The Rapture of the ChurchSample

Day 5: We Will Meet the Lord in the Air

As we come to the end of this week, I just want to make sure that you understand what the Rapture will mean for those who are taken. Going back to 1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV, Paul says that the remnant of spiritually alive believers will be “caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air…”

The word “meet” is interpreted from a form of the Greek word apantesis, which depicts a grand encounter or a royal or VIP reception. It is a word that specially describes the reception of a newly arrived official or member of royalty. In history, when such individuals arrived, the red carpet was rolled out, so to speak, and they were given a VIP reception.

From this word, we can see that we are not just casually going up to meet Jesus in the air, but Christ is going to roll out the red carpet to give us a grand and glorious VIP reception!

Paul then ends the 1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV with, “...and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” In the words “ever be” are a translation of the Greek word pantote, which means at all times, all the time, continually, or perpetually. In this moment when we are suddenly and supernaturally snatched into Heaven, we will find ourselves at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. And over the course of the next seven years, each believer will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be rewarded for his faithfulness in obeying God’s plan for his life.

This is not something that we need to fear — because it will be a glorious and joyful event — but it is something we need to prepare for, so check your heart today, and seek to be spiritually alive as you wait for the return of our Lord.

For Your Consideration

• What feelings do you carry regarding the Rapture? Are you excited, afraid, confused, apathetic? What causes you to feel the way you do? Talk to God about the feelings you have and reflect on the fact that this should be an exciting event, a joyful and victorious reunion for all engaged believers!
• Look at the thoughts that you wrote down at the beginning of this study and compare them to the ways that you think or feel now. Has your perspective changed, has it stayed the same, or are you still working everything out? Invite God into the process and let Him speak to you as you continue to consider and live out what you believe beyond this week.