The Rapture has been a source of comfort to believers since the accession of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, as a child, it struck fear in my heart. As a teenager I grew deeply in love with Christ. I’ve longed for his return since then. Although there has always been speculation about when the Lord returns. No one knows, except God the Father. Many people spend lots of time speculating about “signs” and then trying to extrapolate the timing of the Rapture. Over and over they have been wrong. The following passage gives you some certainties you count on. Certainties that give us hope, encouragement, and eager anticipation of His return. Here are three from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

1. Jesus himself will return with a announcement that will command our attention.

2. Our loved ones who have preceded us in death will rise to meet the Lord.

3. Those who are still alive and remain on earth will be caught to meet the Lord in the air.

“Dear Brothers and Sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers 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. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18