THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
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THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
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“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7 NKJV).
Beloved, we’re continuing our study of the Book of Revelation, and today we will discuss the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the rapture of the saints. The Bible explicitly states that the Lord Jesus Christ will come a second time; the same Jesus who was taken up from us into Heaven, will come in like manner as the disciples saw Him go into Heaven (see Acts 1:9-11). And the reason for Jesus’ second coming is not to deal with sin (like He did at His first coming) but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him (see Heb 9:28), and thus rescue us from the coming wrath (see 1 Thess 1:10). Jesus is coming to give His faithful servants the crown of glory that does not fade away (see 1 Pet 5:1, 4); He is coming to take His disciples to the place He has prepared for us, so that we will be with Him where He is (see John 14:3). Another reason the Lord Jesus is coming a second time is “to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 1:15 NKJV). Jesus is coming to take “vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (see 2 Thess 1:6-8); He is coming to pour out His wrath on the sons of disobedience (see Eph 5:6; Col 3:6).
The apostle John says, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. HE HIMSELF TREADS THE WINEPRESS OF THE FIERCENESS AND WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD.” (Revelation 19:11-15 NKJV). This is a description of the Lord Jesus at His coming. The Lord Jesus Christ will come riding on a white horse, with the armies in heaven following Him, and He will judge and make war in righteousness, for He Himself will bring the wrath of the Almighty God on the disobedient. The apostle John says that on that day, the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, will hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (see Revelation 6:15-17 NKJV).
Regarding the timing of His coming, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, ““IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV). From the foregoing Scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that His coming to gather together (or rapture) His elect, the saints, will take place IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION. This is also echoed in the gospel of Mark, where Jesus is recorded as saying, ““But in those days, AFTER THAT TRIBULATION, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS WITH GREAT POWER AND GLORY. And then He will send His angels, AND GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” (Mark 13:24-27 NKJV). Thus, we have two great witnesses, Matthew and Mark, who have testified that Jesus Himself said He will come to gather together (or rapture) His saints after the tribulation. We, therefore, know when to expect the Lord Jesus Christ to come back. The apostle Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit, also affirms this truth when He says, “Now in regard to THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and OUR GATHERING TOGETHER TO MEET HIM, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that THE DAY OF THE LORD has [already] come. Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for THAT DAY WILL NOT COME UNLESS THE APOSTASY COMES FIRST [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], AND THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS IS REVEALED, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 AMP). What this Scripture is also saying is that the Antichrist must come first before the Lord Jesus Christ will come and rapture His saints. Paul says that we shouldn’t allow anyone to deceive us about the timing sequence of the Lord’s coming. We don’t know the exact day and time Jesus will come (see Mark 13:32-33), but we do know that He will come after the Antichrist is revealed, and after the tribulation, for this is what the Scripture teaches.
Once the Antichrist is revealed, and the tribulation period is over, then the Lord Jesus Christ will be seen coming with the clouds and with His holy angels to gather His saints together and take us with Him. This is what we call the rapture. Every eye will see Jesus coming, including even those who crucified Him (see Rev 1:7). Jesus will not come in secret, but will come like lightning that comes from the east and flashes to the west (see Matt 24:27), His coming will be witnessed by the whole world. The Bible says that we (the saints) will meet Jesus in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord (see 1 Thess 4:17). Jesus Himself said that on that day He will send His angels, AND GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT (the saints) FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven (see Mark 13:27). It will be a great and awesome day. The Bible says that those who are asleep (i.e. dead) in Christ will be raised first before we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord Jesus will be raptured (or caught up) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is what the apostle Paul wrote: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST. Then WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:13-17 NKJV). It is this catching up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air that we call “THE RAPTURE.” The dead in Christ will rise from the dead first, before we who are alive will also be changed and gathered together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And this will all happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. This will be the day of the FIRST RESURRECTION (see Rev 20:5). Hallelujah! The first resurrection is the raising of all believers who have died in Christ. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of the just” (see Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” (see John 5:29). The Bible says, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. Over such the SECOND DEATH has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6 NKJV). The second death, by the way, is the lake of fire (see Rev 20:14-15). There will also be a SECOND RESURRECTION, which is the resurrection of sinners or unbelievers for judgment at the great white throne of God prior to being cast into the lake of fire (see Rev 20:12-13). The second resurrection is thus connected to the second death, and it is in line with Jesus’ teaching regarding the “resurrection of damnation” (see John 5:29). The event which divides the first and second resurrections is the millennial kingdom. The righteous will be raised in the first resurrection to live and to reign with Christ a thousand years (see Rev 20:4), whereas the rest of the dead (that is, the wicked) will remain dead and buried until the thousand years are finished (see Rev 20:5). Then they will also be raised from the dead to be judged and cast into the lake of fire.
