Romans 11:19–21: You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.”
Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
“Some churches will meet on the Sunday morning after the Rapture, and they won’t miss a member.” That’s Laodicea. In contrast to this, He says to the church of Philadelphia, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation [that is, the Tribulation], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10). He promised to keep from the Tribulation that church which has an open door before it and is getting out the Word of God. My friend, I belong to that church; I hope you do also. It is an invisible body of believers. This is the church that will be taken to meet Christ at the time of the Rapture, which precedes the Great Tribulation. 1
Application
- We do not know when our departure date from earth will happen, therefore we live each day as though it were our last, living a life that is well pleasing to God.
- How will you “stand by faith” today? If you do not stand by faith, will you fall into some compromising sin?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the full assurance of heaven, based on Your saving grace on earth.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 9-16) (electronic ed., Vol. 43). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.