## Faith for the Future: Ready for the Rapture

## John 14:3

On Sunday evenings we have been using the theme of 'Faith for the Future'. Last week we did an overview of prophetic events. Tonight, I want to go back and focus on the next event on the timeline…the rapture.

I. The Promise of the Rapture.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

A. Our ATTITUDE concerning future events.

1. He said, "Let not your heart be troubled" (v.1).

a. In other words, Jesus is saying, "I know your lives are full of difficulties and troubles.

b. Don't get wrapped up in those things, but look to Me."

2. Jesus originally said these words to His disciples around the table at the Last Supper.

a. Jesus to told them about His betrayer, and that He was going to die.

b. They had given up their lives, their work, and their families to follow Christ and now it was over.

3. Like them, we need to have an attitude of peace as we face an uncertain future.

B. We should have a calm ASSURANCE.

1. He said, "I to go prepare a place for you... I will come again and receive you to Myself".

2. We are going to a PLACE.

a. Jesus says, "In my Father's house are many mansions."

b. "Mansions" literally means "dwelling places."

c. Usually when we think of mansions, we think of palatial estates on rolling hills here on earth.

d. In reality, what the Lord has prepared for us will be beyond all our ability to comprehend!

e. No one will be disappointed; we will be dwelling with Him!

3. We are going to a PERSON.

a. Jesus also says, "I will come again and receive you to Myself."

b. He does not just say, "I will come again and take you to heaven."

c. He says, "I will receive you to Myself."

d. We will enjoy a face to face relationship with Jesus Christ for all eternity.

4. We are receiving a PROMISE.

a. The Bible is filled with the promises of God.

b. We can be assured that He will keep them all…including this one!

c. many promises to the disciples. He said, "I will make you fishers of men." "I will build My church." And now He says, "I will come again." We can bank on the promise of Jesus.

II. The Explanation of the Rapture

A. The MYSTERY of the Rapture

1Co 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.

1. "Mystery" does not mean "mysterious."

2. In the Bible a "mystery" is something that had not been revealed before but now could be known.

3. In the OT, men believed that people came into God's presence by dying and then being raised again.

4. But now it is revealed that "we shall not all sleep (die) but we shall all be changed.

5. Some of won't have to die to go to heaven!

6. At the rapture, some will be living, many will have died, "but we shall all be changed."

B. The PROCESS of the Rapture

1Th 4:16-17 "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."

1. In V.13, Paul declares that he doesn't want us to be "ignorant" or uniformed about those who die.

2. He doesn't want us to be overcome with "sorrow" as though there is "no hope." Why? The rapture is coming!

3. Note that Paul gives us no time, signs or preceding events.

a. There are many events that will precede the SECOND ADVENT, (one-world religion, one- world government, etc.)

b. But the rapture will come unexpectedly.

4. V.14 points out who will be raptured, those who "believe that Jesus died and rose again."

a. That is to say that those who have believed the gospel will go with Christ.

b. V.14 also says that when Christ returns in the rapture, He "will bring with Him those who sleep (have died) in Jesus."

c. Christ will come with those who have died in their faith.

d. That means that they are with Him now.

e. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says that "to be absent from the body" is "to be present with the Lord."

5. V.15 says "by the word of the Lord" in other words, Paul isn't telling us what he thinks will happen, but this is the from the Lord!

6. V.16 says that when the Lord descends, the bodies of the dead in Christ "will rise first."

a. I used to tell folks it was because they had to travel 6ft farther than the rest of us.

b. But then a vault dealer corrected me on that…people aren't buried 6ft deep anymore!

c. The point is more for assurance to those whose loved ones have gone on before…they will NOT be left behind!

7. V.17 says then we, who "are alive and remain" will be "caught up" (raptured) with them to "meet the Lord in the air."

8. And "we shall always be with the Lord."

C. The REALITY of the Rapture.

1. What about folks whose bodies have been destroyed by fire or explosion?

2. What about those lost at sea?

3. Scientists tell us that each of us have an identifiable mark…our DNA.

Ec 3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

4. This old body will be turned to dust, but there is an identifiable seed…and God will change us…we will be transformed.

1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet 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.

III. The Timing of the Rapture

Re 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

A. The first three chapters of the book of Revelation are letters to seven churches.

1. Jesus says to these believers, I will "keep you from the hour of temptation".

a. The word 'temptation' here refers to a specific period of time, not just temptation in general.

b. Notice the next phrase, it is a trial that will "come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

c. This is in reference to the only world-wide trial on the prophetic calendar… the TRIBULATION.

2. Notice what Jesus says to the believers in this local church, "I also will keep thee."

a. The words "will keep" means, "guarding to cause one to escape in safety."

b. In other words, Jesus will prevent His true followers from going through the tribulation.

c. This is not the only promise of this protection.

1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

d. Do not believe the false teaching that the believers will not be raptured until after the tribulation or in the middle of the tribulation.

e. We have the promise of God's Word that we will be kept from this hour of trial!

IV. The Preparation for the Rapture

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

A. Be sure you are saved.

1. The Rapture could come at any time.

2. Are we ready? Would you be left?

3. If you have not yet given your life to Christ realize that "the grace of God… has appeared to all men."

4. Have you accepted this grace…this salvation?

B. Be sure those you care about are saved.

1. I know that you can't save them…but you can pray for them and witness to them.

2. They must hear the Word of God in order to believe in Christ…are we giving a clear witness to those around us?

3. Don't wait too long…

2Co 6:2b, "…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

C. Are we living for Christ right now?

1. v12 Paul admonishes us that "we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world".

2. Maybe our priorities need some adjustments.

3. Maybe we have grown cold toward the things of God.

4. We need to prepare for His return!

5. Come now.