DCLM Higher Everyday 12 January 2024 — The Rapture
Topic: The Rapture
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Key Verse: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Message
The Rapture is the next eschatological event the Church is waiting for. It is the catching up of the saints to meet the Lord in the sky. The Rapture will mark the climax of the Christian pilgrimage as that will usher believers to many other exciting events God has put in place for those who love Him and appreciate and accept the sacrifice of His only Begotten Son, Jesus.
Paul in his admonition to the Corinthians encouraged them about this mystery that awaits the Church. The Rapture is going to be a sudden event. Nobody knows when it will happen. It will definitely put an end to the ‘earthly challenges’ saints are facing presently. As we anticipate the Rapture, we are to remain unmoved or undistracted by the challenges we face on earth as Christian youths.
To be part of the Rapture, sinning youths should repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour while saints should remain steadfast and be watchful in all things. Believers should rigorously engage in soul-winning activities to save others as they await this upcoming event.
Quote: Saints should remain steadfast
Challenge: Be watchful in all things.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to be watchful enough to make the Rapture.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
