Each day, we draw closer to the return of Christ to gather the Church. At His descent from heaven, the dead in Christ will rise. We who are alive in Christ will meet them in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17)!
I believe it’s vitally important for the church to proclaim this all-important message from the pulpit much more than we currently do. A main objective of the local church must be to help her members become prepared for the return of the Lord. This is the real deal.
Ironically, this is a subject we talk about too little in church. In many churches today, you can hear preaching almost every week about prosperity and God’s desire bless His people. These days, I hear much talk about the prophetic ministry. Too many people claim to be operating in some prophetic realm. But how often do we stress the need to be ready when Christ returns?
As It Was in the Days of Noah
The world of unbelievers will not be losing any sleep about this matter. Jesus says when He returns, His coming will be as it was in the days of Noah. Before the flood came, the people in the world were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. This continued until the very day Noah and his family entered the ark.
“And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Matthew 24:39, KJV
Based on these words of Jesus, I believe the return of Christ will catch most of the world by surprise! Furthermore, these stunning words of Jesus also reflect the power of darkness and unbelief that will exist at His return. The devil is blinding the minds of unbelievers so they can’t see the glorious light of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4).
That’s why many people in the world today mock the idea of the Lord returning to gather the dead in Christ and those believers who will be alive at His return.
The return of Christ to gather the church–commonly called the rapture–will be quick and decisive. Not one person in Christ, dead or alive, will be mistakenly left behind when He returns. No one who should be left behind will be inadvertently taken. And woe to those who are left behind.
We Are Ambassadors for Christ
Against this backdrop, you and I are called to make a difference in the fate of this world. As it was with the apostles, we are here in Christ’s stead. We are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). It behooves us to do whatever is within our power to help the lost become reconciled to God. That includes our family members, neighbors, friends and colleagues who are not ready for the return of Christ.
As His ambassadors, let us reach out to the lost whom we know. Remember to pray for them. Let us become broken for the lost. We should not want anyone to miss out on that glorious day when Christ returns. The dead in Christ and those who are alive and in Christ will be gathered to meet Him in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!
[In the hour that we think not, the Son of man comes.]
Copyright © 2023 by Frank King. All rights reserved.