button and lever and exactly what to do with them. 

And it is a comfort to know that He is determined to safely deliver each of His passengers.  Paul said, “For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  – 1 Thessalonians 5:9.

So, get out of the cockpit, find your seat, tilt it back and trust your pilot.   He will get us safely home!

A PRAYER: Lord we are fearful, but You are powerful.  Help us to remember that!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture references are from the NETBible.com ®