Many of you have mentioned that when you witness about Christ's close return, some Christians say He won't come for years while others ask why you would ever long for such a thing (usually giving a "magnanimous" word about bringing in the lost and whatnot, thus appearing as if they have a heart for the lost and not a heart for staying in this world...)

Why would we dare to long for our Lord?

Philippians 1:6 is our answer.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Our salvation was only BEGUN on the cross.  We are now adopted in the family of God.  We are His children through the sacrifice of His Son and no one can snatch us out of His hand.  BUT, our salvation is not fully realized -- UNTIL the Day of His Coming, when WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM.

1 John 3:2:

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

AMEN!  How could we NOT want our Lord to come again?!  Our salvation isn't yet complete.  Our glorification is the final step of what He began on the cross.  That's what "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it" MEANS!  Our salvation isn't complete until we are LIKE HIM.

And we won't be like Him until the Resurrection.

And the Resurrection is the RAPTURE!!

Folks, the only way we can live in Heaven and see Him face to face is to be glorified.  That is the final step in our salvation story.  Christ must complete our salvation, just like He promised.  Completing salvation has nothing to do with "getting holy" or "becoming more like Him", it's quite literally our transformation into our glorified, heavenly bodies.

Come, Lord Yeshua!  Complete our salvation in You!!  \O/

~~Becka

The response that gets me is the believers who say, "but I want my children to have a chance to grow up and experience marriage and parenthoood, etc.etc."

The very, very, very bestest of here - is less than nothing to the least of what awaits there.  Personally, I want better for my children than to have to struggle with the sin nature, a fallen world and a corruptible body.  

It almost seems like they can't get their minds around the idea that God wants better for them and their children than they do.  Or they don't trust Him when He says...

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)
 9 But as it is written:

   “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

Great perspective blueteapot!  I can so resonate with those typical cop-out answers that merely mask fear, doubt and unbelief.  Where then is the faith?  They substitute with works.  Where then is the hope?  They dismiss that with emotional barriers.  Where then is the Love?  What or who do they Love?

Love & blessings...Tender Reed

I cannot imagine this gift of watching to be taken away, so valuable and rich and encouraging and inspiring and true.   So much so,  that our LORD JESUS has a crown waiting ~~  with all my heart this 'knowing' that our Jesus' shall rapture His own at any moment, that His call is imminent brings peace and joy for the watcher that passes worldly understanding ~~ what a blessing that is~

Great point TXhom.  As I have mentioned previously, we are not alone in our watch.  Surely, Father God is looking forward to seeing the Son recieve His joy & reward (us).  Afterwhich then the Father can continue His plans for His wife (Israel).

Certainly just as valid, are the longing and desire of Christ himself to take unto Himself, His bride.  What motivation He has.

Thirdly, the Holy Spirit of God, is I believe just as anxious as us to be called into Heaven.

And lastly, the bride's motivations for being accepted, recieved and called by Christ. 

It seems to me to be in the Trinities interest as well, for this consumation to take place.

Love & blessings...Tender Reed

A better country, a better promise, a better covenant, a better home!

Love & blessings...Tender Reed