Daily Bible Plan

16. July 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living your Faith in the Public Sphere

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

🕊 Devotion: The Hope of the Believer – Caught Up, Changed, and With Him Forever

📖 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NKJV)

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope…” (Read full passage)

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🔹 Fallen Asleep – A Temporary Rest for the Righteous

Paul begins this passage by correcting ignorance regarding believers who have “fallen asleep”—a phrase used throughout Scripture to describe the death of a believer. Why? Because sleep implies awakening. For the Christian, death is not final; it is a pause before the resurrection.

Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” (John 11:11)

The people thought Lazarus was only resting, but Jesus clarified: “Lazarus is dead.”

This biblical language affirms our hope: those who sleep in Christ will rise again.

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🔹 Not Without Hope

As believers, we grieve—but not as those who have no hope.

Why? Because:

“If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thess. 4:14)

We don’t live for this world alone. There is a resurrection coming for all who are in Christ!

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🔹 The Order of His Return

Paul continues:

“We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.”

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” (vv. 15–16)

Those who died in Christ will rise first, then the living saints will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air.

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🔹 The Rapture – Transformation in a Moment

Though the word rapture isn’t used directly in Scripture, the concept is crystal clear. “Caught up” in the Greek (harpazo) means to be snatched away suddenly. The Latin word rapturo is where we get “rapture.”

Even more, Scripture describes what will happen at that moment:

“…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:52

“For our citizenship is in heaven… who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body.”

— Philippians 3:20–21

At that instant, our bodies will be transfigured—transformed from mortal to immortal. This is not just a spiritual event but a bodily resurrection and transformation.

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🔹 The First Flight – Don’t Miss It

There will be a first flight—a divine departure from this world. And it will be instant. We must be ready.

Jesus warned: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father…” (Matthew 7:21)

This means not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will go with Him—only those who do His will.

This includes:

• Obeying His commandments

• Prioritizing His work

• Serving others with joy

• Loving and helping the poor

• Living a life separated from sin

• Giving without grudging

• Avoiding gossip and walking in the Spirit

• Praying without ceasing

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

We must not live with one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom. The first flight is for those who have fully surrendered to Jesus.

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🔹 A Pastoral Appeal – Eternal Focus

As your pastor, I don’t speak these words lightly. I speak as one who also desires to be ready.

I remind myself often: it is a privilege, not a burden, to serve Jesus. He could have chosen someone better. I am a nobody made somebody by grace. And I pray I do not miss that day.

I urge you: don’t carry unnecessary baggage. Don’t live carelessly. Don’t take your calling lightly. You are chosen by the same God who called me—and He is coming soon.

Let us not be found asleep spiritually.

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🙏 Prayer of Surrender

Say after me:

Father, in the name of Jesus,

Thank You for placing eternity in my heart.

If I have lost sight of Your return, please restore my focus.

I don’t want to miss the first flight. I want to be changed in a moment.

Help me to do Your will—to walk in obedience, serve with joy, and love like Jesus.

Let me not just say ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do Your will daily.

May my life be a living sacrifice.

Thank You for the privilege of serving You.

Help me stay ready. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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📌 Final Charge: Stay Ready

“And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17–18)

Let us not just be comforted. Let us be compelled to live ready—because Jesus is coming soon, and it will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

Please open your bibles and read from  1Thes 4:13-28