The last few years I have felt a sense of urgency in my spirit to warn people about the coming of the Lord. I feel we are very close to the rapture of the church and the tribulation period. My goal as we go through different end time topics is to help you see that Jesus is coming to take us home soon, we need to be ready and if you are a believer, this is something to get excited about.
A lot of people I talk to find it scary and don’t really want to think about it. I am going to explain why when we see end time prophecies coming to pass, we should get excited.
Our relationship with Jesus is like a marriage, and that is why the church is referred to as the bride and Jesus is referred to as the bridegroom. I know us girls like to think of ourselves as a bride but guys, if you feel uncomfortable with that scenario. Think of yourself as part of the body of Christ. Jesus is the strongest, most loving man there is. He spoke boldly, was well respected. He was not afraid of anyone or anything. Be proud in your identity as part of him.
Marriage is a choice two people make of their own free will. When two people are married, the Bible says they become one flesh.
Mark 10:7-8 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So, they are no longer two but one flesh.
Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another.
EPHESIANS 5:30-32 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
The body of Christ already paid for sin and God does not punish twice. He was physically torn apart by whippings, his body nailed to cross. He experienced the hatred and rejection of the very people he loved, and was trying to save. He willingly allowed, the wrath that mankind deserved for their sins, poured upon his physical body. Because we have accepted a relationship with Jesus, we have become one with him. Since the body of Christ took the wrath of God, it means we as individuals do not have to. It would be like double jeopardy if God was to take his wrath out on us. We are holy and safe in Jesus. Now, God, is a God of Justice. Sin must be punished. Those who have not become one with Jesus will be subjected to that punishment. See my Salvation Explained article for further details. If we are saved and living for Jesus we should get excited about the rapture of the Church.
10 reasons for believers to get excited about the soon return of Jesus.
Reason 1. He promised to rapture us prior to the tribulation. The rapture is when Jesus comes and collects his church off the earth before the tribulation. The tribulation is the time God’s wrath on an unbelieving world. Because we are not subject to his wrath since Jesus took that for us, he needs to pull us out. Romans 5:9, Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For those of you who are not familiar with the rapture stay with me and we will delve into it later.
Reason 2. Only one generation in all of human history will never have to physically die. We will never have to experience what that is like. 1 Thessalonians 4: 17-18 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. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Reason 3. We get new glorified bodies. Philippians 3:21, Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. 1 Corinthians 15:53, We shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
Reason 4. We will be in the presence of God and his unconditional love.
Reason number 5. This can be found in 2 Timothy 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. There is a crown that is promised to those who long for his coming.
Reason 6. John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? We will finally get to see the place he has prepared for us. He created us and knows exactly what we will like. I am excited to see what he has prepared for us.
Reason 7 8. There will be no more death and there will be no more pain. Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Reason 9. We will be free from sin and those things that weigh us down.
Reason 10. The most important one. Those that we love who have not committed their lives to Christ, will have a big wake up call. The reason for the tribulation is to bring Israel to the saving knowledge of Jesus. It will also give the gentile people one last chance to turn to him. God at some point needs to end the evil of sin and death. He has been patient waiting for our loved ones but sometimes people need a bit of a shaking to wake up. If God let things continue as is, sin would get worse, more people would get hurt and killed, and our unsaved loved ones would end up in hell because they never woke up.
We serve a good God. He is full of love, compassion, forgiveness, and patience, not wanting to be separated from any of us. The day of the Lord will be difficult for those that were not in the body of Christ, but it wakes up millions, bringing salvations. Revelation 9-14 talks about how a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be saved during the tribulation. Thanks to God’s wake up call.
Hebrews 10:25, let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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http://riseandshinelightoftheworld.blogspot.com
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