Amir Tsarfati: The Promise

Jesus made many promises to His followers—eternal life, joy, friendship with God, and even trials. But one of His greatest promises is often overlooked: “I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.”

In this powerful teaching, “The Promise,” Amir Tsarfati explains why we can still trust Jesus’ words 2,000 years later. He who promised is faithful. Discover the hope of the rapture, the assurance of Christ’s return, and why it’s essential to personally know the Promiser.

“The Promise”

This morning I want to share a message about The Promise. It’s a promise often ignored, ridiculed, or attacked—even though it is central to our faith. Many Christians are confused about it, but it truly is our blessed hope in these dark days.

All around the world we see nations collapsing: corruption, tyranny, unrest in South Africa, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Europe. Governments are losing control, radical movements are rising, and people are losing trust in their leaders. Soon the world will cry out for a new global system—centralized government, a digital monetary system, and even a one-world religion that empties Christianity of Christ, replacing it with good works and “all paths lead to God.”

That is why we must stay alert and hold fast to God’s Word. Hebrews 10 reminds us: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful… and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

God declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9–10). His promises never fail. Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). Israel’s return to the land today is living proof of God’s covenant faithfulness—even though the nation is not yet following Christ.

Ephesians 2 says we Gentiles were once strangers, without hope and without God, but through Christ’s blood we have been brought near. Our salvation is not by works, looks, or deeds—it is only by grace.

Hebrews 12 tells us everything man has built will be shaken, but God’s kingdom will remain. Daniel foresaw the rise and fall of empires, yet he also saw the saints of the Most High receiving the kingdom forever (Daniel 7). That includes us—the redeemed in Christ.

Jesus gave His disciples many promises:

1. Life – “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
2. Acceptance – “The one who comes to Me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)
3. Reward – Eternal life for those who follow Him (Mark 10:29–30).
4. Revelation – “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)
5. Friendship with God – Jesus calls us His friends.
6. Joy – “My joy may remain in you, and your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
7. Trials – “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Yet there is one promise that many avoid: “I go to prepare a place for you… and I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3)

This is the promise of the rapture. Jesus is not just coming back with the church at His Second Coming—He is first coming for the church to take us to Himself. Paul explained this mystery in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4: “The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

This is our blessed hope. The rapture is biblical—harpazo in Greek, rapturo in Latin. God has promised to spare us from the coming wrath, because we are not appointed to judgment but to salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

After the rapture, believers will stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat (Bema) to receive rewards. Then comes the marriage of the Lamb, when the church will be presented as Christ’s spotless bride (Ephesians 5; Revelation 19). Finally, we will return with Him at His Second Coming to reign and rule (Colossians 3; Revelation 19–20).

So the question Jesus asked Martha still stands: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)

The signs of His return are unfolding before our eyes—Israel back in the land, the rise of globalism, one-world religion, wars and rumors of wars. We are the first generation since Christ to see all these prophecies in place.

Therefore, let us hold fast. He who promised is faithful. Jesus is coming soon to take His church.