PREPARE FOR CHRIST'S RETURN (Part IV)

PREPARE FOR CHRIST’S RETURN (Part IV)

In Paul’s letter to Titus, the Rapture is described as a highly anticipated future event.  According to Paul, true believers “look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

In that scripture passage, the word “hope” does not mean some nice event that we imagine or suspect might happen someday.  It is a certified fact, promised numerous times in God’s unfailing and holy Word.  In this regard, “hope” means a confident expectation of an absolutely certain event.  This hope has sustained believers for two millennia.  When redeemed individuals transition from this mortal plain, we await the first resurrection when the dead in Christ will rise, and along with living believers, we will be transformed and taken away to live forever with the Lord.  Then, we will return at His glorious appearing to judge the world. (I Thessalonians 4:14 and I Corinthians 6:2)

Some critics argue against the Rapture because the term, “Rapture,” does not appear in the scriptures.  Actually, it is an English transliteration of the Greek word, “harpadzo,” which affirms that believers will be “caught up.”  Indeed, there is a scriptural precedent for this Rapture experience.  “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:24)  If God did that for one righteous man, He will surely do it again for all those who have been declared to be “the righteousness of God.” (II Corinthians 5:21)

So who will participate in the Rapture?  Paul contends that Christ will return for “a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing…holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27)  Therefore the Word warns us that now is “the time that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (Peter 4:17-19)  Whew!

Unfortunately, our righteousness alone is little more than “filthy rags” in the sight of a just and holy God. (Isaiah 64:6)  That being the case, how can we possibly be saved?  Bottom Line: We receive atonement for sin “by grace” and “through faith.”  Mercifully and thankfully, “It is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)  My friends, I rejoice in the scriptural truth and gracious reality that the only view God has of me is through the blood of Jesus.  I am covered; I am forgiven.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!