One in the field, Jan Luyken‘s illustration of the rapture described in Matthew 24, verse 40, from the 1795 Bowyer Bible
Father, I desire that they also whom you gave me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which you have given me; for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:24.
When the Lord takes us to Himself in glory, His wish will be fulfilled. He will come Himself; the rapture is at hand. It is the great event that we anticipate daily with rejoicing.
Our Lord, who so love us, wants us to be with Him. He gave Himself for the church, His bride. She is the fruit of His self-sacrifice. When He takes all the believers to Himself in heaven, He will present the church to Himself in a glorious state, “not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but … holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). We shall be made manifest at His judgment seat and then be, both individually and as His bride, eternally to His honour (cf.2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:8;2 Thessalonians 1:10).
We await the Lord’s appearance as Saviour. He will release our bodies, which still belong to fallen creation, and take us out of the world ripe for judgment (cf. Romans 8:23; Philippians 3:20.21). Then all our troubles will be ended. Are you ill? Your suffering will be over. Do you mourn the loss of a loved one? You will be for ever comforted. Are you tormented by problems at work, in your family or among believers? They will trouble you no longer; with Him all is glorious. In His mercy, which at present strengthens us, bearing us along in every situation, the Lord will remove all distress completely and bring us into glory. Therefore “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude v.21).
Image: By Jan Luyken – Bowyer’s Bible, Bolton, England, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7550941