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Rapture
of the
Church
After this I looked, and there
before me was a door standing
open in heaven. And the voice I
had first heard speaking to me like
a trumpet said, "Come up here,
and I will show you what must take
place after this."
(Revelation 4:1, NIV)
Scott Huckaby
www.BibleTract.org
Today’s Discussion:
What is the rapture of the church?
What is the timing of the rapture?
How is the rapture different from
the return of Christ?
Where do we get
the term rapture?
16the
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. 17After 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
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV)
The term “rapture” is
derived from the Latin
word for “caught up”
What happens when believers meet the Lord?
16the
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.
17After 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
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV)
The Lord will call us with a command
Dead Christians will be resurrected
Live Christians will be “caught up” to meet the
Lord and other resurrected Christians in the air
How do we know living Christians will be resurrected?
16the
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. 17After 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
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV)
Context… “rise first”
The fact that we will be
“caught up together”
Verse 17b: “And so we will
be with the Lord forever”
What is the “mystery” revealed here?
51I
tell you a mystery: We will
not all sleep, but we will all
be changed— 52in 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. 53For the
perishable must clothe itself
with the imperishable, and
the mortal with immortality.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NIV)
There will be a generation of people who do not die
but will be “changed” (resurrected) into their eternal
bodies directly from their mortal bodies.
Why didn’t God reveal the rapture before Jesus came?
51I
tell you a mystery: We will
not all sleep, but we will all be
changed— 52in 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. 53For the perishable
must clothe itself with the
imperishable, and the mortal
with immortality.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NIV)
We are in the dispensation of grace when God has
blessed us with the revelation of His Son...
Hebrews 1:1-2 - God, who at various times and in various ways
spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these
last days spoken to us by His Son (NIV)
Why does the word “sleep” mean here?
51I
tell you a mystery: We will
not all sleep, but we will all be
changed— 52in 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. 53For the perishable
must clothe itself with the
imperishable, and the mortal
with immortality.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NIV)
This is a euphemism for death…
The Greek word koimao which is translated “sleep” here
means to be deceased, physical death.
For what happens when people die, see the story of the
certain rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31
How fast will Christians be changed into their new bodies?
51I
tell you a mystery: We
will not all sleep, but we
will all be changed— 52in 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. 53For the
perishable must clothe
itself with the
imperishable, and the
mortal with immortality.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NIV)
Our resurrection will occur in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye. This is faster than a blink…
…people left on earth after the rapture
will sure be doing some blinking!
What is the significance of
the trumpet?
51I
tell you a mystery: We
will not all sleep, but we
will all be changed— 52in 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. 53For the
perishable must clothe itself
with the imperishable, and
the mortal with immortality.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NIV)
This is the last call of God for the church…
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing
open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to
me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you
what must take place after this.” (Revelation 4:1, NIV)
What must be taken off us and put on?
51I
tell you a mystery: We will
not all sleep, but we will all be
changed— 52in 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. 53For the perishable
must clothe itself with the
imperishable, and the mortal
with immortality.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NIV)
off with corruption & mortality… our sin nature with
bodies that suffer the consequences of sin
putting on incorruption & immortality… we will be
sinless with completed sanctification in glorified
bodies like Christ has right now
How will those left behind
at the rapture
react?
Photo by Teresa Huckaby, 2008
Many will believe the Bible… but for most:
they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For
this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so
that they will believe the lie (2 Thess 2:10-11, NIV)
There’ll be some plausible
explanation:
Space aliens zapped
them (so we all need
to work together)
Authorities purged
those holding back
society
Collateral damage
from nuclear war
Why is it important to have a correct view of the
timing of the rapture?
Causes problems with other aspects of Bible prophecy
Can lead to discouragement
Can lead to dangerous false doctrines
Doctrine of imminence is strong medicine against
procrastination about serving God…
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man
will come at an hour when you do not expect Him
(Matthew 24:44, NIV)
What kind of dangerous doctrines can come
from other than a pre-tribulation rapture?
survivalists stock-piling
weapons and food …teaches
people to depend on their own
resources for deliverance rather
than the power of God.
thinking that the church has replaced
Israel in the promises of God …one of
the roots of anti-Semitism (devilinspired to keep people from
discerning prophetic truth)
How does 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 indicate that
the rapture precedes the tribulation?
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 (1
Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV)
Paul expected the
rapture to be imminent
in his day because he
included himself in
those who would not
face death, “we who are
still alive and left…”
How does 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 indicate that
the rapture precedes the tribulation?
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… Therefore encourage each other
with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, NIV)
The doctrine of the
rapture is intended
to be encouraging.
Knowing that we
have to die or face
the tribulation before
we are resurrected is
discouraging.
How does 1 Thessalonians 5:9 indicate that the
rapture precedes the tribulation?
For God did not
appoint us to suffer
wrath but to receive
salvation through
our Lord Jesus
Christ
(1 Thessalonians 5:9, NIV)
The context of this
passage means that
the term “wrath” refers
to the tribulation.
