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The Bible urges us to forgive – totally. It is very surprising, therefore, to learn that there is no teaching of this kind for forgiveness in Judaism.

Last time we read together we covered lessons learned from Joseph’s example. Do not let anyone know what someone said about you or did to you? Do not allow anyone to be afraid of you or intimidated by you. We will want them to forgive themselves and not feel guilty. But there’s more. Let’s cover those tonight.  

Last time we talked about how Joseph’s actions toward his brothers demonstrated total forgiveness. So what lessons about total forgiveness can the example of Joseph teach us?

The story of Joesph provides a heart-searching frame of reference by showing us how he was able to totally forgive his brothers.

Forgiveness isn’t approving of, excusing, justifying or pardoning an offense. It doesn’t have to include reconciliation and it doesn’t mean we deny, turn a blind eye or forget the sin against us. We don’t have to refuse to take a wrong seriously or pretend that we weren’t hurt by it. But forgiveness is necessary. “Just as God forgives people without approving of their sin, we also must learn that forgiving people does not imply an endorsement of their evil deeds.” So let’s take a look at what forgiveness is.

Last week we started chapter 1 and left off with this quote: Total forgiveness does not mean closing our eyes to those who will continue to harm others. Before going any further, let me clarify what total forgiveness is not.  

One must totally forgive those who will not be reconciled. It must happen in the heart, and when it does, peace emerges – with or without a complete restoration of the relationship. What matters is that the Holy Spirit is able to dwell in us ungrieved, able to be utterly Himself.

He has chosen to share many of those prophecies with us, if we will only heed what they say.

We’ve now spent twenty-nine chapters exploring the reality of the Rapture. A moment is coming when our world will change “in the twinkling of an eye”. The Lord Jesus will appear in the clouds and gather His people to Himself – first those who’ve died in Him, and then those who are fortunate enough to witness His return in the sky.

When Jesus leads His heavenly offensive against Satan and the Antichrist at that battle, He will follow a similar strategy as the US forces in Iraq – although He will have no part with conventional ammunition. His weapon will be glory. Christ’s transcendent splendor and power will be fully aimed at the evil that has bedeviled humanity for so long. In that final showdown, the rebellion of the Tribulation Period will come to a head. The Antichrist, the kings of the earth, and the souls that follow them will gather one last time to try to defeat Jesus Christ. Their armies will be made up of soldiers from the ten nations of the revived Roman Empire. The Antichrist, with the False Prophet at his side, will lead those massive armies in defying Ghrist’s authority and right to rule – the ultimate revolt against God. When Christ’s return draws near, they will do everything they can to prepare for the battle of the ages. And they will fail spectacularly.

When Jesus leads His heavenly offensive against Satan and the Antichrist at that battle, He will follow a similar strategy as the US forces in Iraq – although He will have no part with conventional ammunition. His weapon will be glory. Christ’s transcendent splendor and power will be fully aimed at the evil that has bedeviled humanity for so long. In that final showdown, the rebellion of the Tribulation Period will come to a head. The Antichrist, the kings of the earth, and the souls that follow them will gather one last time to try to defeat Jesus Christ. Their armies will be made up of soldiers from the ten nations of the revived Roman Empire. The Antichrist, with the False Prophet at his side, will lead those massive armies in defying Ghrist’s authority and right to rule – the ultimate revolt against God.  

Signs play an important role in the modern driving experience. They tell us what’s coming. They alert us to possible problems. And they help keep us safe. The same is true for the “signs” identified throughout God’s Word. Thankfully, those signs cannot be altered or adulterated!

In order to have a firm grasp of God’s prophetic plan for the future, we need to notice the distinctions between the Rapture and the Second Coming.

There are many times when silence is a powerful witness to the facts, and that’s true when it comes to the Rapture of the chruch and the events of the Tribulation as we find them in the book of Revelation. So far, we’ve already established our conviction that the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation. The “curious incident” of dead silence regarding the church in the core chapters of Revelation comes alongside that conclusion and helps corroborate it.

The Rapture is a biblical promise stating that one day Jesus will drop everything, bring His people to Himself, and make our deepest dreams come true by welcoming us to His Father’s house for all eternity. In this chapter, we’re going to closely examine one verse of Scripture that indicates a before-the-Tribulation Rapture. It’s one of the most important verses in the entire New Testament on this subject and worthy of investigation.