NOV 2

1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Memorise 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“caught up together with them in the clouds”

Before the wrath of God befalls this wicked world, not only will there be a resurrection of believers who have already died in Christ, but also a rapture of believers who are still alive on earth when Jesus returns in the clouds. The word “rapture” is the Latin translation of the Greek word harpazo, “caught up”, in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (cf Acts 8:39, 2
Corinthians 12:2, 4).

The taking up of the saints to heaven while they are still alive is not something new. In the Old Testament, we have the examples of Enoch and Elijah who were taken up while they were still alive. In Genesis 5:24, we read, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him”. And in 2 Kings 2:11, it says, “behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven”. Both Enoch and Elijah did not experience death, and in the last days when Jesus returns, there will be believers who will not taste death, but will be caught up suddenly to meet the Lord in the air. This is the blessed hope of New Testament believers.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51, Paul calls this doctrine of the rapture a “mystery.” Now, the word “mystery” (Greek musterion) is used 28 times in the New Testament to refer to truths that were not explicitly known in the Old Testament but now clearly revealed in the New Testament. It is now clearly revealed that when the last trumpet is blown the saints will all be changed in a micro-second (1 Corinthians 15:52). When the last trumpet is blown, “we shall all be changed… For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:52). In other words, the mighty hand of the Lord will resurrect the bodies of the departed saints, and the living believers will be raptured, and all will receive their glorified bodies that will last forever.

As saints living in this present age, we know that we are in the last of the last days. The Lord’s return is very soon. We could very well be the generation that will be alive and remain until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that the rapture could happen any time now, possibly within our lifetime! Dear Teen, is this something that excites you?

Thought: Are you ready for the rapture?
Prayer: Father in heaven, I want to be always ready for the imminent return of Christ.