Our second week of Bible Study of 

"The Rapture: Don't Be deceived" by Getalife Ministries (Billy Crone)

From a believers perspective what are some important aspects of the Rapture we should not forget:

Imminence – the knowledge that the rapture can occur at any time. We must be prepared.

What are the primary benefits to believers of the rapture:

>We will be given new bodies that are perfect.

(1 Corinthians 15: 50-54): Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

  

>We will be given a new home in heaven.

(Revelation 21: 1-4): Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

>We will be given a new mission in running the Kingdom

>We will have a new relationship with Jesus Christ as we

     are now able to fully see and know Him

Evil (as Satan/Anti-Christ) will be bound at end of Tribulation period to usher in the 1000 year reign (on earth) of Jesus.

Characteristics of the Millennial Kingdom:

>World government will be a theocracy with Jesus as King

>Disciples of Christ will have roles in administration

>Judges will be God-fearing and will apply God’s Laws

>There will be no more war

>There will be peace between Jerusalem and all other countries

>Jews/gentiles will be at peace/agreement with each other

>Wealth/abundance will be shared equally by all

>Weather will be perfect

>All work/effort will yield abundance

>Age will no longer be a factor as those not resurrected will live  

       longer lives

>Human/animal relationships will change to reflect Garden of Eden

Heaven itself will respond and prepare the wedding feast of the church and Jesus (Revelation 19" 1-9).

THE RAPTURE IS ABOUT TO COME!

WHEN? What is the timing?

4 Views of when will the believers be leaving?

>PRE-trib (before)

>MID-trib (middle)

>POST-trib (after and just before second coming)

>At the establishment of the MILLENNIAL Kingdom

BUT What does the Bible Teach?

The evaluation of evidence and scripture suggests PRE-tribulation Rapture is most Biblical.

IMMINENCY is important as it gives us motivation to prepare for the Kingdom and His return.

More next week.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Some people do not believe in the rapture of the church. They believe in a general resurrection at the end of this age when the Lord will come to judge and set up His eternal kingdom. 

One of their points is that the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible. I confess the word rapture is not found in the Bible but the words “caught up” are. Let’s examine this passage.

Those Who Are Sleeping: First of all, Paul removes our ignorance concerning those who are asleep.

This is a reference concerning the bodies of those saints who have died before the rapture. The church of Thessalonica was concerned about their dying loved ones. This passage answers that concern. The catching up of the church includes those who are dead in Christ who go first.

Those Who Are Saved: Second, he makes it clear as to the qualifying conditions of those who are caught up together.

Paul says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Believing that Jesus died and rose again is the definition of the gospel (See 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4).

If they believed, they were saved, and are included in those that will be caught up. They will follow the dead in Christ in this event of the church.

Those Who Hear the Shout: Third, the catching up of the church will not take the living before the dead in Christ.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

You will notice that the living, “shall be caught up together with them in the clouds and so shall we ever be with the Lord." This is a union that will never be broken: “And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

(Please note nothing is said about this being “secret” or a special knowledge or handshake needed event. Jesus does not physically place a foot on the earth – thus this is not “His second coming event.” There will even be a shout and obviously people left behind will know it happened.)

Those Who Are Solaced: Fourth, this truth as presented by Paul answers a lot of questions. He says, “wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Will we see our loved ones again? Yes, definitely; and this is a great comfort to those of us who have had loved ones from whom we have been separated by death. 

The teaching of the second coming and the catching up of the church should be a great comfort to those who love the Lord.

Friends, clergy, and everyone else: The rapture of the church will definitely take place. Let’s comfort ourselves with this truth.