Page 84 - Signs of the End

48 THE SIGNS OF THE END

appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1
John 3:2)

The transformed bodies of the "dead in Christ" will be instant­
ly transported upward to the Lord who awaits them "in the
clouds" above. All of this happens "in the twinkling of an eye," the
time required for the adjustment of a human eye to light changes!
What about those of us bom-again believers who are still alive
when Jesus returns in the Rapture? We also will be transformed
into our glorified bodies, but without having to die.

. . . this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this cor­
ruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall
have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the say­
ing that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1
Corinthians 15:53-54)

As soon as we are changed into our immortal bodies, we will
quickly follow our brothers and sisters who were "dead in Christ"
in our great mass ascension into the air. When the Lord has assem­
bled all of His saints of the Church age in their glorified bodies in
the clouds, He will take them all to Heaven with Him. From that
time forever, we will always be "with Him."

. . . I go to prepare a place for you. (3) 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 14:2-3)

Almost like a bridegroom of first century Israel, the Lord goes
to build a "mansion," a bridal chamber, for his bride, the Church.
He promises, "In my father's house are many mansions."

With all of the above said, there are no signs for the Rapture.
The title of our book is Signs of the End—the Tribulation, Second
Coming, etc.—but the Rapture is a prophecy for which there are no
signs. In this respect, it is different from all other prophecies.
There is a kind of a hint, though, as to when the Rapture might
occur during the course of a year. Several of the other prophecies
concerning Christ were fulfilled in connection with the feast days
given to Israel through Moses. He died on the Passover, He was
buried as the Feast of Unleavened Bread began, He was raised
from the dead on the Feast of First Fruits, and He sent the Spirit to
indwell believers at the Feast of Pentecost. Each cataclysmic event
occurred on the day of the appropriate feast.