BE PREPARED FOR THE “FIRST FLIGHT”
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 (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Make no mistakes about it, the time left before the Master’s return is shorter than many realize. What we’re expecting right now is the Rapture of the Church, the “catching away” of all those who are born again and walking in the light of God. Suddenly, we’ll disappear from this world to meet the Lord in the air.
Someone may ask, “How is that going to be possible? Imagine that the driver of a commuter bus or pilot of an airplane filled with people is born again, but the passengers aren’t; are you saying the driver or pilot will be raptured while the vehicle or airplane crashes?”
First, people who ask such questions haven’t understood what’s about to befall the world. The Rapture itself is judgement for the world. In Luke 17, Jesus said the day Noah entered into the ark, the floods came. Also, the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, fire came from Heaven and burnt up the city; judgment began immediately.
At the Rapture, cars and planes crashing with people onboard is all part of the judgement for the rejection of Christ. At that point, the hour of His grace would have been over. If any Christian is left behind, it’s because he or she wasn’t living the life of a Christian. They’ll be amongst the ones who’ll go through the Great Tribulation that’s to take place after the Rapture. And among them, a multitude of people will eventually be saved.
But you don’t want to be in that group. Jesus said, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). Prepare yourself for the “first flight.” Each day that passes takes us a day closer to His glorious appearing. Live for Him, and get others in your world ready for that day.
CONFESSION
I’m awake and alert in the spirit, and my life is guided by Christ’s love and Word, and by my expectation of His imminent return. I make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof; I’m led continually by the Spirit, manifesting the fruits of righteousness. My desire and passion to win my world to Christ flourishes, and many, through me, are brought to the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 24:37-39; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 1:7
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Peter 1 & Ezekiel 37-38
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 2:13-29 & Hosea 7-8
