What is the rapture and what does it mean to me?

Much has been written and discussed about the rapture of the church.  Of course, there has always been that confusion that has arisen between the timing of the rapture and His second coming.  They are two different events, probably separating by a period of seven years.  What about the rapture?  What is it, and what does it mean to me?  These and other questions have been asked down through the centuries.  Paul probably says it best in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever.  So comfort and encourage each other with these words.” This even is approaching this world very quickly. The world is about to lose several millions of people.  The Christians will be caught up in the air.  There will be incredible confusion here on earth when the rapture does take place!  For the Christian it will be a time of great joy!  This is what we’ve been waiting for! In closing, let me quote the last verse above, “So comfort and encourage each other with these words.”  And, as the Apostle John wrote as he finished his last book, “Amen, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).

Prayer

Prayer!  We all have done it at some time, usually in the midst of some major crisis.  The Bible is crammed full of scriptures concerning prayer.  It is a very important scriptural topic, and here is the reason why: Prayer is the way we can communicate with God.  He speaks to us in many different ways, but we are pretty much limited in how we can speak to Him.  Prayer is the best vehicle to approach God.  Prayer should be part of our daily life.  In fact, if we are to be obedient to the Apostle Paul in his writing to the Thessalonians telling them, “Pray without ceasing.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:17.)  Now, I know that Paul does not expect us to go around mumbling a prayer under our breath!  But, I do believe that he expects us to be in an attitude of prayer during our waking moments.  We must be aware of the power of prayer and of the scope of its influence.  Please, don’t take prayer lightly, be aware of its serious nature and become a person of prayer.