{"id":3063,"date":"2018-01-26T10:51:11","date_gmt":"2018-01-26T15:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christskingdom.org\/staging\/8402\/?page_id=3063"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:05:09","slug":"50-truths-god-wants-know-rapture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/christskingdom.org\/staging\/8402\/articles\/50-truths-god-wants-know-rapture\/","title":{"rendered":"50 Truths God Wants You to Know About the Rapture"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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50 Truths God Wants You to Know About the Rapture<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Article 37<\/em><\/p>\n\n

By Steven J. Hogan

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One of the most dramatic events to ever take place on this planet will be occurring very soon. I am talking about Jesus Christ returning to earth at the end of this age to redeem and rescue all the Christians remaining on this earth. This is commonly called the rapture of the church. More than anything else, this is what you need to be looking forward to, this most amazing moment when Christ comes back to snatch His bride (you) off this earth so that she (you) can be with Him in heaven. Might you be excited about this most climactic time when Christ will take up the saints from this earth and receive them to Himself. \u201cFather, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for you have loved Me before the foundation of the world.\u201d<\/em> John 17:24<\/p>\n\n

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The focus of this bullet point article is the rapture, that very brief but action-packed, split-second time when so many incredible and wonderful things will be taking place. As you read this, you can\u2019t miss the fact that God has a great deal to say about it, that it\u2019s a very detailed subject. That is, there is a lot God wants you to know about the rapture of the church, which means it must be extremely important. This article will answer the following questions: 1) What is the rapture? 2) When will it take place? 3) Who is it affecting? 4) Why is it happening? 5) Why is the rapture so important? 6) Where does it take place?<\/p>\n\n

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Here are fifty important and encouraging truths about the rapture of the church:
1.<\/strong> The word rapture<\/strong> is the English word most commonly used when referring to that specific singular action at the end of this age, when Christians are suddenly, powerfully and safely taken off this earth and taken up into the sky to be with Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n

2.<\/strong> 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the most well-known verse in the Bible that speaks about the rapture <\/strong>of the church.<\/p>\n\n

3.<\/strong> 1 Thessalonians 4:17 reads, \u201cThen we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.\u201d<\/em> The phrase \u201cwill be caught up\u201d<\/em> is translated from the Greek word \u201charpagisometha.\u201d<\/em> The Latin translation of \u201charpagisometha\u201d <\/em>is \u201crapiemur\u201d <\/em>from which we get the English word rapture. <\/strong>This word \u201crapiemur\u201d <\/em>was first used with respect to Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming when Jerome, a Christian theologian, translated the Bible, and 1 Thessalonians 4:17, into Latin around 400AD.<\/p>\n\n

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4.<\/strong> The root word for \u201charpagisometha\u201d is \u201charpazo\u201d, <\/em>which is translated \u201cto seize, to carry off, to snatch up, to take away, to catch up, to rapture<\/strong>.\u201d <\/em>Here are other Biblical uses of harpazo which help us to understand its meaning: Matthew 12:29, John 6:15, Acts 8:39, 2 Corinthians 12:2, and Revelation 12:5 – \u201cShe gave birth to a Son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up<\/u> to God and to His throne.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

5.<\/strong>\u00a0This Greek word harpazo \u201cconveys the idea of force suddenly exercised\u201d<\/em> (Vines \u2013 p. 174). We understand that the rapture<\/strong> will be a forceful and physical event in that believers will literally be lifted off the surface of the earth, and defying gravity, will suddenly and smoothly be taken to be with Jesus Christ. No devil, no demon, no Antichrist, or any person on earth, will be able to stop God from carrying out His rescue mission, safely bringing His children home to heaven. \u201cNow to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.\u201d <\/em>Jude 24-25<\/p>\n\n

6.<\/strong> At the rapture<\/strong>, believers will be physically taken off the earth, powerfully taken off this earth, and rapidly taken off this earth. Bible translations say it this way: \u201cshall be caught up\u201d<\/em> (NIV, KJ, NAS, NRSV), \u201cshall be snatched away\u201d<\/em> (Wuest), \u201cshall be seized\u201d<\/em> (Parallel NT in Greek and English), \u201cshall be taken up\u201d<\/em> (Catholic version), \u201cshall be swept away\u201d<\/em> (Phillips). 1 Thessalonians 1:10 tells us \u201cto await for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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7.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> is a specific action (taken off the earth) occurring at a specific time (Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming) at a specific place (surface of the earth) affecting specific people (Christians on earth). \u201cThen He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another.\u201d <\/em>Matthew 24:31<\/p>\n\n

