Loving the appearing of Christ, requisite for readiness for the imminent rapture.

Loving the appearing of Christ,  requisite for redoiness for partaking in the imminent rapture.

2 Timothy  4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Loving the appearance of Christ is essential requisite for readiness for the imminent rapture.

Appearing of Christ, simply means the catching away of the followers of Christ.

1 Thessalonians  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:  4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

What then are the requisites for readiness?

1. Living with eternity in view.  Setting your affections on heavenly things.

Colossians  3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

2. Labouring to get others ready for the imminent rapture.

1 Peter  5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:  5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

3. Purging yourself always of impurities that  can hinder you from being ready for His coming.

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.

4. Living gracious  Christlike lifestyle.

Titus  2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Doing all of these will help you to love the appearing of Christ and be ready at His coming like Paul.

2 Timothy  4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Let us pray.