THE RAPTURE

PROCLAMATION

“According to The Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of The Lord, will not certainly precede those who have fallen asleep.  For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever.”  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fourth chapter by urging them to live in order to please God, more than they were already doing.  He told them that it was God’s will for them to avoid sexual immorality, to exercise control over their own body and live holy and honorably. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5)  He acknowledged that they had already demonstrated love for one another, but he encouraged them to mind their own business so that their daily lives would win the respect of non-believers. (Thessalonians 4:9-12)  Then he addressed the rapture, and he made it clear that the dead in Christ would rise first, and after that those who were still alive would meet them and The Lord in the air.  We will all be taken away to be with The Lord forever.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

 

APPLICATION

It is a comforting thought, for those of us who have lost loved ones, to know that we will see them again.  Although they are now asleep in death, we will meet them again when The Lord Jesus, The Christ, returns to rapture all believers.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who will be left behind after the rapture occurs and removes all of the believers from the earth. (Matthew 24:40-42)  In the twinkling of an eye, all believers will be changed from corruptible mortals to spiritual beings of incorruptible immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)  Woe be unto those who are left behind.

 

BE READY FOR NO ONE KNOWS THE HOUR OR THE DAY

PROCLAMATION

“So you also must be ready, because The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”  Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to the Apostle Matthew.  As Jesus left the temple and while walking to the Mount of Olives, He told His disciples that the day was coming when all of the buildings would be torn down, and not one stone would be left on top of another. (Matthew 24:1-2)  His disciples asked Him when this would happen and what would be a sign of His returning and the end of the age? (Matthew 24:3)  Jesus said that there would be false prophets claiming to be The Messiah, there will be wars and rumors of wars, there will be famines and earthquakes in various places, and when you see “the abomination that causes desolation” standing in the holy place as prophesied by Daniel, you will know that the time is near. (Matthew 24:4-34)  Then Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour when this will happen except God, The Father. (Matthew 24:36)  He also told them you must be ready because The Son of Man will come when you do not expect Him. (Matthew 24:44)  He made reference to the rapture when He said: “Two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill, one will be taken and the other left.”  

APPLICATION

Christ is going to return, but no one knows the exact day or the hour of His return.  That is why we have been advised to be ready.  It has been said that He will come when we least expect Him.  We need to get ready now and stay ready.  When He comes there will not be time to get ready.  We do not want to be like the five foolish virgins who delayed getting oil for their lamps. (Matthew 25:1-13)   When the rapture occurs, we will be taken up to meet Him in the clouds, (1 Thessalonians 4:17) or we will among those who are left behind.  Don’t put off coming to The Lord until you “get yourself straight” because you can never get yourself straight enough to be right with Him.  Just come as you are and confess your short-comings.  For “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND HEAVEN ON EARTH

PROCLAMATION

“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.  Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”  Isaiah 26:1-3 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

The prophet Isaiah foretells of the burdens which will put upon the nine nations which surround Judah in chapters thirteen through twenty-three.  In chapter thirteen of The Bible Book of Isaiah is the prophecy for the destruction of the kingdom of Babylon.  It shall be destroyed as by God, as were Sodom and Gomorrah, and turned into a wasteland. (Isaiah 13:19-22)  Chapter fourteen continues to describe the burden which will befall the people of Babylon then goes into the prophecy against the Philistines.  Chapters fifteen and sixteen contains the prophecy against Moab.  Chapter seventeen presents the prophecy against Damascus.  Chapter eighteen reveals the prophecy against Cush.  In chapters nineteen and twenty Isaiah presents the prophecy against Egypt and Assyria.  Chapter twenty-one contains more prophecy against Babylon, and then against Edom.  Chapter twenty-two reveals the prophecy against Israel, the northern kingdoms.  And finally in chapter twenty-three Isaiah tells the prophecy against Tyre.  Chapter twenty-four presents the final judgement against the earth which is The Great Tribulation period.  Then the return of Christ after the Tribulation and the establishment of The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth is revealed in chapters twenty-five and twenty-six.  This is the kingdom which Jesus, The Christ, preached about. (Matthew 3:2 and 4:17) 

