Are you preparing for this earth or the next one?
This world will pass away but His Word will continue on. Be careful not to fall in love with the things of this world. It could be a person, place, or thing and that would hold you back from giving Jesus your entire life and being with Him for eternity. We are not in our eternal space - this is the place we prepare.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 'For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. '
First, those who are believers who died will hear his voice and rise. Then those who are alive will be caught up together with Christ.
If Jesus came back today, would you go with Him? Are you ready to go?
1 Thessalonians 4:18 - 5:3 "Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comments upon them as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.'
So who is eligible?
- Those who are in Christ (1 Thess. 4:16-17)
- Those who are born again (John 3:3)
- Those who are washed by the blood (Rev. 7:14)
- Those who are waiting and watching (Hebrews 9:28; Luke 12:35-36)
- Those who are not appointed to wrath (1 Thess. 5:9)
Don't wait until you're on your deathbed to say yes to Jesus. You can escape the sins that are trying to pull you away from God. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Obviously we all struggle with sin, but God always provides a way out.
Matthew 12:43-45 talks about what it looks like for someone who doesn't keep themselves guarded. If you empty out something bad from your life, you need to fill that empty space with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19 says we are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the household of God. We will be together - alive with Christ.
What doesn't make you eligible?
- Going to church (Ephesians 2:-9)
- Participating in religious activities alone (Galatians 2:16)
- Saying to Jesus you believe, but not believing in your heart and with your life. (Romans 10:9)
