As we have noted before now the rapture or the catching away of the saints is one of three equally greatest events in the universe. The others are creation, and the vicarious sacrifice or crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After Calvary Cross, the rapture is the next major event in the plan of God to return to the original purpose of creation. And the rapture is also the consummation of the reason why God gave His only begotten Son to come and die for us.
This is why God became man. This is the crowning reason why the angels of God rejoice when any sinner repent. This is the reason why Jesus has long been preparing a place in Heaven for men to dwell eternally. This is why Satan and his hosts have been all wickedness, turbulence and storm over the ages supposing to make the whole world to miss it. But this is why from Enoch till now multitude have sign in for God and their Creator and received grace from Him to overcome anything that emanates from Satan and or that represent him. And this is the event that ushers men to God as His eternal sons, introduces them to eternal glory and make them eternal worshippers of their Creator and God. Yes, this is one of three equally greatest events in the entire universe!
We have also seen so far in the course of this series that this is the hope of all creation of God for their very freedom depends on it. We have subsequently seen that it is the earnest desire or expectation (and we noted that ‘earnest’ entails the complete outstretch of the whole body) of the creature – that is, the entire creation of God – to see it come to pass. We, again, saw that the creation even goes much further too to actually groan to see it happened. And, expectedly, the pilgrims for whose sake this all important event is being planned out by an All-Loving God must earnestly wait for it too; and groan as well: All this we saw from scriptures. Of course, this is one of three equally greatest events in the entire universe.
How do we really be part of it? We touched on it in various ways in the previous parts, and in the very last part dwelt on it. We noted in the conclusion there that we would dwell further more on it here saying that we will draw not only from scriptural counsels but also from godly counsels by post- Bible saints of God on how to stay on the path that leads to Heaven or eternity with God. Like we also noted then we shall be seeing this part from different angles: ‘The Rapture: Meditations for life’, ‘A Charge to Keep!’, ‘Taking Heed to our Ways’, ‘The Rapture and two Prayer Points’. But first another reading of our key Scripture for the series:
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” – Romans 8: 19-27.
And we must presently take some serious lessons from the Holy Spirit through some of His eminent apostles of the gospel of Christ, and may they come to us as serious meditational materials as we start, resume or continue this race to the eternal abode of the saints with God Most High.
The Rapture: Meditations for Life!
– 1 John 2:28-29; 3:1-3, the rapture and purity:
“And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.
– Hebrews 12:1-4, the rapture, self-emptying and patient running:
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:22-27, the rapture and self-subjection:
“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
– 2 Peter 1:3-11, the rapture and diligence:
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
A Charge to Keep!
There are sundry charges in Scriptures that we must always receive grace to keep. The arm of flesh has always failed in things spiritual. It is the Spirit that is our Helper. Let us surrender our lives to Him and allow Him to be the driver of them. Two major things happen to all those that do: A really purged life and holy empowerment for obedient and fruitful living and service. Choice vessels the Bible calls them.
Because the Bible has encouraged, deman
ded or commanded, we know that we must strive to enter in by the strait gate; seek (first) His Kingdom and its righteousness; earnestly contend for the faith; look for the City that has foundation Whose Builder is God; lay our treasures in Heaven that our hearts can be there, and so the whole man subsequently there (hereafter); believe to the saving of our souls. We also know that we must watch and pray; be light of the world and salt of the earth; fight the good fight of faith; and know also that we must not love the world and the things that are in it. We know that we must finish the race set before us, fulfill our ministries or occupy till He comes. The sum: We must be part of THE CHURCH WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE – THE BRIDE OF THE LAMB. And who is sufficient for these things? No one!
Hence the Holy Spirit, and total reliance and complete surrender to His leading in this Christian walk! And hence not being led by emotions and emotional preaching; hence away with ‘itching ear’ messages and all messages that tickle our fancy and excuse our passions, and make Christianity look like a broad-way thing! “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears…” – 2 Tim. 4:3
The divine standard is high! May the Lord Himself help us, for no man is sufficient unto these things! Prayers for grace, prayers for reliance on grace and not to frustrate it are the secret of righteous living and obedience, and both are the key and secret of making it in the rapture. And He has promised us of His Spirit to help us here.
There is a charge to keep. A CHARGE TO KEEP I HAVE – Charles Wesley (1707–1788) once had as a theme. And, indeed, each and everyone pilgrim has a charge to keep. We would hear Wesley, and let’s hear him properly that we can be doers.
1. A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.
2. To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master’s will!
3. Arm me with jealous care,
As in Thy sight to live,
And O, Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!
4. Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely,
Assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16. May God by the Holy Spirit and grace help us to live holily, obediently!
May He make us live triumphantly and help us make manifest the savor of His knowledge everywhere! He comes to take His own. The Savior comes: May He find us faithful, and it will be all glorious eternity with Him Who love us so much: A love we cannot explain in all eternity! Keepers of God’s charges will be there with Him when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound. And James M. Black (1856-1938) classic, “When the Roll is called up yonder”, comes to mind strongly here:
1. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright, and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
When the roll … is called up yon … der,
When the roll … is called up yon … der,
When the roll … is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
2. On that bright and cloudless morning, when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
3. Let me labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let me talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then, when all of life is over, and my work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
What else shall one say: Just let us be there!
So wonderful a people God is coming for His eternal sons in such a manner that renders all satanic forces indescribably helpless. We are talking of the catching away of the saints especially the manner of the catching away. That is the subject of discussion in the next part in this series. But may we shortly visit two issues and we shall be done with this part. And they are the need to take heed, and then two prayer points drawn from James 5: 7-8.
Taking Heed to our Ways
A true Christian takes heed of his ways. “I will take heed to my ways” – Psalm 39: 1. And the counsel of Charles Spurgeon based on this Scripture is very timely and instructive, and something all true pilgrims should hear. In his devotional he writes powerfully and very touchingly: “Fellow-pilgrim, say not in your heart, ‘I will go hither and thither, and I shall not sin;’ for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father’s power. Be on your guard. When a man carries a bomb-shell in his hand, he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools; you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian’s piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to look up to God, that He may keep you! Your prayer should be, ‘Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.’ Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain you cannot be; wounded you may be. ‘Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seemeth securest to thee.’ Therefore, take heed to thy ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so shall they always please the Lord.”
The Rapture and two Prayer Points
“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. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” – James 5:7-8. Prayer points:
1. Lord, may I not frustrate or abuse Your patient waiting for me; and work in me now and henceforth until all earthly joy fades and all earthly tender ties breaks and perishing things of clay pass from my heart away; and Jesus, and Him alone is mine.
2. Lord, make me one of Your precious fruits; and, indeed, have all Your ways in me until You have all of me as precious fruit for You: Now, and hence eternally!
May the Holy Spirit help us to meditate on that Scripture, and the prayer points (partly taken from Jane C. Bonar’s “Jesus is Mine!” classic hymn), and help us expand the prayer points for they are actually prayer ideas! The answer to our prayers may be seen with time in how we become more and more patient in the holiness walk and progress more and more in it despite all the silent offences and violent affronts and lures from here and there; and more and more patient in consecration and holy service despite the multitude on the broad-way whose viewpoints and actions may want to discourage us. And the secret in all of that is being established in heart: A resolved and fixed heart, which we can only get and constantly renew at the throne of grace, by the Word of God and by the workings of His Holy Spirit. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
May He find us faithful when He comes! May we be among the few, the ready-few, His jewels and precious fruits when He comes! May we not miss that indescribable glory and our rewards!
