Earnest yearnings of apostle Paul, requisite for partaking in the imminent rapture.

The earnest yearnings of Apostle Paul, requisite for readiness for the imminent rapture.

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Enoch and Elijah were the examples of the living saints that would be part of the imminent rapture.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the example of the dead in Christ that shall be part of the imminent rapture.

1 Thessalonians  4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Because our Lord died rose again and ascended to heaven, apostle Paul had an earnest yearning to be part of the dead in Christ that shall be risen, during the imminent rapture.  Listen to the scriptures again.

Philippians  3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

This is because the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, is also referring to the dead in Christ that shall rise first during the imminent rapture of the saints.

Listen to what the doctrine entails.

God’s Word teaches:

That the Resurrection of the dead is taught in the Bible as clearly as the immortality of the soul.

Every individual who has ever lived will be resurrected, some to honour and glory and others to everlasting shame and contempt 

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Job  19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:  19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:  19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Psalms  71:20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

Isaiah  26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Daniel  12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

John  5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.  5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John  5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Revelation  20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Beloved do you too have the same earnest yearning to be part of the first resurrection like apostle Paul?

Remember the following:

1.  Hebrews  9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Are you looking forward to the appearance of Christ?

2. The promise of Jesus.

John  14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

3.  His prayer for you.

John  17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

4. The longing of our Father in heaven to live in the same tabernacle  with you for all eternity.

Revelation  21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

5. The great longing of apostle Peter.

2 Peter  3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Beloved, examine yourself, are you really ready for the imminent rapture?

To help you to be ready:

1. abide in Christ.

1 John  2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

2. Be part of the glorious church, Jesus is coming for.

Ephesians  5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

3. Continue to purify yourself and be pure as Jesus is pure .

1 John  3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

All of these would be possible when you are biblically saved and sanctified.

Matthew  1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

The good Lord shall help you in particular in Jesus name.

Let us pray.