1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV), “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.”

The Bible speaks of a glorious event when Jesus will appear in the clouds to call and catch away His church. First all the spirits of believers who surrendered their lives to Jesus, and died while here on earth, will be reunited with their bodies that will become instantly glorified and resurrected to meet the Lord in the air. Believers who are alive at that time and have remained in right relationship with the Lord, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, and receive glorified bodies too. All this will take place suddenly, in the twinkling of the eye. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says, “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.” In Matthew 24:44 Jesus told us to be ready for this event. We are commanded to be prepared by living according to God’s principles and being vigilant over the condition of our hearts and actions. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” When we live consciously aware of our position of righteousness in Christ and pursue an ongoing relationship with Him and His Word, through His indwelling Holy Spirit, the Lord Himself will sanctify us, keeping us ready for His coming. In 2 Timothy 3:5, Paul warns us that just saying we belong to God, without living out a transformed life is having a form of godliness but denying its power. This is being a Christian by title but not having a true relationship with God, or the lifestyle to prove it. A genuine, deep transformation is necessary. In Revelation 3:15-16 Jesus addresses the church of Laodicea, concerning their lukewarm, spiritual condition, warning them that it will cause them to be vomited out of His mouth. A lukewarm faith without true commitment will be rejected by the Lord at His coming. However, for those who abide in Jesus and delight in His Word, embracing its transforming power, by the Holy Spirit, will have hope for His coming. 1 John 3 tells us of the glorious hope we have at His appearing, where our glorified bodies will be just like Him! Verse 3 says, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” As you fully surrender your life to the Lord Jesus, you will have this hope and be found ready at His coming!