NOV 27

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Memorise 1 Thessalonians 4:17
“…so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The rapture refers to this future event that will happen when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, whereby believers on Earth wiill be suddenly and swiftly caught up physically into the skies to meet with Christ, and then given a glorified body. As a teen, the rapture used to be something that we would joke about. During exam periods, you would hear others saying, “I wish the rapture would come now – then I won’t have to take my exams!” Come holiday time, though, you would not be likely to hear a similar statement, because everyone would be enjoying his holidays so much, that the thought of heaven does not see so enticing to him anymore. In times of leisure and fun, who would be looking forward to the rapture?

Should this be the right attitude to have towards the rapture? Today’s passage speaks most wonderfully about one of the greatest events that will take place in the history of mankind. There will come a day, perhaps very soon, when believers which remain on the earth will be “caught up… in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air”. Can you even begin to imagine how glorious and joyful that day will be? And this will all take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (I Corinthians 15:52). One moment, we would be going about our lives on this earth; the next, we will suddenly be caught up to heaven, in the presence of our Saviour who died for us and loved us so. In I Corinthians 15:51-53, we read also that our mortal bodies will be changed to an incorruptible and immortal form. What a blessed hope! What a glorious promise! Only in such a state would we be worthy to enter into the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

How long will this blessed union with the Lord last for? Days, weeks, months, years? Paul writes, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord”. Forever! Our finite human minds cannot even begin to grasp the concept of eternity, but it will suffice us to know that it is a very, very long time indeed. Does such a thought thrill your heart? If it does not, perhaps you have become too entangled with the things of this world, such that the things of eternity do not excite you. As a believer, the rapture should be the greatest comfort and consolation. In times of trial and trouble, we look forward to this hope of eternity; in times of peace and tranquility, too, we look forward to a time of perfect and greater peace. Dear teen, may this comfort fill your heart today and motivate your every word and action.

Thought: “Until that day my eyes shall see my Saviour descend the clouds – O glorious day!”
Prayer: Lord, help me to desire and long for Your coming.