8.<\/strong> The believers who are raptured<\/strong> will come from all parts of the earth, \u201cfrom the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth.\u201d<\/em> Mark 13:27<\/p>\n\n

9.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> of the church is going to take place very soon. That\u2019s because we live in the end-times, that period of time defined by the returning of the Jews to Israel, which has now been taking place since the late 1800\u2019s. God\u2019s work with the Jews in the end-times is in conjunction with, and is coinciding with, His work with the church. \u201cWhen these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.\u201d <\/em>Luke 21:12-28<\/p>\n\n

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10.<\/strong> The rapture <\/strong>of the church takes place at Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming, and in fact, is the initial event at His coming. Therefore, the rapture of the church does not take place before Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming and is not separate from it. \u201cFor 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep\u2026 then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds.\u201d <\/em>1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17<\/p>\n\n

11.<\/strong> Seeing Jesus Christ come in the clouds and being raptured<\/strong> off the earth takes place in a very, very short time span, \u201cin a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.\u201d <\/em>1 Corinthians 15:51-52<\/p>\n\n

12.<\/strong> The\u00a0rapture<\/strong> initiates a two-leg journey for all Christians alive on earth at Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming, first going from earth to be with Christ in the clouds, and then going with Christ to be with the Father in heaven. \u201cThen we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air\u201d<\/em> (1 Thessalonians 4:17). \u201cIf I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.\u201d<\/em> John 14:3<\/p>\n\n

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13.<\/strong> God could have planned it so that the rapture<\/strong> would have taken us straight from earth to heaven, but instead He planned it so that we will first meet Christ in the air. At the end of this age, Jesus will come down from heaven and be above this earth on the clouds. The clouds above this world will be the stopping point where earth-leaving believers will first see Christ.\u00a0 That\u2019s because Jesus really wants to come down to meet us, to welcome us, and then personally escort us back to our heavenly home. \u201cThey will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 24:31). \u201cThen we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 4:17<\/p>\n\n

14.<\/strong> The \u201cdead in Christ\u201d<\/em> refers to believers who are asleep, who have already physically died before the coming of Christ and the rapture<\/strong> of the church. This includes believers living before Christ\u2019s 1st<\/sup> coming (Old Testament saints), and after Christ\u2019s 1st<\/sup> coming (church age saints). \u201cWe do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope\u2026 the dead in Christ will rise first.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16b<\/p>\n\n

15.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> of the church occurs in conjunction with, and in the same short time period as, the resurrection of the believers who have already died (fallen asleep). \u201cThe dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air\u2026 \u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 4:16b-17<\/p>\n\n

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16.<\/strong> The dead in Christ will rise first, be glorified first, immediately before the raptured <\/strong>Christians from earth are glorified. \u201cFor 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep\u2026 the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16b-17<\/p>\n\n

17.<\/strong> Believers alive on earth at the end of the age will be raptured<\/strong> off the earth, and then be gathered together with other believers who have already died, and then altogether they will be taken to be with Jesus Christ. \u201cWe request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him…\u201d<\/em> 2 Thessalonians 2:1<\/p>\n\n

18.<\/strong> Our belief that Jesus died and rose again is the basis of our belief that all believers, those who have already physically died and those physically alive at Christ\u2019s coming, will rise again, that is, be glorified. The rapture <\/strong>is related to the resurrection of Christ from the dead, in that those believers on earth at Christ\u2019s coming will be made alive in that they will be glorified, will be fully and forever saved. \u201cFor since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in His own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ\u2019s at His coming.\u201d <\/em>1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17<\/p>\n\n

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19.<\/strong> It\u2019s during the rapture<\/strong>, that split second of time Christians are being caught up and taken to Christ, that they will receive their new, imperishable, glorified, powerful and spiritual bodies. \u201cSo also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.\u201d<\/em> 1 Corinthians 15:42-44<\/p>\n\n

