What in the World is Going On?
"The Great Evacuation"
Dr. Barry D. Lovett
16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NRSV)
It’s important to distinguish between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ.
The Second Coming will be seen by everyone. Revelation 1:7 – Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
Seven years earlier the Rapture will have already occurred, when all the followers of Christ will ascend to meet Christ in the air and be taken to Heaven having never experience death!
“Let not your heart be troubled; … if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3
The word rapture means “to seize” or “to snatch,”
For the Lord Himself will descend I Thessalonians 4:16 a
– Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up… I Thessalonians 4:17 a - The words “caught up” are from the Greek word harpazo. One of the meanings of the word harpazo is “to snatch away speedily.”
…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet... I Corinthians 15:52 –
I Thessalonians 4:17 – Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:18
So What, Now What? How should this knowledge affect the way we live?
We Should be Looking for the Lord “…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ… Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 1:10
We Should be Living for the Lord “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 ; II Peter 3:11; II Peter 3:14; I John 2:28; I John 3:2-3
Jesus Christ is coming again. He’s coming for all those who have placed their faith in Him. If you have not done this, you will be left behind. Please do not wait until it is too late!