articlesforchristians

Jesus Comes for His Church
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica of the great hope that was ahead for the bride of Christ, the church. This event is commonly called the rapture of the church. Several things are clear concerning this monumental event as described in 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.
  • Concerning the dead, we are not to sorrow as one without hope (verse 13).
  • Because Jesus rose again He will raise the dead in Christ also (verse 14).
  • The Lord himself will descend from heaven. There will be a heavenly shout with the voice of the archangel included, and the trumpet of God will sound (verse 16).
  • Those who died after living their lives for Jesus will be raised first (verse 16).
  • The living saints will be caught up together with the dead saints in the clouds (verse 17).
  • All will meet the Lord Jesus in the air, never to be parted again (verse 17).
  • We are to comfort one another with this truth (verse 18).

Jesus, in Matthew 24:40-42, warned of the danger of not being ready for His coming. There will be a separation between those who are ready and those who are unprepared.

• Matthew 24:40-42 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
  • Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
  • Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

In sum, there will be a resurrection of the righteous dead. Jesus Christ will return for His church. There will be a glorious catching away of the saints of God, and there will be a wonderful reunion with the saints of God who have gone on before. The following passage describes the proper response to this great truth.

• Titus 2:11-13
  • For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
  • Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
  • Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;