Thought for the day.  In Tolkien's enduring novel, "Lord of the Rings" there is a scene in which Strider (aka Aragorn) is leading the Hobbits through the wilds of Eriador towards the foothills of the Misty Mountains in the distance.  During this long march, Samwise quietly asks his friends, "Where do you think he's taking us?" to which Strider replies, "To Rivendell, Master Gamgee."  This causes Samwise to become excited, to which he replies, "Did you hear that, Frodo!  We're going to see the Elves!"

While Tolkien's book is agreeably a simple work of fiction, none of which has truly happened, there are many notable similarities to events that will some day transpire here on Earth.  What are those, you might ask?  Well, there are many.  But the one that comes to mind is the rapture.  So how is this simple scene with Samwise and Frodo so similar to this yet and coming event?  Well, allow me to paint you the picture.

The day begins like any other day, nothing out of the ordinary, much like the last several, and believed to be just like the next few that will come after it.  But, as has been foretold, the sky will split open with a shout, and a trumpet blast, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who remain, we who are the bride of Christ, the saved and redeemed Church, the Eclisia, shall be caught up to meet our Savior in the air.

And as we are caught up, I picture within myself the expression of awe and amazement on each and every face as we are taken up from this Earth, and the sheer joy that we will feel.  However, I am sure that not all will know at first what is happening.  There will be some, those young in the faith, having never heard of the rapture or knew of its coming, who will turn to those among us who are wise and know of this great and incredible day, and they will ask, "Where are they taking us?"

To which we will each reply, "To Heaven, my dear friend.  We're going to see Jesus!"  Oh what a day that will be, and I pray that such excitement will fill our hearts that we will shout with joy with even ten thousand times more excitement than Samwise, or any song of excitement, longing, praise and joy that has ever been uttered this side of eternity.  Oh what a day, what a day, that day it will be when we, yes we, our savior will see. :)