In the Blink of an eye we shall all be changed!

In the Blink of an eye we shall all be changed!

“Behold, I tell you a mystery.  We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed.  In an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”  (1 Cor 15: 51 - 52).

Words of a promise, a theme of what we know as the Rapture of the Church coming soon to a town near you. 

Seems to be a fictional story that does not concern most people who want to live in a way that suits themselves and may seem to last forever.  The theme spoken of by St. Paul surely will last into eternity, but for those who live just for today, tomorrow is another day that promises me treasures that are unseen. 

Do we want a future that can never diminish, especially since I am following in the footsteps of my street buddies who do not listen to the outdated rules of a faulty government and a church that simply says, “you can never reach your God since you’ve already stepped across that moral line?  Make your own way in life because no one else really knows what these moral laws mean since they don’t follow them as well.

There are many TV ministers that preach these components of a God who will always step in and guide us to an eternal presence, for all eternity.  However, how many non-church people are listening or rather are not within earshot of this reality? 

It is like a mouse who is told to look for that bigger animal we call cats.  At the blink of an eye he will pounce on us and we will never hear him coming.  No trumpet to announce this tragic end.  The same goes for those who may not hear the trumpet or just pass it off as a musical instrument as a warning for only those who believe in these diary tales.  All may be lifted into the heavens but not all will be pleased with the coming judgment that has a finality from a just Judge.  

There may be some Christians who do not follow St. Paul’s writings, but  Christ confronted him on the road to Damascus. His mandate to the apostle clearly told him what he expected.  “On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him; “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  He said, “Who are you?”  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  Now get up and you will be told what you must do.”  

Upon hearing that there was a man named Annanias and the Lord told him to welcome Paul.  Jesus told him that this man was being called by him  but Annanias almost did not believe.  However, the Lord said to him, “This man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.”  (Acts 9: 3 - 6, 15 - 16).

This Saul, now named Paul, was sent by Christ and all he wrote is truth, including the Rapture of the Church.  As we hold the gospel accounts as truth so we must also hold the 13 letters of Paul of Tarsus.  

Ralph B. Hathaway