“Picture This!”

 “Picture This!”

 

For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a commanding SHOUT, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.  Then together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  Then we will be with the Lord FOREVER.   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

 

Many people are excited about the Christmas season, they are hustling and bustling here and there, with JOY, and ANTICIPATION of what Christmas Morning holds for them and their loved ones.  Many will travel long distances to spend a little time with family and friends, with EXCEEDING JOY, they CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, but what are they CELEBRATING?  How many will actually ACKNOWLEDGE that it is the CELEBRATION of the BIRTH of KING JESUS, the ONE who was born in a dirty, smelly barn, of sorts, the ONE who came and as a man, DIED for their SINS, to secure for them an ETERNITY in HEAVEN?

 

Our Scripture, tells us of another event, that is yet to happen.  It is called the RAPTURE of the CHURCH, the Body of BELIEVERS.  As the TRUE CHILDREN of GOD, they can LOOK FORWARD EAGERLY with GREAT JOY and ANTICIPATION, to that GREAT DAY.  This is the GREAT HOPE of the Church; to be able to FINALLY see the Lord and to be UNITED with Him FOREVER.  This is what will take place:  The Lord will descend from Heaven to the earth and with the COMMANDING SHOUT, with the voice of the Archangel and the TRUMPET CALL of GOD, all heralding Jesus Christ’s RETURN.  The bodies of the Christians, who have died, will RISE from their GRAVES. This will happen a moment before the TRUE BELIEVERS, who are ALIVE on earth are CAUGHT UP in the clouds and TOGETHER, they will MEET the LORD in the air.  And they will FOREVER be with the LORD. This is known as the RAPTURE, and ALL TRUE BELIEVERS, SHOULD be ANTICIPATING this GLORIOUS EVENT with EXCEEDING GREAT JOY.  Are you?

 

For those who have NOT given their HEART and LIFE to God, through the SHED BLOOD of His Son, whose birth is the REASON for the CHRISTMAS SEASON, they REALLY have NOTHING to LOOK FORWARD to. Their destiny is an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once they are there.   However, God is OFFERING them a FREE GIFT of SALVATION, and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  But they MUST ADMIT that they are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.  And they MUST BELIEVE with ALL their HEART, that JESUS DIED for them, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God.  Then they NEED to CONFESS their sins to Him, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  They MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM their OLD, SINFUL LIFE-STYLE, and TURN TO GOD, and LOOK FORWARD, with EXCEEDING GREAT JOY to that GLORIOUS DAY, when ALL GOD’S CHILDREN will be with the LORD, FOREVER.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!  PICTURE THAT!!