Wednesday, March 27, 2013

ABOUT THE RAPTURE


This was a devotional I read this morning and was so very good I felt I needed to share it here:


"We tell you this directly from the Lord."
I Thessalonians 4:15 NLT

WHEN A BELIEVER DIES

What Paul wrote about death, he got directly from the Lord: "We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died."  The Lord reserves this high privilege exclusively for those who die in Him: they will be the first to experience the resurrection.  Try to imagine that moment.  Arising from their rest like we do after a good night's sleep, now dressed in Christ-like bodies, they awake to the sight of their Lord returning in glory with His angels.  They meet Him-the first believers to witness His return, the initial wing of His airborne vanguard to escort Him back to earth.  This is no pipe dream or mere fantasy Paul got it "directly from the Lord."  Our source is unimpeachable!  He writes: (1)"Together with them, we which are alive..will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (vs17 NLT).  Living believers will rise to join with resurrected brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, spouses, friends, family of God Never-met-before, in a spectacular mid-air reunion with Christ. We'll be together, inseparable, eternal, one international, multicultural, love-based, Christ-centered family! (2)"Then we will be with the Lord forever" (vs17 NLT).  No speculating or imagining what He's really like, "For we will see him as he really is (1Jn 3:2 NLT).  We will see, touch and talk with Jesus as we do each other.  And He will respond to us in real time! (3) "Encourage each other with these word" (1 Thessolonians 4:18 NLT)
Copied fromThe Word For You Today daily devotional

This brings great delight to my heart as I think of our precious Suzette and all our other relatives and friends who left this earth before us.  What a well deserved blessing they have earned.

7 comments:

Mountain Mama said...

Isn't this just beautiful? I just completed an online study in 1 & 2 Thessalonians and it's good to read more about this wonderful promise. Blessings

Mari said...

What a wonderful word picture this is. It will be a glorious day!

Sylvia said...

My spirit is so excited ! What a glorious hope we have.

retha said...

:o)
makes me think that hight nervousness needs to be dealt with quickly.

Shannon Bee said...

That's a great devotional! Can't wait for that! :)

Anonymous said...

Susan this was so wonderful to read this morning. I lost a beautiful friend yesterday and I truly needed this,
Prayers and Hugs
I hope you have a blessed Easter.

pearlie said...

Thanks Susan for your note.
And thanks for posting this. I am encouraged by you just as Paul tells us to encourage one another with these words of the coming of our Lord.