END TIMES PART 2
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Introduction
Introduction
Last time we examined two topics:
Why support a pre-tribulation rapture and pre-millennial position within Eschatology. We looked at this more from a philosophical perspective.
The anti-Christ.
This week, we are going to examine the eve of the tribulation, the rapture of the saints.
Are there any events that need to be fulfilled prior to the rapture?
What events will occur during the rapture?
How can we be sure the rapture is pre-tribulation and not mid or post-tribulation?
Are there remaining prophecies that need to be fulfilled before the rapture?
Are there remaining prophecies that need to be fulfilled before the rapture?
There are no remaining prophecies that need to be fulfilled before the rapture of the saints.
Does the Gospel have to preached globally before the rapture?
The second coming of Jesus has two phases:
The Rapture
The Revelation
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:14 speaks of the Revelation aspect of His coming, not the Rapture.
What about Ezekiel 38-39?
Some believe this is a battle that takes place before the tribulation period.
Some believe this is the battle of Armageddon.
Some believe this is the final battle after Satan in loosed from the Bottomless Pit.
The coming of Jesus with regards to the rapture is imminent
James 5:7-9
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
1 John 2:28
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
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.
Titus 2:11-13
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
When will Jesus come again?
Romans 11:25-26
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Acts 15:13-18
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
What events will occur during the tribulation?
What events will occur during the tribulation?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
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.
Paul did not want them to be ignorant (not to know) about the doctrine of the rapture.
Paul wanted them to grieve in a different manner than lost people: We have hope.
Resurrection of Jesus
Those that are dead in Jesus will God bring with Him - that is, Jesus will bring those that died in Him, back to heaven with the rapture.
Authority of the rapture comes from the Lord
Jesus comes - Jesus is the main attraction of the Last Days
Descends from Heaven
There will be three sounds:
A shout - John 5:28, 29
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The voice of an archangel
Jude 1:9
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
A trumpet
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
We will meet the Lord in the air.
We will be forever with the Lord.
Comfort one another with these words.
Is the rapture pre-tribulation?
Is the rapture pre-tribulation?
The church is not mentioned in Revelation 6-19 that deal specifically with the tribulation. Although, the term church is mentioned 19 times through the first 3 chapters of Revelation.
Revelation 19 that records the last phase of the second coming of the Lord there is no mention of a rapture for the saved.
How will the earth be repopulated?
If the rapture was post-tribulation then the Thessalonian Christians would have been happy they were spared the tribulation.
The differences between the rapture and His Second Coming
R - Jesus gathers His own v.16-17
S - Angels gather the elect - Matthew 24:31
R - Resurrection Promised for the saved v.15-16
S - No resurrection promised for the elect
R - Jesus comes to reward believers v.17
S - Jesus comes to judge the earth - Matthew 25:31-46
R - Jesus snatches away believers
S - Jesus takes away unbelievers - Matthew 24:37-41
R - Unbelievers remain in earth
S - Believers remain on earth
R - Does not mention the establishment of the Kingdom
S - Does mention the establishment of the Kingdom
