Personal Rapture

Back in my early years, one monday morning I was getting ready to go to school, but news was all over the place that there was an accident, two boys and a girl were involved; one maybe dead and the others critically injured. Later that day, It was  confirmed that one of my very good friend was involved; we sat together in service the previous day. They were on their way to school when a car lost control and knocked them down and the boy died instantly. We were both about eight(8) years old at the time. 

What better description of the suddenness of rapture.

The bible said it is appointed unto a man once to die and judgment follows. For my late friend, that was his rapture. Rapture takes place daily. It could happen at any one moment. Stories has been told of people who were killed by stray bullets, some slept and did not wake-up, tripped on staircase, broke their neck and died or even people who died in collapsed buildings. To all these ones, there goes their rapture. That is not to say we should not live in anticipation of the second coming of Christ, that is a core part of our belief, we must stay alert and keep watch.

The Lord’s coming will be like a thief in the night. This is to show the sudden and unexpected nature of Christ’s return. One would have prepared if he knew a thief would come. Jesus warned that we should be ready at all times for His coming.

Tragically, many people will not be ready for the Lord’s return or even the personal rapture (death). They would be gloating in their accomplishments, thinking their clever advances will bring lasting peace. Instead, they will reap destruction. Caught in the trap of their own folly. We should never grow complacent of become self-satisfied in that knowledge.

We must live each day with Christ’s return in mind, keeping our lives pure and devoted to God. A Christian’s lifestyle should be different from worldly patterns of living as day is from the night. Our thoughts, words, actions, and priorities are to reflect Jesus’ character. Our lives should be characterised by self-control, faith, love, and the hope of salvation. It is possible to be caught up in worldly attractions and the hectic pace of living that we lose sights of what is most important. When we lose our passion for Jesus and become spiritually drowsy, we are in danger of being caught unprepared at His coming.

Jesus will return just as He promised. Personal rapture too happens unexpectedly. If you knew that Jesus would return tomorrow, what would you do differently? Perhaps you would repent from sin, stop all bad and sinful habits, make amends with an estranged family member, friend or colleague and then share the gospel with someone who needs to hear. Consider making these new changes now – while you still have the opportunity. Jesus could return any day. Make a fresh commitment to live each day with Christ’s return in view.