Page 327 - Bible Writers Theology Original

J The Rapture or Catching Away
I Thessalonians 4:17: "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." We will have the privilege of seeing the
two Old Testament prophets that were caught up to the air before they died. First, in Genesis 5:24, "Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God tookhim." Second,inIIKings2:11itsays,"astheystillwenton,andtalked, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
In the same manner, the Church shall be caught up to glory, arrayed in the glorious body of her bridegroom to be with Him at the marriage supper of the lamb (Revelation19:7-9). Jesusshallappeartothosewhoarelikethefive wisevirgins. Unlikethefivefoolishvirgins,theyhadtakentimetoprepare. "Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching" (Luke 12:32-40; cf. Matthew 25:1-13)
Many members of the anticipating Church, by means of physical death, havegoneonaheadofus. TheyarerestinginJesuswaitingfortherapture. At that day, we will have great joy and say, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). The Church hasa burning desire and deeplongingtoseethatgloriousdaytobewithJesus. (SeeIICorinthians 5:1-3; Philippians 3:20-21.)
K The EverlastingHopeofthe ChurchIsthe New Jerusalem
We shall see a "new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the firstearthwillpassawayandtherewillbenomoresea". Wewillseewhat John saw: "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:1-2). Jesus has prepared that glorious everlasting home for all of His followers (theChurch),andiscomingtowelcomeHisownhome. (SeeJohn14:2-3.)
As a man prepares a houseforhisbride, Christ has prepared amost mag nificent new heaven and new earth for His bride. The beauty of our eternal home is so much greater than our senses can discover (I Corinthians 2:9; Revelation21:1-8). Forthatvastuniverse"hadnoneedofthesunneitherof the moon to shine on it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereofand the nationsofthemwhicharesavedshallwalkinthe light" (Revelation 21:22-24).
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