THE RAPTURE ( PART 1)
"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". - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, KJV.
In the early days of Christianity, the phrase 'the trumpet shall sound' was very commonly used amongst believers. It was used to remind believers of the rapture's imminence. It served also to keep the believer at alert, with his loins girded, with utmost preparedness, ever and always ready for this all important spiritual event. Let me say very emphatically that the rapture is the very next item on God's agenda for humanity. It is an event the suddenness of which the sacred scriptures have emphasized (see 1 Corinthians 15:52).
What does the term 'rapture' mean? It is that event which is described in the scriptural text above quoted (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), amongst others, which tells of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour coming in the clouds to call and gather unto Himself in the air, the Church.
That the rapture is today less spoken of amongst Christians and less preached on our pulpits, shows how much the devil has preoccupied us with vanities; to the end that we are caught unprepared at rapture.
Today, Christians are so busy with the things of life, taking giant strides in life's activities, that they forget that we are strangers and pilgrims here on earth (see 1 Peter 2:11). We have become too comfortable with the daintiest of life that speaking of the rapture today is considered an unnecessary interruption by a 'spiritual fanatic'. Preaching on the rapture is today considered an old tune, outdated, old fashion and irrelevant. These are truly "perilous times" (see 2 Timothy 3:1-7).
Worst still, l have come to know by experience that when rapture is preached, people are not only disinterested, but sad about it. This is a dangerous anomaly. In the days of early Christianity, talking about rapture amongst believers was not only frequent, but it served to "comfort" their minds. "Wherefore comfort one another with these words" the Scripture says.(1 Thessalonians 4:18)
Friend, are you frequently mindful of the imminence of rapture? If not, it shows how unprepared you are and l pray that you repent thereof. May God help us!
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I repent of my being passive and indifferent to the imminence of the second coming of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Help me LORD as I resolve to live for You daily because Your Son is soon expected, in Jesus name.