He Shall Be Called - Day 23

Second Coming Prophecy: The Messiah will return to retrieve His followers and take them to live with Him

Scripture: Read the prophecy – John 14:1 – 3; I Corinthians 15:51 – 53; I Thessalonians 4:15 - 18
Read the fulfillment – Coming in the future! (perhaps soon)

The New Testament contains several prophecies concerning the next return of the Messiah. Just as there was confusion about the first coming of the Messiah, some folks are confused about His next return. The next time the Messiah returns, He will not set foot on earth but rather He will appear in the clouds. He will gather His followers (both the living and those who have died in Christ) and take them to heaven to live with Him there. This long-awaited event is called the rapture. No one knows the exact time when He will return but many Bible Scholars tell us that Christ could return at any moment.

The Apostle Paul referred to the rapture as “our blessed hope”. He wrote excitedly about what a glorious event it would be for every believer. He told us to talk about it often and to encourage each other with the details. The idea of a rapture of the saints (Christ followers) isn’t good news for un-believers because they haven’t said yes to Jesus and won’t be going up with the Lord. Sadly, the rapture isn’t always the good news that Christ intended for some believers. They are wrapped up in the cares of daily life. Careers, activities, child caring and everyday life have obscured their view of the rapture. They aren’t watching the sky expectantly to hear the trumpet sound and the shout of “Behold the bridegroom comes”.

Q1. Are thoughts of the rapture a daily encouragement to you? If not, what could you do to really make the rapture your blessed hope?

Q2. For many non-believers the rapture will mean they have forever lost their chance of salvation and have consigned themselves to an eternal existence without God. What do you need to do to increase your sense of urgency with those you know that desperately need to hear the gospel?

Q3. What do you think will happen in the world on the day that millions and millions of Christ followers suddenly disappear?

When my work here is over and trials come no more,
on that great day I’m going home
To live forever more, just over on heavens shore, won’t it be so sweet, to rest at Jesus’ feet
Heading for heaven’s gates for there my savior waits, when my life here is over I’m going home
I’ll meet my loved ones there, in that land so bright and fair, it could be today that I meet Jesus in the air

PRAYER FOCUS: Lord, what a blessed thought to know that my Savior is building me a home in heaven and one day will return to take me to my real home to live with Him. Help me throw off the distractions of this world and live each day with a heavenly focus. Make Your imminent return real to me and help it energize me for action. Lord, help me live every day in the light of the hope of “Maybe Today”.