Beloved, the dead in Christ will rise from the dead to live forever because our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and lives forever. Because Jesus lives, we (His disciples) will also live (see John 14:19). Hallelujah! Jesus’ resurrection gives us the confident assurance that every believer who has died in Christ will also be resurrected on the day Jesus comes. Jesus’ resurrection thus makes perfect sense. You see, the first Adam was a man, and he brought death upon all men. The second Adam Jesus Christ, therefore, also had to be a Man to bring us out of death through the resurrection. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. The fact that Christ was raised from the dead means that all of us who believe in Him will be raised from the dead in like manner at the end of time when Jesus returns. Then death will be completely destroyed, so that there will be no more death. You cannot claim to believe in Jesus Christ and at the same time deny the resurrection of the dead. If you say that there is no resurrection, then you’re basically saying that Jesus is dead and is not risen, which implies that when you’re baptized in the name of Jesus you’re baptized for the dead who do not rise. This is why Paul says, “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” (I Corinthians 15:29-31 NKJV). How would anyone in his right mind go through danger every hour to preach the gospel of Christ if it is just a message about a dead man who is not risen? Why would anyone want to be baptized for the dead, if in fact, Christ is still dead? We only go through danger to preach the gospel every hour because it is true that Jesus is risen, and we have hope that we also will be raised from the dead by Him at His coming. This is why we face death everyday and surrender our lives daily to Christ to do His will even in the face of death and to even boast in Him. We have a living hope in Christ. Hallelujah! What good is it to me if I go through danger every hour to preach the gospel because I am trusting in a mere man and looking for the earthly treasures that all natural men are chasing after? Paul says, “If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” (I Corinthians 15:32-34 NKJV). Don’t be deceived by those who claim that there’s no resurrection. Separate yourself from them and keep no company with them, lest you follow in their evil habits and live only for the moment, having no eternal hope. Stir yourself up to lay hold on the gift of righteousness which is in Christ and to put it into practice, so that you will not sin and bring condemnation upon yourself. Such is the knowledge of God that you need to grasp, which some, (what a shame) do not have.
“But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.” (I Corinthians 15:35-38 NKJV). Just because you don’t know how the dead is raised doesn’t mean it is not possible. The “how” belongs to the domain of God. Yours is to believe. If you foolishly question the ability of God to give the dead a new body, just look at the seed that you sow in the ground and you will realize that it is not made alive with a new body unless it dies first. When you sow corn, for instance, you don’t sow the body that shall come up, you only sow the seed. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and as He deems fit; and to each seed God gives its own body. Paul says, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” (I Corinthians 15:42-49 NKJV). When Christ returns, all who are asleep in Christ will be raised from the dead and will have a glorious and powerful and immortal spiritual body that is conformed to the body of Christ. We will have victory over death once and for all. Glory to God!
You may say, “What about those saints among us who will still be alive when Christ returns?” We have already mentioned that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will also be changed and will receive a new glorious and powerful and immortal spiritual body that is conformed to the body of Christ. The apostle Paul says, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV). Truly, our labor is not in vain in the Lord, for we shall receive the reward of the resurrection. We will be raptured in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. But we will first be changed or transformed into our glorious spiritual body. This is our hope in Christ, and it is a living hope, it is hope that will not disappoint, because it is founded on the truth of the gospel. Death will have no hold on the believer in Christ, because our Lord Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (see 2 Tim 1:10). Hallelujah!