APPLICATION

Considering all of the hell that the people will go through on earth during The Tribulation, it is good to know that we as believers will not have to face it because we will not be here, as this will all occur after the rapture of the church. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  We will come back with Christ to enjoy heaven on earth during the Kingdom Age.  We will enjoy God’s perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3)  So, do not worry about current suffering, or evil people, and don’t envy those who cheat and get ahead for The Lord God will deal with them. (Psalm 37:1-2)  Believe in Him, obey His Holy Word, do that which is right, and trust in Him.  Trust in The Lord, for The Lord Himself is The Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

POST PUNISHMENT PRAISE

PROCLAMATION

“In that day you will say: ‘I will praise You, Lord.  Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away and You have comforted me.’”  Isaiah 12:1 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

Chapter eleven of The Bible Book of Isaiah is a continuation of the prophecy which began in chapter seven.  Chapter eleven presents a prophetic view of the coming of The Messiah to establish His kingdom and it describes some aspects of the kingdom. (Isaiah 11:1-16)  The  prophecy in chapter twelve reveals the post tribulation period of singing, praise, and worship which will occur during the Kingdom Age. (Isaiah 12:1-6)   

APPLICATION

“In that day,” after we have had our spanking for messing up, we all will have been forgiven and all will be right with the world.  The remnant of believers who survived the Tribulation will be gathered from the four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:12) and join up with those of us who were caught up in the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and the joyous time of singing and praising The Lord in the Kingdom Age will begin.  This is what we have in front of us to look forward to in the future.  We cannot even begin to imagine how great things will be when this happens. (1 Corinthians 2:9)  However, this will only be for those of us whose names are written in The Lamb’s Book of Life.  Whosoever is a non-believer will not have their name written in this book and they will spend eternity in hell. (Revelation 20:15)

THE DAY OF THE LORD IS COMING

PROCLAMATION

“The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) … People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of The Lord and the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.”  Isaiah 2:12-19 (NIV)

EXPLANATION
Here the prophet Isaiah presents the vision that he saw concerning the future of Jerusalem and Judah. (Isaiah 2:1)  This is a prophecy regarding the last days, the end of the world as we know it.  The chapter begins with the enlargement of God’s kingdom on earth by the calling of the gentiles as believers from all nations, and they will all come to the mountain of The Lord. (Isaiah 2:2-3)  Isaiah then briefly describes those who have fallen away from The Lord and become involved in the worship of idols. (Isaiah 2:6-9)  These are the people who will be trying to hide from the presence of The Lord on the day when He returns. (Isaiah 2:10-11)  They will be humbled and hiding.  This prophecy is repeated in the sixth chapter of The Bible Book of Revelation. (Revelation 6:15-16)

APPLICATION
The coming day of The Lord will be the time when God will take His vengeance upon all of the non-believing sinners.  The church, all of the believers, will have been removed from the world beforehand in the rapture.  He will deal with the proud (Isaiah 2:13), governments and societies (Isaiah 2:14), the world’s armies (Isaiah 2:15), businesses and commerce (Isaiah 2:16), the arrogant (Isaiah 2:17), and all false religions. (Isaiah 2:18)  The Lord God will deal with everything and everybody that is outside of the church when He comes.  Do not be like the people who were left outside of the ark in Noah’s day when the flood came. (Genesis 7:16-21)  Don’t be one of those who is left behind when the rapture occurs. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  Believe in The Lord, confess your sins, accept Him as your personal Savior, and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10) There will come a day when it will be too late for you. (Luke 13:27)

NO ONE KNOWS WHEN CHRIST IS COMING BACK

Proclamation:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor The Son, but only The Father.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come.”  Mark 13:32-33 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark as he received it from the apostle Peter.  In this chapter Mark records the words of Jesus, The Christ, as He tells Peter, James, John and Andrew about the signs of His coming and the end of the world. (Mark 13:1-37)  Jesus said that many will come claiming to be Him. (Mark 13:5-6)  He said that they will hear of wars and rumors of wars, nations will rise against nations, and there will be earthquakes in various places at the beginning of the end. (Mark 13:7-8)  He said that brothers will betray brothers, fathers will betray their children, and children will rebel against their parents. (Mark 13:12)  False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform sign and wonders to attempt deceive the elect. (Mark 13:22)  Then people will see The Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory and He will gather His elect from the ends of the earth. (Mark 13:26-27)  Then Jesus tells them that no one knows the exact day or time when this will occur so they should be ready.

