The second application of the presence of the Lord is in a literal sense. Here we refer to the time when all the Saints of God from the beginning of time will stand with Him in glory. Paul wrote on this extensively to the Corinthians as well as the Thessalonians. When he wrote to the former, he noted that we will not all sleep, as in death, but that we shall all be changed. The theologians describe this transition as the rapture. Additional note on this could be found in his letter to the latter, from where we have our Bible passage for today. Here is the sequence of events: The trumpet sounds, and the dead in Christ are raised first. Then the Saints that will be living at this period are changed from the earthly body to a celestial one. Paul added, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord”.

“Nothing compares to this in importance, to have the glorious presence of the Lord for all eternity…the price we pay for this great expectation of being in His presence is to keep pure.”

Nothing compares to this in importance, to have the glorious presence of the Lord for all eternity. This is the greatest hope of the Saints. This is a great pearl that is worth selling all other things for in order to buy it. Apart from being saved, which comes to us at personal expense to God, the price we pay for this great expectation of being in His presence is to keep pure. “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).