06AM February 5 1 Thessalonians 4 13_18

February 5, 2006—Morning Worship

The “Soon and Very Soon” Series

The Great Disappearance

Encouraging Truths Concerning Future Events

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Intro:   Over the years Magicians have made many people wonder, “How’d they do that?” Some seem to pull rabbits from empty top hats; some appear to saw people in half; some appear to make people disappear; some even seem to make jet airliners disappear. So how do they do that?

          They do it by giving the illusion that something that cannot take place has just taken place. They don’t really saw people in half or make them disappear. It’s all an illusion – in fact, those people even refer to themselves as Illusionists rather than Magicians. As the old saying goes, “It’s just all smoke and mirrors!”

          But there is coming a day when people will disappear! A day in which vast numbers will simply vanish into thin air! & that won’t be done w/smoke & mirrors! On that day, the power of Almighty God will be displayed & yet, as far as I know, the ones who will understand what is happening will be the ones to whom it happens! Vast numbers of people will be left asking the questions, “How’d they do that? Where’d they go?”

          Do you worry or wonder what will happen in the end? As the old familiar song says, “Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand. But I know Who holds tomorrow. & I know He holds my hand.” There are many things about tomorrow that I don’t seem to understand. But I do know Who holds tomorrow & I know His word is true & I know that what He promises will happen!

What about your Christian friends & family? What will happen to them? What will happen to you? Have you experienced the 180 degree turn in your spiritual life that only comes from a relationship w/Jesus Christ? Are you ready to go – or are you afraid of what will happen that day?

Paul tells us about this great disappearance as he gives us some encouraging truths about future events. Let’s read all about it from our text in…

1 Thessalonians 4 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died & rose again, even so God will bring w/Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive & remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven w/a shout, w/the voice of an archangel, & w/the trumpet of God. & the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive & remain shall be caught up together w/them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. & thus we shall always be w/the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another w/these words.

- I used to work w/a man who said he could not believe in the Rapture b/c the word never appears in the Bible.

- But although the word itself does not appear, the concept, the principal, the truth of the Rapture is clearly presented & not just in this text, but others as well.

- In Paul’s words here, we have clear evidence that…

1. The Rapture is a Positive Truth. (vv. 13-16)

- & that, for many…

    A. It is Connected to the believers’ death. (vv. 13, 16b) Paul says, 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope… [& in the latter part of v. 16 he says that] …the dead in Christ will rise first.

- Not everyone can be nor will be alive & remain until the coming of the Lord.

- Apparently there were some false teachings in Thessalonica or at least some misconceptions of the truth believed by Christians.

- Paul uses the phrase “fallen asleep” to describe death.

- There is a very good reason for that – its b/c Christians never die!

- Our bodies will definitely die; but the real you inside your body will never die—if you are a true believer in Jesus Christ.

- & Paul’s point here is that, while we do mourn for departed loved ones, we should not “sorrow as others who have no hope.”

- IOW we should not mourn the dead as the rest of the unbelieving world mourns.

- They have no concept of real life after death; they have no concept of the bodily resurrection brought about through the power of God!

- Therefore they have no hope!

- But there is hope in Jesus Christ! …the dead in Christ will rise first.

- Jesus said that the little girl was not dead but sleeping.

- He told His disciples that Lazarus was sleeping & that He was going to wake him up.

- Even our word ‘cemetery’ means “a sleeping place.” It’s not a place of final rest. It’s only a place where the earthen vessel is laid until the believer is taken up in the Rapture or the unbeliever is taken up to the Judgment.

- Some how, the believers at Thessalonica had the misconception that their loved ones who had died would somehow miss out on the blessing of seeing Jesus!

- & so, Paul here, corrects their understanding of Jesus’ coming to take His children home.

- The Rapture is a positive truth in that…

    B. It is Confirmed by the Savior’s resurrection. (v. 14) Paul says, 14 For if we believe that Jesus died & rose again, even so God will bring w/Him those who sleep in Jesus.

- Paul supposed they did believe that Christ died & rose again.

- That’s what he had taught them & that’s what they had received.

- That’s the first & fundamental points of the Christian faith! W/o which they could not have been in Christ.

- But you may ask, “How does Christ’s resurrection prove the resurrection of the saints? He is the Son of God; He might have an advantage over everyone else.

- & the answer is: 1. The resurrection of Christ 1st shows that it is possible; God has already done it in Christ.

