Daily devotion – Are you ready?
The Blessed Hope
“So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” – Hebrews 9:28
Some scoff at the mention of the word rapture, claiming it isn’t found in the Bible. That’s not entirely accurate. In the Latin translation of the Bible, the word Paul uses in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 for “caught up” is rapturo, from which we get the word rapture. The more literal meaning is “to be snatched away” — suddenly, forcefully, and without warning.
Paul describes this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
The Greek word used for “meet” refers to welcoming a royal person or someone of great importance — a King! We will meet the King of Kings in the air.
Jesus Himself spoke of this in John 14:2–4, when He promised to return and receive us to Himself. The Apostle John also confirmed this in 1 John 3:2 — that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Paul adds detail in 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…”
Not a blink — a twinkling! Instantaneous. There will be no time to change your mind when it happens. You will either be ready or left behind.
As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:9:
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Imagine it — in less than a millisecond, every believer on earth will vanish. Gone. With Jesus.
Can We Know When It Will Happen?
No. Despite all the so-called codebreakers and date setters, Jesus made it clear:
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” – Matthew 24:36
Don’t waste time trying to predict the moment. Instead, obey Jesus: be ready.
Understanding the Difference: Rapture vs. Second Coming
It’s easy to confuse the two, but Scripture shows us they are distinct events:
The Rapture The Second Coming
Happens before the Tribulation Happens after the Tribulation
Jesus comes for His people Jesus comes with His people
Secret, sudden — like a thief in the night Visible to all — like lightning flashing across the sky (Matt 24:27)
Brings rescue Brings judgment
In the Second Coming, Jesus returns with the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen (Rev 19:14).
Prophetic Timeline: The Big Picture
The next major event in Bible prophecy is the Rapture of the Church. Immediately after, a coalition of nations — many of whom are hostile to Israel today — will attempt to invade her (Ezekiel 38–39). God will intervene dramatically, defeating this vast army and leaving only one-sixth alive. Their weapons will burn for seven years.
Soon after, the world will welcome a global leader: the Antichrist. Charismatic, intelligent, and powerful, he will broker peace between Israel and her enemies and help rebuild the Temple.
But halfway through the seven-year Tribulation, he will reveal his true identity. He will place an image of himself in the Temple and demand worship. A global system will require all to receive a mark to buy and sell — the infamous Mark of the Beast.
This terrible time will end in the Battle of Armageddon. As the nations gather for war, Jesus Christ will return — this time, visibly and in glory — to establish His kingdom and usher in the 1,000-year reign known as the Millennium.
So What Does the Rapture Mean for Us Today?
It means no death
There is a generation that will not see the grave — could it be ours? Whether by death or by Rapture, the real issue is being ready to meet the Lord.
It means reunion
We will be reunited not only with the Lord, but also with believing loved ones who have gone before us. Paul calls them our crown of rejoicing at His coming (1 Thess 2:19).
It means new life
John 14 reminds us that heaven awaits the troubled heart. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us — and He will come again to receive us. Awaiting us is a brand new body, a new tent, a new home.
Final Thought: Who Is He Coming For?
Jesus is coming for those who are eagerly waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:28). Not for those who are distracted, indifferent, or unprepared.
Are you looking for His return?
Let your heart say today: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”