

Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination

Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination

A Risen Savior!
Today’s Audio Devotion:
A Risen Savior!
The Easter Bunny is a very old rabbit. We can date his birth to 1682, when a German Lutheran named Georg Franck von Franckenau wrote a story about an Easter hare bringing eggs to children.
It’s fun to have traditions our children enjoy, but let’s help everyone around us truly appreciate the historical reality of the bodily resurrection of Christ. Most of all, let’s each come to the empty tomb for a fresh transfusion of joy.
John 20:20 contains a great understatement—Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Imagine the emotion packed into the word “glad”! They were thrilled, overwhelmed, lighthearted, exhilarated, and rejoicing. We should share their attitude!
The Resurrection prepares us, not just for our future in heaven but for now. We may have seasons of trouble in our lives, but never a moment when our risen Lord has forgotten or forsaken us. Determine to rejoice today. Shout: Praise the Lord! I serve a risen Savior!
The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…He’s risen!
Charles R. Swindoll
This is one of prophecy's greatest misconceptions. The Rapture and the Second Coming are often confused, but they are distinct events, with distinct purposes, on God's prophetic timeline.
At the Rapture, Jesus will return for His saints.
At the Second Coming, He will return with His saints.
At the Rapture, Jesus will not descend to earth.
At the Second Coming, He will descend to the Mount of Olives as a prelude to His earthly reign.
At the Rapture, Jesus will bring a blessing for His saints.
At the Second Coming, He will bring judgment for those who have rejected Him.
The Rapture could occur at any moment.
The Second Coming will occur seven years later.
When the Rapture occurs, Christ will take every deceased and every living Christian to heaven with Him. Paul describes this glorious event in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17:
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.
The Rapture will protect God's saints from the Tribulation—the seven years of judgment that will be poured out on earth between the Rapture and the Second Coming. There are some who argue the Tribulation period will begin before the Rapture. However, the Bible says that "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1), which suggests the Church will not experience God's judgment during the Tribulation.
Seven years after the Rapture, Jesus will return to earth in the event known as the Second Coming. His return will be entirely different from His arrival in Bethlehem as a humble Child. When Christ returns, He will appear as the exalted King of the universe, surrounded by His saints. The powers of evil will be quickly defeated at the Battle of Armageddon, and then Christ will establish His everlasting kingdom on earth.
For a more thorough study of the Rapture and the Second Coming, read chapters 12 and 27 in The Book of Signs.