From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1?

   The Lord told us that He would return. But if we're not a careful student of the word, we may think that the rapture of the believers has nothing to do with our Christian life.    I learned from the Life-Study of Revelation that how we live actually matters a lot!   

     In chapters 27-30 Witness Lee presents a comprehensive study on the rapture by bringing together verses from Daniel 9, Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 4, and Revelation 12 and 14.  The truths he presents in these chapters are both eye-opening and sobering.  Here's one of the verses on rapture he covered that's in Revelation: 
   

 And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand having His name and he name of His Father written on their foreheads…These were purchased from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.    Revelation 14:1, 4b

    He says that sometimes people might think that in order to prepare for the Lord's coming all they need to do is just read the Bible and pray.  In these chapters he gives a very balanced view about the Lord's coming.  This section on pages 344-345 in chapter 29 of the Life-Study of Revelation touched me a lot:

"As those who are waiting for the Lord's coming back, we must have a proper living without being snared by anything.  Our heart is on nothing but the Lord Jesus. However, this does not mean that we do not study, conduct business, and take care of daily chores, such as cleaning.  Do not say, why must I keep my clothes neat and clean?...I have the assurance that many young people have this attitude.  They do not even make their beds in the morning considering it to be a waste of time....Their sloppiness may delay the Lord's coming back.  The Lord may tell them, 'You must learn to make your bed early in the morning, comb your hair, and shine your shoes.  Then you must arrange all your books in good order'....We must learn to be diligent, keeping everything in good order....However, when the Lord says, 'Behold I come quickly,' we must be able to forget everything….We are normal people living a normal life, but nothing of this life can touch us….These two sides of the matter will force us to be one with the Lord" (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Revelation. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1976, Print).

From reading this chapter I learned that not only are we those who love the Lord and seek Him, but we're also living a normal daily life in the light of the Lord's appearing.  This  fellowship has helped give me a more balanced view of the Lord's coming.

You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Revelation and some excellent commentary on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Posts on the Book of  Revelation:
What is the Focus of the Book of Revelation?
What Does the Book of Revelation Show Us About Loving the Lord?
What Does Revelation 4:11 Tell Us About the Purpose of God's Creation?
What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?
What is the Controlling Vision of he Bible Seen in the Book of Revelation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1
How Does Transformation Produce the New Jerusalem Mentioned in Revelation 3:12?
Taking a Look at Revelation 12:11 - How Do you Overcome Satan's Accusation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - The Connection Between Revelation & Ephesians 
Why is There is A Rainbow Around God's Throne in Revelation 4:3?
How Do you Get Ready for the Marriage of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-8?