Rise to Righteousness

A person rising into a sunset.

When I first started reading the Bible, I was not sure of certain terms that seem to be very heavily argued between different religious groups. Though I have been around churches most of my life, I was not very much of a moldable clay in a church. The idea that I would actually listen to ministers or leaders of churches seemed to me that the churches were trying to push ideas of theirs. Not often did I see it as a way for churches to simply help others understand the complexities of their specific faith, nor to actually plant seeds of curiosity. This was further solidified by the usual knee-jerk reaction to questions being asked.

Having various family members hoping to convince me of their beliefs often times seemed unwarranted. Not only because of the ideas that I did not agree with, but the challenges that I had with finding the texts that confirmed the stories or ideas that they told me were founded. Beyond those that I did agree or disagree with, I had a lot of curiosities that just seemed to misalign with theology that was often widely accepted or taught. Though I do not think that I have everything figured out, I had a lot of questions that just seemed to fall of ears that did not hear.

One idea that I often misunderstood or seemingly did not give time toward was the event of a rapture - Jesus returning to call His church of followers and believers to their Heavenly home. After a bit of study, I have found that some believe that this event has already happened, or that this event is maybe soon to come. Others, however, believe that the idea of a rapture was entirely fictitious or not to happen at all. I, myself, often struggled with this notion that a "coming to Jesus" was not just as saying, but an actual event to be experienced.

Part of the beauty of the Bible is the openness of interpretation by what is believed - key word there. While none of us here on Earth "know", I do think there are some passages within Scripture that can allude to what I now believe. I hope to share that along with some thoughts that I hope encourage you to draw your own conclusion. Afterword, I hope you take that conclusion to God and pray for an understanding that God would want you to have, but then share it with others, too.

'And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He, ’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls. “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”' Luke 21:8-28 NKJV

Though the times of this description may start to sound dreary, do not lose sight of the last line of that passage that gives hope and signifies where we should be looking to. Looking up, keeping our heads up, keeping our focus on the ideas, hopes and dreams of above. Not keeping our focus on the world or those things that attempt to distract us. Though it is easier said than done, there is a promise that is tied to that focus - redemption. With a promise of redemption, joy is seeded in this hope.

Other points of that passage are also highlighted as they should ring bells for what we can easily see within any of the current headlines. No matter where you live within this world, there are headlines of wars and rumors of wars. There are headlines of earthquakes in various places. Jerusalem continues to hit even the mainstream news outlets of their constant conflict that is seemingly on each border of a country that is nearby. Many of the words of Jesus are constantly and consistently being echoed out into the world, hopefully capturing attention for those that have ears to hear and eyes to see.

While there are many other instances within the gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) that share these depictions of things to come, many other portions of the Bible continue to build on the revelations, or revealing, of what is in store for this world, as well as believers. While others may be expanding on the promise that Jesus gave, the credit continues to be given to our Savior that reveals these signs to us.

'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 by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words.' I Thessalonians 4:15-18 NKJV

The words that Paul shares here within one of his many letters also gives us more information about what Jesus has revealed to Paul. We are reading that there are people that are asleep, often even regarded as the long sleep. Keep in mind that Paul has begun to follow Jesus after Jesus' crucifixion, not before. Steven has already been killed but was described as falling asleep (read that here). Stephen does, however, see Christ as the Heavens open, sitting on the right hand of the Father.

This timing is important to understand that Paul is conveying that followers of Christ are asleep and awaiting Christ to return. These sleeping individuals are to wait for the call of Christ, called up first, but then proceeding to be met in the sky by those that are still alive. Reuniting together to live with our Lord and Savior, forevermore. This also is a confirmation of what Jesus was telling those nearest to Him that people will claim Jesus is in or at all of these places, but that we should not be deceived. Upon His return, there will be no denying Him. All knees will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus the Christ is Lord.

While that day is very much to come, there are other confirmations that need to take place. Promises to be kept.

'Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.' II Thessalonians 2:1-12 NKJV

Again, this time by Paul, we're told not to be deceived. Though this world can sometimes cloud our idea that good exists, this world is still full of goodness, too. The evil that does exist within this world is said by Paul in what we just read to be restrained. Though often overshadowed by evil (or bad) within this world, good does still exist. Depending on what we are looking for, we often see a compiling list of evidence for the substance of that which we seek.

Regardless of what we are looking for and the bad that still seems to create a fog around the good that we hope to experience, this bad is still restrained to an extent. Just as that is true, goodness continues to compete within this world. God still continues to build upon the people within this world with goodness. God continues to allow good stories, fruit of goodness and testimonies to be shared. Souls are still saved and called to God for repentance and acceptance of His goodness.

The coming of the lawlessness and deception seems to be so vividly present regardless to where we look within this world. People, myself included at some instances of my life, delusional in the idea that our sin (or wrongdoing, if you prefer) is somehow justified. A hardening of our own heart to create an acceptance for our action, idea or notion. Though still at odds with peace, the greatest gift that we have been given is attempted to be forfeited. To be a child of God.

'Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are 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. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.' I John 3:1-3 NKJV

Oh, the love of God! Such a gift that is given to all of those welcoming His promise into their life!

Just as John shares with us here, the world is not going to know you, nor does it. You are not of this world if you are of Christ. All of the ways that the world attempts to mold you into what it wants only delays or distracts the real you. There are portions of you that are not even revealed yet. Growth that tests being turned into testimonies creates and fosters even deeper layers of the you that is to be revealed. Our lives, when aligned to the will that is God's, shapes us into the best version of ourselves.

Moreso, the change of what we are to become at the returning of Christ is yet to be fully understood. Though the product of what we are to be when He is revealed again at His returning, we will be as Jesus is. This hope and faith that we keep is a purifying to us. This is a promise from Jesus - the way, the truth and the life.

'“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” : “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’' Revelation 3:7-13 NKJV

Jesus holds the keys to death! He took the authority that once held captive all of us that were lost. This authority is exercised in the first statement of this passage allowing us to understand that Jesus has the ability to open and close doors. More importantly than in this life, but also the life everlasting. Jesus is who opens the door to Heaven for our entry. Hence Jesus being the way back to the Father. However, there is a coming to Jesus that is to be had.

The hour of trial that is to come upon the entire world. The wrath of God that is to purify the unrighteous. The vials that are later described in such fantastic detail throughout the entire book of Revelation. The ultimate ending to the overburdening of evil that seems to plague the creation of goodness that God blesses. This is also a promise of God, but with a way out (always promised from God, too) for those with faith. Jesus confirms this above in the passage that we just read - He will keep you from the hour of trial that tests the earth.

Rise to righteousness! Welcome that promise!

Please join me in prayer: "Heavenly Father, we pray for the lost within this world. Those that think they are alone against so much. We pray that we will knock on the doorway You have offered us, God. We pray that our eyes will see, our ears will hear and that we will accept the promises that You continue to offer us with the free gift of salvation! Keep us from that hour, God. Encourage us to seek You over the distractions that this world attempts to fog our judgement with. Grant us discernment against the powers and principalities that come against us. Align us with Your will. To the Father we pray, creator of all, Yahweh. In the name of Your Son, who died for all sin, Jesus the Christ. We thank You for the gifts, utterances, comfort and power of the Holy Spirit. We welcome You God. Amen."