1 Thes.1:8-10 – For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place the news of your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.
One of the strongest indications that the Bible teaches the rapture is that God reserves His wrath for His enemies. In today’s verse Paul clearly says that the coming of the Lord will deliver us from the wrath to come. Anyone who has looked at the book of Revelation knows for certain the wrath of God will be poured out on the earth at the end of the age, Paul says that the church will be delivered from that moment by the coming of the Lord. We can see this in scripture when we think about Noah and the flood and Lot and the judgement of God on Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus said the last days would be just like the days of Noah and just like the days of Sodom. The judgement of God on sin is coming, its just not for His own. In these two Old Testament examples God’s people were delivered from the wrath of God, that is exactly what the rapture does, it delivers us from the wrath to come. Here is how the Christ Centered Exposition Commentary describes this.
“As we will see later, Paul devoted considerable attention to addressing the Thessalonians’ lingering questions about eschatological matters. His goal in teaching them about Christ’s return was always more pastoral than theological. His purpose was to build within them an expectant hope for the future. He also wanted to reassure them that despite their present persecution, God’s “coming wrath” was not something to be feared. Rather, they could be confident and hopeful about their future and pursue their walk with Christ with an expectant anticipation of His return. When everyone else was looking around in confusion, Paul wanted them to be looking up in anticipation. That is the “blessed hope” of the Christian life.”
I know there are many Christian beliefs that fall under the category of orthodox Christian teaching on the last days. By no means am I an expert on prophesy and would never insist others believe the way I do when it comes to this. This teaching on the rapture and the imminent return of Christ has helped me now for over 50 years. I find hope and comfort in this teaching as well as an urgency to win souls because the end of this age is upon us. All I can say is Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus.