Beloved, the coming of the Lord is an event every believer ought to be excited about and ready for. It will happen one of these days as we’re going about our humdrum routines. Some will be on their way to school or to the market when it happens. Others will be at a wedding or in church or at a restaurant, etc. when it happens. There will be nothing different about the day until Jesus suddenly appears in the clouds in His great glory and in the glory of His Father and of His holy angels (see Luke 9:26; Matt 25:31; Matt 16:27). The Lord Jesus Himself said, ““But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:37-44 NKJV). Notice also from this Scripture that there are some who will miss the rapture. Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, as well as those who do not get themselves ready to meet Jesus will be left behind, and will be destroyed when Jesus comes. This is why in His letters to the seven churches Jesus emphasized the need for His saints to be ready for His coming. To the faithful church Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:11 NKJV).
Indeed, the coming of the Lord is at hand. Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15 NKJV). Jesus is coming as a thief; His coming will take many people unawares, especially those who are living in sin. This is why He warned us to watch. Jesus said, ““Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:45-51 NKJV). Whether we live as good servants or evil servants, Jesus will come, and He will reward those who are faithful and punish the hypocrites. Also remember the parable of the ten virgins (see Matt 25:1-13). We, believers in Christ, are not in darkness so that this Day should catch us unprepared the way a thief catches a homeowner unprepared, for we are all children of light and of the day. Therefore, let us walk in the light and be sober and alert, as we look forward to the coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter says, “But THE DAY OF THE LORD will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (II Peter 3:10-13 NKJV). Don’t let anyone deceive you that they know the exact day and time the Lord Jesus will come. If anyone tells you that Jesus is here or there, don’t believe them. Just focus on loving Jesus and living to please Him, for you will know it when He comes; and when He comes He will give you the crown of glory. For the apostle Peter says, “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive THE CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away.” (I Peter 5:4 NKJV). Amen. Remain blessed. ShareTheWord #Follow me on Twitter: @ApostleVincentB
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“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7 NKJV).
Beloved, we’re continuing our study of the Book of Revelation, and today we will discuss the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the rapture of the saints. The Bible explicitly states that the Lord Jesus Christ will come a second time; the same Jesus who was taken up from us into Heaven, will come in like manner as the disciples saw Him go into Heaven (see Acts 1:9-11). And the reason for Jesus’ second coming is not to deal with sin (like He did at His first coming) but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him (see Heb 9:28), and thus rescue us from the coming wrath (see 1 Thess 1:10). Jesus is coming to give His faithful servants the crown of glory that does not fade away (see 1 Pet 5:1, 4); He is coming to take His disciples to the place He has prepared for us, so that we will be with Him where He is (see John 14:3). Another reason the Lord Jesus is coming a second time is “to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 1:15 NKJV). Jesus is coming to take “vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (see 2 Thess 1:6-8); He is coming to pour out His wrath on the sons of disobedience (see Eph 5:6; Col 3:6).
The apostle John says, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. HE HIMSELF TREADS THE WINEPRESS OF THE FIERCENESS AND WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD.” (Revelation 19:11-15 NKJV). This is a description of the Lord Jesus at His coming. The Lord Jesus Christ will come riding on a white horse, with the armies in heaven following Him, and He will judge and make war in righteousness, for He Himself will bring the wrath of the Almighty God on the disobedient. The apostle John says that on that day, the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, will hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (see Revelation 6:15-17 NKJV).
