On September 11, 2001, under the deceptive cover of a clear blue sky, a new day had begun. It was the usual workday, and most people were experiencing their typical routines as they traveled to work to earn their daily bread. But this day was about to exit the realm of the typical. There was soon to be a meeting in the air.
Unbeknownst to most inhabitants of our planet, 19 Islamic extremists had been planning to turn the world upside down. As Americans prepared for their usual, the unusual happened and it happened quickly.
A monstrous meeting in the air
The 19 militants initiated a meeting in the air when they hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against specific American targets. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. By the end of this day, almost 3,000 unsuspecting souls were removed from this earth.
There are good days and there are bad days, this was an extremely bad day for all. If only the people were warned ahead of time; if only the military intelligence knew more of the details; ah yes, if only. The day came and forever changed the lives of many. This day that caught so many people off guard, it was given a special name to remember it: 9/11.
A momentous meeting in the air
But there is another day approaching that has been given its own special name by many theologians. This day is known in Christian circles as the Rapture. Like 9/11, this day will be a meeting in the air that will catch many off guard, but unlike 9/11, we know that it is coming, we just don’t know when. Look for yourself in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17:
1Th. 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Verse 16 warns us that there is a day approaching us for which Jesus Himself will call us out of this world for a meeting in the air. This is not a day to be dreaded by the born-again Christian. No, this is a day of deliverance and not one of destruction.
Your invitation requires preparation
Make it known that this meeting does come with an urgency for us to be prepared. It is a call to holy living by God’s people. The day is at hand. The day of the Lord’s coming is at hand! And for this we read the words of the Apostle John who wrote:
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)
So what?
Are you striving for holy living? Perhaps like the early morning of September 11, 2001, you are going about your daily routine with no expectation from God. If you are, you need to awaken and purify yourself! On that day when Jesus comes for you for that meeting in the air, may He find you living godly for Him!
Jesus is not a militant extremist bent on bringing you down. Jesus is the Lord, and His aim is on bringing you upon high and His reward is great! So, prepare yourself for the meeting in the air!