The Assurance of the Rapture 1John 3:1-3 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

I was just thinking how important it is for us to be reminded of the rapture.  Because of the assurance of the rapture, we know that Jesus is coming but we often get our minds off this fact.  So, it’s time for us go back to looking for our blessed hope.

The rapture gives us hope – 1 Thes 4:13 – all of our problems in this earth are absolutely solved at the rapture – this hope keeps us looking for the Lord’s soon return – our hope is not in men, or politicians or policies – our hope is in Jesus.

The rapture brings us comfort – 1 Thes 4:18 – the rapture assuages our grief knowing that our loved ones are with Jesus and when he returns we will be reunited with them forever.

The rapture prompts us to purity – 1 Jn 3:3 – we don’t want to get caught up in all this sin going on in the churches and among Christians before Jesus comes.

The rapture rouses us to heavenly-mindedness – Phil 3:20-21 – they used to say “he is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good” – the trouble now is that they are so earthly minded – too many Christians have roots deeply planted in the earth – we need our affections set on things above – start waiting on the soon return of our Lord.

The rapture guarantees us victory – 1 Cor 15:54-57 – victory over death and the grave – and we won’t have this victory until then – why would you keep dumping money into an old beater when you could have a brand new car? Why would you keep fighting to keep this body alive when you know that you have a brand new one waiting on you?

The rapture stirs us to readiness – Tit 2:13 – we should be always looking – Jesus said, Therefore, be ye also ready” – we should watch and pray – he is coming.

Conclusion: whatever is going on in your life that is keeping you from looking for Jesus needs to be set aside – discouragement, distress, distractions and the like take our minds off the coming of the Lord – we need to start looking up.