Returns - Part 2
In the fourth chapter of the first book of
Thessalonians, the apostle Paul describes the first phase of the second coming
of Jesus. Look at verse 15 again – “For this we say unto you by the word of
the Lord.” Where did Paul get this
from? Is this just a theory that Paul
made up? I believe this is a divine revelation. When you have divine revelation
you sure don’t need human speculation.
In Acts 1:10-11, we read, “And while they
looked steadfastly toward heaven as he, Jesus, went up, behold, two men stood
by them in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye
gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” This same Jesus who was born of a virgin is
coming back! This same Jesus who stilled the raging seas is coming back! This
same Jesus who fed the 5000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread is coming back!
This same Jesus who was nailed to a cross is coming back! This same Jesus who
conquered the grave is coming back! This same Jesus who sacrificed His life in
order that we might have forgiveness and eternal life, is coming back to take
us home! Have you seen or read the Left Behind Series? Paul says, only the saved shall hear the shout of the Savior, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. Can you just imagine what this will be like to those left behind? The scene is all speculation, but we can certainly imagine what it will be like;
All over the world people will be missing, but they won’t be the one’s that are lost. Parents that never accepted Christ will wake up and find that their young children have vanished, gone without a trace. Some husbands will awaken to find their wives missing. Some wives will awaken to find their husbands missing. People will show up for work and find that many of their co-workers are gone and no one knows where or why. People riding in cars, trucks, buses, trains and airplanes will be gone. Traffic will come to a standstill all over the world as tragic accidents abound everywhere, with no driver in view anywhere. People from all walks of life will be filing missing person reports, and frantically trying to find their loved ones. But the loved ones will not be found on this earth, for they are gone forever, gone to be with Jesus.
Many will seek an answer in the churches because they have heard about this thing called a ‘rapture” but most pastors will be gone. Most church members will be gone. Those left behind will be the ones that just went through the motions of attending church and thinking all was well with their soul. But those left behind in the churches will know where the others have gone. They will know… Christ has returned for His church, and the Rapture has taken place…and they are left behind.
Well, we can’t just leave it there…as Christ returns for the rapture of the church – His bride – which is referred to as His second coming... We need to be reminded of His 3rd return…or what is more commonly known as “The Day Of The Lord.” At this coming he will defeat the Anti-Christ and slay his evil army by the “sword of his mouth” the Word says...and those who have returned with Him – (Those who have taken place in the first resurrection or the rapture) -will reign with Christ on this earth for 1000 years.
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