Application:

We know that Jesus, The Christ, is coming to earth again.  We need to prepare for Him now because if we wait until then it will be too late.  Since no one knows the hour or the day, (Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32) we need to be ready so that when He comes to gather His own we will not be left behind. (Mark 13:26-27 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

STAND FIRM AND HOLD ON TO THE BELIEF IN THE WORD OF GOD

Proclamation:

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.  May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15-16 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  He began this second chapter by discussing the antichrist and reminded them that he had told them about these things when he was with them. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5)  The coming of the antichrist will be in accordance with how Satan works using displays of power through signs and wonders to support his lies. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10)  The false prophets were spreading the word that the Day of The Lord had already come and Paul was telling the believers that it had not come yet. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3)  Then Paul encourages them to stand firm and hold on to the teachings which they had received.  He ends by praying that God will encourage and strengthen them.

Application:

After the rapture, the day of The Lord will begin.  The Day of The Lord is a technical phrase which refers to the period of time beginning with the Great Tribulation. (Read Matthew 24:3-28)  The antichrist will reveal himself during this period and present himself as God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)  He will have power and he will deceive the world. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)  As bad as thing are in the world today, they will get worse because the day of The Lord has not yet come.  When it does come, believers will not be here to see it because it will occur after the rapture.  So, keep the faith and keep spreading The Word of God by mouth and by actions.  We can rest assured that we are safely within God’s hands. (John 10:29)

THE RAPTURE OF BELIEVERS

Proclamation:

“According to The Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of The Lord, will not certainly precede those who have fallen asleep.  For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever.”  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fourth chapter by urging them to live in order to please God, more than they were already doing.  He told them that it was God’s will for them to avoid sexual immorality, to exercise control over their own body and live holy and honorably. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5)  He acknowledged that they already demonstrated love for one another, but he encouraged them to mind their own business so that their daily lives would win the respect of non-believers. (Thessalonians 4:9-12)  Then he addressed the rapture and made it clear that the dead in Christ would rise first, and after that those who were still alive would meet them and The Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Application:

This is a comforting thought for those of us who have lost loved ones.  Although they are now asleep in death, we will meet them again when The Lord Jesus, The Christ, returns to rapture all believers.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who will be left behind after the rapture occurs and removes all believers from the earth. (Matthew 24:40-42)  In the twinkling of an eye, all believers will be changed from corruptible mortals to spiritual beings of incorruptible immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)  Woe be unto those who are left behind.

ON THAT DAY WE WILL BE CHANGED FROM MORTAL TO IMMORTAL

Proclamation:

“… We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed … When the perishable has been clothed with imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’”  1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Paul begins this chapter discussing the resurrection of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)  Then he discusses the resurrection of the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:12-34)  Then he transitions to a discussion on the resurrected body. (1 Corinthians 15:35-58)  It is during this discourse that he states that we will be changed.  When Christ returns, we will go from being perishable to imperishable, and from being mortal to immortal, and this will be done in the twinkling of an eye. 

Application:

Some of us will be alive when Christ returns, but dead or alive we will all be changed.  Our earthly bodies are not fit to be in His presence or in the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:50)  Our human bodies are frail, corrupt, and perishable.  Age, disease and death cause our bodies to deteriorate.  All believers will be changed from that which is perishable to that which is imperishable.  The dead in Christ will rise first and then we will join them. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  Our earthly bodies will be transformed into immortal bodies which will be recognizable to others (Luke 16:22-23) but will be different like angels. (Matthew 22:30)  So, let us all keep the faith and keep on working for The Lord knowing that He will remember our good works. (Hebrews 6:10)  Our labor for Him will not be in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)  We have the victory through our Lord Jesus, The Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  Death will not defeat us.  To God be the glory!!!

