The Rapture
by Bro. Duane Marshall
05/13/2023
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 - “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
The rapture of the church is a major doctrine in scripture and it is important to understand the meaning of this prophetic event. In some religious circles, people ridicule the doctrine. Often these passages are spiritualized, stripping the text of its true meaning. The word rapture does not appear in the English bible. It is a Latin word that means to seize, snatch, or be carried away. The Greek word is “harpazo”. It appears in verse 17 and means the same thing; thus, the rapture is clear in the scriptures.
John worked in a machine shop for over four years alongside a fellow named George. George’s job was to sweep and clean out the shavings underneath the huge lathes. George was a born-again Christian who loved the teaching of prophetic scripture and would sing hymns as he worked. Songs such as “In the Sweet By and By” and “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”.
Late one Friday afternoon about 10 minutes before quitting time, John looked at George and said, "George, are you ready?” He said, “uh huh”, but he was all dirty; he obviously was not ready. In fact, George looked like he was prepared to keep on working. John said, “AREN’T YOU READY TO GO HOME?” George said, “yeah I’m ready.” John said, “look at yourself man, you’re not ready; you’ve gotta go clean up!” “No,” George said, “let me show you something.” So, he unzipped his coveralls, and underneath were the neatest, cleanest clothes you could imagine. All George had to do when the whistle blew was unzip and step out of his coveralls, walk up, punch the clock, and go home. George said, "you see, I stay ready; just like I’m ready for Jesus!”
The rapture will be a sudden, unexpected and instant sanctification being transformed into a glorious body, a steadfast permanent change. Are you prepared for the change? Have you and I buried the hatchet toward our brethren? Is your service toward the ministry acceptable to God? But most importantly, is Jesus Christ your Savior or are you getting by just playing church?
05/13/2023
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 - “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
The rapture of the church is a major doctrine in scripture and it is important to understand the meaning of this prophetic event. In some religious circles, people ridicule the doctrine. Often these passages are spiritualized, stripping the text of its true meaning. The word rapture does not appear in the English bible. It is a Latin word that means to seize, snatch, or be carried away. The Greek word is “harpazo”. It appears in verse 17 and means the same thing; thus, the rapture is clear in the scriptures.
John worked in a machine shop for over four years alongside a fellow named George. George’s job was to sweep and clean out the shavings underneath the huge lathes. George was a born-again Christian who loved the teaching of prophetic scripture and would sing hymns as he worked. Songs such as “In the Sweet By and By” and “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”.
Late one Friday afternoon about 10 minutes before quitting time, John looked at George and said, "George, are you ready?” He said, “uh huh”, but he was all dirty; he obviously was not ready. In fact, George looked like he was prepared to keep on working. John said, “AREN’T YOU READY TO GO HOME?” George said, “yeah I’m ready.” John said, “look at yourself man, you’re not ready; you’ve gotta go clean up!” “No,” George said, “let me show you something.” So, he unzipped his coveralls, and underneath were the neatest, cleanest clothes you could imagine. All George had to do when the whistle blew was unzip and step out of his coveralls, walk up, punch the clock, and go home. George said, "you see, I stay ready; just like I’m ready for Jesus!”
The rapture will be a sudden, unexpected and instant sanctification being transformed into a glorious body, a steadfast permanent change. Are you prepared for the change? Have you and I buried the hatchet toward our brethren? Is your service toward the ministry acceptable to God? But most importantly, is Jesus Christ your Savior or are you getting by just playing church?
Recent
Archive
2023
January
May
In A MomentFree For Who? Free For You!Purity In PrivateMake Me A BlessingThe Hard Times Of LifeThe Burdens Of LifeHide and SeekThe Conflict Around UsHow To React To DifficultiesGod's GuidanceWhen It Seems Like There Is Nothing LeftA Drink For Your Thirsty SoulThe RaptureTomorrow's Secrets and CertaintiesSuffering For the Sake of OthersWhat Jesus PrioritizedHe Giveth More GraceI Never Knew I Could Do ThatHind Every MountainHeaven's HeadlineGod's Purpose For Your LifeFaith That Leads To ObedienceHaving A Biblical PerspectiveA Good ExampleGod Can See In The DarkGreat Is Our GodFollowing JesusJesus, My RosebudThe Shield Of FaithGod Laughs At Our WisdomThe Almighty God
June
Burned OutWhere Did All These Packages Come From?This GodEvery Decision Has A ConsequenceA Resume That's EternalWhat Will We See In Heaven?Watch Your MouthPut Down The Baby Bottle & Fire Up The GrillWhy Do Good Things Happen To Good People?The Undetected War WithinThe Battle Is Not Yours, But God'sEncouragementThe Value Of A Godly FriendWhat If God Said "Yes" To Everything?NotJust Mind Your BusinessA Day In The LifeThe God-Given Task To FathersThe Kind Of Christian I Would Like To BeStrength And CourageStill No Room For The SaviourHangry And A Bit Dramatic or Void Of Spirituality?We Will Understand It Better By And ByPreach The WordWhat My God Saith, That Will I SpeakDo You Read The Owner's Manual?Can I Know The Will Of God?
July
August
The Thing Which I Greatly FearedThe Best Way To Travel Life's PathwayA Distinct DifferenceSincerity On SundayJoy For Life's JourneyWhat Manner Of LoveMaking A DifferenceOnly Sometimes Usually Leads To NeverThe Order Of LifeOpinionatedGod Knows How It EndsWhat To Do When Troubles ComeHow Do You React To Difficulties?The World's Oldest ProblemWhat Are Your Intentions?The Impact Of A Single SoulWhat's Your Quest?Submitting To The LordA Gift Worth OfferingWhat Do I Have?Why I Love The BibleNot My PresidentThe Blessings Of ObedienceWhat Do You Need For Courage?