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HEADLINE NEWS: WHERE DID THEY GO?
May 9, 2010 ~ Dr Bryan Smith, First Baptist Church Roanoke VA
"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the LORD's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the LORD, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the LORD himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And so we will be with the LORD forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thess 4:13-18
There will be mass chaos and confusion around the world as millions of people who hold influential positions in government, education, finance, industry, military, etc suddenly and unexplainably vanish. As Jesus taught in Matthew 24:40, "[at the coming of the Son of Man]... Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left."
That may be part of the reason that America doesn't figure prominently in the Great Tribulation period (as soon as I blog those notes, I'll post a link to it here). When the universal Church is caught away our nation will be unable to function as it does now.
1. The Prophetic Promise of the Rapture of the Church
- It is the first in the sequence of prophetic events that precede Jesus' second coming.
- The word "rapture" is defined as the moment when every living Christian is caught up in the clouds to be with the Lord. Those believers (saints) who have died will rise first and then those who are alive will join them. We will ALL receive our glorfied bodies and will live forever with the Lord as He promised in John 14:1.
- The word "rapture" doesn't occur in the Bible. The root word was a Greek word that means to be snatched away, and was translated "rapturo" in Latin. While the word itself may not occur in scripture, it very accurately describes the Biblical event. Most evangelicals believe the rapture will occur BEFORE the wrath that is poured out on the world during the Great Tribulation.
- It is impossible to know the exact date, but God doesn't want us to be taken by surprise. He has called us to live expectantly.
As discussed previously, there are differing opinions on when the rapture will occur: Before the Tribulation period (pre-trib), in the middle of the Tribulation (mid-trib), and at the end (post-trib). The first two opinions believe that the rapture and the 2nd coming of the Lord are two separate events. A pre-trib scholar contributed this acrostic to support his position:
- P - Place of the church (not mentioned in prophecy)
- r - Restraint (church age) ends
- e - Exempt from Tribulation (world is judged, not the church)
- t - Twenty-four elders (bride of Christ)
- r - Rapture
- i - Imminent
- b - Blessed hope, Titus 2:13
- Interesting study of the 24 elders: There are 12 references to them, and there is scriptural evidence that they are the raptured church. Among those references:
- The word "elders" comes from a word that translates "congregation"
- The number 24 corresponds with groups in the levitical priesthood
- Believers are considered priests, and are referred to as "the holy priesthood of Christ" (1 Peter 5:12)
- They are seated on thrones (Rev 3:21), which angels aren't allowed to do
- They are reigning with Christ (Rev 3:21), which believers, not angels, will do
- They are wearing crowns (Rev 3), which angels aren't allowed to do
- They are clothed in white and acknowledged before the angels (Rev 3:5)
- Only the church can sing the song of the elders (Rev 5:9-10)
- The elders are distinguished from angels (Rev 5:11)
- They are in heaven worshiping WITH the angels (Rev 7:11)
2. The Imperative Instruction in the Rapture
- It could happen at any moment because the signs of His return to earth are here. Rev 1:7, everyone will see Jesus when He returns. We aren't looking for something to happen, but for someone to return!
At the Day of Prayer that followed the Sept 11th attacks, the song "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was sung, but the following verse was omitted:
Did we in our strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were if not for the right man on our side, a man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that might be? Christ Jesus it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same,
and He must win the battle.
- Live like you're dying, and remember what He has called us to do - reach the lost (Matt 28:18-20)!!
3. The Heartfelt Hope for the Rapture
At least five-fold:
The hope that Jesus Himself will return (v16)
The hope that the resurrection is coming (v16)
The hope that the rapture WILL happen (v17)
The hope that God's family will be reunited again (v17)
The hope that strengthens us for today (v18)
We don't let God's Word comfort us because we get busy and distracted, but when the diagnosis or tragedy comes, the things of the world lose their luster.
Mentioned by Pastor Bryan:
Late Great Planet Earth (book), Hal Lindsey
A Thief in the Night (movie)
Another interesting read: Left Behind series, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
WHEN the Rapture occurs, do you know what will happen to YOU? If not, click HERE to read my testimony. Jesus LOVES you and wants YOU to be included in the Rapture of His church!! Don't be left behind!!
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