God will save the church from suffering through the time
when He pours out his wrath on the earth during the
tribulation.
How does 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 indicate that
the rapture precedes the tribulation?
the secret power of
lawlessness is already
at work; but the One
who now holds it back
will continue to do so till
he is taken out of the
way. And then the
lawless one will be
revealed, whom the
Lord Jesus will
overthrow with the
breath of his mouth and
destroy by the splendor
of his coming
(2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, NIV)
This was written to put the
Thessalonians at ease that the
persecution they were suffering was
not the tribulation… this would have
meant that they missed the rapture
described in Paul’s first epistle
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
the secret power of lawlessness is already at work;
but the One who now holds it back will continue to
do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the
lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus
will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and
destroy by the splendor of his coming (NIV)
Who is the One holding back lawlessness?
The Holy Spirit… who indwells Christians
How will the Holy Spirit be taken away?
The Holy Spirit’s ministry of holding back lawlessness
will be removed with the church at the rapture
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
the secret power of lawlessness is already at work;
but the One who now holds it back will continue to
do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the
lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus
will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and
destroy by the splendor of his coming (NIV)
When will the Holy Spirit be taken away?
Before the “lawless one” is revealed
Who is the “lawless one”?
This is the coming world ruler, a.k.a. the Antichrist
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
the secret power of lawlessness is already at work;
but the One who now holds it back will continue to
do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the
lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus
will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and
destroy by the splendor of his coming (NIV)
How will the “lawless one” be revealed?
When he confirms a 7-year peace treaty with Israel at
the beginning of the tribulation…
he will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.'
…he will put an end to sacrifice and offering …he will set
up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end
that is decreed is poured out on him
(Daniel 9:27, NIV)
How is the rapture different from
the second coming of Christ?
Rapture
Second Coming
Seeing Jesus:
Meeting Jesus:
Resurrection:
Believers only
In the air
All believers
All people
On earth
No one
The church:
Judgment:
Predictability:
Goes to heaven
Believers’ works
Imminent
Returns to earth
Nations
Tied to key events
Timing:
Bible references:
Satan:
Pre-tribulation
Veiled in O.T.
No references
Post-tribulation
Prophesied in O.T.
Satan will be bound
What distinguishes these two passages?
Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of
many people; and He will appear a second time, not
to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are
waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:28, NIV)
…rapture: Appearing to believers
Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye
will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the
peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him
(Revelation 1:7, NIV)
…2nd coming: All will see Him
What distinguishes these two passages?
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 (1Thessalonians 4:17, NIV)
…rapture: Meeting the Lord in the air
On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of
Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives
will be split in two from east to west, forming a great
valley (Zechariah 14:4, NIV)
…2nd coming: Jesus will set foot on earth
What distinguishes these two passages?
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also
will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4, NIV)
…rapture: When believers are resurrected
The armies of heaven were following him, riding on
white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and
clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with
which to strike down the nations.
(Revelation 19:14-15, NIV)
…2nd coming: No one is resurrected
What distinguishes these two passages?
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back
and take you to be with me that you also may be
where I am (John 14:3, NIV)
…rapture: Believers go to heaven
May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be
blameless and holy in the presence of our God and
Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy
ones. (1Thessalonians 3:13, NIV)
…2nd coming: Believers come to earth
What distinguishes these two passages?
These have come so that your faith… may be proved
genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor
when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:7, NIV)
…rapture: Believers’ works are judged
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the
angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly
glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him,
and he will separate the people one from another as
a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
(Matthew 25:31-32, NIV)
…2nd coming: Nations are judged
What distinguishes these two passages?
for you know very well that the day of the Lord will
come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2, NIV)
…rapture: Imminent (so always be ready)
"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and
the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there
will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for
and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. “As for you, go
your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end
of the days you will rise to receive your allotted
inheritance.” (Daniel 12:11-13, NIV)
…2nd coming: Related to specific events
Why is the timing of Christ’s return known?
So that those who trust in Jesus during that
time will
have hope
knowing
their
suffering
is limited.
What distinguishes these two passages?
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I
will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to
come upon the whole world to test those who live on
the earth. (Revelation 3:10, NIV)
…rapture: Occurs before the tribulation
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a
white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.
With justice He judges and makes war.
(Revelation 19:11, NIV)
…2nd coming: Occurs after the tribulation
What distinguishes these two passages?
The godly have been swept from the land; not one
upright man remains. All men lie in wait to shed blood;
each hunts his brother with a net. (Micah 7:2, NIV)
…rapture: Veiled in the Old Testament
In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will
set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor
will it be left to another people. It will crush all
those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it
will itself endure forever. (Daniel 2:44, NIV)
…2nd coming: Prophesied in Old Testament
What distinguishes these two passages?
For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work;
but the one who now holds it back will continue to do
so till He is taken out of the way.
(2Thessalonians 2:7, NIV)
…rapture: Satan given more autonomy
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is
the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand
years. (Revelation 20:2, NIV)
…2nd coming: Satan is incarcerated