Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

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The Rapture and the Return

October 13, 2021 by Ellen 2 Comments

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 CSB

“JOHN!! What does this verse mean? I thought Daddy was in heaven! This is saying he’s still in the ground…”

Eighteen years ago, at the time of my Dad’s death, I was a “new” old Christian. That is to say, I was saved at an early age, then drifted away from church as a teen and young adult. Thankfully, God pursued me and brought me back into the fold to a wonderful Bible believing church. I was soaking up God’s Word like a sponge, when my Dad passed away. 

I was confident he was in heaven. That’s just what I knew. I didn’t think about where that was, or what it meant.  Christians go to heaven when they die. But when I read the scripture in 1 Thessalonians, all I could see was my dad in the ground, not in heaven.  

“Honey,” my sweet hubby answered me gently. “Yes, your dad’s body is in the ground, but his spirit is with Jesus. At the rapture, you daddy’s body will rise to meet his spirit, and Jesus, in the air.”

THE RAPTURE OR THE RETURN

Rapture? Huh? I was lost. Is that the second coming?  I promised myself then and there that I would learn all I could about heaven, the rapture and end times. 

Which brings me to today. I am actually taking an inductive study⁠1 on the book of Revelation. Which is crazy. I’m 63, retired and homework is not in my vocabulary.

I’m also not an eschatology (end times) expert. I wish I was, though, because it’s an extremely cool sounding word. Try it, and see how it rolls off your tongue: ess ka tahl ah gee. The first thing I would tell you about Revelation is this: you’re blessed if you read it. It’s a book of hope. Jesus and all those who follow Him win in the end. Satan is defeated, praise God!

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 CSB

Many people believe the rapture of the church and Jesus’ second coming are one and the same. Here’s what I’ve learned and come to believe: The rapture and the return are two separate events. Let me attempt to explain why I’ve come to this conclusion and believe this. 

IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES

The rapture is secret, instant (in the twinkling of an eye) and only believers will see Jesus.  Jesus comes FOR His church, and believer’s will meet Him in the air. He doesn’t come back to earth at this point. The rapture can happen at any time, and involves removing all believers from the earth before God’s wrath. 

At His second coming, Jesus comes back WITH His church. He will actually be back on earth. Everyone will see Him. His second coming will occur at the end of the seven years of tribulation. The second coming marks the return of Christ to bring an end to tribulation by defeating Satan, our enemy. Many things must occur before Jesus’ second coming.⁠2

THE RAPTURE THE RETURN
Jesus comes FOR His Church. John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 Jesus comes WITH His Church. Colossians 3:4, Zechariah 14:5, Jude 14, Revelation 19:14
Caught up with Him in the air. 1 These. 4:13-18 Jesus’ feet touch the earth. Zech. 14:4, Rev. 19:11-21
Happens in a moment, too fast for eyes to see. 1 Cor. 15:52 Slow coming, people will see Him come back. Matt. 24:30, Rev. 1:7
Only Christians will see Him. 1 John 3:2, 1 Cor. 15:52 Every eye will see Him. Rev. 1:7
Can happen at any time. Rev. 3:3, 1 Thess. 5:4-6 Occurs at end of 7 years of tribulation. Dan. 9:24-27, Matt. 24:29-30, 2 Thess. 2:3-8
Spirits of those dead in Christ return with Jesus to receive their their resurrected bodies 1 Thess 4:14-16 Christians return with Jesus in already resurrected bodies riding on white horses. Rev 19:11-21

This is a very simplified explanation of what I have learned, and what I have come to believe. If you’re not sure what you believe or why, I encourage you to dig into God’s Word for yourself, and draw your own conclusions.

SO WHAT?

So, what does it matter? Why should we study about end times? Several reasons:

To Know God

When I taught through the book of Revelation several years ago, I knew nothing about it. One thing I did see: Even during the Tribulation, our God is a God of second chances. Over and over it seemed the He gave unbelievers the chance to turn to Him. 

Studying the end times, we also see that God is Holy and must judge sin. It’s not something we like to think about, but we need to know that judgement is coming. 

We also see that God has a purpose and a plan even when things seem out of control. (Kinda reminds me of the world today!). We can trust that He will work all things out for our good and His glory.

To Tell Others

Because we don’t know the day or hour of either event, there is an urgency to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus. 

I personally believe that people will be saved during the Tribulation, so why should I be concerned with winning them to Christ now? I imagine the unbelievers I know, going through the hardest times of their life, the Great Tribulation, and realizing they didn’t have to be there.

