THE RAPTURE (PART 2)
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, (KJV)
Many times past, the devil had fooled men on the second coming of God's Christ. Sometime in the year 1990, I remember that the whole world was agog with the expectation of Jesus' coming. Unfortunately, many people were deceived. Some sold their belongings, others withdrew their money from banks and went on spending sprees, etc. If only we were diligent students of the Word, we should have known that the time of Jesus' second coming, beginning with the rapture, is definitely one of such times that God has put in His power (Acts 1:7). The Lord Jesus told us clearly saying: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." - Matthew 24:36 (KJV).
There are basically two things to note about the rapture. The first is its imminence; by which I mean that the event is soon to be expected. Several Scriptures have foretold us the imminent nature of the rapture.
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." - 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV). (See also Pet 3:10; Rev 16:15). The import of this is that the coming of Christ would be sudden and a great surprise to men (Matt 24:44; Mk 13:35,36). The coming of the Lord is variously likened to the coming of a thief because the latter comes in the dead of the night when he's least expected. In such likeness will be the coming of the Son of God. The rapture is a sure event and is soon to take place. At rapture, Christ comes for His own. When He comes, will He meet you prepared or otherwise? The only way to secure your being raptured is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and to begin to live daily for His pleasure. Whatever life you may have lived, God is merciful and is waiting, even now for you to say "I'm sorry" and to forsake that path of death for the life that's available in Jesus, His Son. As you pray the prayer below provided, I assure you that through God's faithfulness and grace, your lot has changed for the better, in Jesus name.
The second thing about the rapture that should attract our attention is that it shall occur in a comparatively brief moment of time.
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV). This shows that the time for the rapture to be effected will be very short. The change that accompanies it will be instantaneous. So short will it be that there will be no time to repent or to make amends. If there's anything to repent of, it should be done now. If there's any amendment to be made to your lifestyle, it should be done now! At that time, procrastinators will be greatly disappointed.
As children of God, these facts have been given to us to know to the end that we would awaken to stand upon our watch, that we may not be overtaken thereby, but be ready when He comes (1 Thess 5:4; Matt 24:42, 25:13). We are to be imitators of the children of Issachar. The Bible says of them as follows:
"And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" - 1 Chronicles 12:32 (KJV). Indeed, the Son of God came that we might have understanding (1 Jn 5:20). An understanding of the times we are currently in and what we ought to do is most important. With the Word of God at our disposal, every child of God isn't without understanding! Here's the Holy Spirit's counsel to us as regards what we ought to do:-
that we awake from spiritual slumber - Eph 5:8-17; because it’s time to put on Christ and to make no provision for the flesh - Rom 13:14. Again, He says: “Be careful. If you aren’t, your hearts will be loaded down with wasteful living, drunkenness and the worries of life. Then the day the Son of Man returns will close on you like a trap. It will happen suddenly. That day will come on every person who lives on the whole earth. Always keep watching. Pray that you will be able to escape all that is about to happen. Also, pray that you will not be judged guilty when the Son of Man comes.” - Luke 21:34-36 NIRV. In other words, we are to put a full stop to every form of careless lifestyle and to be sober minded, knowing that " ... the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." - 1 Peter 4:7 (KJV)
We shouldn't be like the scoffers in the last days, walking after their own lusts, saying,
"Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." - 2 Peter 3:4 (KJV). Should we at all count slackness to the Lord, let it be understood that it's for the purpose of our repentance (2 Pet 3:9).
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I'm grateful to You for informing me beforehand of the imminent and sudden appearing of Jesus Christ, Your Son. I repent of my sins. I confess Your Son Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I take advantage of the grace in Him, standing and having my loin girt, ready for His coming, in Jesus name.