Challenges With the Rapture in Mind

Christ is coming soon! Did you realize that there's specific things the Bible instructs us to be doing because of this glorious coming event and while we're waiting for it? They are some of the duties of the Christian life but I never viewed them in the light of the coming of Christ. I found this very interesting. Let me share....


Challenges for the rapture: specific things we are to be doing

• 1) He is to attend the services of the Lord regularly.

"...Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Heb. 10:25)

• 2) He is to observe the Lord's Supper with the rapture in mind.

"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come." (1 Cor. 11:26)

• 3) He is to love believers and all men.

"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men...to the end he may stablish your hearts...at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." (1 Thess. 3:12-13)

• 4) He is to be patient.

"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (Jam. 5:8)

• 5) He is to live a separated life.

"...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..." (1 Jh. 3:2-3)

"...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:12-13)

"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." (1 Jn. 2:28)

• 6) He is to refrain from judging others.

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God." (1 Cor. 4:5)

• 7) He is to preach the Word.

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word..." (2 Tim. 4:1-2)

"Feed the flock of God...and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Pt. 5:2, 4)

• 8) He is to comfort the bereaved.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven...wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thess. 4:16, 18)

• 9) He is to win souls.

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire..." (Jude 21-23)

• 10) He is to be concerned with heaven.

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Col. 3:1-4)

-(Taken from Willmington's Guide to the Bible by Dr. H.L. Willmington)

Wow, I think this is amazing. These are some precious things we must remember and practice (including lots of other things!) while keeping Jesus' return in mind. May He find us faithful!