WHEN THE RAPTURE OCCURS DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND

Proclamation:

“Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed … For The Son of Man in His day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.’ … ‘It will be like this on the day The Son of Man is revealed … I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left’”  Luke 17:20-36 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter Luke continues to record the words which Jesus spoke to the crowd which included His disciples and the Pharisees.  First, He said that things will come that will cause His people to stumble and sin, but woe be unto them through whom those things come to His people. (Luke 17:1-2)  Then, after telling about them forgiving those who sin against them (Luke 17:3-4) and having faith, (Luke 17:5-6) He told them how they treat the servant who does his duty. (Luke 17:7-10)  Leaving there, as He continued on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus healed the ten men who had leprosy and noted that only one of them returned to thank Him. (Luke 17:11-19)  Then, in response to a question from a Pharisee, Jesus gave them a lengthy description of what it will be like when The Son of Man returns. (Luke 17:20-35)

Application:

When The Son of Man returns He will be visible in the sky to everyone like lightning in the clouds. (Luke 17:24 and Revelation 1:7)  He will come in all His power and glory.  With a great sound of a trumpet, He will gather His elect from the four corners of the earth. (Matthew 24:30-31)  We refer to His gathering of “the church” as the rapture, when we will caught up and meet The Lord God in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  There are those who believe that when we are taken up, our clothes will be left behind.  People will be going about their normal daily activities when the believers will be instantly taken up while those that we were with at the time will be left behind. (Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36)  Don’t be like the people in the days of Noah who were left out of the ark, or the people in Sodom when Lot left the city. (Luke 17:26-29)  Confess, believe, and repent while there is still time.

THE RETURN OF CHRIST AND THE RAPTURE

Proclamation:

"For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever."  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul, the human writer of almost half (thirteen of the twenty-seven Books) of The New Testament of The Bible.  They were recorded in his letter to encourage the believers in Thessaloniki.  Paul told them that those who died believing in Christ would be raised from the dead, and they would meet The Lord God in the air.  Those of us who are alive when Christ returns, will meet up with them in the air.  This meeting of the believers in the clouds in the air is referred to as the rapture of The Church.  

Application:

The first time that Christ came to earth, He came as The Sacrificial Lamb, to die in our place, to pay the price for our sins for our salvation. (John 1:29, John 18:37, 1 Corinthians 15:3, and Galatians 1:4)   Jesus said that He would come to earth a second time. (John 14:2-3)  Also an angel appeared to His disciples after He ascended to heaven and told them that He would return. (Acts 1:11)  When He comes to earth the second time, He will be coming to translate and rapture His Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  He is coming to gather all believers unto Himself.  We need to get ready now so that we can be ready when He comes back, for no one knows the hour or the day of His return. (Matthew 24:44, Mark 13:32, and Luke 12:40)  He may return sooner than we think or expect. (James 5:8)  

DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND DURING THE RAPTURE

Proclamation:

 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of The Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.  That is how it will be at the coming of The Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  'Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.'" Matthew 24:37-42 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle Matthew recorded these words of Jesus, The Christ, as He described to His disciples the things which will occur when He comes again.  Jesus made it clear that no one knows exactly when that will be except our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 34:36)  However, He stated that people will be suddenly taken up from the earth, and that some people will be left behind.

Application:

When the rapture occurs, everyone will not be taken up to meet The Lord God in the air.  Some people will be left behind.  The Bible clearly states that when Jesus, The Christ, returns, He will be coming back for His Church.  He died for The Church so that He could present it to Himself, cleaned up, without spot or blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)  He said that He was going away to prepare a place for His people. (John 14:2-3)  When He comes back, the dead in Christ will rise and meet Him in the air first, then those of us who believe and are still alive at that time will join them in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  Only the believers will be taken up from the earth, the non-believers will be left behind.  Two people will be walking, or working together, and one of them will be taken up while the other will be left behind. (Matthew 24:40-41)  No one knows when this will happen, The Day of The Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2)  We need to be ready for it.  Don't be left behind.  You do not want to be left here on earth after The Church has been taken out of this world.

