There are several articles today which describe the predictions of David Meade in stating that the Rapture described by 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, will take place on April 23, 2018. If you can remember September of last year, David Meade made similar predictions which failed. The basis of Meade’s arguments for the Rapture are so far digressed from the reality of what the Bible teaches that it is no wonder that his predictions continue to fail.

It was never the intention of Jesus to tell us the precise day of His return. He wanted those who love Him to be in a constant state of expectation and live as if He could come immediately.

In 1988, similar predictions were made by a well meaning man who also was certain that the Rapture would take place on a specific date. I was a young Christian and remember that I was quite excited about his prediction. I examined all of his notes and felt as though there might be something to what he was saying. I told my friends to be cautiously optimistic, but that we should just wait and see what happens.

The danger of making predictions for the exact day of Jesus’ return, and having those predictions fail is that person who has spoken this prophecy, now becomes a “false prophet,” and no one should listen to them again.

After David Meade’s past failure in predicting the return of Jesus, this should have been the end of anyone listening to him again. Unfortunately, the press has now become infatuated by these predictions and is using Meade’s failures to discredit anyone who believes in the Rapture.

Jesus was very clear that He would come again for His church and Paul clearly laid out the specific scriptures in 1 Thessalonians 4 as to how this would take place.

I am one who believes that this particular year is perhaps the greatest candidate for Jesus return, since I first became a believer in 1975. The reasons all have to do with what the scriptures have to say and not because of David Meade or any other prognosticator.

This is the 70th year of the Jews being back in their land again. For this reason alone, anyone who is watching for the return of Jesus, should be very excited. Although modern studies of the Rapture always focus on the church, the real focus of the rapture, is the nation of Israel. All of the prophecies which described the return of Messiah, have to do with the nation of Israel and the Jews, not the Christian church.

When the seven year Tribulation begins, it will be in fulfillment of Daniel 9 and several other Old Testament prophecies of Messiah. The fact that Jesus’ church will be removed from earth before this seven years begins, is incidental to the entire reason for the Tribulation; to save the Jews and judge the Christ rejecting world which exists.

The focus of our study should be on what the Bible says concerning the Jews and not on what it says about Jesus’ church. I have written several articles and books about the last days. I will include links for these here in this article so that you can see for yourself that God is focussed on Israel, not the church.

It is by learning what the Messianic Prophecies are saying and how they relate to the seven year Tribulation that we can understand the timing of the Rapture.

In the mean time, do yourself a favor and ignore David Meade and anyone else who sets specific dates for Jesus’ return. Be ready for Jesus today and everyday and you will not miss out on that time when He does come for all who love Him.

The Rapture of the Church
The Time of our Departure is at Hand
Waiting to Receive Jesus Will Cost Your Life During the Tribulation
The Key to all Bible Prophecy: Daniel Chapter 9
The “Branch” Will Help Israel Escape the Antichrist’s Armies
Service Now, Rewards and Rulership: When Jesus Returns
The Incredible Prophecies of the 4 Temples at Jerusalem and the Messiah
“This is the Day,” The Arrival of the Messiah

Categories: Building the Third Temple, Fulfilling Daniel's Chapter 9, Great Tribulation: Time of the End, Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecy, Robert Clifton Robinson, Signs in the heavens, The beginning of judgement, The Rapture of the Church, The Second Arrival of the Messiah, The Seven Year Tribulation

Tags: David Meade, Is the Rapture True?, Rapture before Tribulation