1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)
13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that JESUS died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in JESUS will GOD bring with Him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 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: 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
CHRIST JESUS’ return will be sudden and unexpected; that is, it is imminent – He could return at any moment, and we should live constantly expecting that event. Here are some sample texts of many that argue for imminency; that is, that expect nothing else to happen before the LORD comes. Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for a Savior, the LORD JESUS CHRIST” -this text implies that we are looking not for some other event on the world stage, we're looking for JESUS CHRIST, that's the next thing. In Philippians 4:5, “The LORD is near." 1 Thessalonians 1:10, we "wait for His Son from heaven" – we don't wait for the events of the tribulation, we don't wait for the manifestation of the Antichrist, we "wait for GOD’s Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is JESUS, who rescues us from the wrath to come." Titus 2:13,
“In this present age," we live "looking for the blessed hope" – so, what are we looking for? "The appearing of the glory of our great GOD and Savior, JESUS CHRIST." James 5:8-9, "The coming of the LORD is near" – and then James uses this powerful image; he says, "Behold, the JUDGE is standing right at the door." That's a powerful image; it's like JESUS has His hand on the doorknob and He's about to twist it and open it and bolt in to receive us. Revelation 22:20, “He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly,'" to which John replies, "Amen. Come, LORD JESUS." To the first century readers of these texts, these passages clearly meant that they should stay alert, that they should expect that JESUS CHRIST could return on any day at any moment. -ARE WE READY TO MEET CHRIST IN THE AIR?
Prayer:
FATHER GOD, thank You for these wonderful truths – seal them in our hearts. LORD, help us to live looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great GOD and Savior, JESUS CHRIST. ABBA FATHER, I also pray for those who aren’t prepared and will be left behind if He comes today – LORD, give them a repentant heart, give them faith to see and believe in JESUS' life, death and resurrection as their only hope of being right with You. We pray that You would graciously accomplish that in their hearts even today, that no one should perish but that all will come to repentance and believe in JESUS' great and mighty Name. Amen.