Status
New Here?
Fast! Three Questions.
Already a member?
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Category: | Spiritual Non-Fiction |
|
Posted: | August 28, 2019 Views: 0 |
|
|
|
|
Describing the Rapture of the Church
"Up, Up and Away!"
by Deniz22
|
The Apostle Paul explained the Rapture teaching from 1 Thessalonians 4 here:
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NKJV)
COMMENT: please note, when Christ comes in the Rapture, "He will bring WITH Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."
In other words, Christians who have died since the birth of the church at Pentecost go immediately to Heaven, while their bodies remain in the grave.
"Absent from the body, present with the Lord" is how the Bible depicts death for the Christian.
This follows, since Jesus promised whoever believes in Him will never die.
SCRIPTURE:"For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NKJV)
COMMENT: Here we have the order of the Rapture;
1. Christ alone comes in the air with the souls of Christians who have died. He remains in the clouds, not
descending to earth.
2. He raises their bodies from the grave, transforming them into glorious bodies like His own resurrection body
and reuniting their new born-again selves with their transformed bodies.
3. Next, believers still living will not even experience death but will be completely and instantly transformed into
their eternal state.
Here's how the Apostle John describes this final transformation of every believer;
"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2 NKJV)
Next, the Apostle Paul shared this truth (called a mystery because previously unknown) "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NKJV)
COMMENT: Paul includes himself as someone who might still be alive when the Rapture happens, thus underscoring this great event is imminent.
It could have happened when Paul was alive, so he was right to expect it, even though it hasn't happened yet.
How much MORE should we believers be anticipating this great manifestation of Christ's love for His church and His great power in snatching us away from the wrath to come in the Tribulation?
One last note; those who believe the Rapture is imminent and will be both a personal and cooperate glorious event, will find it has a salutary effect on their lives. ""And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (1 John 3:3 NKJV)
Brothers and sisters, let us believe God's sure Word and be blessed! Soon we shall be caught up in the clouds of glory with our Savior, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!
| |
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents.
|
|
© Copyright 2016.
Deniz22
All rights reserved.
Deniz22
has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |
|
|
|
 You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members. Interested in posting your own writing online? Click here to find out more. |
|
| | |
Up For ReviewStand Out WritingAdditional Reading
