Christianity Oasis Forum

[saint701]

Hello Christianity Oasis, All...

Blessings!

I do believe the Lord's coming for us is always imminent...that is, He could come for us at any moment. That is the first of 5 tenets I believe should make up our mind-set regarding the Coming of our Lord to catch us away. We find that tenet stated in Matthew's Gospel Chapter 24 verse 42. (Matt.24 [42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come). And again in Chapter 25 verse 13. (Matt.25 [13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh). (Also Luke 12 verse 40 and Luke 21 verse 36). The Coming of the Lord to catch us away is always imminent.

The second tenet regarding the Rapture of the Church is also found in those scriptures above. We are commanded to always be watching for our Lord's Coming to catch us away. That tenet is also expressed in the following scriptures. (1). Matt.24 [43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, [b]he would have watched,[/b] and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (2). Luke.12 [39] And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. (3). 1Thes.5
[2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
[4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (4). 2Pet.3
[10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; (5). Rev.16 [15] Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth. Therefore, be blessed, and ever be watching for the Coming of our Lord to catch us away.

The third tenet is found in 2.Tim.4. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do you desire a crown of righteousness? Then love His appearing...righteousness has a two fold application in scripture...on the one hand, as we grow up in the new nature of our Lord within us we learn to do right things. On the other hand, I like the scriptures in Jeremiah that describes our right standing with God. He is the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS! Jer.23 [6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. If I could have it be so my crown of righteousness would read, THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS! After all, God has made our Lord Jesus our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption! He has redeemed us with the purchase price of the GREAT POWER of His Blood! Therefore I LOVE HIS APPEARING! Come Lord Jesus!!!

The fourth tenet we discussed in our previous post. We must wait patiently. Rev.3.10. Because we keep the Word of our Lord's patience, He will keep us from the hour of trial yet to come upon the whole Earth. He will keep us from that hour. The Apostle James tells us in his book, Jas.5 [7] Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. No matter what time it is that our Lord comes to catch us away, we have our Lord's assurance that if we wait patiently He will keep us from that hour of trial yet to come upon the whole earth.

The fifth tenet is this. We must pray always. Luke.21 [36] Watch ye therefore, AND PRAY ALWAYS, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Our Lord Jesus, and afterward, His apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers have set the example for us to pray always. That tenet is summed up in the following chapter and verse, Eph.6 [18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.It isn't enough that we pray only for ourselves and family members...we are individual members of Christ's Body, and as such, we must do our part to help all grow up in Him through prayer and be ready for His Coming.

The 5 tenets of the Rapture we discussed are...(1) Our Lord's coming is aways imminent, that is...He might come for us at this very moment, and for that reason, we must (2), ever be watchful (3), love His appearing, (4), wait patiently, and (5), pray always. If we do these things we can rest assured and be confident that when our Lord comes to catch us away, if we are alive and remain, 1Thes.4:17, we 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.


Blessings!
Love, In Christ Jesus, Saint701.

[Mackenaw]

Amen!

God bless you, Saint701
Mack