1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV – 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. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] 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. [16] 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:
[17] 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. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The seed for today is to remind you that Jesus Christ is coming again! He is coming for His church! We know that there are several events that will roll out before the end shall come. One of the major events that the church and believers should be looking for is the Rapture. The rapture is the catching away of those who died in Christ and those who have believed and remain. The Bible teaches that there is going to be a Great Tribulation in the earth for 7 years but before the Great Tribulation, the Lord shall take His church away. This catching away is what we call the rapture.
In the text above, Apostle Paul teaches that four (4) things will happen at the rapture. In a twinkling of an eye;
- The trumpet of God will be sounded by an archangel
- The Lord Jesus Christ Himself shall descend with a shout and a sound.
- The dead in Christ shall rise first, and those of us who are alive and remain in Him shall be caught up, and we shall meet Him in the air through the clouds.
- Then we shall be with him forever.
May you not be left behind. After this rapture, the great tribulation shall begin. For now, let us get ready! Let us prepare for his coming! We shall not prevent those who have fallen asleep! Just remember that Jesus is coming again, and look out for Him!
It is important to remember also that;
- Rapture will take place suddenly without any warning beyond what we have now.
- Rapture will precede the great tribulation, and only Christians who are ready and looking for the second coming will be raptured.
- There shall be a great falling away from the faith before the rapture. Many shall backslide because of abounding iniquity! There shall be massive backsliding, but you shall not be part of those who draw back to perdition!
Jesus is coming again and coming for a church that is ready for Him. We shall see him, we shall be caught up to meet Him, and we shall be with Him forever! Praise the Lord! He is coming for those who look for His coming. He will appear a second time, and we shall see Him. That is my hope! That should be your hope!
Stay blessed
