THE RAPTURE

I Thessalonians 4: 16-18

For the LORD Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air; and so shall we ever be with the LORD. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.

TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR

The LORD has planned things out so that the Children of GOD would not see the wrath of GOD.  We strongly believe that the wrath of GOD will come when the LORD puts His feet on the earth. Notice where the Church, the Body of believers in JESUS, meets the LORD; in the air. The LORD will gather His Church out of the world so that the Church will be saved from the wrath that is to come. The tribulation will not occur until the Church is home with Him; then the Church will be with Him at his return.

There are three signs of the rapture: the shout, the voice of the archangel (possibly Michael), and the sound of the trumpet of GOD.  We need to be awake and ready for the festal shout, the voice of the archangel saying, "come up here",and the blowing of the Shofar (the trumpet of GOD).  

Be alert and stay in tune with the Gospel, be a good steward of the gift of life and breath, given to you by GOD and pray for others to be united with JESUS for ever.  The LORD GOD has provided the way for all to be saved from His wrath, walk in His path.  

Tomorrow, I will look at Biblical examples of the rapture found in the Old and New Testament.  

THE RAPTURE

I Thessalonians 4: 13-15

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that JESUS died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in JESUS will GOD bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.

GOD WILL BRING WITH HIM

In the verses of I Thessalonians 14: 13 - 18, there are two distinct steps revealed that point to the rapture. One step is the resurrection of the dead and the second is the meeting of JESUS in the air - the rapture.

Verse 15 is very clear that the dead in Christ will arise first and those which are alive will meet JESUS.

Tomorrow, I will expound more on the "meeting in the air" and "coming to earth". They are very different and the Church will be with the LORD when He comes to the earth to judge the earth and the people with His truth.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 hold a great hope for all those who have experienced the death of a loved one.  Notice that Paul uses the word "asleep" to characterize those who have died.  JESUS used that word when He looked upon a person He was going to raise from the dead.  Jarius' daughter is a great example.  

Those who "sleep" in JESUS are raised in the same manner as JESUS.  The path that JESUS took, is the path that the Church will take: first the resurrection, then the gathering of the Church with JESUS. and then the return to earth to judge it.

Those who are asleep in JESUS will be gathered up with Him and will rule and reign with Him forever.

THE RAPTURE

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Looking for that blessed hope...

There have been a great number if books written and theories purposed on when the rapture will  be a reality.  Some say that it will be before the tribulation, others say that it will occur in the middle of the great tribulation, and others say that it will be after the tribulation.  They call these theorists pre-trib., mid-trib., and post-trib teachers and preachers.  Each of the followers of these theories have good Scriptures to substantiate their position, so, to call them wrong would be wrong. When will the rapture come? It is held in the mind of GOD and will come when He says, "Now is the time for the Bride to arise and meet the Bridegroom in the air."

What are we to do in the meantime? "Look for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our Savior Jesus Christ ". We are to be awake and vigilant, expecting, at any time, the call of GOD to "come up".

There is a difference between the rapture and the second coming of JESUS.  Scripture is very clear about this point and throughout the week, I will expound on this difference.  The Rapture will be the call for the Church to meet JESUS in the air; the second coming of JESUS, will be with the saints and JESUS will come to the earth. The Church is coming to JESUS in the rapture; the Church is with JESUS at the second coming.

LOOK UP, YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR

THE BLESSINGS OF TRUST IN GOD

1 Chronicles 5: 20b

For they cried to GOD in the battle, and He was entreated by them, because they put their trust in Him.

Jeremiah 33: 3

Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

We close this week of Word from the Word with this word: the blessing of trust in the LORD is answered prayer.

We all want our prayers answered by GOD in a way that is good and full of grace, mercy and loving-kindness. Well, we can have that by putting out whole trust in the LORD; He will deliver, save, remove fear,give us safety, prosperity and peace. GOD is with us in battle; the victory is ours through Christ JESUS. 

THOSE WHO TRUST IN GOD ARE THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL; VICTORS AND NOT VICTIMS; ABOVE AND NOT BENEATH; SAITH THE LORD. 

BLESSINGS OF TRUST IN GOD

Isaiah 26: 3,4

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever; for in the LORD GOD is everlasting strength.

A blessing of trust in GOD is perfect peace; peace in the midst of storms, struggles, chaos, trouble. Yes, GOD is in trouble; He is in the middle of all of our troubles, just like He was in the fire with Shradrach, Meshach, and Abednego and Daniel in the Lion's den.  The Holy presence of GOD brings peace which passes all understanding.

Notice the words, "whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." This is the key to the way of the blessing of perfect peace; our mind must be stayed on JESUS and our trust must be in Him, the gift of peace follows. When you are afraid, trust JESUS and keep your mind on Him; do not look at the storm or you will sink into the darkness of despair. JESUS is the Light and in Him there is no darkness at all, keep your eye on JESUS and don't look away even for a moment. 

TRUST YE IN THE LORD FOREVER; FOR IN THE LORD GOD IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH.

BLESSINGS OF TRUST IN GOD

Daniel 6: 25-28

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: "Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the GOD of Daniel; for He is the living GOD, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth, and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonder in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus, the Persian.

After king Darius had thrown Daniel into the pit of hungry lions, Daniel's faith and steadfast trust in GOD, manifest with signs and wonders, turned the heart of Darius from evil to good.  

Throughout the Scripture, steadfast trust in GOD is demonstrated by the conversion of others to the Way of the LORD. Daniel received deliverance and the blessing of peace; Darius received the testimony of the faithfulness of GOD and was converted; then Darius testified of the greatness of GOD and Cyrus was converted.  Daniel found favor and prospered in the reign of both Darius and Cyrus.

Trust in GOD is like a pebble in the pool; it has blessings for the faithful ones, and carries blessings for those who observe and are touched.  So it is with our life; when we trust in the LORD with all our heart, leaning not unto our own understandings, others will see and believe in the GOD whom we trust and be converted.  

Stephen's trust in GOD opened the door for the conversion of Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the Apostle. 

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND SEE OTHERS COME TO CHRIST. 

BLESSINGS OF TRUST IN GOD

III John 2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

One of the Blessings of GOD is that, when you put your trust in GOD you will prosper.  Prosperity is not just financial freedom, it is well-being of soul and body.  Good health is a sign of prosperity; a joyful heart in the midst of adversity is a clear sign of the prosperity of GOD.

Notice the first word of this verse, "beloved". The LORD GOD calls us, who trust in Him, His beloved.  Think about what that means to you. You are called the beloved of GOD, as a blessing issuing forth from the Throne of GOD; you are the blessed beloved. As I think about that phrase, I am filled with a new sense of the prosperity that come from trust in GOD.  A precious, new relationship begins to burst forth.