- 2nd Christ rose for our justification; & in justification sin, which brought in death, is pardoned, & sin alone, by its guilt, can keep us under the dominion of death.

- 3rd Christ rose as the Head of the body, His church, & in doing so loosed the bands of death & conquered the grave for his people.

- 4th As the first-fruits of the resurrection, He was a pledge & an assurance of the whole harvest to follow.

- 5th God has predestined the elect, whom He foreknew, to be conformed to the image of His Son.

- Lastly: They sleep in Jesus, as the text says; not only do they live in Jesus, but they also die in Him; their union remains w/Christ even in death.

- Those dear saints of God who have gone on before us are in heaven in spirit form. They are what is commonly known as disembodied spirits.

- The real being, the true self, the spiritual soul of the righteous departed are in heaven.

- & Paul confirms that the Bible teaches us that when Jesus comes in the Rapture, those dear departed saints of God come back w/Christ & receive their glorified bodies 1st!

- & so, in vv. 15-16, Paul tells us that the Rapture is a positive truth in that…

    C. It is Communicated by the Lord’s revelation. (vv. 15-16) 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive & remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven w/a shout, w/the voice of an archangel, & w/the trumpet of God. & the dead in Christ will rise first.

- This was not Paul’s opinion; not his invention; not man’s tradition—this is God’s word!

- & the Lord Jesus Christ Himself had revealed to Paul that anyone who died in Christ, did not forfeit their privileges or blessings! In fact, they would be given 1st preference over those of us who would be alive at the coming of the Lord.

- That truth is not found in the Gospels! It is revealed to Paul to communicate to us!

- I know – there’s been much debate down through the centuries as to when this event actually takes place.

- There are all kinds of views & perspectives; pretrib, midtrib, posttrib, prewrath, & that doesn’t even include whether you’re a Premillennialist, Postmillennialist or Amillennialist!

- As for my understanding of what the Bible says, I am a Premillennial, Pretribulation, Classic Dispensational, 5 Point Calvinist & the next time we both have a couple of weeks w/nothing else to do – I’ll set down w/you & explain why!

- But for the purposes of our discussion today, let’s let it suffice to say that Jesus Christ said He was coming to receive us & that settles it! I’m looking forward to it! He can come at anytime! I believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ our Lord!

- Paul did, too! & so did the early Church!

- & the text does say that, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven w/a shout, w/the voice of an archangel, & w/the trumpet of God. & the dead in Christ will rise first.

- The Rapture is a positive truth & we also come to understand that…

2. The Rapture is a Precious Truth. (vv. 16-17)

    A. The Lord will Return. (v. 16a) 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven….

- Christians down through the ages have debated the timing of this event.

- Some will get it right & some will get it wrong; but I’m not naive enough to think I’m always right; nor I’m I naïve enough to think that those who don’t agree w/me are not true Christians.

- But I am naïve enough to believe what Jesus said!

- It doesn’t matter if I can’t fully understand every aspect of God’s word; I don’t love it any less; nor do I feel any less loved by the Lord!

- I’m simply going to trust that what He’s promised He will do!

John 14 1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 & if I go & prepare a place for you, I will come again & receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

- The Lord will return &…

    B. The dead will Rise. (v. 16b) “& the dead in Christ will rise first.”

- The way that’s worded in the original language, that phrase means, “the lifeless, deceased & departed, those w/o the breath of life in them, who at their death were in Christ, part of His body, the church, will in the future be given the power to get up out of the grave by the power of God & be changed before those who are alive are changed.”

- I’d never seen that before in the wording of that verse.

- We will be raised by the power of God – but God will give us the power to rise & we will cause ourselves to rise up from the dead by His mighty power!

- That’s what the verse says in the original – that He gives us the power to get up just like He did Lazarus. Lazarus got up & came out of the tomb & we’ll do the same from the grave!

- The Lord will return, the dead will rise &…

    C. The Church will be Raptured. (v. 17a) 17 Then we who are alive & remain shall be caught up together w/them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

- The words translated ‘caught up’ literally mean “to seize, to carry off by force, to snatch away”

- The word Rapture comes from the Latin word for this phrase ‘caught up.’

- & did you notice that those who are raptured will meet the Lord in the air.

- This is not the 2nd Coming of the Lord. His feet are never said to touch the earth at the Rapture. This is His coming for the Church.

- & it’s interesting to me that the main focus is on our meeting the Lord.

