“Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a “moment”, in the “twinkling” of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

I Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV)

In this particular scripture God is talking about the rapture of the church and He is referring to a moment in time! Some translations and some teachers refer to this moment in time as a blink of an eye. However, it is a “twinkling of an eye”! This moment will come and go as quick as placing a period at end of a sentence!

Recently, I heard a pastor say he had researched information in regards to the time frame of a twinkling of an eye. He said, to the best he could understand it was 1/6 of a Nanosecond! A Nanosecond is one billionth of a second. Therefore, a twinkling of an eye is 1/6 of a billionth of a second!

Dr. Henry Morris, (Institute for Creation Research) puts it this way: “He (Jesus) will return to reclaim the world from Satan. At that great day, ‘we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye’. In the above passage the word atom is (atomos) meaning an indivisible particle. That is, in an “atom of time”, to instantaneous to measure . . ., we shall be changed to be like Him in His glorious body” Philippians 3:21)”

Perhaps you are thinking, “So, what is your point? Here it is! “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:16-17 (CJB)

Have you been in a time of preparation allowing God to purify your mind for the moment of the rapture? Do you know God? Or do you just know about Him? Are you working through the transformation process spoken of in Romans 12?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Do you agree that Jesus is our example in how we should walk on this earth? Were you taught in church that Jesus had to experience everything we come up against in order to show us how to walk out our salvation?

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers an petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son, though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him . . .” Hebrews 5:7-9 (NIV)

WHAT AN EXAMPLE! If Jesus had to learn to obey God than why shouldn’t we?? If Jesus “grew in wisdom and in favor with God and man” why shouldn’t we?? Shouldn’t we be doing the same thing?? Had you ever thought that Jesus the man worked out his salvation just like we are supposed to do??? How did Jesus learn obedience and grow in wisdom and in favor with God and man?? Here is how: He was totally committed and focused on GOD the Father in reverent submission! JESUS LEARNED OBEDIENCE IN REVERENT SUBMISSION TO GOD!!

Most people don’t want to be in submission to anyone – they want to do what they want to do! They don’t want to work out their salvation – they want instant breakfast! They want to say a sinner’s prayer and then go about doing their “thing”!

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12 (NIV)

You see when the trumpet sounds the bodies (of those who are ready) will be changed not their minds and hearts! The hearts of the many will already have been read by God. Therefore, our hearts have to be prepared or be in the process of being prepared and ready to GO! Our heart intentions must be pure in the eyes of God. When the trumpet sounds there will be “no more chances”.

The intentions of our hearts and minds will be searched by God! According to the following scripture so much depends on our heart intentions!

“ . . . Then all the churches will know I AM he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” Revelation 2:23b (NIV)

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 (NIV)

“Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! ¹¹ Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate, and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom..! Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God’s people.” Ephesians 6:10-18 (CJB)

THOUGHT TOOL: If Christians don’t start a true transformation process on earth and continue it until their departure from earth - there is no way it can be completed in the “twinkling of an eye”!!

(sw-h)

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