Regarding the timing of His coming, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, ““IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV). From the foregoing Scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that His coming to gather together (or rapture) His elect, the saints, will take place IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION. This is also echoed in the gospel of Mark, where Jesus is recorded as saying, ““But in those days, AFTER THAT TRIBULATION, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS WITH GREAT POWER AND GLORY. And then He will send His angels, AND GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” (Mark 13:24-27 NKJV). Thus, we have two great witnesses, Matthew and Mark, who have testified that Jesus Himself said He will come to gather together (or rapture) His saints after the tribulation. We, therefore, know when to expect the Lord Jesus Christ to come back. The apostle Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit, also affirms this truth when He says, “Now in regard to THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and OUR GATHERING TOGETHER TO MEET HIM, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that THE DAY OF THE LORD has [already] come. Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for THAT DAY WILL NOT COME UNLESS THE APOSTASY COMES FIRST [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], AND THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS IS REVEALED, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 AMP). What this Scripture is also saying is that the Antichrist must come first before the Lord Jesus Christ will come and rapture His saints. Paul says that we shouldn’t allow anyone to deceive us about the timing sequence of the Lord’s coming. We don’t know the exact day and time Jesus will come (see Mark 13:32-33), but we do know that He will come after the Antichrist is revealed, and after the tribulation, for this is what the Scripture teaches.
Once the Antichrist is revealed, and the tribulation period is over, then the Lord Jesus Christ will be seen coming with the clouds and with His holy angels to gather His saints together and take us with Him. This is what we call the rapture. Every eye will see Jesus coming, including even those who crucified Him (see Rev 1:7). Jesus will not come in secret, but will come like lightning that comes from the east and flashes to the west (see Matt 24:27), His coming will be witnessed by the whole world. The Bible says that we (the saints) will meet Jesus in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord (see 1 Thess 4:17). Jesus Himself said that on that day He will send His angels, AND GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT (the saints) FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven (see Mark 13:27). It will be a great and awesome day. The Bible says that those who are asleep (i.e. dead) in Christ will be raised first before we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord Jesus will be raptured (or caught up) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is what the apostle Paul wrote: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST. Then WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:13-17 NKJV). It is this catching up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air that we call “THE RAPTURE.” The dead in Christ will rise from the dead first, before we who are alive will also be changed and gathered together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And this will all happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. This will be the day of the FIRST RESURRECTION (see Rev 20:5). Hallelujah! The first resurrection is the raising of all believers who have died in Christ. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of the just” (see Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” (see John 5:29). The Bible says, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. Over such the SECOND DEATH has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6 NKJV). The second death, by the way, is the lake of fire (see Rev 20:14-15). There will also be a SECOND RESURRECTION, which is the resurrection of sinners or unbelievers for judgment at the great white throne of God prior to being cast into the lake of fire (see Rev 20:12-13). The second resurrection is thus connected to the second death, and it is in line with Jesus’ teaching regarding the “resurrection of damnation” (see John 5:29). The event which divides the first and second resurrections is the millennial kingdom. The righteous will be raised in the first resurrection to live and to reign with Christ a thousand years (see Rev 20:4), whereas the rest of the dead (that is, the wicked) will remain dead and buried until the thousand years are finished (see Rev 20:5). Then they will also be raised from the dead to be judged and cast into the lake of fire.
Beloved, the dead in Christ will rise from the dead to live forever because our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and lives forever. Because Jesus lives, we (His disciples) will also live (see John 14:19). Hallelujah! Jesus’ resurrection gives us the confident assurance that every believer who has died in Christ will also be resurrected on the day Jesus comes. Jesus’ resurrection thus makes perfect sense. You see, the first Adam was a man, and he brought death upon all men. The second Adam Jesus Christ, therefore, also had to be a Man to bring us out of death through the resurrection. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. The fact that Christ was raised from the dead means that all of us who believe in Him will be raised from the dead in like manner at the end of time when Jesus returns. Then death will be completely destroyed, so that there will be no more death. You cannot claim to believe in Jesus Christ and at the same time deny the resurrection of the dead. If you say that there is no resurrection, then you’re basically saying that Jesus is dead and is not risen, which implies that when you’re baptized in the name of Jesus you’re baptized for the dead who do not rise. This is why Paul says, “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” (I Corinthians 15:29-31 NKJV). How would anyone in his right mind go through danger every hour to preach the gospel of Christ if it is just a message about a dead man who is not risen? Why would anyone want to be baptized for the dead, if in fact, Christ is still dead? We only go through danger to preach the gospel every hour because it is true that Jesus is risen, and we have hope that we also will be raised from the dead by Him at His coming. This is why we face death everyday and surrender our lives daily to Christ to do His will even in the face of death and to even boast in Him. We have a living hope in Christ. Hallelujah! What good is it to me if I go through danger every hour to preach the gospel because I am trusting in a mere man and looking for the earthly treasures that all natural men are chasing after? Paul says, “If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” (I Corinthians 15:32-34 NKJV). Don’t be deceived by those who claim that there’s no resurrection. Separate yourself from them and keep no company with them, lest you follow in their evil habits and live only for the moment, having no eternal hope. Stir yourself up to lay hold on the gift of righteousness which is in Christ and to put it into practice, so that you will not sin and bring condemnation upon yourself. Such is the knowledge of God that you need to grasp, which some, (what a shame) do not have.
