Look at the Time!

Introduction

“Oh dear! Would you look at the time! I must be going.”

“I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye. I’m late I’m late I’m late” (the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland).

The whole world has been interrupted recently. The earth was spinning at break-neck speed and then, back in January, things started getting strange and by late February we knew something crazy was taking place. And now, the world has been shut down in many ways because of a pandemic. Who knew? God only knows!

People that wouldn’t normally think about it are now asking “Is this the end?” “Tell me about the rapture.” These are legitimate questions and observations.

Let’s take a few minutes to point out some facts that should both comfort and alarm people, depending upon their own spiritual preparedness.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 NIV

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 one another with these words.

PRAYER

The New Testament refers to the second coming of Christ more than 300 times — an average of one verse in every twenty-six. I think we can safely conclude that this is an important truth that God wants everyone to believe and act upon

Because Jesus is coming back soon, TODAY is always the day to be ready!

One thing is essential in this whole discussion: JESUS IS ALIVE & because He is alive we will also live, even after our earthly bodies perish. The resurrected Christ is our Hope

The resurrection is known as the blessed hope

LOOK AT THE TIME AND WATCH FOR THE BLESSED HOPE

Titus 2:13 NIV

while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Before Jesus defeated death on the Cross, the fear of death enslaved humanity

Hebrews 2:14–15 NIV

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Jesus’ resurrection from the death ensures our resurrection

His resurrection is the foundation of our faith and hope. One of the most powerful promises in the New Testament is when Jesus said “Because I live you will live also” (John 14:19)

All who are “in Christ” need not fear death

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 NIV

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

First John 3:2 says that, when we see Jesus, we shall be like Him — new immortal bodies

So…we should be always looking at the time…we can’t afford not to

AFTER THE RAPTURE YOU WON’T NEED TO LOOK AT THE TIME ANYMORE

When I was a kid we sang a lot of songs about when Jesus comes back…songs about the rapture…songs about being prepared...

Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon.

Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound

All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies

Going where no one dies, heavenward bound

All believers, both living and dead, will be changed at when Jesus comes to take us away - to meet Him in the clouds

Why is the Rapture Important?

History Reveals the Importance of the Rapture

Stanley Horton & William Menzies

Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective Jesus Is Coming Again

the Bible teaches a linear view of history. There was a beginning, a central event—the cross (and the resurrection)—and there will be a final consummation, in which God will bring His plan to its glorious fulfillment. World events will not continue in an endless, unyielding procession. There is coming a moment when the present order, or dispensation, will come to an end. The sorrows of a world blighted by sin, marred by war, crushed by enmity, will be terminated by the advent of the Prince of Peace. When the nations have fulfilled their allotted course in God’s panorama of history, He will announce, “It is enough,” and Jesus will once again physically invade the world order. All things are pointing to His coming. Jesus Christ is the focal point of all history. Apart from Him there is no meaning to our existence

Colossians 1:16–17 NIV

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

The Rapture is the Hope of the Church

Jesus is our hope and He promised to snatch away His Bride…the Church

The Rapture Motivates Holy Living

The Rapture Motivates us to Serve as Christ Served

How Will the Rapture Happen?

Jesus will return personally

Acts 1:11 NIV

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Jesus will return unexpectedly

People will be going about their business as usual - working, sleeping, etc.

Matthew 24:40–41 The Message

Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind.

Jesus will return to receive His Own

CHALLENGE

Because Jesus is coming back soon, TODAY is always the day to be ready!

Matthew 24:43 NIV

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

When Will Jesus Come Back?

Lot’s of people have tried to predict the coming of Jesus, using dates, times, prophecies, etc. But I don’t know why they even try. Here’s what we know from the word of God

Mark 13:32–33 NIV

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

We will have to dig deeper at another time, to explore the tribulation, Antichrist, etc.

Jesus will return for His church before the Great tribulation begins

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What about Signs of the times?

Matthew 24:5–8 NIV

For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Yes there are signs that point to the birth pains…the beginning of the end

But there are no signs in particular that allow anyone to date the time of the rapture.

How can we be ready for His return?

Mark 12:29–31 NIV

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 24:14 NIV

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Are you Ready?