Gathering Together Unto Him

Apostle Paul penned these exact words of the Spirit to the church at Thessalonica. The apostle visited this city almost immediately after Paul and Silas’ miracle – their deliverance out of jail at Philippi. A great multitude of devout Greeks and a large group of the chief Jewish women were converted to Christ in this ancient city and a strong church was immediately established. "The Jews which believed not, moved with envyÂ…" (Acts 17:5a) and used deceptive methods to create uproar against Paul. They said, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also" (Acts 17:6b). The Apostle either had to leave town to protect the new converts or maybe they might have asked him to leave to protect him from the mob.

His two great letters to Thessalonica are evidence that the Apostle Paul was careful to teach them of the impending "Day of the Lord." Everywhere converts were made, they immediately began to look for Jesus Christ to return. The love for the crucified and risen Messiah was captivating. No one among the saints considered Jesus Christ casually. He was their life, their hope, their joy, and their soon coming King. They were told that He was coming for those that "looked for Him." If they planned an activity, a visit, or a responsibility of labor along with their plans they would say, "If the Lord will" (James 4:15). No wonder they were accused of turning the world upside down. We would do the same if w e were equally captivated with Jesus Christ.

Now we see why the words, "Gathering together unto Him," were so majestic. To be in His actual presence made these saints consider death a grand celebration. They lived to be in the immediate company of their Savior and Lord. This gives us a beautiful picture of the "Rapture of the Saints." The debates and arguments about His soon coming have clouded our hope. It’s all more theological than our immediate expectation. Most people that say that they believe He is coming live the absolute opposite. "Yes, He is coming," they loosely say, "But, oh, it could be hundreds of years from now."

The Biblical concept of the Rapture is best felt when you consider it with these fabulous words, "Gathering Together Unto Him." He is coming for us – His Saints – and it is one of His greatest promises. He spoke to the twelve before Judas sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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" (John 14:1-3). He went to Heavenly Jerusalem and, somewhere on the outskirts; He erected a second city called "New Jerusalem." It’s finished and will descend after the millennial reign. John saw the city (for further reference see Revelation 21 and 22).

The Rapture is not just a trip into the future. It is a personal event of the Lord Jesus Christ coming for His "jewels" (Malachi 3:17). We are His bride-in-waiting, along with the sainted dead. He is the happy Bridegroom that sent His representation (the Holy Ghost) to call and prepare His chosen company. Heaven, where the Father and the Son, along with the Host of Angels abide, is filled with joy for this future moment. You can believe that the Heavenly Hosts are busy in preparation. No doubt the great banquet hall of the wedding is being prepared. The lights are on in the great hall and "Living Creatures" are taking turns at the "Gates of Pearl."

If the saints will learn "to glory only in His cross" and live in the power of His resurrection, our very souls will be full of expectations. Any moment, without a notice, it will all begin. First, the Son of God Himself descends into the mid-air in sight of the transfixed multitudes. He will come shouting with such "creative words" that the earth and the natural world will shake and tremble. The second heavens will roll up like a scroll and disappear. Graves will burst open and Saints will begin to rise from the dust. The Bible says, "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust" (Isaiah 26:19b). All over the earth, dead bodies will leave the evidence of an empty grave.

The living saints will join the risen saints as their bodies are glorified and they become partakers of His glorious resurrection. Everything about this event is Biblical and supernatural, but most of all personal. He comes for us because He loves all of us with divine love. We will soon, at any moment, be gathered up into the mid-air to proceed to the Heavenly City of ivory palaces and jasper walls. The golden streets could be beneath our feet before sunset today.