20.<\/strong>\u00a0 Believers alive on earth at the end of this age need to be raptured<\/strong> to be in heaven. How else are you going to get there? Being\u00a0raptured means being taken from this earth, transported to Christ, transformed (glorified) along the way, and then taken to heaven.\u00a0 And you have to be glorified because you can’t possess your mortal and sin-prone body in heaven – there are no unholy saints there. You need to be fully fit and able to live there, you need a perfect, immortal, powerful and spiritual body, and that’s just what you are going to get. \u201cOur citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.\u201d<\/em> Philippians 3:20-21<\/p>\n\n

21.<\/strong> God completes your salvation at the time of the rapture<\/strong>, for God will carry out what He had planned for you in eternity past, for then you will be perfect, then you will be glorified. This is a primary purpose of the rapture. \u201cThese whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified\u201d<\/em> (Romans 8:30). \u201c\u2026 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.\u201d <\/em>Hebrews 9:28<\/p>\n\n

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22.<\/strong> Once you are raptured,<\/strong>\u00a0you are absent from your physical earthly body and are at home with the Lord. \u201cWe are of good courage, I say, and prefer to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.\u201d<\/em> 2 Corinthians 5:8<\/p>\n\n

23.<\/strong> Christians on earth are raptured<\/strong> and glorified at the appearing of Christ. \u201cLittle children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming\u2026 We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.\u201d<\/em> 1 John 2:28, 3:2<\/p>\n\n

24.<\/strong> The only people who will be raptured<\/strong> are Christians living and remaining on earth at Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming. \u201cThen we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 4:17<\/p>\n\n

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25.<\/strong> The people on earth who will not be raptured<\/strong> at Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming are the sealed and protected Jews, who will be saved at the end of Daniel\u2019s 70th<\/sup> week, and the unbelievers who will be judged during the ensuing day of the Lord. Revelation 7:1-14, Revelation 8-9<\/p>\n\n

26.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> of the church is in the future, for other prophesied events still need to take place before the rapture. For example, nations need to be realigned, the temple needs to be built, the Antichrist needs to be revealed, and great tribulation needs to begin. \u201cTruly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place\u2026 but of that day and hour no one knows but the Father alone. The coming of the Son of man\u2026\u201d<\/em> Matthew 24:34, 36-37<\/p>\n\n

27.<\/strong> The rapture <\/strong>of the church is not imminent. The word imminent means there are no signs or prophesied events that need to take place before the rapture. But God has clearly told us many specific signs and events that need to occur before the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. \u201cEven so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.\u201d<\/em> Mark 13:29<\/p>\n\n

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28.<\/strong> The rapture <\/strong>of the church does not take place at the beginning of Daniel\u2019s 70th<\/sup> week, for God\u2019s word has told us that Christ\u2019s coming and the rapture of the church occur after the Antichrist is revealed, sometime during the last half of Daniel\u2019s 7 year 70th<\/sup> week. \u201cWith regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him\u2026 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction<\/em> (the Antichrist).\u201d 2 Thessalonians 2:1,3; Revelation 13:5-7<\/p>\n\n

29.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> of the church takes place at the end of this age, and is the first event taking place at the end of this age. Heavenly signs, causing the skies above us to grow dark, will mark the end of the age, and are therefore signaling what will take place next, this most wonderful, dramatic and God-glorifying rapture of the church. \u201cImmediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky\u2026 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky\u2026 and He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 24:29-31<\/p>\n\n

30.<\/strong> Before the coming of Christ there will be great tribulation, great persecution on the earth, directed at both Christians and Jews. The Christians will experience this great tribulation, but then it will be cut short, and then they will be raptured.<\/strong> \u201cThen there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved, but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 24:21-22, 29-31; Revelation 7:9-14<\/p>\n\n

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31.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> will occur after the opening of the sixth seal but before the opening of the seventh seal. It is in Revelation 7 that we read about the rapture of the church. \u201cAfter these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb\u2026 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, \u2018Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.\u2019\u201d <\/em>Revelation 6:12, 7:9-14, 8:1<\/p>\n\n

32.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> of the church will occur shortly before the Day of the Lord begins and on the same day that it begins. \u201cThese will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day.\u201d<\/em> 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10, Luke 17:24-35<\/p>\n\n

