If Jesus Returned Today
If Jesus Returned Today
By Dennis Huebshman
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 – “Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep (have died), so that you will not grieve like the rest who have NO HOPE (died without Christ). (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also, we believe that God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep as Christians (From the Cross forward). (15) For we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, (Paul believed Jesus might even return in his lifetime) will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the Trumpet of God, and the dead IN CHRIST will rise first. (Souls and bodies are reunited in immortal form) (17) Then, we who are left will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (Our live bodies will turn immortal on the way up.) (All emphasis throughout is mine.)
Next, some negative comments followed by very positive ones. 1 Corinthians 15:16-19, “For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. (17) And if Christ has not been raised, your FAITH is useless; you are still in your sins. (18) Furthermore, those who have fallen asleep IN CHRIST also perished. (19) For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.”
Now for the Positive: 1 Corinthians 15:51-53;57 – “Listen, I will tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep (die), but will ALL BE CHANGED, (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (less than a second) at the last trumpet (not a trumpet of the Judgments of Revelation). For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (53) For this perishable (earthly) body must put on the imperishable (heavenly), and the mortal body must put on immortality. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In Matthew 17:20, Mark 4:31 AND Luke 17:6, Jesus said if we have the “Faith of a mustard seed”, nothing would be impossible for us. (paraphrased) I happen to have a tie-tac that has a mustard seed in it and I can attest the seed is very small. It would fit inside the lower-case letter “o”. It reminds me that if we allow our faith to be nurtured by the true word and allow our belief to grow, nothing can separate us from our Jesus. Paul understood this faith, and gave some very convincing words.
In both the Thessalonian and Corinthian scenarios, Paul speaks of being “In Christ”. Romans 8:38-29 says, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present nor things to come, nor powers (29) nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus.” That is one powerful testimony for those “In Christ”!
As noted in the passage of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “We who are left…” leads us to consider that Paul believed Jesus might even return during his lifetime. However, there were prophesies that had not yet been fulfilled such as the return of Israel to their own land. One major event that had to happen was when Jesus told about the Fig Tree becoming tender and putting out its leaves which signifies the “reblooming” of the nation of Israel. He said when we see these things, He would be near – right at the door, and the generation that would see this would not pass until all things took place. (Matthew 24:32-34 and Mark 13:28-30) After more than 2000 years, Israel once again became a sovereign nation on May 14, 1948, and the United States, specifically Harry Truman, was the first to recognize their statehood. The “end time/Rapture clock” was finally started, and is winding down to Daniel’s 70th. Week and the call from the Lord for His Church just before that. By the way, no other nation has ever made a comeback such as Israel did.
Paul speaks of those who have fallen asleep as Christians. Jesus, Himself signified what would happen to us if we die as a believer as given in Luke 23:43. Jesus told the thief on the cross who called out to Him that he would be with Jesus in paradise that very day. Paul commented in Philippians 1:21-23, “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (22) Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer. (23) I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is by far better.” This is our assurance as well as Jesus’ statement that only our bodies go to “sleep” at death. Our immortal soul is immediately with Jesus and actually more alive than we’ve ever been
For unbelievers, this is not the case. As I have referenced in the past, Luke 16:19 starts the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This was the only parable where Jesus actually named someone which makes me wonder if it really took place. We will find out when we get “Home”. When the Rich Man died, he was immediately in torment and Lazarus was at peace. This was not the final judgment for the Rich Man as he would still be facing the Great White Throne and the Lake of Fire in Revelation 20:11-15. All who did not accept the Father prior to the cross, and all from the cross to the end of the millennium who will have rejected Jesus will be in that very long line. Hell is very real, and FOREVER means just that.
This world is getting crazier and meaner by the day as evidenced in all the news – both real and faux. In Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Peter 2-3, 1 John 2-5 and Jude, we are given warnings about what will be happening in the “end times”. If anyone says none of these signs are present, they are fully under the 2 Thessalonians 2:11 “deluding influence”. Each and every sign given can be attached to an event or events happening right now. They will occur faster and faster and gain in intensity right up to the SECOND that Jesus calls for His believers to leave this earth and be with Him to avoid the wrath to come.
After we are gone, there will emerge a person that will have a magnetic personality that will have all the answers, and will present a peace plan for the middle east that will just be too good to pass up. As soon as the treaty is signed, the following 7 years are outlined in Revelation 6 through 20, and also the last 3 chapters of Daniel. Other prophets speak of events that will take place, but not to the extent that was given by Daniel and John in Revelation. These will be the worst times ever experienced on this earth.
The obvious question is, If Jesus Returned Today to call His Church (All Believers world-wide), would you be one of those who would go with Him? Or, would you be one that after the Rapture takes place be looking around and wondering what just happened, and be in the middle of the most chaos you’ve ever seen?
The absolute truth is, it’s entirely up to you. The gift of eternal life without having to go through the 7-years is yours for the asking. It was paid for in full by Jesus on the Cross with His shed blood at Calvary. The Rapture – gathering or taking up – is going to happen, and we do not know the day or hour. (Matthew 24:36) For those who are secure in their relationship with the Savior, it isn’t a real cause of concern. Yes, we’re watching and waiting for His call, but we are also ready if it were to take place this very minute.
No one has sinned so bad that Jesus’ blood would not cover it, and He will forgive if asked to do so. Think about it, but please don’t take too long. We definitely are “In The Season” Jesus spoke of, and the Harvest (Rapture) could be at any moment now. There are no other prophesies that have to take place before He calls.
Remember, to put it off is considered a refusal; to say “maybe” is considered a refusal. There are no 3rd. choices. Satan would love for you to spend eternity in Hell with him and his demons; but God would really love for you to accept His Son. (2 Peter 3:9) Those of us who have accepted Jesus would love to see you there also.
Maranatha!