Heaven is a place, but it is also a change of dimension. Paul attempted to teach this truth to the Corinthians. “Behold, I shew [shō] you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV). The whole study of God and last things brings us to this mystery. In the blink of an eye, we shall change our dimension into Christ’s presence. The last or final blast of the trumpet for both the living and dead saints will produce this instantaneous change. This is the hope of rapture and resurrection for the Body of Christ. LORD, purify Your body of disciples in hope of this transformation. Come quickly. Lord Jesus. Amen.
Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Rapture: The Blessed Hope
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJV). Sure, I’d like to go, if there’s a Rapture, but how do you know it’s so? Harpazō is the NT Greek for catching up or rapture. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Here, harpazō is understandably connected with the “coming of the Lord” (4:15). We will be “caught up” (4:17) to the Lord in the air to reunite with our predeceased brothers and sisters before we all return with Christ. Harpazō also occurs in Revelation 12:5, where the “woman” (12:1), representing Israel, brings forth the Messiah, who is “caught up” (12:5) to the throne of God. Likewise, the Church as the Body of Christ will be raptured to Heaven, after which Israel will be forced to flee “into the wilderness” (12:6). May the Spirit of Christ “comfort” you (1Thessalonians 4:18) with these words, but let us not be impatient or contentious with one another, least of all, about the Rapture. “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).
If You Have to Ask
Then, it didn’t happen. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, that is. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7 KJV). This is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, not the Rapture. Everyone without exception will know when Jesus the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords returns. The angels declared, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). With a sharp two-edged sword in His mouth (Revelation 19:15), He will descend at the Battle of Armageddon to “smite the nations” (19:15). As He departed from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12), His feet will touch again the mount, which will cleave in two (Zechariah 14:4). He will judge the nations (Joel 3:1-2; Matthew 25:31-46), then begin His Millennial Reign upon earth (Revelation 20:3-7). LORD, come quickly in judgment and righteousness. Help us in this time of grace to put our houses in order to prepare for Your appearing. Amen.
The Case for Creation
Not everything is as it seems. There is a Creator, but no one has seen Him, except Philip. “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9 KJV). Creation is a certainty, for Jesus certified, “From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6). Physical geology seems to indicate untold periods of time to form the Grand Canyon, but what about God carving it suddenly with a catastrophic Flood? In classical physics, how can light reach us from distant galaxies in only six literal days, but then our Supernatural Creator and Judge will return “in the twinkling of an eye” (1Corinthians 15:52) and ultimately the “heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll” (Isaiah 34:4). Figurative, poetic hyperbole, or “Is any thing too hard for the LORD” (Genesis 18:14)? LORD, restore again Your rightful place as Creator, Judge, and Sustainer of All Possible Universes, in the hearts of Your people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Power of the Resurrection
Humanity dreams of the potential of harnessing fusion or orbiting solar power plants to power the world, but Christianity yearns for a similar empowerment for the Church. The Father has already provided the foundation for that transformation through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We all know it is easy to die, but to come back from the dead by an act of indomitable will is the sole capacity of God alone. “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10 KJV). What God resurrects is forever. Settle for no substitutes! Unless we receive this miracle from the Almighty, the entire world is hopelessly lost! Unless the Church learns to carefully and prayerfully lean upon the Holy Spirit, we are holding back the LORD from unleashing His Resurrection power and transforming this earth into a Restored Eden. Good news: Resurrection power comes through intimate knowledge with Christ. However, a warning to the Church: Resurrection power also comes with suffering! We look forward to New Heavens and a New Earth, but how can we expect Him to return to reward us, unless our hand is on the plow laboring to build His Kingdom now — with Resurrection power? Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Riddle of Life
Riddle me this. How can a disciple not experience physical death, yet every disciple, including the departed, put on immortality? Simple. Rapture and resurrection. Disciples who are physically alive, when the LORD returns will be raptured, that is, immediately caught up and transformed into someone with an immortal, undying body. Already departed disciples will be resurrected with also an immortal, undying body. “51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1Corinthians 15:51-55 KJV).
My Redeemer Liveth
Jōb repeated more about Bible prophecy and End Times in a passing soliloquy than many a church member has carefully studied. “For I know that my redeemer [God is our salvation] liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day [Prophecy of End Times] upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God [Bodily Resurrection]: Whom I shall see for myself [Second Coming of Jesus Christ], and mine eyes shall behold [Face To Face With Yahweh], and not another” (Job 19:25-27 KJV). This is the oldest book of the Bible, repeated under monumental stress, before there was even a written canon of Scripture. Humbling! May we aspire to testify as much with our lives!
We Need A Miracle 