Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
~ ~ ~ Author's note: I had a bit of a mishap while planning posts. A different one was supposed to go up today, but I'm going with the Lord on this one. ~ ~ ~ There is absolutely no doubt, if you are a true student of the Word of God, you'll recognize that we are on the brink of seeing the Lord's return. What a blessed hope! Let's see what the Bible has to say about that glorious day. JESUS HIMSELF SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN Matthew 14:3 In context, the above Scripture pictures Jesus comforting the disciples. His death was imminent, and I imagine the disciples were pretty disheartened. If you spent three years with a close friend only to find out they were going away for an undisclosed amount of time, you'd be disheartened too. However, Jesus gave them a soothing thought; He wouldn't be away forever. He said He was going to prepare a place (heaven) for us. Then, He'd return to bring those who trust in Him back with Him. WE WILL MEET HIM IN THE CLOUDS 1 Thessalonians 4:17 There are those that mock the "fly away" doctrine, but it's there in plain black and white. While the word "rapture" is not specifically mentioned in Scripture, Paul describes the experience as being "caught up". Christ Himself will be in the clouds accompanied by holy angels as our souls reunite with our resurrected bodies. Those who are already gone will rise first, and then those of us who are on the earth will follow after. A TRUMPET WILL SOUND 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 24:31 There are two views on this particular event: - Both the unsaved and saved will hear the trumpet - Only the saved will hear it While there are no Scriptures that specifically support either claim, we do know from the words of Paul and Christ Himself that a trumpet will indeed sound and be heard. At the moment of the sound, we will be caught up as mentioned in the last point. Some have even speculated that the sound will not be an actual trumpet as we would see in an orchestra; it will be the ram's horn that the Israelites used for various events in the Old Testament. Regardless of your views, the bottom line is that we must be ready for the trumpet. IT WILL BE SUDDEN 1 Corinthians 15:52 In the Gospels, Jesus warns that the rapture will be as the twinkling of an eye. I'm no scientific expert, but I imagine that's pretty fast. All the more reason to be ready right? We don't know when it's going to happen, but the Lord gives us ample opportunity to watch for the signs. In the words of Christ, it will be as a thief in the night; unexpected, and for some, devastating. THE UNSAVED WILL BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Luke 12:40 Here's where we get to the nitty-gritty. We don't mess around when it comes to the things of God. We don't play around with salvation. Unfortunately, there are souls out there who think they have all the time in the world. There are some who flat out refuse to believe in the work at the cross. Would you believe me if I told you there are some sitting on church pews who think that way? My friend, please do not be caught off guard by the rapture. Do not be one of the millions who will watch as their friends and loved ones disappear into the sky. Getting left behind is not going to be a party. Unless you come to know the Lord during the Tribulation, you will not stand a chance at making it to heaven. ~ ~ ~ It is no coincidence that I should be writing this post during the series my church is doing on the End Times. I mentioned earlier that it felt like a planning accident, but with God, I just don't feel like it was quite the accident I thought it was. If you're reading this and you don't know Jesus, please make it right today. Time is surely running short.
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