In the words of Gabriel Heater, past news broadcaster, "A closing thought."
I was thinking about . . .
BEING READY…A THIEF IN THE NIGHT…CAUGHT UP (Gathered away, Raptured)
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44
And what I say to you, I say to all: "Watch!" Mark 13:37
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Luke 12:40
LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT . . .
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10
Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Revelation 3:3
Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed! Revelation 16:15
A MYSTERY . . . CHANGED . . .
51 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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
"CAUGHT UP . . ."
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:14
A GLORIOUS CHURCH . . .
That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27
A GREAT NUMBER . . .
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands. Revelation. 7:9
WHO ARE THESE . . .
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation*, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:13-14
*Tribulation, great tribulation, troubles, trials, afflictions, hardship, etc., from the pilgrimage with the Lord.
OVERCOMERS, and DELIVERED MANY TIMES . . .
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:10-11
. . . Till He comes. 1 Cor. 11:26
Though He slay me (bring me low), yet will I trust Him. Job 13:15A
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. Job 19:25
My Redeemer . . . Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:10
WHAT DAVID WROTE LATER IN LIFE FROM EXPERIENCE . . .
Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me. Psalm 129:2
14 Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:14-18
CONQUERORS AND DELIVERED . . .
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Again: Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:10
And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra -- what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 2 Timothy 3:11
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:18
ENDURE AND STAND . . .
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:13-14
FINALLY HOME . . .
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9
They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Revelation 15:3
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" 6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Revelation 19:5-6
Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:5
WATCHING AND WAITING FOR THAT GLORIOUS DAY . . .
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. Revelation 22:12
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20
That's my story and I'm sticking to it, the Psalmist, goodbye :wave:[/COLOR]
Goodbye? No I'm not leaving, just waving when it happens :wave2: