Ready for Rapture

i. The Event Called the Rapture

Many, even Christians, don't believe in the event called the rapture. "Rapture" is the event the bible speaks of in which the true followers of CHRIST (also known as the bride of CHRIST) will be supernaturally removed prior to the advent of tribulation or Great Tribulation, (that was forewarned in the bible) comes on the world.
Now, many do not believe in the rapture event and say the Christians are doomed for tribulation. Well that is partially true-the "lukewarm" Christians (the same who the LORD says HE will spit them out) will be left behind to face tribulation or sudden destruction. The lukewarm are those who are partially interested in the LORD and yet also very much interested in participating in worldly activities and still embracing the world-GOD says the world is an enmity to HIM and you cannot serve BOTH: GOD and mammon. Matthew 6:24 (KJV): No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve GOD and mammon.
There is a group of Christians who say there is no rapture event at all and we are all doomed to suffer tribulation. This group is partially right. They, themselves will not be raptured. Their lack of belief in the rapture and subsequent promotion of the "no rapture" concept to others will guarantee that they indeed will not be experiencing the rapture themselves when it occurs.

The Bible says this: 2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV): Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love HIS Appearing. This particular scripture describes people who are rewarded with a Crown of Righteousness from the LORD for longing for HIS Return. To receive the Crown of Righteousness, you need to be "looking" for a RESCUING GOD and not a god who is sending his devoted people (bride) into hopelessness and tribulation-two completely different looks here.

The Bible says this: Matthew 24:42-44 (KJV): 42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your LORD doth come. 43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the SON of man cometh. Once again the LORD is coming like a thief according to this passage of scripture. The people are told "to be ready." This scripture describes people who are ready, waiting and told to watch, therefore: this would not describe a group of hopeless, dejected Christians assigned to suffer through Great Tribulation-again, two completely different looks.
Those who are NOT watching for the rapture-won't be going because only watchers, who are looking for the LORD's Return, are turning away from the hopelessness of the world to come toward a bright future with the LORD. In fact, by denying that the rapture event is true those who say there is no rapture in the Bible are speaking death into their situation and not a blessing and they are delivering themselves into tribulation by the power of their own words or cursings over themselves: Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV): I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.
Many people say the word rapture is not in the bible and they want to write off the rapture event altogether. Oh really? The rapture event actually has many scripture references, including these verses:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV): Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.

1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV): In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Mark 13:32-37 (KJV): 32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the SON, but the FATHER. 33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34For the SON of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.