33.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> of the church is the exciting conclusion, the exclamation point, the\u00a0 climax of the church age. \u201cWhat will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?… The sun will be darkened\u2026 He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 24:3, 29, 31<\/p>\n\n

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34.<\/strong> The general time of the rapture<\/strong> can and will be known by Christians for they will be observing a number of prophesied events pointing to and signaling the soon return of Christ. \u201cNot forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.\u201d<\/em> Hebrews 10:25<\/p>\n\n

35.<\/strong> No one but God the Father knows the exact time of the rapture<\/strong>. \u201cBut of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 24:36<\/p>\n\n

36.<\/strong> Christians will not be surprised by the coming of Christ and the rapture<\/strong>, but unbelievers will be caught off guard, not at all expecting the return of Christ. \u201cWhile they are saying, \u2018Peace and safety\u2019, then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman, and they will not escape. But you brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 5:3-4<\/p>\n\n

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37.<\/strong> Believers and unbelievers will be suddenly separated at the rapture<\/strong> of the church, for the believers will quickly be taken from the earth, and the unbelievers will be left all alone on the earth. \u201cI tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left.\u201d<\/em> Luke 17:34-35<\/p>\n\n

38.<\/strong> There are three distinct sounds announcing the rapture: <\/strong>\u201cThe Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 4:16<\/p>\n\n

39.<\/strong> All Christians on earth at the time of Christ\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> coming will see Him in the sky above, and immediately be raptured<\/strong> off the earth and taken to be with Him in the clouds. \u201cThen they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.\u201d<\/em> Luke 21:27<\/p>\n\n

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40.<\/strong> One significant and immediate result of the rapture<\/strong> is that Christians will be given relief, will be delivered from tribulation, and in fact, from great tribulation. \u201cTo give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven\u2026\u201d<\/em> 2 Thessalonians 1:7<\/p>\n\n

41.<\/strong> Another significant and immediate result of the rapture <\/strong>is that Christians will be rescued from the wrath to come. \u201cAnd to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 5:10<\/p>\n\n

42.<\/strong> Another significant and immediate result of the rapture<\/strong> is that Christians will be redeemed, will be delivered from their sinful body. \u201cHaving the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.\u201d<\/em> Romans 8:23<\/p>\n\n

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43.<\/strong> Another significant and immediate result of the rapture<\/strong> is that Christians will be resting from their labors, for their work on earth will be done. \u201c\u2026 so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.\u201d<\/em> Revelation 14:13, Matthew 28:20<\/p>\n\n

44.<\/strong> Another significant and immediate result of the rapture<\/strong> is that Christians will be reunited with other believers who had gone on before them, whom they had known on earth. \u201cFor who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 2:19<\/p>\n\n

45.<\/strong> Another significant and immediate result of the rapture<\/strong> is that Jesus will receive Christians to Himself. \u201cIf I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.\u201d<\/em> John 14:3<\/p>\n\n

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46.<\/strong> Another significant and immediate result of the rapture<\/strong> is that you will be revealed with Jesus Christ in glory. \u201cWhen Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.\u201d<\/em> Colossians 3:4<\/p>\n\n

47.<\/strong> One of the main reasons for the rapture <\/strong>is that we are Christ\u2019s. He redeemed us, purchasing us by His death on the cross, and therefore we are His, and not the devil\u2019s. \u201cBut each in His own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ\u2019s at His coming.\u201d<\/em> 1 Corinthians 15:23<\/p>\n\n

48.<\/strong> The rapture<\/strong> of the church must take place because Christ promised that we would be with Him forever. \u201cI will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may also be\u201d<\/em> (John 14:3). \u201cWho died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 5:10<\/p>\n\n

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49.<\/strong> Christians should be extremely ecstatic about the rapture<\/strong>, and be looking forward to this most exciting end-time event when we (\u201cwe who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord<\/em>), will first see Jesus and then forever be with Him, our Lover, Lord, Savior and Friend. \u201cYou turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.\u201d<\/em> 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10<\/p>\n\n

50.<\/strong> God wants you to fix your hope on the coming of Christ and the rapture<\/strong>, to be eagerly waiting for that time when He will return to earth to bring you to Himself, and then take you to heaven. \u201cFix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ\u201d <\/em>(1 Peter 1:16).<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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