The Rapture

MEMORY VERSE: “Behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed”, 1 Corinthians 15:51.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

INTRODUCTION:

The second coming of Christ prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 7:13 is a sound biblical fact. This return shall be in two stages. The first, “being like a thief in the night” to receive unto Himself His Church. This is popularly called the rapture. May the Holy Spirit Himself guide us into all truth, in Jesus name.

1.     WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?

2.     WHEN IS THE RAPTURE

3.     WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE RAPTURE?

4.     HOW WILL IT HAPPEN?

WHAT IS THE RAPTURE

The word, rapture, is not found anywhere in the Bible although it is used to describe this great upcoming and memorable event. The rapture is the sudden catching up or sudden disappearance of holy and faithful saints from the earth to meet with our Lord and savior in the air. It is also referred to as the translation or trans-location of believers –1Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. Examples of such translation in the Old Testament are; Enoch – Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5 and Elijah – 2 Kings 2:11. It shall be as sudden as the twinkling of an eye – 1 Corinthian 15:52.

WHEN IS THE RAPTURE

The exact timing of the occurrence of the rapture is not known – Matthew 24:42, 44; Matthew 25:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6. We however, know that it shall precede the tribulation – Thess.1:10, 5:9; 2 Thess. 2:12

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE RAPTURE

The following are to be expected at the rapture:

i.      The trumpet of God shall sound 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16.

ii.    The dead in Christ shall rise, first; John 5:25; 1 Thess.4:16.

iii.  Saints which are alive shall be “caught up” to meet our Lord in the air – 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:51

iv.  The dead in Christ and saints who are left shall have glorified or immortal bodies and live forever – 1 Cor. 15:52 - 54

HOW WILL IT HAPPEN?

i.     It shall happen suddenly – 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 5:3; Matt. 24:36-41

ii.   The power of God shall make all saints bodies immortal – Philippians 3:21

iii. The sudden “vacancies” produced by such disappearance shall give birth to the chaos.

CONCLUSION

The greatest calamity that could befall anyone who claims to be a believer is to be on earth a second after the rapture. Are you alert and ready? Mark 13:32-37

QUESTIONS

1.     What is the Rapture?

2.     Mention five things that will happen at the rapture.

Prayer Points

1.   Whether the enemies like it or not I shall not miss the rapture in the name of Jesus

2.   Oh God arise help me to do your will.

3.   Agent of darkness assign to drag me to hell loose your hold and die in the name of Jesus.

4.   Powers from my foundation speaking woe into my life be defeated by the blood of Jesus.

5.   Oh God release your grace upon me.