“But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.” (I Corinthians 15:35-38 NKJV). Just because you don’t know how the dead is raised doesn’t mean it is not possible. The “how” belongs to the domain of God. Yours is to believe. If you foolishly question the ability of God to give the dead a new body, just look at the seed that you sow in the ground and you will realize that it is not made alive with a new body unless it dies first. When you sow corn, for instance, you don’t sow the body that shall come up, you only sow the seed. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and as He deems fit; and to each seed God gives its own body. Paul says, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” (I Corinthians 15:42-49 NKJV). When Christ returns, all who are asleep in Christ will be raised from the dead and will have a glorious and powerful and immortal spiritual body that is conformed to the body of Christ. We will have victory over death once and for all. Glory to God!
You may say, “What about those saints among us who will still be alive when Christ returns?” We have already mentioned that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will also be changed and will receive a new glorious and powerful and immortal spiritual body that is conformed to the body of Christ. The apostle Paul says, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV). Truly, our labor is not in vain in the Lord, for we shall receive the reward of the resurrection. We will be raptured in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. But we will first be changed or transformed into our glorious spiritual body. This is our hope in Christ, and it is a living hope, it is hope that will not disappoint, because it is founded on the truth of the gospel. Death will have no hold on the believer in Christ, because our Lord Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (see 2 Tim 1:10). Hallelujah!
Beloved, the coming of the Lord is an event every believer ought to be excited about and ready for. It will happen one of these days as we’re going about our humdrum routines. Some will be on their way to school or to the market when it happens. Others will be at a wedding or in church or at a restaurant, etc. when it happens. There will be nothing different about the day until Jesus suddenly appears in the clouds in His great glory and in the glory of His Father and of His holy angels (see Luke 9:26; Matt 25:31; Matt 16:27). The Lord Jesus Himself said, ““But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:37-44 NKJV). Notice also from this Scripture that there are some who will miss the rapture. Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, as well as those who do not get themselves ready to meet Jesus will be left behind, and will be destroyed when Jesus comes. This is why in His letters to the seven churches Jesus emphasized the need for His saints to be ready for His coming. To the faithful church Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:11 NKJV).
Indeed, the coming of the Lord is at hand. Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15 NKJV). Jesus is coming as a thief; His coming will take many people unawares, especially those who are living in sin. This is why He warned us to watch. Jesus said, ““Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:45-51 NKJV). Whether we live as good servants or evil servants, Jesus will come, and He will reward those who are faithful and punish the hypocrites. Also remember the parable of the ten virgins (see Matt 25:1-13). We, believers in Christ, are not in darkness so that this Day should catch us unprepared the way a thief catches a homeowner unprepared, for we are all children of light and of the day. Therefore, let us walk in the light and be sober and alert, as we look forward to the coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter says, “But THE DAY OF THE LORD will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (II Peter 3:10-13 NKJV). Don’t let anyone deceive you that they know the exact day and time the Lord Jesus will come. If anyone tells you that Jesus is here or there, don’t believe them. Just focus on loving Jesus and living to please Him, for you will know it when He comes; and when He comes He will give you the crown of glory. For the apostle Peter says, “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive THE CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away.” (I Peter 5:4 NKJV). Amen. Remain blessed. ShareTheWord #Follow me on Twitter: @ApostleVincentB
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