Rapture

 WHAT IS RAPTURE ?

texts (I Cor. 15: 51- 58, John14: 1-3)

Rapture is the taking away or catching of up of all true believers in Christ to meet the Lord in space (i.e. in the air).  Rapture is the transformation process of changing the body of believers in Christ to glorious heavenly body.  It is the first phase of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The truth about rapture is that it does not have a specific time; no body knows when it will happen. 

According to the scripture suddenly there will be a sound in heaven , those who are in Christ will be change within the twinkling of an eye ..... "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:  “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord  your labor is not in vain.

 

 RAPTURE SIGNS AND FACTS

Below are some signs that rapture is very close;

1. Many False Christ will arise to deceive many 

2. War and rumor of  war

3. Famine 

4. Pestilence

5. Earthquake in divers places

6. Persecution of Christ' followers

7. Backsliding 

8. Men will pay more attention to worldly pressure than seeking the Lord.

 

Facts.

1. Rapture is the first phase of the second coming of the Lord.

2. It is the transformation process of changing the body of believers in Christ to heavenly body

3. Rapture ends salvation through grace

4. It is the end product of grace

5. It leads to the removal of the Holy Spirit from the earth.

 

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, give the strength and might to live the lifestyle that pleases you. Give me the grace to finish well in Jesus most powerful name. Amen !

 

Read More

LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE CHURCH

 

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Exo 18:20.

Have you ever imagined who exactly a leader is? The Bible made it clear in Exo. 18: 15-16.

“Exo 18:14  And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

Exo 18:15  And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of GOD:

Exo 18:16  When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of GOD, and his laws.

Exo 18:17  And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

Exo 18:18  Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

Exo 18:19  Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and GOD shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to GOD-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto GOD:

Exo 18:20  And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Exo 18:21  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear GOD, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: ……… “

 

Leaders are people that assume responsibilities and ensure that the task at hand is properly done. Leaders in the church are people set aside by GOD Almighty to reveal more of His nature to their followers, intercede on their behave and show them the way (Jesus is the way) to GOD’s kingdom.

QUESTION: Is it that GOD can not reveal Himself to everybody in the church that He uses some certain people to reveal His will to the congregation?

GOD can speak to every living soul on earth but not everybody understands the voice of GOD. GOD uses those who are spiritual mature to the extend they can hear from GOD and understand what GOD is saying to reveal His perfect will to His people.

 

Virtue of a Leader (Exo. 18: 21)

Before one can become a leader he or she must possess some important virtues. These virtues should be seen and testify by the followers especially in various department in the church. Some of these quality include;

The fear of GOD, honesty, ability to distinguish good from bad, be able to intercede on behave of his or her followers, always ready to work for GOD. 

 

According to Mosses father in-law Jethro, It is not good that one person takes responsibility of the congregation. This may lead to under-development of the church. There might be grudges of member not being attended to or satisfy as a result of too many people in need of one  man services which might be too heavy for one to assume full responsibility or carry on. Assume that one person is the Sunday school teacher, the music director, the service leader, and the same time the preacher in one Sunday service. The work will be too much on the person. Positions in the church should be distribute to men and women of integrity to takes responsibilities of some work in the vineyard of GOD. 

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, give me wisdom to work in your vineyard effectively and efficiently in Jesus’ name. Amen !!!

 

Read More