1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
One of the great promises of Scripture is Jesus’ second coming. It is incorrect to say, “Is Jesus coming again?” It is not a question but a statement!
Jesus came a first time and will come a second time. Jesus said He will come again, angels declared He will come again, the Apostles stated He will come again and the ordinances of the church (water baptism and communion) express He will come again. His coming is a reliable promise; it is the Blessed Hope. Hopefully, Jesus is coming for you.
Are you living with a sense of anticipation? Years ago I was talking about His return and a toddler was sitting with his parents, paying attention to every word. At the end of the service the parents wanted to leave. He told them he was not ready to go just yet; Jesus was coming and he wanted to see Him. The innocent and simple approach to life, revealed in children, is the kind of expectancy needed by all who follow Jesus.
First Corinthians 15 declares a shocking event connected to His return. Believers refer to it as the rapture. The word is not used in Scripture but refers to being “caught up,” as stated in 2 Thessalonians 4:17.
Here are some key elements to this Biblical event.
Jesus’ second coming is only once but He will appear twice.
The Apostle Paul reveals by divine revelation a future event. There is no reference to the rapture in the Old Testament.
Some Old Testament mysteries became clear after Jesus’ ministry on earth. The confusion of the suffering Messiah was cleared up after Jesus came and died on the cross. Jews and Gentiles being brought together into a divine community became clearer after the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. These vague truths under the Old Covenant became understood in the New Covenant.
There are mysteries not even revealed in the Old Testament. The rapture is a New Testament truth. Although not foretold in the Old Testament, there are types (Old Testament pictures of New Testament truths). God did not release His just wrath upon the wicked world until righteous Noah was safe from harm. God did not unleash destruction upon the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah until righteous Lot was a safe distance away.
The rapture removes people made righteous through Jesus Christ before God’s judgment impacts the wicked and corrupt world system.
The rapture begins the final preparation.
At the rapture Jesus receives His own and prepares them to come back with Him.
The Bible illustrates this pattern. When David returned to Jerusalem, after his son’s defeat, His faithful followers met him at the Jordan River and returned with him to the city. (2 Samuel 19:10-15; 20:1-3)
When Jesus walked on water, faithful Peter came out to meet Him and, with dependence upon Jesus, returned with Him to the boat. (Matthew 14; 22-34)
When Paul was on his journey to Rome, believers came to meet him and returned together to the city. (Acts 28:15-16)
The rapture is when faithful believers meet Jesus in the air and become prepared to return with Him to the earth.
After the meeting in the air
Following the rapture, the church (the Bride of Christ) becomes properly adorned and united with her Lord. The adornment occurs at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)
This “judgment” is not with regard to sin. Sins become covered when Jesus is Lord of your life. Sins are forgiven on account of Mount Calvary. The Judgment Seat of Christ is when followers of Jesus discover the truth of their testimony.
“His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)
Eternal life is through faith in God. Does your life give clear evidence of being a child of God? As someone once said, “If you were to stand trial for your faith would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Indifference and loose living impacts the quality of your testimony.
Regardless what you say, you live according to what you actually believe. Eternal life is a priceless gift. Inappropriate behavior and unwholesome activities cheapens God’s grace. If you believe in Jesus then live for Jesus. As followers of Jesus, the present time is for laying up “treasures in heaven.”
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
Based on your testimony today, you can experience an “abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom.” Salvation is by grace, through faith, not by works; however, you are saved unto good works. Your life is to produce great results of eternal value.
If there has been no change in your life since asking Jesus to be Lord, you should question your salvation. Your conversations and activities will not usher you into His eternal kingdom but should reflect you are a member of His kingdom. James reveals saving faith produces good works (James 2:24). Your activities should reveal you have a place in the Kingdom of God.
Believers will appear before Jesus, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and accurately see the record of their life. Let your life show the right way to live.
The classic book of Chuck Colson, Loving God, makes reference to the west coast gangster Myer Harris Cohen, known as Mickey to his friends. He was a Kingpin for the L.A. mob in the late 1940’s. He wanted to be a follower of Jesus and still live as he had always done. When confronted by another believer he responded, “There are Christian movie stars, Christian athletes, Christian businessmen, so what’s the matter with being a Christian gangster?”
Colson wrote, “Cohen was echoing the millions of professing Christians who… through their very lives pose the same question… [of] being Christianized versions of whatever they already were…. C.S. Lewis called these hybrids ‘Hyphenated Christians’…. Like Mickey, we cannot love God – cannot obey Him – and remain what we are.”
With Jesus leading your life, change should be expected. Penetrating the darkness does not mean allowing darkness to penetrate you. By following Jesus you are already being judged by the world. The moment you identified with Him, the world started scrutinizing your life. People know there are some things believers should not be doing, things inappropriate.
I was speaking to a young couple living across the street from our home and made reference to normally driving 5 M.P.H. over the speed limit on the highway. They knew I was a minister and said, “I thought people in your profession didn’t do such things.” They were making light jest about my driving but the comment reveals Christ followers have a different standard to live by. People know believers should do things saturated with righteousness; such as, speaking wholesomely and being helpful. Good fruit should be evident.
“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ 19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 5:15-19)
The Judgment Seat of Christ
This judgment is gloriously filled with rewards. Rewards are signified in the Bible with the word, “crown.”
The incorruptible crown is for those found faithful. (1 Corinthians 9:25)
The crown of rejoicing is given to those who lead others to Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
The crown of righteousness comes to those ready for His coming. (2 Thessalonians 4:8)
The crown of life is given to those who persevere under trial. (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10)
The crown of glory is given to those who faithfully care for God’s family. (1 Peter 5:4)
Rewards are given to believers who live in obedience to God.
The wedding
After being properly adorned with a royal crown, the church is united with her Lord. The Apostle Paul said to the church in Corinth, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” (2 Corinthians 11:2)
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.’ 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. The fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. 9Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” (Revelation 19:6-9)
The Judgment Seat of Christ is part of the wedding; the Bride becomes properly adorned. Purifying fire reveals the righteous acts and followers of Jesus are rightfully rewarded.
United with her Lord, the church is eternally with Him, like husband and wife. The Apostle Paul declared, “We shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18) Where He goes, the church goes; when He returns, the Bride returns with Him.
A glorious destiny
A glorious destiny is waiting for those who love Jesus. Some may enter eternity without any “treasure in heaven” and some will have “an abundant entrance.” How will it be for you? It’s your choice!
People can build with wood, hay and stubble (1 Corinthians 3:12). Although not very durable, they are building materials. They cannot, however, survive fire. Will your testimony be able to withstand the scrutiny of the all-knowing God?
Make your life count for Jesus! Your conversations and lifestyle should make a statement of lasting value. Be ready for the rapture. It could happen – right now!
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