" Is There Any Hope ? "

1st. Thessalonians 4:13-18   " But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (have died), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that JESUS died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (die) in JESUS will GOD bring with HIM. For this we say unto you by the WORD of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the LORD HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD:  and the dead in CHRIST shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be "caught up" (rapture) together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the LORD. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. "

     One of the greatest prophecies for the church is that we will be raptured prior to the start of the seven-year tribulation.  This  "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) is described in some detail in today's text, where Paul assures all believers that we have hope because we are saved, unlike those who do not know the LORD. This hope refers to a "confident expectation."  CHRIST is coming back to unite us with HIMSELF and to reunite us with those loved ones whose souls are with HIM in heaven.  HE will return, bringing back their souls to be reunited with their bodies; those of us who are alive and remain at HIS coming will be instantaneously changed in our bodies (1st.Cor.15:51-52) so that we are all suited for the heavenly abode HE is preparing for us (John 14:1-3). Additionally, Paul gives the Thessalonian believers a sequence of events:  CHRIST will return; a trumpet sounds;  the bodies of those who have died will be resurrected, and their souls will reunite with them;  then we who are alive will ascend into the glory of heaven, to be forever with the LORD.  When this event transpires, all believers from the Day of Pentecost up to that very moment when the rapture occurs will be  "caught up" (v.17) into the LORD's physical presence, meeting HIM face to face.

     This spectacular and imminent event is a tremendous motivation for faithful Christian service today (1st.John 2:28).  The pretribulation rapture is truly going to happen, just as the Apostle Paul has clearly stated.  Every church age believer will be caught up to meet the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the air, and we will be with HIM forever.  How certain are we of this truth ?  We have the very "WORD of the LORD"  on this matter (V.15). GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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