The Rapture and world evangelization

Sometime ago, teachings, debates and even dramas on eschatology were hot in the church. “Remain Rapturable!” Was a popular way believers abmonished and provoked one another unto holiness and also a way of saying farewell. Pre-Tribulationists and Post-Tribulationist sounded off endlessly on who was right or wrong and why. We still hold strongly to our views on the when and how of the Rapture; but the topic is not as appealing these days and I wonder why.

This video clip below draws my attention to two components of the gospel. Quality and Quantity. The Scriptures speak in the Book of The Revelation of “…a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne.” (Rev 7:9) Let no one be fooled, God is very much interested in numbers, in a multitude. He still wills that ALL MEN be save (1Timothy 2:4). A people among all the peoples of the earth is His desire and He’ll not be stopped until He gets them. That’s why the Church is still on earth.

The Rapturability of any believer will be first and foremost based on immediate appraisal and not previous ratings; it’s still the pressing duty of every believer to engage the quantity side of the gospel while maintaining a quality of life that guarantees access into that reserved chamber for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:5-9). Jesus is purifying for Himself a peculiar people, He will present to Himself a glorious Church, one without spot or wrinkle. (Titus 2:14, Ephesians 5:27) He insists on quality.

I must score the pastor in this video clip very high. He successfully led most of his flock to heaven. He had his eye on quality and I think on quantity too. By the way, what do you think could be the story of those guys left behind?

So Jesus says, “And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

What will bring about the end is known- the global knowledge of the saving grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ. At this time, God would have gotten for Himself worshippers from all people groups on earth. However, what remains unknown is who did what and why? We serve a God that insists on being famous, loved and followed, albeit, freely. Shouldn’t  this be the primary concern of the believer in Jesus Christ? Should we not intentionally channel our energies and resources toward actualizing the return of Jesus? What are we doing now to ensure His quick return?

“Since all these things (the world and all in it) will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, as you wait for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon—the Day when the heavens will burn up and be destroyed, and the heavenly bodies will be melted by the heat.” (2Pet 3:11-12 emphasis are mine)

The emphasis in this scripture awakens me to the frigthening reality that Christ’s return depends on our actions and reactions relating directly and indirectly to world evangelization today. This is serious!! I’m awed that God Almighty has predicated such an incredible event on what mere men like us do with the message of the Kingdom in this age. Are we really alive to this on a daily basis?

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda. View all posts by Uche Izuora