HEAVEN AT FIRST

LIGHT FOR LIFE DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY, July 27, 2020

SCRIPTURE:

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

[15]I can tell you this directly from the Lord: that we who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves.

[16]For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord.

[17]Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever.

[18]So comfort and encourage each other with this news.

FURTHER READING: ACTS 1:9 – 11

HEAVEN AT “FIRST”

The joy of heaven is a core characteristic of the resurrected life. The 100% assurance that whether by timely death or rapture we are definitely going to heaven is a motivating truth to live in perpetual excitement everyday as a believer.

A glorious morning to superstars of the Kingdom of light, God’s glory is upon you bringing you into the company of Kings and queens to lead them: step up its your time!

If the subject of rapture, eternity or any concept of eschatology (study of last day events) scares you then something is wrong. It is either you are not yet saved or you do not understand what has happened to you after salvation!

Jesus is coming again and he is coming to take you and I home. When you gave your life to Christ, grace did not start to prepare you for heaven so that our goal will be heaven at last, no, grace which made salvation available secured your place in heaven so that the first thing you experienced when you got saved was heaven at first. That’s why every person who gives their lives to Christ experiences peace, it's peace that comes because your place in heaven is eternally secured.

As believers, we are not preparing for the second coming of the Lord but for the rapture; the catching away of the saints. The word rapture is not found in scripture but it is an exact description of the term as used in scripture “…catching away” or “caught up…”.

There are some intricate details I can’t ignore, first Paul says the Lord will come with a shout, with the soul-stirring cry of the Archangel. So it won’t be a silent event at least not for the believer. The shout will stir your soul and the souls of the dead in Christ when he comes. So there is no way Jesus will come and you won't be aware. Your soul will be stirred and you will be prepared. Time and space will fail me to go deeper but Paul finally says we should encourage one another with these words. Not that we should pray to go to heaven but be encouraged that you are going to heaven. Awesome!

Your place in heaven has been secured by grace. The righteousness required to get you there has been ensured by grace. As far as grace is concerned NOTHING CAN STOP YOU FROM BEING RAPTURED, because your place in heaven is secured. Live in this confidence, we’ll soon be done on earth.

Prayer

Father thank you for securing my place in heaven by your grace.

Spirit of the Lord, we ask for the conviction and redemption of the souls of men and women around us and in our family; save them from the blind folding of darkness and bring them into light in Jesus name.

Holy Spirit stir our hearts you serve the purpose of the Kingdom in all we do in Jesus name.

Prophecy

The light of God on your life is announcing you to your world today in Jesus name.

In this peculiar season, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to strategic openings in the market where you will find your harvest in Jesus name.

This week the Holy Spirit is bringing you face to face with hidden riches of secret places in Jesus name.

I declare healing for your body, every perennial pain is terminated now in Jesus name.

The grace of God is distinguishing you in Jesus name.

Every habit, addiction or association that is draining your spiritual fervor and contesting your redemption testimony is swallowed up by the blood of Jesus.

I declare the rain of supernatural ideas and solutions on you for that situation with your child, your spouse and your business in Jesus name.

Declaration

Grace has secured my place in heaven; I am rapturable everyday

You are supernatural

I love you