The Blessed Hope Titus 2:13

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Introduction

The Bible passage John 14:1-6 is a common choice at funerals in that the first three verses are a promise from Jesus that there is a place prepared in heaven for believers : 1 Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.   What is not generally recognised by many is that Jesus' words, recorded in John’s gospel, were also speaking of the Rapture of the church. The Rapture is the single event in the future when Jesus will return (not his second coming) to gather His church (believers) to be with Him for ever: I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also . This is what is referred to as 'The Blessed Hope.' However, this text potentially has relevance in these troubling times we live in, since prophecy tells us the Rapture is related to end-times and potential war involving Israel.

Troubling times

Initially intended to simply expound on The Blessed Hope in a straightforward 'no bells or whistles’ approach, the need to show the natural progression from Jesus' teaching in John 14:1-3 to the end-times, with consequential expansion of pages and addition of others, became apparent. In 2025, there was a strong view amongst those who watch for end-time related events, that the initiation of the seven-year tribulation was extremely likely. Concerns have been validated with Israel (together with the U.S.) and Iran now at war. This naturally increased the anticipation that the seven-year tribulation could be initiated at any time. It is not conflict in itself that would initiate the seven-year tribulation, but a resultant agreement with Israel that would guarantee peace and allow the building of the third temple . The outcome of this war is unpredictable, only envisaged by military experts and knowledgeable individuals. What we do know is that Bible prophecy tells us the world will turn against Israel (most already have), there will be wars involving Israel, and there will be an agreement with Israel, at some time, that will initiate the seven-year tribulation.

The urgency

A sense of urgency is held by many who are watching for signs of the ‘end of this age’ as we know it, commonly referred to as the end-times. The signs are a coming together of two criteria: Biblical teaching/prophecy and events centred on Israel. Since nowhere in the Bible is there a hint of calculable timescales that include the start of the end-times, there are, not unsurprisingly, some interpretations that suggest the key event, the rapture of the church, isn’t really that urgent. The undeniable fact agreed by the varying views is that it will happen at some time in the future. It is better, then, to be aware of it now, and safer to assume it is indeed urgent in that we should ensure we are spiritually ready (sometimes referred to as ‘Rapture ready’).

Purpose

With this in mind, the objective of this site is to take you through a process from Jesus' teaching in John 14:1-3 to an understanding of what the near future might have in store for us, and to encourage spiritual preparedness for the inevitable upcoming end-times scenario, however near or distant that might be. Understanding the possibility of entering the end-times period is important for believers and unbelievers alike. For believers, it is time to ensure our faith has the depth and commitment it should have and that we are, using that favoured phrase, 'rapture ready'. For unbelievers, now, more than ever before, it is time to not simply be content in their unbelief and, perhaps too easily, be dismissive of Christianity, but to seriously consider the evidence available. There is a section on this site titled 'Reasons to Believe' which offers compelling evidence for the existence of God. The reader should be aware that this site's view of the Rapture is strictly pre-tribulation (explained later), a view with which some will not agree. However, there is no harm, and undoubtedly a benefit, in considering the possibility of a pre-tribulation Rapture and being spiritually prepared. It will happen one day. Go to the ‘Overview’ page