“If I’d only known about salvation through Jesus, I wouldn’t be here. Why didn’t (insert your name) tell me? Why didn’t they let me know so that I wouldn’t have to go through this? Why wasn’t I told about this  day of judgement⁠3?”

Telling others about Jesus is the most loving thing we can do for them! 

Do you know Jesus? If you’ve never accepted His gift of life, click here.

Grace be with you,

Ellen

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1 The inductive method of bible study is digging deep into the richness of God’s word. This  method is an investigative approach to the Bible using three basic components: Observation Interpretation and Application. Individual study is the first step

2 Matthew 24

3 Jesus’ first coming (as a babe in the manger) was for the salvation of man. Jesus’ second coming will be for judgement of man.

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From Homesick to Home: Heaven

August 18, 2014 by Ellen 10 Comments

“Ellen, we have to leave – NOW! Somebody lives here! Hurry! We have to get out!”

The urgency of my Mama’s voice scared me. I was only five, and thought we were on a grand adventure. Not that afternoon!

Often, Mama and I would run the roads while Daddy worked, and my siblings were in school. One of our favorite things to do was walk through newly constructed homes in our neighborhood. That day, we were walking through an empty house, oohing and ahhing at the different rooms. When we got to the master bedroom, Mama opened the closet door – and there were clothes inside! Someone lived in this house! No longer enamored with our “dream home,” we skedaddled!

There is one thing I can’t run from – this longing deep inside me for home. It’s always been there: I’ve always been a homebody, always fascinated with homes. Home plans, walking through new houses, HGTV House Hunters. I love home.

Yet, I’m still homesick. Still a stranger on earth. Still living here as a sojourner, a tenant, a temporary resident. Still in exile from my real home in heaven.

But I know this is not the end. My story is still being written. God is writing a story of His faithfulness on my life. My time on earth is preparing me for eternity in heaven.

As Max Lucado so eloquently puts it:

Do you feel as if your best years have passed you by? Hogwash. You will do your best work in heaven. Do you regret wasting seasons of life on foolish pursuits? So do I. But we can stop our laments. We have an eternity to make up for lost time. Are you puzzled by the challenges of your days? Then see yourself as an uncut jewel and God as a lapidary. He is polishing you for your place in His kingdom. Your biggest moments lie ahead, on the other side of the grave. Limit your story to the days between your birth and death, and brace yourself for a sad ending. You were made for more than this life. (God’s Story, Your Story)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

What will it look like? What will my job be in heaven? I don’t know. One thing I know for certain: I will be there the instant I die.

Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that when we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord. I love how The Message translation of the Bible states it:

It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming. (vv 7-8, MSG)

Yep, going to heaven will be my homecoming.

How do I know for certain? Because I’ve placed my faith and trust in Jesus Christ to be my Savior. Why do I need a Savior? Because I am a sinner (Romans 3:23). No, I’ve never murdered someone. But if looks or thoughts could kill…

Sin separates me from God. You remember, as a kid, when you would do something wrong? I would always hide from my Daddy and Mama. I just knew that they knew I had done something wrong. That’s how my sin separates me from God.

Of course, there was always punishment for my offenses. Often, I was banished to my room, or banned from the TV and phone. There is punishment for sin also. Scripture tells us in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…” This means a spiritual death, permanently separated from God.

But here’s the good news: God loves us so much, He wants to spend eternity with us. He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place, and pay the price for our sin:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

That’s God’s grace gift to us. And like any gift, it must be received, accepted and opened.

I have accepted this gift from God. I realize and admit my sin. I believe with all my heart that God sent Jesus to die in my place (2 Corinthians 5:21) so that I could live! I’ve committed my life to Christ, turning from my sin to Jesus. I have faith that He has forgiven me.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I know Jesus…but it isn’t about just knowing Him. Even Satan knew Jesus, and I’m pretty sure I won’t see him in heaven. (Matthew 4:1-11). I have a relationship with Jesus and I’ve surrendered my life to Him. My pastor said yesterday,

“The question is not whether Jesus is Lord. He is Lord and King. The question is whether or not we are willing to place ourselves under His Lordship.”

I am willing. Jesus is Lord of my life. Because of this, I will have an eternal home in heaven when I die. I’m certain.

What about you? Are you willing to make Jesus Lord of your life? Will your eternal home be in heaven? Are you certain?

Ephesians 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God’s household.”

Photography by John Chauvin

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