Nothing Left to Do, But Wait

(photo courtesy of Donna Easter)

I remember as a first-time mother-to-be waiting for my baby to be born. As the due date got closer, my husband and I made sure we had everything we needed to welcome our baby. We had the baby’s room all prepared with a new crib and a little zoo animal mobile that played music attached to it. I had bought diapers and bottles, and lots of little outfits for my baby. And I waited. I had all the signs that the birth was soon to be, but even the doctor couldn’t tell me the exact date. I was out to here; I had those false labor pains quite frequently; I even had the “nesting” behavior that was supposed to come right before delivery. The delivery date came and went, and still we waited. Finally, in the middle of the night, true labor began. We headed to the hospital, but even then, the doctor couldn’t say exactly when my baby would be born. Eventually, he came into the world as most babies do, crying at the top of his lungs, and instantly making my husband and me parents.

The interesting thing was that even though John and I knew this baby would be born, even though the doctor knew this baby was going to be born, no one could tell us when this would happen until it happened! But John and I were prepared, and when the day finally came, we were ready for our baby to arrive.

The Bible talks about an event that is going to happen one day. This is an event that Paul speaks about in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. “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 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

This event has been referred to as the “rapture”. It is not what many people call the “second coming of Christ”. The rapture is the event where Jesus is coming from heaven FOR his children.

The second coming is when Jesus returns and sets foot on the earth WITH his children.

All the Biblical prophecies that have to be fulfilled prior to this event have been fulfilled. That means there is nothing else that has to happen before Jesus returns for those who have placed their faith and trust in Him as Saviour.

When is this rapture going to happen? Well, it’s a lot like childbirth. We know it’s coming, but we don’t know the exact day or time. Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) He does tell us that when he returns, it will be suddenly, and we should be watching for his return and be ready for it.

Matthew 24:44 states, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:52-53, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” This means we aren’t going to have advanced notice to get ourselves “right with God.” The time to be ready is now… today.

How do we get ready? First, we must be saved. Has there ever been a time in your life when you’ve trusted Christ as your Savior and asked Him to forgive your sins? Maybe you’re thinking right now about that, and you don’t know or don’t remember if you’ve ever invited Jesus to be your Saviour. You can settle that today. You can pray today and ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Maybe you think there’s no way God could forgive you. The Bible reminds us that God has promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Not some sins, but any and all of them regardless of how “bad” we think they are, God is ready to forgive.

I urge you to be ready for the shout of the Lord Jesus, the sound of God’s trumpet and the voice of the angel… it will happen so fast… remember, in the twinkling of an eye, and it could happen today. If you don’t think you are ready, reach out. I’d be happy to explain to you from the Bible how you can be saved and know for sure that when Jesus comes to take His children home, you’ll be going with Him.

Remember, all that needs to be done is for God the Father to tell His Son that it is time to go get His children. Nothing else needs to be accomplished before Jesus comes again. It could happen at any moment…

On the resurrection morning
We shall meet Him in the air
We shall rise, hallelujah, we shall rise!
And be carried up to Glory
And our home so bright and fair
We shall rise, hallelujah, we shall rise!

(from “Hallelujah, We Shall Rise” by J.E. Thomas)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”- John 14:3

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Are you ready?