Anglican Devotional 2 November 2023 – The Saints’ Rapture!

Anglican devotional

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2 November 2023 – The Saints’ Rapture!

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Anglican devotional

TOPIC: The Saints’ Rapture!

READ: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV)

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [and] remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. 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. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore comfort one another with these words.

THE MESSAGE:

Today is the All Souls’ Day, which reminds us of all the souls that have died in the faith of Jesus Christ. In addition, we are made to realise that death is certain for everyone but eternal life awaits only those who served the Lord faithfully while alive. The text today shows that God will raise those who died in the Lord to be with Christ at His appearing in the cloud (verses 14-17). In other words, rapture is inevitable. Only the souls surrendered to Christ will be counted worthy to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.

Beloved, God is no respecter of persons. He is a God of justice who cannot mistake the infidels for His sons and daughters. The Bible affirms “… the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). His records of those whose names appear in the Book of Life are faultless. Therefore, there will be no error whatsoever in raising the souls that had been cleansed from sins and had lived without blemish until death, to eternal glory. You have to examine your life whether your preparation for rapture is sufficient or not. It is a good thing to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and confess Him as the Lord and Saviour, yet you need to live in genuine commitment to His will and purpose (Matthew 7:21).

PRAYER: May the Lord grant us all grace. Amen.

 

Dear God, I come before you as a sinner, recognizing my need for forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for my sins. I am truly sorry for my actions and the ways I have fallen short. I repent of my sins and ask for your forgiveness. I invite Jesus into my heart and life, to be my Lord and Savior. Please guide and transform me from this day forward. Thank you for your grace and mercy. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.