The doctrine of the rapture serves as a powerful motivator for Christian discipleship, providing believers with hope and comfort, creating urgency for service, and emphasizing divine accountability. This blessed hope not only contributes significantly to how believers approach their spiritual growth and service to Christ but also assures believers they will escape the coming wrath of God during the Tribulation.
Hope and Comfort
The rapture provides believers with hope and comfort in their discipleship journey (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Paul teaches that believers will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, providing a confident expectation of a future reunion with believing loved ones who have died in Christ. The Lord Himself has provided this comforting information about His coming from heaven to gather believers together through resurrection and rapture to be with Him always. As children of light, believers must live up to their spiritual identity and avoid spiritual insensibility, building each other up as we await our rapture.
Urgency of Service
The rapture creates an urgency for service by emphasizing the limited nature of our opportunity to serve Christ. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). The “day” represents the Church Age, while the “night” refers to the rapture, which will end earthly service opportunities. Paul instructs us through the Holy Spirit to be watching (1 Thessalonians 5:6). This understanding motivates believers to maximize their service potential during their available time not only to maximize current kingdom effectiveness, but achieve the highest potential reward for eternity.
Divine Accountability
The rapture connects directly to divine accountability through the reality of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Believers will give an account of their discipleship. Believers are to live intentionally and purposefully in their discipleship journey. It is possible to experience regret at the Bema during our “son-placing” that Paul references in Romans 8 (Luke 19:16-26). At the Bema, believers will receive the return on their heavenly investment along with their kingdom role based on their walk with Christ (Matthew 19:29-30).
Timing and Focus
The timing of the rapture adds another dimension to discipleship motivation. Some believers will have served Christ for 80 or more years, while others may be in their first year of service when the rapture occurs. Regardless of length of service, serve Christ faithfully.
Living in light of the rapture provides both immediate and eternal perspectives for believers. Disciples should maintain focus on eternal values while actively engaging in present service. This balance should shape our daily discipleship choices and motivate our service for Christ.
Conclusion
The rapture doctrine significantly contributes to discipleship by providing hope, creating urgency, and establishing accountability. This teaching helps believers maintain an eternal perspective while engaging in present service, ultimately leading to more effective discipleship.
