Revelation 4:1 "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me which said, "come up hither" and I will shew (show) the things which must be thereafter."
A. Meaning of the word Rapture: to transport from one place to another
B. Various views of the Rapture:
1. Partial Rapture: Only "Spiritual Christians" will be caught up. Refuted by 1 Cor 15:51 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."
2. Mid-tribulation Rapture: that all believers will have to endure the first half of the tribulation. Refuted by 1 Thess. 5:9 "For God hath (has) not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
3. Pre-tribulation Rapture: that all believers will be caught up before the tribulation.
C. Mystery of the Rapture: Millions of believers will enter heaven without dying 1 Cor. 15:51
(See #1 above)
D. Trumpet of the Rapture: may be for a twofold purpose:
1. To summon angels to battle
2. To summon believers to worship. 1 Cor. 51:52 "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 all shall be changed". 1 Thess. 4:16 "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."
E. Challenges of the Rapture: Because of the Rapture, the believer is to:
1. Attend the services Heb. 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye (you) see the day approaching."
2. Observe the Lord's Supper 1 Cor. 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He comes."
3. Love Believers: 1Thess 3:12, 13 (V12) "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: /(V13) " To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
4. Be Patient: James 5:8 "Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth (draws or is drawing) nigh."
5. Live a Separated Life: 1 John 3: 2,3 (V2) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth (does) not appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. (V3) "And every man, that hath (has) this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure." Titus 2: 12, 13 (V12) "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (V13) "Looking for that blessed hope, at the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" 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."
6. Refrain from Judging Others: 1 Cor. 4:5 "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."
7. Preach the Word: 2 Tim. 4:1,2 (V1) "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick (those who are alive) and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. (V2) Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 1 Peter 5:2,4 (V2) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind," (V4) "And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away."
8. Comfort the Bereaved: 1 Thess. 4:16, 18 (V16) "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: (V18) "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
9. Win Souls: Jude 1:21 -23 (V21) "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (V22) "And of some have compassion, making a difference: (V23) "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
10. Be Concerned about Heaven Col 3:1-4 (V1) "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God." (V2) "Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth." (V3) "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (V4) "When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."
CONCLUSION: What are you doing for the kingdom of God while waiting for the Rapture? How many of the things listed above can you truthfully say you are accomplishing?
Until He Comes Again,
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