“…the REDEEMED OF THE LORD WILL RETURN And come to Zion with joyful shouting, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)
Who are the redeemed of the Lord? “LET THE REDEEMED (gâ‘al: to buy back, to free from bondage) OF THE LORD SAY SO, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, And GATHERED OUT OF THE LANDS, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then THEY CRIED OUT TO THE LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107:2-6)
In 1995 Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins wrote a book it was called “Left Behind” it was the first in a series of books about the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, it was wildly successful. The series sold 65 million copies it made 650 million dollars. And it talked about the rapture (the catching away of God’s children, The redeemed) and what happens to those who are left behind. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazō: to seize, to snatch up) together with them in the clouds to MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Many know today that we must be “born again” “saved” or “redeemed” to qualify for the rapture. “…for ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) “…the wages (the results or consequences) of sin is death (thanatos: eternal separation from God)” (Romans 6:23) “…the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
So, how do we receive this “eternal life”? “…turn away from your sins (repent). Turn to God. Then your sins will be WIPED AWAY. The time will come when the Lord will make everything new.” (Acts 3:19) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, HE IS A NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham