Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NET
Observations of Transformation
Paul, talking to believers, grabs his listeners attention with – “Listen”, or “behold” as some translations write – either translation is meant to alert those listening that what he is about to say is important. Knowing that there are those who doubt the actual resurrection of the body he proceeds to “reveal to them the mystery” behind the resurrection. When Christ returns –
Dead or alive believers will be changed – transformed into a heavenly body, like Jesus (49)
Trumpets will sound and at the last sound
The dead will be raised ‘imperishable’, meaning they no longer have their earthly bodies but heavenly ones (see verse 49)
and those who are alive will likewise be changed from mortal to immortal, perishable to imperishable
And death will be swallowed up in victory!
And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, let us also bear the image of the man of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:49 NET
Application – So, What Does This Mean For Us
It means we have been given a wonderful promise of HOPE and eternity in a new and improved body. For we will be transformed from perishable to imperishable and from mortal to immortal. It means we can rejoice now as we look forward to what God has promised.
Prayer – Response To God’s Word
Father, thank You for the promise of eternity with You – a promise that is yes and amen in Jesus! Thank You that one day this mortal, perishable body will be changed into an imperishable, immortal one. – Help me to stand firm in this and not be shaken as I wait on You.
Your Turn: Reflections
What excites you the most when you think about getting a new imperishable body when Christ returns?
Taken, One Left Week 4, Day 3 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come (A Love God Greatly Study)
Scripture Reading: Luke 17:22-37 (SOAP: Luke 17:34-35)
I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.There will be two women grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
Luke 17:34-35 NET
Observations
The entire passage leads up to Jesus’ conversation with the disciples about the end times. In telling them that they would not know the day the day or hour, He used the comparison of “The days of Noah and the days of Sodom to make the point – “One will be taken and the other left” – which we find in our soap passage.
Application – So, What Does This Mean For Us
In regards to the soap passage, the obvious answer for this question is that we must be ready, so that whether we are in the field working or asleep in bed we will not be left behind. We must be prepared for His return, irregardless of when it occurs. I also think it is important to understand verse 33, where we read: “Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” in other words, we must let go of the things, places, and people that bind us to this world. Or to put it in the words of Joshua, “choose this day whom you will serve”, Joshua 24:15.
Prayer – Response To God’s Word
Father, I don’t fully understand this passage, except that Jesus’ return is known only by You and that we (I) should not hold tightly to the things (people/places/things) of this world. Please help me to die to self daily, choosing You over the world – in Jesus’ mighty name!
– as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:13 NLT
Observations of Grace
Jesus came in the flesh bearing God’s grace to a world in need of salvation. He came not just to the Jews but to all people who, by faith, would believe in the One God had sent. His grace doesn’t just save but it trains and equips us to live in a manner pleasing to God and to wait patiently for His return. I love the vivid illustration in verse 14 that God, by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), not only gave His Son to save us (John 3:16) but Jesus gave Himself to set us free from the law of sin and death (Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:1-2 and 14-15) and to purify us for Himself. This passage makes it clear that He did it to specifically have a people who are surrendered to Him through faith and eager to do good because of the grace (unmerited favor of God) that was lavished on us through His life, death, and resurrection.
Application – So, What Does This Mean For Us
As we wait for Jesus to appear 1we are to reject godless ways and worldly desires. 2We are to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives 3keeping in mind that He gave Himself for our freedom and to purify us for Himself – so that we can 4live fully surrendered to Him and 5eagerly seek to do good. Like Titus, we are God’s chosen representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, so, 6we are to teach or urge others concerning these things being careful to not let others disregard, the message of Hope.
Prayer – Response To God’s Word
Father, thank You for the GRACE that is ours in Christ Jesus – for it is Your power to save us from our sin, to set us free and cleanse us, and to transform us – from slaves to sin to righteously clothed representatives of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Colossians 3:17); and it is Your grace that sustains us while we wait. May we be faithful to share these truths with others – our lives a stirring testament to Your sustaining grace. May our devotion to Jesus and our eagerness to do goodlight the way for others and may the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe, and the lives we live inspire them to obey – rather than to disregard Your Truth. In the name and power of Jesus I pray and wait – AMEN!! (words in italics are from a song that came to mind as I prayed … Find Us Faithful, by Steve Green)
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. 1Thessalonians 4:16-18 NET
Observations
the Lord will come down
there will be a shout of command
the trumpet of God will sound
the dead in Christ will rise first
those who are alive will be taken up with them
we will always be with the Lord
we are to encourage one another with these truths
Application – So, What Does This Mean For Us
The HOPE we cling to and the encouragement of our FAITH is that we will always be with the Lord! – Me, from the InsideOut
We are to encourage “one another” with the truth and the HOPE that whether we are dead or alive – Jesus is coming back for us and we will live with Him forever!
Prayer – Response To God’s Word
Father – thank You again and again for the HOPE of eternity with our Lord, forever in Your Presence! Yes Lord come for this is where I want to be – forever in Your Presence – Amen!
12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them: “Come up here!” So the two prophets went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies stared at them.
Revelation 11:12 NET
OBSERVATIONS
God gives authority to two witnesses to prophesy for 1260 days
They will be dressed in sackcloth, which implies one or all of these definitions: mourning, repentance, austerity (someone who has stripped down to the simplest essentials of his physical life), or poverty (either physical or spiritual)
At the end of their allotted days to witness they will be conquered by the beast and their bodies will be placed in the street as a victorious celebration of their death, for their message had tormented those who lived on the earth.
BUT GOD … after three and a half days causes them to stand on their feet bringing fear to all those who saw it. Then the witnesses were called up to heaven and ascended in a cloud while their enemies watched.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
I think the biggest take away for me from this passage is to trust God, even when it looks like evil or the troubles of this life have prevailed. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
While the “two witnesses” are specific to the day and time John writes about we should none-the-less be reminded and inspired to remain faithful and always live as His humble witnesses.
RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, thank You for these glimpses of victory in the battles yet to come. Your triumph over evil and Your provision of witnesses among the people bring hope and encouragement to our days of waiting. Thank You for Your promise of rapturing us to be with You and for Your power over all the forces of evil! We wait and trust Father – in Jesus’ name and power amen!
27 And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment, 28 so also, after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await him he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation.
Hebrews 9:27-28 NET
OBSERVATIONS
Many Convincing Proofs
While our focus verses come from Hebrews 9:27-28 I cannot help but make a few observations on the passage from Acts chapter 1. In large part it is a recap of Luke 24, where we read about being witnesses and waiting on the Holy Spirit. But there is one line that caught my attention, “He presented Himself alive with many convincing proofs.” It made me ask myself – ‘how has He presented Himself to me?’ To the apostles He appeared for more than forty days and spoke with them about matters of the kingdom, not to mention other proofs like inviting Thomas to reach out and touch where the nails had been in his hands and sides, telling him to “stop doubting and believe”. We may not have His visible appearance with us as the apostles did or be able to touch His nail scarred hands as Thomas did, but God’s Word is full of proofs and conversations about matters concerning the Kingdom of God. And, like the apostles, we have been given the Holy Spirit, who lives in us. Personally, for me, it has been the awareness of His presence with me, or watching Him work in the life of a loved one, or the peace that comes in a storm of life or an engulfing fear, or the power of His Spirit in me when I know I have no strength of my own.
The Focus Passage
Like man – Jesus died once, and He did it to make atonement, or pay, for our sin. His sacrifice was so perfect that we have no need of another payment, or atonement. So when He returns it will not be to pay for our sins but to save all those who have trusted in Him from this dark sin-filled world.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
It means that I can know and trust that He is coming again and will take me out of this world to forever live with Him. To which I say – Hallelujah!! COME, LORD JESUS, COME!!
RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, by faith I am saved! Because of Your grace through the atonement of Christ – the perfect, spotless lamb. And this same Jesus will return for me, for I am sealed with the Holy Spirit whom You gave me the moment I believed. I claim and praise You for Your promises in Jesus’ name – and wait with great expectation for His return – Amen and Amen!
YOUR TURN: REFLECTIONS
How has Jesus presented Himself to you?
While you wait for Jesus’ return, what can you do today to help share Him with your neighbors and friends?
Now during the blessing he departed and was taken up into heaven.
Luke 24:51 NET
OBSERVATIONS
From Elijah’s whirlwind departure to Jesus’ mid-prayer departure, we are definitely journeying through some drama-packed adventures of God’s people. In essence, we are witnesses of these events. As Jesus told the disciples here in Luke, these events were prophesied by Moses and the prophets and the psalms. Through God’s written Word we have seen the Christ child born, and along with the disciples of His day and all those present for the crucifixion we have seen Him suffer and die, we have stood in awe at the empty tomb, and heard the proclamation of repentance for the forgiveness of sins – to every nation and tongue. We have also received the same Spirit that Jesus told the disciples to wait for, without whom we will not be effective witnesses. A quick look at verse 45 (one of my favorite life verses) holds a clue as to why we need the Spirit. Starting in verse 44 we see that He spoke to them and then“He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” – Then He continued speaking what He wanted them to hear and know. We need the Spirit because it is the power of Christ in us, with us 24/7. He will do for us what Christ did for the early disciples while He walked with them on earth. He will teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said, John 14:26.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
When we know God and have a familiarity with and understanding of His Word we can be witnesses for Him. When this is true of us we will be more like Jesus, telling others about the Father and about Jesus, who was taken up into Heaven, where He intercedes for us at God’s right hand and from where He will return to gather us to be with Him. It means as Jesus’ followers we are filled with His Spirit, we can know and understand His Word, and we can effectively share It with others. It also means that even though Jesus has not yet returned, we can worship Him with great joy, and praise God together as we wait.
RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, help me to be an affective witness. In the power of Your Spirit, to the praise of Your glory – and may I be found worshiping You with great joy.
YOUR TURN: REFLECTIONS
What is one way you an be a witness for Jesus in your life right now?
As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2:11 NET
OBSERVATIONS
Such imagery might be too much for us to imagine but we live in the day of incredible cinematography that allows us to actually see in our mind this scene that Jeremiah paints of Elijah going up to heaven. I suppose some will read the passage and immediately think how outlandish it sounds and question how anyone could believe it. However, for those of us who know God and have experienced His grace and power in our own lives or seen it in the lives of others it is more than believable. Actually considering how He spoke and the world was created or how He raised Christ from the grave after His body lay three days in the tomb, this may seem a bit lack-luster in comparison. Though, nothing is truly lack-luster with God, is it? His works are wonderful, we know it and see it and we watch for the miracles and even the simplest of His fingerprints – and when we see them our faith is energized.
The difference between the modern day cinematography and God’s display of power is that the art form is for accolades and profit while the other is meant to save people from their sins and to prepare them for what they have been called to do. This is the case in 2 Kings, where”God’s awesome display of power fitted Elisha for service – much like Moses at the burning bush.”1 or like the disciples and apostles at Jesus’ ascension, and much like us at the details we are given through God’s living and active Word – literally a jumbotron of His works and unfolding story. The wealth of knowledge, love, and power that He has displayed all around us should fuel us with whole-hearted dedication to serve God faithfully all of our life.
Application: SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
Elijah was the lord and master of Elisha. So close were they that when Elisha sees him ascending into Heaven, he calls out, “my father, my father.” Elisha knew that Elijah would be leaving him but something tells me he wasn’t prepared for the way it happened, yet after the event he was clearly prepared for the call of God on his life. Much the same for us, having heard, and seen, and believed in the birth, the life, the death, the resurrection, and ascension of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ – we have been empowered and are now equipped and called to respond.
Prayer: RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, what a miracle working God You are – One of beauty and creativity and power – One of purpose! May our eyes always be open, our ears and hearts alert, and our responses pleasing – flowing from a dedication to serve You faithfully and with purpose! – Energize us by Your Spirit Father – In Jesus’ powerful name – amen!
YOUR TURN: REFLECTIONS
What 3 lessons do we learn from 2 Kings 2:1-18? How can you put these lessons into practice in your life?
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 NET
OBSERVATIONS: What does GOd Reveal
Very little is said about Enoch in the Scriptures, but it is clear by these few words that in the crooked and perverse generation in which Enoch lived – he chose a different path. His path was not the way of the world but the way of God – which, as the author of Hebrew writes, pleased God. The question is, how did he please God? Clearly, as Hebrews 11:5 points out, he was motivated by his faith. As a result the following observations jumped off the page at me – first,
Enoch is proof that faith is powerful.
and
God works on behalf of, and in accordance with our faith
Me-from the Inside-out
Applying this: How Then do we live
What do we want our relationship with God to be like? I believe our answer to this question will ultimately determine how we apply this passage to our lives. As I was thinking about how to personally answer the question, my mind was flooded with the chorus of a favorite old hymn, that says, “and He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own – and the joy I feel as we tarry there – none other has ever known.” I knew immediately this beautifully descriptive chorus was my answer. I want a one on one, let’s walk and talk, relationship with God. I want to feel the joy as we linger together, longing not to let anyone or anything separate us. Without question this leaves me wanting to imitate Enoch’s choice to walk with God by faith and seek to please Him.
Prayer RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, Please help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Help my faith in You to motivate my thoughts, words, and deeds. Let my faith be purposeful and unshakable! So that when others see me or hear me they will see You and the light that comes from Your presence in me – In Jesus’ name – Amen!
YOUR TURN: REFLECTIONS
How did Enoch’s life please God?
What does this teach us about how we should live our lives?
He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.
Revelation 22:20-21
Beautiful Observations
Jesus, the one who testifies to these things John has written, confirms His impending return. This of course closes the New Testament much the same way that Malachi’s words closed the old, with a promise that Jesus, “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) and the “bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16) is coming soon! To which John responds, and we often find ourselves echoing: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
For me those could have been the closing words, but what John says next is somehow more beautiful. For, what better prayer could there be than for God’s sustaining grace(s) to be with His people as they wait. 1Paul Tripp writes of six different types of grace and acknowledges that there are even more. Grace is grace though, right? Well, yes. However, within that one word there is a treasure trove of gifts. Gifts like forgiveness from sins, acceptance into His family, His forever presence, His glorious grace-gift of freedom from the bondage of sin, and the grace of our faith made complete2– no more sin or sorrow, when “Everything will be restored, and we will worship in the presence of this amazing God of grace.” Until then, there is the grace-gift of enablement, which comes to us through His divine power and gives us everything we need to live a godly life.3
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
So What Does This Mean for us?
It means that …
we can trust that He will return (2 Corinthians 1:20)
we serve a God of Grace(s) (1 Peter 5:10, and others)
by His grace we are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and of accepted into His family (1 John 3:1-2)
He is always present with us (John 14:16)
He has equipped us with His power and strength to do what He has called us to do (2 Peter 1:3-4)
We’ve been set free from the law of sin and death (Rom 6:14-15)
and that will one day our faith will be made complete (Phil 1:6)
So again, I echo a prayer of John’s – as we wait upon His faithful promise – “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of His Holy People.” – And to this I say amen!
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you (and this by His Grace), will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6
Response to God’s Word
Father, God of Grace and mercy thank You for sending Jesus as a gift of salvation to all who believe. May those who have not yet believed – hear, believe, and be saved; and may those of us who have believed stand firm in our belief and faithful to Your calling, to make Christ known, as we wait on Your perfect timing and love. For we know that You have not forgotten, nor are You slow in keeping Your promise as some count slowness, but You, in Your goodness and love, are patient, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance! This is my prayer in Jesus’ Name – amen!
Your Turn: Reflections
What are you most excited about when you think of what life will be like when Jesus comes back?
Want More?
If you would like more of a reflection on our journey this week please visit the following devotional links from the team of Love God Greatly. – You’ll also find a sneak peek at our next study!
Me From the Inside Out 