Subject: The Rapture
LIVING IN ANTICIPATION OF THE RAPTURE

Halleluiah! The next event on God’s calendar is the Rapture! “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… 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 … to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) Every born-again believer should bask in this blessed truth, and, while we eagerly await this glorious event, our witnessing, our daily living, and our inner fears should each be profoundly influenced!

Fully aware of what awaits the unbeliever after the Rapture (Tribulation Period – Revelation, Chapters 4-19; Mark 13:19, 20), and certainly after death (Hell - Matthew 18:8, II Thessalonians 1:9), it is absolutely imperative that we believers be prolific in our witnessing! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentile).” (Romans 1:16) Having been redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, every believer becomes God’s envoy, authorized to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ! Specifically, “… we are to be ambassadors for Christ…” (II Corinthians 5:20). Just as every nation’s ambassador is to represent, protect and promote the interests of his represented country, we are to represent Jesus Christ by laboring to protect the lost from eternal damnation, and to promote God’s gift of ever-lasting life! “For by grace are ye saved through faith…it is the gift of God: not of works…” (Ephesians 2:8,9) Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Granted, before the Rapture occurs we may encounter death, but either way, believers are confident, knowing that we shall forever be in the Lord’s presence. (II Corinthians 5:8.) Tragically, at the Rapture the unbeliever will be left behind, if death hadn’t earlier cast them into the fires of Hell, “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:48) Armed with this gut-wrenching knowledge, we must be unrelenting in our soul-winning! We must point people to Jesus!

The anticipated Rapture should not only greatly motivate us to witness, but it should create within us a powerful need to live godly, everyday lives! Mindful that the Rapture can happen at any time, we should be living in such a manner as not to be ashamed when we come face-to-face with Jesus! Will we be “…denying ungodliness and worldly lusts…live (living) soberly, righteously and godly…” (Titus 2:12), or will the Lord find us living our lives, giving little thought, if any, to the immediacy of the Rapture? Will we be conforming to the world (Romans 12:2), acting and looking like unbelievers? What will we be doing? In what environment might we be found? In whose company will we be? Every believer should be acutely focused on his or her daily conduct in expectation of the Rapture!

The approaching Rapture should also provide unending encouragement and comfort! Yet we easily become alarmed when we see the many changes taking place around us: the financial quagmire and staggering economy, the ever developing global hotspots, an increasing disdain for Israel, the disintegration of morality and biblical principles, and a growing hatred toward Christianity! In truth, no fear or alarm should assail us, knowing that as the world marches toward history’s end nothing will ever take our Heavenly Father by surprise! (I John 3:20) Honestly, we need not be surprised either! In His divine wisdom, God has provided prophecies throughout Scripture, many dealing with the conditions of the world and its people in the latter days (Revelation, Daniel, II Timothy 3, Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and more), and the Rapture is an integral part of those prophecies! (I Corinthians 15:51-57, I Thessalonians 4:13-18) If, therefore, we believe in and eagerly await the fulfillment of the prophesied Rapture, why can’t we take comfort in recognizing that current events happening both here and abroad are lining-up in accordance with God’s ultimate plan for the world? Prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes and God is at the helm! Consequently, as Satan advances his doomed, demonic plans to destroy God and all His people, we have nothing to fear! (Revelation 20:10) “...fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Believers, as we eagerly look skyward, hopefully the nearing Rapture will transform us into being better Christians, driving us to be unrelenting in our witnessing, committed to godly living, and fearless in the Lord! Being always “… steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (I Corinthians 15:58b)