READY FOR THE “RAPTURE”?
Bible believing Christians generally agree Jesus Christ will come again for those who have accepted him as their Savior and Lord (John 3:16; John 14:3).The “Rapture” is a term many Christians use in talking about his returning to take his followers to live with him. Some believe that there is one “Rapture,” when Jesus comes at the end of the world. Others believe there will be more than one “Rapture;” and that there will a period of tribulation and great trouble during the time between these “Raptures.” However, Jesus tells us who are living “be ready” for when he comes (Matthew24:44).
THE BIBLE INFORMS US ABOUT JESUS COMING AGAIN FOR HIS BELIEVERS.
The biblical Word of God informs us: “ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 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 certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 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. 17 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).
“It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).
JESUS STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING READY.
According to Jesus, the important thing is to be ready at any time he should come. The Lord gave us a parable about the importance of being ready, in Matthew 25:1-13: There were ten virgins who were expecting a groom to come. But they did not know the day nor the hour he would come. Five of the virgins who were wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Another five virgins who were foolish did not take any oil with them. At midnight a cry was made, “the bridegroom is coming.” The five wise virgins trimmed their lamps and went out to meet the groom. The five foolish virgins did not have enough oil to go out to meet the bridegroom. Jesus advises us to watch and pray for you do not know the day nor the hour when the Son of Man is coming. (Matthew 24:36-44).
The Bible tells us who are living, “now is the day of salvation”—the time for getting ready to meet the Lord ( 2 Corinthians 6:23). We ought to focus on being ready to meet the Lord.
YOU SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF YOU ARE READY FOR THE “RAPTURE”
Anne Graham Lotz, wrote an article, “Rapture Ready” in Decision magazine, a publication of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. She focuses on being ready for whenever Jesus comes again. Following are some questions she asks, and some Bible instructions she gives, in helping us to check our readiness for Jesus’ coming:
1. ARE YOU READY TO LEAVE IN A MOMENT’S NOTICE?
- The Son of man will come in an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:24).
- But of that day and hour no one knows …but only the Father (Matt. 24:6-37).
2. WHO DO YOU KNOW THAT NEEDS TO HEAR OF GOD’S LOVE AS EXPRESSED IN JOHN 3:16?
- “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
- Jesus said: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
3. HAVE YOU CHECKED TO SEE IF YOUR FAITH IS ESTABLISHED ON A FIRM FOUNDATION?
- Sound faith is built on the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
- Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior as the Scriptures say (John 7:38).
- Is your faith strong enough to stand in this day of evil? (Matt 24:10-13; Ephesians 6:12-18). Watch and stand fast in the faith, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13)
4. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO BE FOUND HOLY WHEN JESUS RETURNS FOR US?
- Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God ((2 Corinthians 7:1).
- Follow peace with everyone, for without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
- Be ye holy in all you do, as the Lord is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
In reviewing your checklist, are you doing what the Lord asked you to do?
If you are, then you are ready for the Lord’s coming in any “Rapture. Our Savior and Lord will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).
