I still remember an experience I had when I was still a young boy. I had a basic knowledge of what we’ve studied in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18. I had been at a nearby park playing and came home for a snack.
When I got home I found the door wide open. The lights were on in the kitchen. Water was running from the fountain. A pot of soup was simmering on the stove. Otherwise all was quiet. No one was to be found. I called for my Mom, but got no response. I began to panic. I immediately felt as though the rapture had taken place, and I was left behind.
As we learned in our study the rapture is when Jesus Christ returns for His followers. At that time “the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, (those) who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
I started crying, wondering what to do next. In the middle of my despair my Mom returned home. She had slipped over to a neighbor to get an ingredient she needed to finish a cooking project. She was surprised to find me crying and comforted me. But I’ll never forget this experience.
Now, as a minister I challenge others to prepare themselves for that great day. You do this by confessing your need of a Savior, asking Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and inviting Him to come into your life and become your Savior and Lord. For those who have trusted in Christ I can offer comfort and encouragement by reminding them of these precious promises. This is the ultimate reality check.