The Rapture Don't Be Left Behind

 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of The Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.  That is how it will be at the coming of The Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  'Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.' "  Matthew 24:37-42 (NIV)

The Apostle Matthew recorded these words of Jesus as He described to His disciples the things which will occur when He comes again.  He made it clear that no one knows exactly when that will be except our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 34:36)  However, He stated that people will be suddenly taken up from the earth, and that some people will be left behind.

When the rapture occurs, everyone will not be taken up to meet The Lord God in the air, some people will be left behind.  The Bible clearly states that when The Lord returns, He will be coming back for His Church.  He died for The Church so that He could present it to Himself, cleaned up, without spot or blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)  He said that He was going away to prepare a place for His people. (John 14:2-3)  When He comes back, the dead in Christ will rise and meet Him in the air first, then those of us who believe and are still alive at that time will join them in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  When the believers are taken up, the non-believers will be left behind.  People will be talking, or working, and one of them will be taken up while the other will be left behind. (Matthew 24:40-41)  Don't be left behind.  You do not want to be left here on earth after The Church has been taken out of this world.

Our Spirit Will Live Forever

"Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her.  'Stop wailing,' Jesus said. 'She is not dead but asleep.' "  Luke 8:52 (NIV)

Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded these words which Jesus spoke to the crowd that was mourning the death of the twelve year old daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue.  He said, stop crying, she is not dead, she is asleep.  Jesus touched her hand and called to her, and her spirit returned to her, and she got up. (Luke 8:54-55)

We were created to live forever, our spirit will never die.  Once our spirit leaves our physical body, the body dies and the spirit returns to The Lord God who created it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7, 2 Corinthians 5:6 and 5:8)  So we can find some comfort in knowing that our loved ones who have died are just asleep, and they will rise again.  On that great day, when The Lord God Himself shall return, the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)  Then we will all meet up with Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)  We will see our loved ones again.

The Return Of Christ And The Rapture

"For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever."  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul, the human writer of almost half (thirteen of the twenty-seven Books) of The New Testament of The Bible, recorded in his letter to the believers in Thessaloniki that those who died believing in Christ would be raised from the dead, and they would meet The Lord in the air.  Those of us who are alive when Christ returns, will meet up with them in the air.  This meeting in the clouds in the air is referred to as the rapture of The Church.  

The first time that Christ came to earth, He came as The Sacrificial Lamb, to die in our place, to pay the price for our sins for our salvation. (John 1:29, John 18:37, 1 Corinthians 15:3, and Galatians 1:4)   Jesus said that He would come to earth a second time. (John 14:2-3)  Also an angel appeared to His disciples after He ascended to heaven and told them that He would return. (Acts 1:11)  When He comes to earth the second time, He will be coming to translate and rapture His Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  He is coming to gather all believers unto Himself.  Get ready, no one knows the hour or the day of His return. (Matthew 24:44, Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:32, and Luke 12:40)  He may return sooner than we think. (James 5:8)  

The End Of The World

A lot of people are worried about the end of the world, which they think is coming later this year. As Christians we don't have to worry about that.

"We believe that Jesus died and rose again ... we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of The Lord ... The Lord Himself will come down from heaven ... and the dead in Christ will rise first ... After that, we who are still alive, who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air. And so we will be with The Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

So don't worry about the end of the world according to the Mayan calender. When armageddon does come, the rapture will have all ready occurred. We won't be here to see the things which are predicted for the end of the world in the Bible in Revelation, chapter nine.

Jesus Is Coming Back

"After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into the heaven.'" Acts 1:9-11 (NIV)

"... I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am..." John 14:1-4 (NIV)

"For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven ... we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air ..." (the rapture) 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

One day Jesus Christ will return to earth in the same manner as He ascended into the clouds. This is referred to as "The Second Coming of Christ". We all better get ready.

Live Soberly, Righteously, And Godly

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ..." Titus 2:11-13

As Christians we are to live righteously and to provide witness that brings God's plan and purpose to fulfillment. Salvation brings about a transformation within us and produces a 'new creature' who is free from the controlling power of worldly lusts. Giving us the ability to say not to sin and yes to godliness.

We are eagerly awaiting, with joyous anticipation, "that blessed hope" which is the second coming of Jesus, The Christ. This is a reference to the rapture, when all believers will meet Christ "in the air." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 When that day comes, don't be left behind.