QT 1/28/2025 1 Jn 2:28-3:3, The rapture is a glorious hope that affirms our faith

1 John 2:28–3:3 (ESV) —

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

 

NOTE: There are really two separate thoughts in this passage. The first two verses (2:28-29) remind us to abide because that increases our hope and confidence, as we await his coming. I am very assured of his coming. There is a wonder in me of whether the rapture may occur in 2033 or 2040 (note: when Jesus said no one knows the time of his coming, he was referring to the second coming, not the rapture [which precedes the second coming]. In regards to the rapture, we are to understand the seasons, meaning it will become more obvious as we get closer).

 

The second thought regards being children of God. I've written about this before. We are created in the image of God and have great worth and value, but we are not children of God. We are not in God's family just because we are his created beings. A number of passages clearly teach that we are adopted into God's family upon belief (John 1:12, Eph 1:13). A person needs to be born again, born of God, to be child in God's family. Many fool themselves thinking all are children of God -- that is not true. You must know God. At the rapture, we will realize the final aspect of our salvation, the glorification of our bodies as we are transformed fully into his likeness. For now, we continue to be witnesses to our generation in the hope that they will see the change in our lives and come to know our savior.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I been born again or have I just been going through the motions?
2. Do I believe in Jesus or do I believe in churchianity?

 

PRAYER: Father, you are coming soon to rapture your children from the earth prior to your judgment upon the earth. I pray we would be aware that the days may be short and we need to use our days wisely so that others are saved too.