Rapture Ready

Although the word "rapture" is not in the Bible, a picture of it is very clearly painted by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18. Traditionally, those who believe in a pretribulation rapture have used the word harpazo, which means to seize (in various applications), catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). Those who believe this was fulfilled in 70 AD with the ethereal return of Christ at the destruction of Jerusalem have a hard time not allegorizing this and other passages in Matthew 24‑25.

Jesus promised He would return. The Parousia is the reason for which Paul writes to the Church at Thessalonica. The specifics are inestimable. So I narrow my question down to one word, “ready.” If Jesus would come today, would you be ready? Would you fit the Biblical description of a Christian enough to be rejected by the world and accepted by the Lord? (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 14:18; Eph. 5:10) How does a person who has already received Christ maintain a “rapture ready” relationship with the Lord?

Four ways to be a “rapture ready” saint:

1 Thess. 5:23

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep your spirit clean – 2 Cor. 6:17‑18; 7:1

Keep your mind clean – 2 Cor. 10:3‑5

Keep your heart clean – Prov. 4:23

Keep your body clean – 1 Cor. 3:16‑17; 6:15‑20

The Word of God is that cleansing agent that should be applied to our lives every day. Most of us wouldn’t go a day without taking a bath, I’m sure. Yet, many take a spiritual bath once a week. Their bodies may be clean but their souls are soiled by the elements of sin. Every day you need a spiritual bath. So fill up your secret place with the Word of God and jump right in. Ho Yah, make sure you get behind those ears!

Word for the Day
Inestimable ‑ Impossible to estimate or compute: inestimable damage.

Quote for Today
Personally, I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874 ‑ 1965)