Certainly, we look around us at the brokenness that fills the world with so much sorrow, pain, and turmoil from every side. Yet, what we may not realize it has been that truth since the days of Christ. Paul often reminded the early Christians, that this is not our final destiny. Furthermore, there will be a day when Christ returns to take us home. This was part of the gospel message of hope he proclaimed to the world. So, all the early Christians with great anticipation were joyfully awaiting the Great Reunion called the rapture? The were always thinking today might be the day.
Indeed the Thessalonian church wanted to know whether those who died would miss out on the miraculous reunion as they were so galvanized to work each day spreading the gospel while awaiting his return. Look at what was reported of them to Paul and he wrote this.
1 Thessalonians 1(AMP) The Great Reunion
8 For the word of the Lord has resounded from you and has echoed [like thunder], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place [the news of] your [great] faith in God has spread, so that we never need to say anything about it. 9 For they themselves report about us, telling what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].
So, they expectantly, joyfully awaited the great reunion. Yet, they wondered about their family, friends and others who had already died. Would they be a part of the great reunion when Christ returns? After all, the strength to continue working for Him, spreading the gospel, standing firm for Jesus Christ, in a hostile word that wants Him gone comes from the strength of knowing Him. And from knowing He will return. We know that He has won the victory. Whatever we face in this world, we know it is a blink of the eye compared to eternity. That fortifies us. If only we can keep focus on this truth, we would be joyfully awaiting the great reunion, the rapture.
But until that day we are to keep working for Jesus. Imagine the reunion party? For me, seeing Jesus is my greatest desire of all. Just to rest in His arms, His presence. I can imagine He can give us each a hug individually all at the same time.
Joyfully Awaiting the Great Reunion Called the Rapture
When they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Acts 1:6-11 ESV
We are not to just stand still staring into heaven; but we are to remember He is returning. It is that which Paul wishes to address as he writes to the church in Thessalonica. Remember they most likely had never seen Jesus, even when He walked the earth—he was in Nazareth, Samaria, and Judea. For us, it is similar only even farther away from the time He walked on the earth. We too need to be reminded so as not to be dismayed.
1 Thessalonians 4:
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
We are not hopeless as others in the world.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
At the time of the rapture, Jesus will bring all our loved ones with Him. They are with Him, although their bodies are still here. So that the reunion is complete, they will come with Him.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[d] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
They will then be joined with their bodies, though their soul/spirit have been in heaven with Jesus.
Therefore, we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5: 6-8
How exciting is that! The Great Reunion
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
How would your life today be if you are joyfully awaiting the reunion called the rapture? Would you be running from place to place to tell the truth and to lead others to Christ? Let us be the light reaching into the darkness. We must be the truth dispelling all the lies. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Who will you tell today the Good news of the Gospel.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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