The Rapture

THE RAPTURE

          As soon as I saw this picture on a Facebook post (thanks, Steve B), I immediately thought "Rapture!"  To me, it is a wonderful illustration of what it will look like and feel like to be Raptured up into heaven when Jesus calls His children home.  Imagine that this ten-year old boy accepted Christ as Savior a couple years earlier.  He is wheelchair-bound, but when he hears a trumpet sounding in the sky and sees Christ in the clouds above, he is drawn upward by the power of God, along with all other Christians, as we meet the Lord in the air and rise up to heaven together.
           The boy is happy and eager, with legs that are suddenly strong as he reaches toward Jesus, and freedom and joy everlasting.  What an absolutely beautiful picture!!

            The reality of this picture is that it's the memorial and grave for a ten-year old boy named Matthew Stanford Robison, located in Salt Lake City.  I borrowed the picture from a touching article written about the boy.  Matthew was born in September 1988 and he died in February 1999.  His was a challenging, but much loved-life.  Due to a lack of oxygen during birth, he was severely disabled, blind and partially paralyzed.  His family has a deep faith in God.  They created this sculpture to show him "free of his earthly burdens."

             Although it does not appear that the Robison family intended for this statue to represent their son being Raptured, that is what I see and that's what thrills my heart when I look at this picture.
             I'm reminded of the verse, "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.  Therefore comfort one another with these words" 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

             I took this picture some years ago when we were in Red Rock Park, Nevada.  It looks as if a couple of people have just been Raptured up to heaven during their climb on the rocks, and all that remains are their shoes and clothes.  It's the kind of scene that gives me chills.  Someday, that scene will be repeated all over the world a million times over.  It will be a strange sight to those who remain.
             The key is to be sure you aren't among those who will be left behind.  Jesus said, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" Matthew 24:44.
              Being ready is as simple as asking Jesus to save you.  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" Acts 16:31.
              There's a poignant song called, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready."  That's my wish as well.  Please, make sure that you are ready for that day so that we can all rise with joy and power together - just like the little boy in the picture.  What a glorious day it will be!!