This is a slightly different slant on the return of Christ. I think Hebrews 9:28 helps confirm the pre trib rapture teaching - with a twist.
There is a song about the Vietnam war, from the POV of a young soldier. One of the lines says that the sound of a helicopter chilled him to his feet. Chill as in terrify, not the modern meaning.
I spent a week in Vietnam's waters and a day in Vung Tau harbour. That was enough for me. I worked with a veteran soldier who fought in Vietnam. He told me that he loved the sound of the helicopter. It meant that he was about to be extracted. An interesting contrast.
..........so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
"Salvation" in this context is not to do with forgiveness of sin. It means
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:20 & 21)
I wonder how eagerly we are awaiting the return of the Lord Jesus. Is there something more important? Do we have an unfinished work, a pet project that we have almost completed, attachments to loved ones that tie us to the world?
It's a scary thought. Suppose God says, "OK, finish your project, your work; stay to help your family." Other believers receive their new bodies and are taken up to escape the wrath of God to come on the earth.
Perhaps it's because I'm older and my body is a little the worse for wear. I'm eager to get my new body. No more aches, no more pains and no more sweating in the gym. Best of all, no sin nature to tempt me and no hindrance to pure fellowship with my Lord and my God Jesus. Whatever your eschatology, Jesus is returning. That is the truth. And every sign points to the fact that it will be soon.
There is a song about the Vietnam war, from the POV of a young soldier. One of the lines says that the sound of a helicopter chilled him to his feet. Chill as in terrify, not the modern meaning.
I spent a week in Vietnam's waters and a day in Vung Tau harbour. That was enough for me. I worked with a veteran soldier who fought in Vietnam. He told me that he loved the sound of the helicopter. It meant that he was about to be extracted. An interesting contrast.
..........so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
"Salvation" in this context is not to do with forgiveness of sin. It means
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:20 & 21)
I wonder how eagerly we are awaiting the return of the Lord Jesus. Is there something more important? Do we have an unfinished work, a pet project that we have almost completed, attachments to loved ones that tie us to the world?
It's a scary thought. Suppose God says, "OK, finish your project, your work; stay to help your family." Other believers receive their new bodies and are taken up to escape the wrath of God to come on the earth.
Perhaps it's because I'm older and my body is a little the worse for wear. I'm eager to get my new body. No more aches, no more pains and no more sweating in the gym. Best of all, no sin nature to tempt me and no hindrance to pure fellowship with my Lord and my God Jesus. Whatever your eschatology, Jesus is returning. That is the truth. And every sign points to the fact that it will be soon.
