There is a feeling of expectancy in the air. Everyone "feels" something great is about to take place. When it will happen, no one knows for sure. But the signs of the times point out one thing very clearly—the Lord of Glory is coming to catch His bride away. Who is His bride? The Church. Those who have made themselves ready and are without spot or wrinkle. Those who have obeyed His commandments and have been washed whiter than snow. Those who have taken on His name in water baptism. Those who have received His Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. A glorious Church! Yes, God has a glorious Church, and He is soon to catch His bride away when He descends from heaven with a shout. What a wonderful day for those who are ready. How sad for those who have not prepared for His coming.

The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is one of the most important ones of the whole Bible. The predictions of His coming are mentioned many times in the Old Testament and New Testaments, which makes us aware that this doctrine is of utmost importance.

Jacob prophesied about the second advent of Christ, (Genesis 49:10) Job also spoke of the second appearance of Christ when he said, ". . . he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." (Job 19:25)

Jesus promised the disciples He would return and receive His children unto Himself. (John 14:3 and Revelation 22:7, 12, 20)

The second coming of Christ will be literal and personal. "For the Lord himself shall descend." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The saints of the living God should strive every day to keep themselves prepared and watching for the actual "rapture of the church," which will be the resurrecting of those who have died in Christ, and the catching away of the living saints, without experiencing death, as were Enoch and Elijah of the Old Testament. The rapture will take place in the twinkling of an eye, and the saints will be changed, to be like Him.

In that day, the saints must have the Spirit actively engaged in their lives in order to be drawn by that magnet mutual force that will catch them away. This is called the rapture of the Church, or the Blessed Hope of the saints, and is the first phase of His second coming.

The second phase is the appearance of Jesus to execute judgment and to set up His millennial kingdom with His saints. Then every eye shall see him. (Revelation 1:7)

And so shall we ever be with the Lord!