OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PROMISES TO RETURN. When He does, He will grant those who love Him their reward—eternal life with Him. Those who reject Him also will receive their reward—eternity without Him.
THE RAPTURE!
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RAPTURE!
Our Lord will come partway to Earth, and as the trumpet blasts, He’ll shout, “Come Up Here!”
All the believers alive at the time, and all the believers who’ve passed through this life, will hear His voice and rise to meet Him in the air, the dead in Christ first, then those alive at the time.
What an amazing scene to contemplate! Yes, it is exciting, even though God, in His wisdom, has purposed not to give us much information about the event.
Romans 8:19 (NKJV) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Romans 8:19 (NKJV)
Just a few things I think about but have no information:
- Will the dead in Christ be assembled according to geography, i.e., where they lived during their lives;
- Will we be assembled according to era, i.e., when we lived;
- Will we speak a common language; if so, which one – a current one or a brand new one? Will we become multi-lingual?
- Will we wear robes, or our current garb, or something entirely new?
- What will my “room” or “mansion” look like, and will it be tailored for my current tastes and desires, or will it meet needs and desires entirely different from what I want now;
- How often will I see my loved ones — especially, my wife — and how will I react when I realize dear family members might not be joining me (that’s a euphemism, of course).
My list actually is much longer than this, and you probably have your own list.
Two Realities
I MENTION ALL OF THIS because we are faced with two realities, both of them valid: one the one hand, we have valuable biblical doctrine to guide our understanding of the Rapture and our eventual Eternal Home; while on the other hand, we have the natural human curiosity and wonder that God instilled in us at creation that prompt us to ask questions.
Yes, the Bible teaches us that the “secret things of God” belong solely to Him (Deuteronomy 29:29) and that many of the details are “not for us to know” (Acts 1:7), yet God did create us in His image, so naturally we are curious. He built that into us.
DOCTRINE:
- While Jesus’ death on the Cross provides forgiveness of sin for all people—-past, present, and future—-only those who believe He is the Messiah, the Son of God, are His children (John 1:12; Rom. 8:14), and they alone will reap the benefit of eternal life with God (John 3:3). The rest will suffer for having rejected what the Bible calls “so great a salvation” (Heb. 2:3).
CURIOSITY:
- Does everyone who ends up in Hell actually choose that destination, or were they not paying attention or falsely assumed they were *good enough* by their standards to warrant inclusion in Heaven? Will they regret their life choices, or will they remain convinced they chose wisely?
Approaching Event
WITH EACH PASSING DAY, we all come closer to that Moment of Truth, when the Lord returns to take some of us home while leaving the rest to struggle in a world of increasing evil and terror.
Jesus told us to “be prepared.” You can read about it in Matthew 25 (“The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins”). Matt. 25:1 (NKJV) says: “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”
He relates a Jewish wedding festival in which the bridegroom leads a parade to the bride’s father’s house to claim his betrothed to begin their married life. Five of the bridesmaids were prepared and had stored enough oil for their lanterns, while the other five were not prepared and missed the celebration.
The haunting message to me is that the five “unprepared” virgins actually wanted to attend the joyous celebration.
They failed to take the proper precautions, but they did not want to be excluded.
Yet, they were.
Different Destinations
SO, WHERE DOES this lead?
We’re rapidly coming to a point where some of us will take the road that leads to an eternity of extreme joy and peace — while others, many of them our loved ones and colleagues — will transition into eternal regret.
Yes, I know that’s to burden us with the need to reach out to them with the message of hope — and, yes, it means we need to redouble our prayers for them.
In this life, I anticipate the coming Rapture with eager expectation for myself, yet fear for those loved ones who, by their own testimony, show no signs of trusting the Lord for their salvation.
I praise the Lord for my salvation … while saddened for those who reject His generous gift.
PRAYER
FATHER GOD, We love You and praise Your holy name. We thank You for Your gracious gift of life for all who claim the name of Jesus, and we petition You, O Holy Father, to quicken the hearts of those who spurn Your love. Turn them from their worldly pursuits and show them the peace and joy that will be theirs if they would humble themselves, pray to You, seek Your face, and turn from their wicked ways. In Jesus’ magnificent name. AMEN
Relevant Scripture
- 1 John 3:1 (NKJV) Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
- John 1:12 (NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
- Romans 8:14 (NLT) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
- 1 John 5:12 (BSB) Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
- 2 Peter 3:14 (ESV) Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
LoveAndGrace 