Rapture!

November 21, 2022 Monday Message:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT: “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”

Paul is reassuring the Thessalonians that Jesus will be returning for all the believers, including those who have already died. In fact, those who have died will first rise from their graves as perfectly restored bodies to be reunited with their souls. Then believers still living will be raptured, with everyone joining Jesus in the sky.

Most religions promise a life-after-this-life, but Jesus is the only one who actually did it. His death on the cross was certified by Roman Centurions. His body was then placed in a tomb. But three days later he was up and out, walking around where everyone could see him. Close to 600 people were documented eyewitnesses!

God’s desire is that no one would be lost, which is why Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead, and clothed the believers in garments of white signifying purity. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, believers can join Jesus in God’s heavenly Kingdom and eventually on the New Earth. Jesus promised us this. Everything else Jesus predicted was true, so we have every expectation that this blessing will be delivered to the believers, the new Children of God.

Keep a keen eye out for a white horse in the sky!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

When We Die

For Friday, November 18, 2022:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT: “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”

Yesterday I promised to answer the question: “What happens when we die?” Here we go!

We only need a body because we live on earth. But in the spiritual realm, what matters is your eternal essence, your soul; nefesh in Hebrew. Interestingly, nefesh can also be translated as “life.” So your soul is what is life to the Lord; your body is just an accessory. Your body can die and be put in the ground, but your soul cannot. Heaven is not concerned with the demise of your body, but the Bible says, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” When you die, your soul finds God right away! The soul of a believer is very important to our Lord!

In the end times, Jesus will come to earth again, with much ceremony, riding on a white horse signifying purity. Graves will open and fully restored bodies will be reunited with their souls, joining Jesus in the sky! After that, believers who are still alive will be raptured, joining Jesus and the others. The best news ever is that believers will then be with the Lord forever!

Salvation is permanent!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Second Coming!

For Tuesday, March 9, 2021

1 Timothy 6:15 NLT: “At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”

As we get closer to the end times, know that Jesus WILL return. That's Good News for all believers, and knowing that gives us hope! God's timing is always perfect. We do not know the exact day and hour of Jesus' return, and if anybody tells you that they know, they're lying! The Bible says that only Father in heaven knows for certain!

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 describes the second coming: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord!”

Jesus said, “I will not leave you or forsake you.” Count on it!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406