- Will there be others whom we love taken in the Rapture? YES! Will there be others we’ve not seen for years present at the Rapture? YES!

- But our main focus is going to be the beauty, the presence, the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ!

- It’s only those who died in Christ & only those who are alive in Christ that will be taken at the Rapture – it’s the Church that is Raptured!

- But notice also that…

    D. All believers will be Reunited. (v. 17b) “& thus we shall always be w/the Lord.”

- Wherever Jesus is – that’s were we’ll be – forever!

- We’ll be reunited, restored to the close, intimate, personal fellowship w/our Lord & Savior that has not been experienced since the Fall in the Garden.

- But not only that but we’ll also be reunited w/all believers of all time!

- What a joyous reunion it will be! Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, Friends & even complete Strangers will know each other in the sense that God knows us!

- There will be no more separation from the Lord or from any others who are saints of God!

- The Rapture is a positive truth & a precious truth, & notice that…

3. The Rapture is a Practical Truth. (v. 18)

- It’s practical in that…

    A. It is Comforting. (v. 18) 18 Therefore comfort one another w/these words.

- Paul tells his readers, “You may be confused & concerned by what others have taught you; but trust God’s word & use it to comfort your hearts.”

- When Paul says comfort one another, it’s not a suggestion – it’s an imperative, it’s a command.

- God is saying that where anxiety rules, the word of God can bring peace.

- Where trials abound, grace much more abounds.

- Where problems exist, God’s word prevails.

- Where terror grips your mind, the Truth sets you free.

- If you want to experience comfort – find it in God’s word!

- Hear the Holy Spirit speak in the still small voice of God that brings peace & joy & calms your fears & dries your tears.

- The Rapture is a practical truth that brings comfort, but…

    B. It is Challenging. (Titus 2:11­14)

Titus 2 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness & worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, & godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope & glorious appearing of our great God & Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed & purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

- Did you notice in vv. 11-12 that it’s God’s grace that teaches us to deny ungodliness & lusts?

- Did you notice that those vv. go on to say that we should live soberly, righteously & godly in the present age?

- How challenging is that? IOW we’re to be what our name implies – we’re to be like Christ!

- That doesn’t mean simply trying harder to please God; it means setting aside your selfishness & allowing God to rule & reign in your hearts by faith.

- Did you also notice that its God’s grace that teaches us to look for the return of Christ?

- & did you notice that God’s grace teaches us that God redeemed us for a purpose?

- v. 14 says He purified us as His own special people – that we would be zealous for good works, examples of good works, immersed in good works – for His glory!

- The Rapture is comforting & challenging, &…

    C. It is Cleansing. (1 John 3:2-3)

1 John 3 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; & it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 & everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

- IOW if you have Jesus Christ in you, the hope of glory, the hope of seeing Him & finally & ultimately being made like Him; then you will strive to be pure just like Jesus!

- You won’t want to dabble in sin; you won’t want to disappoint your Savior; you won’t want to degrade your self anymore!

- Your overwhelming goal in life will be to follow as closely as you can in the footsteps of Jesus!

- It is hard, but it is not impossible! & the closer you get to the Lord, the greater your desire to be like Him will be!

- 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; & it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

- I don’t want to be found lacking! I don’t want to be found disobedient! I don’t want to be found idle! I don’t want to be found w/the stench & filth & guilt of sin on me!

- & I don’t want you to be found like that either!

- Oh, in light of what God has said today, I beg you; everyone who has this hope in Him [purify yourself], just as He is pure.

Conclusion:  Trust in the Lord & put your faith & hope in Him, b/c He is coming!

As the old hymn says:

 There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come—no more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye. All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore. What a day, glorious day that will be!

There’ll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear, no more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there. & forever I will be w/the One who died for me. What a day, glorious day that will be!

What if it were today? Are you ready to go?

Invitation:  If you sense the need to seek God & His forgiveness, would you do so right now? If God has shown you your own wicked state, would you come to Him in repentance & faith in Jesus as your only hope?

          Or maybe today God has reminded you of the blessed hope of His glorious appearing & you just want to praise the Lord your God. Would you offer your prayer of thanksgiving to Him & would you also commit to being ready if He were to come today?

          Jesus is coming! & I believe His return is imminent—it can happen at anytime! For whatever reason, if you’re not ready, would you cry out to God & say, “Change My Heart, Oh God!”?

Hymn “Change My Heart, Oh God”