Memory Scripture of the Week ~
But
God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were
still sinners. Romans 5:8
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| What sign will signal Christ's return? |
Jesus Christ
is the Messiah because He is the Son of God who died for us and miraculously rose from the grave. Before He died some of His followers recognized Him as
Messiah and they asked Him about the end times.
Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His
disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this
happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?" Jesus
told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my
name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And you will hear
of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must
take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in
many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains,
with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will
be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn
away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will
appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the
love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be
saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the
whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:3-14 (underlined for emphasis)
Be ready. Don’t
panic. Endure. Everyone who has repented of their sins…and endures to the end
will be saved. Saved in the Rapture? Yes, I think that is what Jesus meant. Not
just saved to go to Heaven, but taken with His church. Snatched up.
When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was
in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets
and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People
didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all
away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Two men will be
working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women
will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So you,
too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming.
Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he
would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must
be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Matthew 24:37-44 (underlined for emphasis)
Paul
explained the Rapture in his letter to the church at Thessalonica.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to
know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve
like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was
raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring
back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the
Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of
those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a
commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of
God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then,
together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught
up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord
forever. So encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Encourage one
another. Foremost we need to share the Gospel with non-believers. How do you
present the Gospel to those around you who are not Christian? Do you ask clerks
in stores and workers at your gym or health center if they know Jesus as their
Savior? Do they know that they need a Savior?
For
everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is
eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to
die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8
Keep watch. Be
encouraged. Don't be misled.
Prayer
~ Lord God…Thank you that You showed Your great love for us by sending Christ to
die for us while we were still sinners. I will be first to admit that I am a
sinner. I repent. Jesus Christ is my Messiah—my Savior and as He had advised…I
am keeping watch for His imminent return. May more and more people have their
eyes and hearts open to receiving Christ as their Savior.
Daily
Bible Reading: Numbers 33-34
© 2019 Text and
Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading
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