"And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize] a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with most ardent zeal and intense exertion" Matt. 11:12 Ampl.
This is a message to the believer. Every believer belongs to the kingdom of heaven. Every believer has the life of the Lord in him. And if Jesus, "who is our life" (Col. 3:4), were to come, instantly our life would go out to meet His life because we exist and consist of the life of the Son of God. (see verse 4.) "Your life is hidden with Christ in God" (v3).
If all believers understood this wonderful passage that is in the twenty-second chapter of Luke's gospel, there would be great joy in their hearts:
"Then He said to them, With fervent desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
Everyone who is Christ Jesus will be there when He sits down the first time to break bread in the kingdom of heaven. It is not possible for any child of God to remain on earth when Jesus comes. May the Lord help us to believe it.
I know there is a great deal of speculation on the Rapture and on the coming of the Lord. But let me tell you to hope for edification and comfort, for the Scripture by the Holy Spirit won't let me speak on anything except the edification, consolation, and comfort of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 14:3). Why? Because we are here as Christians for the purpose of giving everybody comfort.
I don't mean we are to cover up sin. God won't let us do that. But we must unveil truth. And what is truth? The word of God is the truth. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). KJV "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39) KJV
What does the truth say? It says that when Christ appears, all who are His at His coming will be changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:52) KJV. We will be presented at the same moment as all those who have fallen asleep in Him, and we will all go together.
"We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.... And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thess. 4:15-18). KJV
Jesus said, "For I say unto you, I will not drink of the vine until the kingdom of God comes" (Luke 22:18) KJV. Two thousand years or more have passed since the Lord broke bread around the table with His disciples. I am longing, the saints are longing, for the grand union when millions, billions, trillions will unite with Him in that great fellowship Supper. Praise the Lord! But now, what stimulation, what power, must be working in us daily until that Day appears.
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