[228]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - RAPTURED TO THE LORD
The Rapture is the hope of the Church. The bible calls it this – {{Titus 2:13 “looking for THE BLESSED HOPE and THE APPEARING OF THE GLORY OF OUR GREAT GOD and Saviour, Christ Jesus.”}} That verse looks at the two future comings, the Rapture and the Second Coming. The Rapture is the blessed hope, and we look forward so much to this –
{{1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall 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.”}}
I know there are some who deny a separate Rapture and have a number of different positions on this. My purpose in this poem is not to argue the case but to present this comforting reassurance. I have done a full examination on the Rapture elsewhere for any who want to look into it (you will need to copy and paste the URL link) - https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/an-examination-of-the-rapture-of-the-church-part-1-of-4-ron-ferguson-sermon-on-rapture-267058
The third stanza has this line – “The Morning Star will end our wait.” The Morning Star is Venus. This planet can also be the Evening Star. In the sense I used it, I mean it this way – The Morning Star is the harbinger or promise of the coming of the sun, the greater light. Jesus is both the Morning Star for the Church (The Rapture) and the Sun for Israel (and the world) (Second Coming).
Peter speaks of the Morning Star – {{2 Peter 1:19 “and so we have THE PROPHETIC WORD made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and THE MORNING STAR arises in your hearts”}}. We are so much looking forward to the coming of the Morning Star in the Rapture.
This is the application to Israel – {{Malachi 4:2 “But for you who fear My name THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”}} That will be the Restoration of Israel.
Other Rapture passages, apart from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, are 1 Corinthians 15, John 14:3 and Revelation 4:1. This is a shorter poem, but one of hope. It can also be a hymn.
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RAPTURED TO THE LORD
Even so, Lord Jesus come,
And take Your waiting people home.
Hope fulfilled - in Christ then one,
We’ll see the Lord grace heaven’s throne.
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Very soon the Morning Star
Will break the dark horizon night -
Herald of the door ajar;
Of Christ, the pure and Godhead Light.
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Christ again descends with love;
The Morning Star will end our wait.
Victory comes from above,
For those who to their Lord relate.
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Trumpet of the Lord will sound;
The heav’nly hosts with power descend.
Glory fullness will surround
Our blessed Saviour, Lord and Friend.
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Shout of summons we will hear;
Archangel’s voice and trumpet blast.
“Rise My own!” The Lord’s call clear.
O vict’ry shout! With Christ at last!
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Then forever with the Lord,
We’ll worship Him with perfect heart.
Blessed Victor we’ll adore,
And never, never, from Him part.
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10 April, 1998 R E Ferguson ABAB 7-8-7-8
(Alternate first stanza)
Even so Lord Jesus come,
And take Your waiting people home.
Expectation’s hope’s not numb
For saints who now on earth do roam.