It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. (1 Corinthians 15:12)
Read: Job 12:1-15:35, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58, Psalm 39:1-13, Proverbs 21:30-31
Relate: Someday this verse is going to be fulfilled. Some day those graves are going to open and both the living and the dead will meet our God. There is debate as to exactly when it will happen. Some say it will happen at the beginning of what we call the tribulation. Others say it will occur in the middle or at the end of it. Even the whats and hows of what is called the rapture are the source of endless fun and debates and best selling (yet horribly written) book series. That is fine. Some people like to invest plenty of time creating end times charts and timelines going into specific detail of exactly what will happen, when, and in what order. These same people will then argue their charts over and against the charts of some other chart makers who disagree and have their own timelines to show why. That is fine. Have fun with those charts. I tend to view myself as an end-times agnostic. He has given us a glimpse of a few of the major events but the specific whens and hows, the details, He kept to Himself. He is a God of surprises and when He came the first time those who should have known the best missed it because they were so completely convinced they knew exactly what His coming would be like.
No matter when and how it happens, no matter how different the times of His return will be from everybody’s charts, the fact remains that someday it will happen. When it does, however it does, I want to be dead. By the time that trumpet sounds, I want to be in the grave. Why? Because the dead will rise first and I want to get there as quickly as possible.
React: Don’t get me wrong, I love this life. In it, there is wonder and beauty everywhere I look. Everywhere I turn my eyes I see reflections of His majesty. If I am searching for it, I can see a shadow of the image of God in the people I talk to. He has gifted me with a mind to learn and grow and I love putting that mind, as well as this body to exercise. But this body is breaking down. This mind forgets. The flowers I see wilt and die. The image of God found in others is tarnished with sin. This world is not as it was meant to be. As great as everything is, it can be greater. It will be greater. I have a responsibility in which I find fulfillment in helping to advance God’s Kingdom here on earth. Even more important, however, I must never forget that one day, the trumpet will sound.
Respond:
Maranatha! God, come quickly. Let that trumpet sound. As much as I love this life, I can’t wait for the day when You call me home. But as long as I am still here, help me to continue to work. Let me live my life with the understanding that Your return is imminent, but help me to continue to work for You as if that day is a long way off. Even so, Lord, come quickly.
Amen
THE RIVER WALK 
I love this life, too…But I am ready. There is so much that I don’t know or understand, but there is one thing that I DO know – it will be AMAZING when that day finally arrives.
Amen! Marantha! Early this morning I was awake, it was very early, still dark out. There was a clap of thunder and it was a majesic clap if ever I heard one. It made me think of this verse. I admit, I even strained my ear hoping to ear the sound of a trumper… there was none, just thunder and a train in the distance. Great post! DAF
I, too, am eager for that day, but while I wait, I keep spreading the Good News! Hallelujah for our soon (whenever God says is soon) returning Savior!
YEA!!!! Thanks for posting this! More needs to be said and all of us who are watching should be the ones to say it! Maranatha!!!
Just shared this link on my Twitter account!
For to live is Christ, and to die is gain. I’m beginning to understand some of what I’ve been reading for decades, and that makes me wonder if we aren’t truly close to that last trumpet blast.
AMEN!
Yes lets work while we can because only God knows the Day which He has marked on His own calendar!
Wonderful and very needed post!! This world is not our own; so much more awaits us!
“So bit trouble yourself with the end times. He who dies, his judgement has come.”- Al Shaarawy
Thanks for your presentation. The fact is the FACT. The trumpet will sound. God is a God of surprises (I like your words), and He also said “concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matt 24:36) Let’s focus on Him more than on events and calendars.
A beautiful reminder of waiting with an expectant and empowered heart for God.
Today works for me. 🙂
Maranatha!
\o/
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more. Will you be ready? Or better yet, if your life should end unexpectedly, will you be ready? Let us watch and be ready, for we know not the hour nor the minute. May God help us to be ready.
The Lord told us to watch, so let’s do this. Yet we still need His help and His mercy. It’s a cooperative effort.
“an end times agnostic”. I like that! 🙂
Amen
“But I must never forget that one day, the trumpet will sound.” Amen. Dig it.
REBLOGGING!!! Thank you 🙂
Wahoo!!!
Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will be raised never to decay, and we will be changed. Suddenly, like the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet, when it shall sound, and the dead shall rise without corruption, and we shall be transformed.
we have to be ready
It will be so wonderful for believers, but as the day draws near, I think I become more and more sad, about all those who do not know God yet. A lot of work for us to do.
I hope for pre and prepare for post 🙂 Either way I long for that day because – Jesus!
A wonderful piece
We live in a world where we need to embrace intelligence, and use our knowledge to come up with viable solutions to the major issues we are facing as a species- namely, biodiversity loss, overfishing and death of the oceans, and climate change. A God isn’t going to fix these issues. We must rise up as a species to change the world using deductive thinking, creative solutions, and working together as humanity.
This is so sobering and yet so good to read, thank you for this.
Me too.
Oh my, how I agree with you, especially as this world darkens. But I want to complete the tasks he has for me and pray earnestly for many to hear the call of the Holy Spirit to follow him. Thank you for your posts.
Amen!