Get Caught Up!

1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Get Caught Up!

Oh, wow! Not only does Paul say that we are to turn to God from idols to serve Him, but also he says that we are to wait for His Son. That is why I love this letter – Paul is so excited that Jesus is coming again that it permeates every part. Jesus died on the cross, but He rose on the third day. In doing this, He conquered sin, the grave, and hell. Not one of these has power over Jesus – or us! We have been set free. Then, just before He ascended, Jesus gave us our marching orders: to go out and make disciples, bringing people into the Kingdom. Why? Because He is coming again to take His children home to heaven. Jesus told stories (parables) during His earthly ministry to illustrate this point. What He wants is to return and find us faithful – serving our Heavenly Father.

And here is the promise: He is returning to deliver us from the wrath that is to come. Some say that is a reference to hell – but He has already accomplished that. Some say it is to deliver us from tribulation, and in a sense, that is true. However, Paul and his followers were already experiencing some tribulation, and even today Christians around the world are experiencing it, too. In fact, while the persecution of Christians has gone through cycles of varying intensity, the 20^th and 21^st centuries have seen more Christians die for their faith than most of the other centuries since Christ combined. And I believe that while it is happening all over the world today, we are beginning to see its evidence in the United States of America. I believe that it will intensify. In fact, I believe that the wrath that is to come, the Day of Wrath that is foretold in both the Old and New Testaments, is still coming. I believe Christians around the world will experience the beginnings of that Day of Wrath, but Paul says that Jesus is going to return, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet blast, and His bride, the Church, will be caught up – raptured – to be with Him forever. And I believe that is how He will deliver us from the Wrath that is to come.

Many say that the Great Tribulation will take place before any of this, but Paul thought that the rapture could happen at any moment, and so do I! Are you ready? If not, get ready. Turn to God in repentance of your sin as you turn from your idols. Ask for His forgiveness. Place your trust in Him and invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, and then, you, too, will be delivered. For more information, e-mail me at ben@southsidebaptist.net or visit our website, www.southsidebaptist.net and click on the link on the left side of the page that says, “Change Your Life.”