THE RAPTURE – THE BLESSED HOPE FOR ALL CHRISTIANS

“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. “ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 The Rapture is one of the most anticipated events in the history of Christianity. This is the moment in history when Jesus Himself will return from Heaven in an instant, in a twinkling of an eye, taking those who have put their faith in Him home, to be with him forever. This event occurs sometime around the Tribulation period, a period of great trials on earth has God Himself makes one last attempt to get the attention of those who have not put their faith in Jesus, the Tribulation occurs before God’s final judgment.The “Rapture of the Church” has it is often referred to is described by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians. Paul also referred to the Rapture as the “Blessed Hope” for all those who believe and have accepted Jesus has their God and Savior, “…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). During this moment in time those to whom Jesus calls will be changed in an instant, changed from a mortal corruptible body to an immortal, incorruptible body. Paul tells us himself in 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”No one knows when the Rapture will occur, in Matthew 24:36 Jesus tells us, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” And again Jesus Himself reminds us, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” in Matthew 25:13.

Events of the Rapture
1. The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven where He is preparing a place for us in His Father’s house. (John 14:1-3, 1 Thess. 4:16)
2. His descent will be announced by a shout and a trumpet blast. (1 Thess 4:16)
3. Jesus will first resurrect those who have fallen asleep in Christ (believers who have died) followed by those still alive. (1 Thesss.4:14-15)
4. We will meet Jesus in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

“Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH?

I Corinthians 3: 9-15, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, your are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder. I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone‘s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
 
The next great event of the church will be the Rapture! “Rapture” is the term used by theologians to tell us how the church will be removed from this world. It is not used in the Bible, but with the Latin “raptus” comes the idea of “ snatched away; seized, swept away, rapid.” It is described as “…our gathering together unto Him” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, and is vividly described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-38, as well as 1 Corinthians 15: 51-53.

The thing we need to keep in mind is that the Rapture is coming! Jesus is coming again to receive us to himself ( John 14: 1-6)

Why is it important for the church to constantly keep that in mind? Its remembrance will encourage us to keep ourselves pure and free of this world’s contamination (1 John 3:3); and in so doing, it will help us to stand unashamed before Him at His coming (1 John 2:28).

What will happen after the Rapture? Each Christian will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 5:10), to be judged for the works he did on earth following his conversion. Sin will not be mentioned there. This judgment will be for reward or loss of rewards ( 1 Corinthians 3:13-15); this judgment will cause much discomfort as Christians face the works they did or did not do.

Were we good ambassadors for Heaven? Were we ministers of reconciliation? Did we stand between God and men, saying “Be ye reconciled to God?” Did we perform well as salt and light ( Matthew 5:13-16) and as righteous men in an unrighteous world?

You will be judged for your life; I will be judged for mine! Scary, isn’t it?