The Rapture of the Living

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Insights: The word rapture is not used in the Bible, but the meaning of the Greek word rapto is to seize, to carry off.  It means the same as the word Paul used to describe those being “caught up”. First Corinthians chapter fifteen and verse fifty-two states this moment of being caught up will happen in the twinkling of an eye.  Since the shout, the voice, and the trumpet apply to God’s people, there is no reason to believe that the unsaved masses will hear them and if they do, they will hear sounds without meaning. Millions of people will vanish instantly, and no doubt there will be chaos and great concern.  This verse, however, gives great comfort to those of us who are born again.  We know that we will hear Jesus’ call and we know that we will be caught up into the sky with Him.  We will instantaneously be transformed into glory.  On a side note, today is Thanksgiving.  May this Thoughts by Scott have brought to your heart a spirit of thanksgiving at the promise of Jesus’ imminent return.  It will be a great day of rejoicing and we will truly be grateful; therefore, let us walk this day with this thankfulness on our hearts because of all of God’s amazing blessings.

Questions:

1.  Do you understand that if you are alive when Jesus returns that the only way you will meet Him in the sky is if you have received Him as your Lord and Savior?

2.  You will know that Jesus is in your heart by the peace and joy you experience on a daily bases as His child who is abiding in Him?

Prayer: Father, I am so thankful that Your Son is going to return and take those that are His into the air.  It is a wonderful promise that You have given to me.  Amen.