Wednesday Bible Study Fellowship, January 7, 2009
The Rapture
Introduction: Obviously our studies of Daniel, Ezekiel and Matthew have taught us a lot about prophecy. During our study we have seen the development of Africom- the U.S. response to the strategic place of Africa. We saw this African importance in Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 11. We’ve seen the global or world economy being talked about due to the stock market. We know there will be a one world economy (Rev. 13:16-18). We’ve watched the Caspian Sea become a major player in the world oil supply as well as its bordering nations, including Russia. We have also witnessed the rise of China (Rev. 9:16). With all of this happening, you may be wondering- what happens first? The answer is: The Rapture!
I. The Rapture in John 14
A. “…John’s record of the statement of Christ in the upper room the night before His crucifixion is taken by many to be the first clear mention of the Rapture from a chronological point of view.” (Walvoord, The Rapture Question, 193)
B. Clearly Jesus describes His coming for His saints.
C. Jesus takes them to His Father’s house.
D. Jesus doesn’t say He is coming to establish His Millennial Kingdom.
E. No phenomenal events, such as are at the second coming, are described here.
II. The Rapture in I Thessalonians
A. 1:10 – Jesus rescues us from the coming wrath.
B. 2:19 – Jesus is our hope and our joy.
C. 3:13 – We should be holy and blameless when Jesus comes.
D. 4:13-18
1. This is written to Christians “brothers”.
2. We Christians have a hope!
3. He says that Christians have “fallen asleep”. We know that “fallen asleep” refers to death because of the contrast in verse 15:
a. alive
b. fallen asleep
4. It is interesting to note that while Christians have “fallen asleep” Jesus actually died (14). “The difference between Jesus’ experience and that of believers is that He really endured actual separation from God for the world’s sins. Because of His real death, Christian death has been transformed into sleep (Milligan, p.75)”. [Expositors, 276]
5. When Jesus returns He will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep “in Him” (14).
6. Those that are living will not “…precede those who have fallen asleep” (15). Paul is saying two things here:
a. “…we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord…” (15). Paul is saying that Jesus’ return is imminent. It is the next thing to happen. Nothing else remains to be fulfilled. He expected the rapture in his lifetime!
b. Paul is also establishing two categories
1. those alive
2. those asleep
7. The rapture events
a. Jesus comes down from heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God.
b. A loud command- to awaken those who are asleep!
c. The voice of the archangel- probably Michael (Jude 9).
d. The trumpet call of God (I Cor.15:52)
e. The dead in Christ will rise first. This would have brought relief to the grief-stricken Thessalonians (13).
f. The living will be “caught up”. The Latin for “caught up” is raptus from which we get rapture.
g. Jesus is met “in the air”. He isn’t coming to the Mount of Olives (the second coming- Zech.14:4)
h. Saints will be with Jesus forever!
i. The entire event will take place “in the blink of an eye” (I Cor.15:52)
j. These are meant as words encouragement. What was begun at the new birth has now been realized in a new body, new location and new life in heaven with Jesus!
E. 5:1-11
1. The day of the Lord can refer to the entire time of the tribulation.
2. Jesus spoke about the coming thief in the night (Matt.24:43).
3. While Paul is speaking about a time of trouble, notice what he says about Christians: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (9)
F. 5:23 - - We are to be blameless at His coming!
III. The Rapture in I Corinthians 15:51-58
A. Not everyone will sleep (die)
B. The mystery is the fact of the rapture
C. We will all be changed in the twinkling of an eye
D. We will be changed from mortal to immortal
E. The rapture is designed to encourage us to “stand firm; let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord…” (58)
IV. The Rapture in Revelation
A. 3:10-11 Faithful Christians will be kept “from the hour of trial”. Jesus notes that He is “coming soon” (NIV) or “quickly” (KJV)
B. 4:1
1. “After this”- after the church age of chapters 2 & 3
2. As in I Thess.4 we have
a. a voice
b. a trumpet
c. a command “come up here”.
C. The word “church” is not in Revelation again until 22:16
D. The Church is now in heaven!
Conclusion: The rapture can occur at any moment. It is the next event on God’s prophetic calendar. We need to be sure we are rapture ready!