Although most Christians will agree that chapter and verse numbers are not considered inspired by God like the original writings, it is interesting to note that there might be hints about the month, day, and year of the rapture based on chapter and verse of a couple of related verses. Consider, for example, the following verses about Elijah found in 2 Kings 2:9-11:
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
Could the verses 9-11 be an indication that, like Elijah, we too may go up to heaven in September 2011, or even the 29th day of 2011 (Rosh Hashanah) when you add the chapter number to the verses? As you ponder that possibility, cosider the verses in Acts 1:9-11 that recount the Lord ascending into heaven:
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Again, the verses related to Jesus be taken up to heaven are also in 9-11. Is this merely coincidence or is this also an indication of the month and year the Lord will return?
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Another Barrier to Truth - Lack of Humility
How can humility be a barrier to truth? Sometimes when something doesn't seem right or reasonable we trust our own instincts rather than humbly admit to our own limited understanding. The Lord reminds us of our limitations when it comes to the matters of God.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
In order to fit everything into our own pattern of thinking, we can go to great lengths to rewrite Scripture. Some will completely ignore the Old Testament because the character of God presented there can seem harsh compared to the God of grace that we more easily see in the New Testament. Some people only read the red letters (Jesus' words) and ignore the rest. Others choose from Scipture what they want to believe and can't bring themselves to believe the entire Bible is not only inspired by God but also without error. Still others redefine hard words and concepts in such a way that will fit nicely withing their established beliefs.
When we make Scripture fit our needs rather than letting it speak for itself, we are letting our own pride interfere with gaining knowledge. The way of humility, which is always the higher road to take, admits to our finite understanding and submits to God's higher ways and thoughts. In my experience, when we accept the truths presented in Scripture even when it doesn't feel right to us, God will reward our humility and eventually enlighten our heart.
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Prayer Suggestion
"Come soon Lord Jesus, Come soon! Help me to be ever watchful for Your return. May I be found united to You, O Lord, by faith given to me from above. And may I be able to escape all that is about to happen and be able to stand before You, O Son of Man. Thank you, Father, for loving me. Thank you for Your Son who gave His life for me. And thank you for the Holy Spirit who applied Your grace to me and gave me new birth and a perfect hope in the inheritance stored up for me in Heaven. I pray this in the name of my Lord, Jesus. Amen."
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