Walking by Faith

Thought for Today – A Ministry of John Palatucci November 12, 2008

Good morning,

Thought for today

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” (I Thessalonians 5:16). There are three distinct sounds mentioned by Paul that will occur at the moment of Christ’s appearance in the sky. First, the Lord’s shout. What will he say? I do not know, maybe He will say what mom use to say when she woke us up; “Rise and shine”. Second, the voice of the archangel will join in. That would be Michael (Jude 9). Finally, there will be the sound of the trumpet of God (I Corinthians 15:52). No one will sleep through that. Not even those who have been dead for two thousand years. We are assured that we will be with Jesus forever. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus shall we always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:17,18). Are you afraid of flying? Better get over it. The phrase “caught up” is where we get the idea of “rapture” from. As far as a “secret rapture” that some believe in, I have no idea how it could be secret with all that trumpet blowing and shouting. At any rate, it involves all the righteous being “caught up” into the air to meet Jesus. It is then that He will take us home to that place He has prepared (I Corinthians 15:23-26). There we “shall always be with the Lord.”  I used to be so afraid of dying, but since my new birth, I would welcome it. Do you think the Lord will come today? Yes? No? Maybe?  Then you better be sure you are ready.

Blessings in Christ

 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)