Nothing so blesses my soul as the fact of the rapture of the saved. I contend just as God sent the chariot for Elijah, one day He shall send the chariot of all the redeemed. I long for that day of all days for the saints. Long before Elijah with Elisha had crossed Jordan, the Lord had spoken to him the secret of the coming chariot. When Jordan was crossed the old prophet revealed the secret to the young prophet, Elisha. In verse 9, "And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee before I be taken away from thee."

From that moment the two walked on together looking for the chariot to appear in the sky. In verse 12, it happened, "And it came to pass as they still went on, and talked, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horse of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven." Verse 12, "And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, My father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more:" My friend, as surely as you live, Elijah was literally RAPTURED from this earth. Young Elisha stands and looks at the hole in the sky. In a second the chariot had "swung low" and caught the faithful prophet away to Heaven.

What God did for Elijah is a type of what He shall do for ALL His little children "Some Golden Daybreak." The Word says, "Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." I Thessalonians 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: 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."

The old time colored folk who sang, "swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home," had more good Bible theology than we give them credit for having. I respect their theology more than the liberals who deny the second coming of Jesus in the rapture and who say, "all things continue as they were from the beginning. Where is the promise of His coming?" Yes, the rapture is real. There are two men in the Bible who never died. Though all flesh has passed away, even Jesus had to die; two men never died. They were Elijah and Enoch. They are type of the many alive at the coming of Jesus who shall go to Heaven alive in the chariot of fire.

I long to hear the trumpet, I long to hear the shout and the voice of the Archangel. I long to see the chariot "of fire and the horsemen thereof." Surely, one day we shall drop this robe of flesh and rise to seize the everlasting prize. I want to point out five reasons why I long for the rapture. Five reasons why I long for the chariot to swing low.

First,
I WANT TO BE DELIVERED FROM THIS SINFUL WORLD

This world is not my home. I desire to go to a place unmarked and unmarred by sin and the Devil. None will deny that sin has taken a terrible toll in this earth. All sin has ever touched is marred. Think of the many humble wives and mothers who live almost in a literal hell because of sin in its effect upon their homes. Think of the heartache and sorrow caused by sin in the land. Many souls are heavy and hearts are broken by sin.

Oh, day of sweet deliverance when the redeemed shall be delivered from this sinful world. We are going to a place unmarred by sin. Unreachable by the Devil or any of his demons. Once inside the Eastern Gate forever we can say "goodbye" to the Devil.

This world has proven to be a "vale of tears" to many of us. We know something of the heartache and sorrow of this journey. The longer we stay here the more anxious we are for "sweet deliverance." That hour shall come. I know not when but as sure as God sits upon His throne, He shall return for His own in the mighty rapture of the saved.

Second,
I WANT TO BE DELIVERED FROM THIS SINFUL BODY

One day the battle which rages within ourselves with the demons of self will be forever over. The spirit is imprisoned within this earthly tabernacle. To use the words of the Apostle Paul, "When I would do good evil is present with me. That which I would do that I do not; that which I would not do that I do. Oh, wretched man that I am, Who shall deliver me from the bondage of this flesh."

We learn daily our worst enemy. This enemy is ourselves. The one thing with which we have our greatest battles - self. Our praying is weak because of self. Our soul-winning is weak because of self. Our faith is weak because of self. Our joy is diminished because of self. Our victory is hard because of self.

This body rebels against God. It refuses to bow to the will of God without a fight. It hesitates to serve God because it desires to be served. This flesh is "enmity against God, nor subject to the will of God. This flesh must die before God can get full honor. That victory shall never fully come until we "awaken in His likeness." Oh glorious morning when we shall this robe of flesh and rise to seize the everlasting prize. I John 2:2 "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."

Third,
I WANT TO SEE JESUS

Great day when the chariot comes to carry us away to "see Jesus." Mine eyes have never beheld His glorious countenance; neither have I ever looked upon His face. I, one day, shall see Him.

The day we see Jesus shall be a crowning day. This is the day when we shall cast our crowns down at His blessed feet. I serve God so that five crowns I may earn. On this crowning day I shall cast all five down at His feet.

The day we see Jesus shall be a joyous day. Shall it not truly be "joy unspeakable and full of glory?" Shall we not, like those who journeyed with Jesus into Jerusalem; break down the Palm branches, lay our coats for Him to walk upon and lift our voices in shouts.

The day we see Jesus shall be a conquering day. Sometimes it seems defeat will come to us in spite of all our effort. At His mighty appearing; then final and complete victory is ours.

The day we see Jesus shall be an assuring day. Then for sure, we know all battles are forever over. We lay down the sword and take up the crown. No more temptations for the Devil to doubt ultimate victory.

Fourth,
I WANT A REUNION WITH THOSE
WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE

Paul reminds us we are to be "caught up together with them in the air." What a jubilee when we shake hands with mother and daddy again. When the family circle shall be restored. I have loved ones over there whom I love to see again. When the chariot "swings low" I shall have a reunion with them.

What a thought to be able to meet our loved ones in the air. As sure as the Bible is true, there is to be a meeting. In I Thessalonians 4 and the last verses the Word gives absolute assurance that we shall see them.

Fifth,
I WANT THE REWARD

In my soul, I cry "swing low sweet chariot" because when Jesus comes He shall bring His reward with Him. All our labors will be remembered. All our works shall be rewarded. Are you ready for this rapture? In the clouds He will return "Some Golden Daybreak." Only the blood-washed will go up. If you are not ready I point you to the Lamb of God who alone can take away the sins of the world.

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