Being Rapture Ready

Matthew 24:42–44 ““So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

Introduction

I remember as a kid watching the old westerns and one movie in particular comes to mind. It is the famous Clint Eastwood movie, A Fistful of Dollars. Look at the picture and notice that the undertaker is ready for the day. He has the pine boxes ready because some people are about to die.

Have you ever given any thought to the fact that there are people who are prepared for your death?

Ray Howard showed up in the middle of the night one wednesday night with a cake that his wife made just for us when Mama passed away. Will and Leslie are prepared, they have someone on standby and even can offer a payment plan for the day.

Florists have sprays made up or the supplies needed to send flowers to the church or graveside.

I must admit as a pastor that I sometimes will recieve a little nugget for someone’s funeral. Its a difficult thing to have a message in your head for someone who hasn’t even passed away yet.

It may seem like everyone is getting ready for your departure, but have you given it the attention it deserves.

Today, I have been sent to talk to you about being rapture ready. Lets break it down today:

The Surety

John 14:1–3 ““Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

There are many companies out there offering lifetime warranties.

It isn’t difficult to do that if they have no intention on being around when you need it

Our society has seen many reasons to distrust others

But Jesus has proven Himself over and over again

Think about it: Jesus went to the cross and did what His Father asked Him to do.

He has escaped the cruelty of this world

So why would He come back?

He is coming back because of you and me.

You may doubt the validity of many people’s claims but you can rest assure that if Jesus said it, you can count on it to happen.

The Secrecy

Matthew 24:36 ““However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”

There are certainly signs of the times and I hope we can talk about them next week, the end is close.

There have been many who have given specific dates to the end and none of them have come true

I recently heard one of the pastors that I hold in high regard say that it is quite possible that the entire world is reached with the gospel within the next 5 to 8 years.

I don’t know about that even though we need to get the word out that Jesus saves to everyone we can, locally and globaly.

Let’s consider what Jesus, the One who knows about these things says:

Matthew 25:1–13 NLT

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

We must be prepared at all times. We don’t know when.

What would you have to do if Inez and I showed up at your doorstep and asked to come in. Would you have to get rid of somethings? Would you have to hide anything? Would you have to clean up?

What would you have to do if you thought Jesus was coming to get you today?

The Signs

Matthew 16:2–3 “He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!”

Matthew 24:32–34 ““Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.”

Matthew 24:4–7 “Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.”

Many will come in My name (v.5)

Wars and threats of wars (v. 6)

Nation will go to war against nation (v. 7)

Famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world (v. 7)

Surely we can read the signs

The Swiftness

Matthew 24:27 “For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.”

Revelation 22:12 ““Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 “But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.”

The Strength

Matthew 24:31 “And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.”

1 Corinthians 15:43 “Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.”

Romans 8:11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

The Separation

Matthew 24:40–41 ““Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

Matthew 25:31–32 ““But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

The rapture will be an earth awakening event that will take many by surprise. It is estimated there are 2.4 billion Christians in the world and when they suddenly are separated from society, people are going to notice.

It could happen anytime.

Are you ready?