Taking it Out of Context?

So many times I've heard frustrations verbalized about how certain scriptures are taken out of context. The most commonly used is "Ask and it shall be given to you" from Matt 7:7 or Luke 11:9. Taking scripture out of context is understandably and rightfully frustrating to us and God. I am here to show another scripture that tends to be taken out of context and is widely quoted...and controversial.

"For you yourselves know that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night." 1Thess 5:2

Here's the thing, no one reads the verses before or after it. This verse is the basis for many people not believing that we will know about the end times and the timeline of events. Let's read the verses before and after verse two. 

"But concerning the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you...For when they say 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should take you as a thief."

(verses 1, 3-4)

First, right in verse one Paul says that he really doesn't have to tell them this, "but concerning the times and seasons, there is no need that I should write to you". He does write tell them though, not so they will know, but so that everyone who reads it will see and know and understand.

Second, who is the "they" Paul keeps mentioning? Obviously not the Thessalonians and those who know God. The "they" is everyone who is ignorant towards God and refuses to come to Him. Paul separates the sheep from the goats and says "but you brethren are not in darkness (for clarification God is light, Satan is darkness ), so that this Day should overtake you as a thief". Basically, Jesus isn't going to come to you as a thief in the night; it won't be a surprise because you are in the light, in God.

There are so many passages in the Bible that talk about the last days before Jesus comes back, not just the book of Revelations. Micah and Habakkuk, Daniel, parts of Matthew where Jesus Himself talks about it.   I know there is much debate about pre, middle, or post tribulation rapture so I would like to point out two (of several) passages that give insight.

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with a 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." 1 Thessalonians 4:1-17

The books and passages of the Bible that talk about the second coming are there so that we can read and know what is going to happen, taking the knowledge to everyone who will hear. Do we know the exact date? Of course not, only Jesus knows that. But we do know events that lead up to it. If you believe we will be raptured before tribulation, don't assume that you don't need to know about tribulation and what is going to happen. Don't assume anything. I may be wrong in my belief about the end times I may be right, either way be prepared for the worst. Find out what scripture has to say and gain knowledge.

What is Better?

So I love talking about the end times. It gets me all excited to know what God is going to do and how He is going to provide, and righteously angry when I hear people say they don't believe we'll be here during the tribulation. For a while I've gone back and forth about whether to post about this frustration, and I've decided I need to say something.

The Bible clearly says we will be raptured after the 7th trumpet. The trumpets come after the seals, and the first seal won't be opened til the Antichrist says he or she is god (Rev 5). There are promises given to the followers of Christ about the provision He will have for His children. Revelations is a book that tells us exactly what is going to happen and it even gives time spans once the Tribulation starts. The only thing we don't know is when the Antichrist will make him/herself known. But once s/he does, we know the exact timeline of what will happen BECAUSE REVELATIONS TELLS US!

Regardless of whether you think I am correct in my thinking or not, is not the point. I don't care if you think I'm wrong. What I do care about is people's attitudes about when they think we will be raptured. The world has seemed to forgotten that Jesus is coming back and we need to be prepared for that. I think it is a dangerous thing to expect to not live through Tribulation, and so you don't study or prepare yourself. IS IT NOT BETTER TO EXPECT WE WILL BE HERE FOR THE TRIBULATION AND TO PREPARE FOR IT, THEN IF JESUS COMES BEFORE YOU ARE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, THAN TO NOT PREPARE AT ALL AND REALIZE TOO LATE THAT YOU'RE IN IT AND BE DISAPPOINTED WITH GOD BECAUSE HE DIDN'T TAKE YOU AHEAD OF TIME?! The Bible says many will turn away from Him during the Tribulation because of bitterness and anger about what God is doing, and to be honest I think a lot of those people that turn away will be the ones who expected to be raptured before the Tribulation and are angry that they're here.

Whether we leave before the Tribulation or not, I call out to all who follow Christ to be prepared for the Tribulation. If you expect to be here then, there won't be any disappointment and you'll know what's going to happen and when. Grow in your relationship with God; be secure in Him and study His word. We are heading toward the end. The temple that will be destroyed by the Antichrist is in the workings to be built. It may not happen for 50 years, but it's coming. Once that temple is built, it's only a matter of time.
BE PREPARED!!!!