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RAPTURE!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

 

“…we which are alive and remain

shall be caught up…”

 

RAPTURE!
 
An authoritative shout booms across the world, joined by an ethereal voice and a most triumphant sound of a mighty trumpet. Bodies suddenly disappear from morgues and funeral parlours. A moment later, many of the living vanish as well. Chaos ensues. What has happened? The rapture has taken place!
 
This is the event that Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. At the Lord’s return, the dead in Christ shall rise first, then those which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. It will all happen suddenly, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor 15:52).
 
The term rapture is a word of French and Latin origin, meaning to be caught up, snatched up by force. It is a most vivid term to describe what will happen to believers at the moment of the Lord’s return. There will be this sudden, miraculous power that will physically transport all believers, both dead and alive, into the clouds and transform them instantly into their immortal, incorruptible bodies, the same glorified body that Jesus had after His resurrection. For us, that will be the start of eternity. Our time in this world as we know it will end, and eternity with the Lord will begin. Henceforth, we shall be perfectly sinless, able to enjoy perfect communion with the Lord.
 
This is the promise that all believers look forward to. We do not know when it will happen, but we know it is soon. We must continue to be watchful and ready for the Lord’s return. For the unbelievers who are left behind, it will be a shocking event with major repercussions that would be felt all around the world. But that will only be the beginning of sorrows for them, for the Great Tribulation shall soon follow, as the world will be judged one final time by the Lord. Do not be caught unawares and unready. Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ today!
 
THOUGHT: Can the world explain away the rapture when it happens?
PRAYER: Father, help me to watch and pray, and to always be ready for the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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