1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11As believers in Jesus, the rapture will not come as a surprise. Even though we know not the day or the hour, we can still decipher the signs of the times: lawlessness, lovers of self, call good evil and evil good, a push for a global government, a system where you cannot buy, sell or trade without a “mark”, earthquakes in various places, sexual immorality, the list goes on an on. Do you see any of these in our world today? Do you see at all how they are normalized? You are pretty much crazy to not support these things listed above. 2 Peter 3:3-4 - Knowing this first, that there shall be come in the last days scoffers, walking in their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?” For those, the day will come as a thief in the night. In fact, you will be thought crazy to not only kick against the list above but to hope in the rapture. Paul was thought to be a madman by Festus (Acts 26), and the Corinthians thought he was beside himself (2 Corinthians 5). This is why believers need to be prepared for a persecution in the coming days. Consider this article from the internet: https://theconversation.com/why-creationism-bears-all-the-hallmarks-of-a-conspiracy-theory-153831 I pray often with my girls that we would be faithful to the end, and when persecution comes, we would endure it and love those who are persecuting us as Christ not the Cross and Stephen at his stoning. I implore you make this part of your petition to our King!Because of all this, we need to be in the light or of the day. We need to be sober and watchful. We see the need to put on the armor of God. Specifically mentioned is the protection of our heart and mind. In the medical world, we refer to this as our core. Your body has natural fighting abilities, but when all else is traumatized or sick, we shunt blood and nutrients to our core. It is our life-sustainer. This is why it is imperative for us to be diligently in the Word, seeking the Lord in prayer, communing together as believers and lifting each other up not tearing each other down. We should not be distracted by the things of this world. There is a lot to distract us. The days are going to continue to be tough. We may have short reprieves, but things are not going to get wholly better. This world is divisive, and Satan gains ground when we are divided thus conquered.God does not appoint us to wrath! This is about as pretribulation rapture as you can get. During the tribulation, God’s wrath is poured out on this world in judgement. The last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation is termed the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, it is Israel’s time again on the earth. The church is gone. The groom has taken his bride away. This does not mean we will not face trying times before we are taken. It does mean we will not be present when God pours out his wrath on earth. His desire for us is to obtain salvation, so we will be with Him.This is the best part: Therefore comfort each other and edify one another. We as the church are designed to be there for each other. We are not to quarrel, gossip, slander, etc. We need to approach each other with truth in love and encourage each other as Satan desires to tear us apart and tear us down. We are not meant to stand alone, but as a unified church.MARANATHA!!