Foundations for Your Faith Lesson 25 NIV Future Things: The Rapture and the Second Coming (Eschatology) 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and Revelation Chapters 19-22

Transcription

1 Foundations for Your Faith Lesson 25 NIV Future Things: The Rapture and the Second Coming (Eschatology) 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and Revelation Chapters Read 1 Thess. 4:13-18, and Revelation chapters several times, and then answer the following questions from the verses as noted. I Thess. 4:13-14 Where are believers who have died? Why is their death referred to as sleeping? I Thess. 4:15-16 What believers will be caught up? Where will we meet the Lord? Where will we go after meeting Him? (John 14:1-3) Is this before, during or after the Tribulation? (Rev. 3:10; Rev. 4:1-2; II Thess. 2:6-8) Revelation Put the following list in correct order 1,000 year Kingdom of Christ on earth Rapture of church and believers judgment New Heaven and New Earth Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers Church Age Destruction of heavens and earth by fire Tribulation period on earth The Second coming of Christ The Campaign of Armageddon

2 Foundations for Your Faith Lesson 25 Final Exam Lesson 25 NIV Definitions - Matching Final Exam 1. Propitiation Declared righteous 2. Ransom God-breathed 3. Inspiration Temporary place of the dead 4. Sanctification Satisfaction of God s justice 5. Election Specific covenant relationship 6. Justification Price paid for redemption 7. Hades God s sovereign choice 8. Kenosis Getting what we don t deserve 9. Dispensation Set apart (3 aspects) 10. Grace Christ emptying of Himself Key Chapters/Matching 1. Inspiration Philippians 2 2. Justification Luke Model Prayer Hebrews Faith Matthew 4 5. Hades II Corinthians 5 6. G.W.T. Judgment II Tim Imputation John 3 8. Sovereign Election Romans 3 9. Kenosis Revelation Born Again Matthew Holy Spirit Ephesians The Rapture John Christ s Temptation John Deity of Christ I Thessalonians 4

3 Teacher s Guide - Foundations for Your Faith Lesson 25 NIV Future Things: The Rapture and the Second Coming (Eschatology) 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and Revelation Chapters Read 1 Thess. 4:13-18, and Revelation chapters several times, and then answer the following questions from the verses as noted. I Thess. 4:13-14 Where are believers who have died? With Him! (See also Phil. 1:21 and 2 Cor. 5:8) God the Father will bring believers who have died with Christ with Him at His return in the air. The key phrase is bring them with Him not come for them. I must be with Him in order for Him to bring me with Him. Wherever Christ is, that is where dead believers are now and where they will return from.heaven! Why is their death referred to as sleeping? They wake up again! When one sleeps, he wakes up and gets up. Paul favors this phrase for believers death since it pictures clearly the expectation and assurance of our resurrection. Death is not the end! I Thess. 4:15-16 What believers will be caught up? Remaining believers those who are alive at the time of the rapture. Where will we meet the Lord? In the air! This is a heavenly meeting not a meeting on earth. Where does the word Rapture come from? Latin Vulgate; Latin rapturo, Raptor (eagle, hawk,) and with claws catches up their prey. ΑSnatching or catching away. OT saints will be raised either at the rapture or at the end of the tribulation period with deceased Tribulation saints see Rev. 20:4 and Daniel 12:1-3. Many of them who sleep in the dust will be raised at that time. It is most consistent to see the resurrection of Old Testament Saints at the end of the Tribulation with the tribulation saints, since they are not part of the church and God is not through with Israel until the tribulation is completed. So there is the resurrection of Christ, the resurrection of the Church saints, the Resurrection tribulation saints and Old Testament Saints and the resurrection of the Lost at the Great White Throne. Where will we go after meeting Him? (John 14:1-3) To Heaven: a place prepared for us by Jesus Christ. John 14:1-6 The reference to an earthly hope belongs to Israel. Israel will inherit land, seed, and blessing. The Church and Israel are distinct in their hope. Not in their hope for salvation, but in the promises that are given to them yet to be fulfilled. The believers hope is in Heaven. but Israel s promises are focused the earth. The Messiah reigning on earth in righteousness.

4 Is this before, during or after the Tribulation? (Rev. 3:10; Rev. 4:1-2; II Thess. 2:6-8) Before the tribulation. Trib Views: Pre-Trib; Mid-Trib(Partial, Pre Wrath Rapture) and the Post Trib. Millennial Views: Pre-Mill; Post-Mill; A-Mill... Pretrib - Rev. 3:10, 4:1-2; and Rev. 1:19. Crucial in understanding the timing of the Rapture. Revelation is set up in 3 sections according to Rev. 1:19 Things which you have seen, things which are, and the things which shall be... The Past, Present, and Future. Things you have seen Chapter 1 Things which are Chapter 2&3 (Church Age) Things which will be after this Chapter 4-22 Which shall be Trib, Mill, Eternity Rev. 3:10 I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall try all flesh. (out of ) Rev. 4:1 begins with Come up here How is the Church going to be concluded? By being caught up. The Church is not mentioned again after chapter 4&5 ( It is seated in glory in chapter 4&5) until she returns with Christ in Chapter 19. In chapters 6 through 18 there is no church mentioned. It is Jews (144,000) and it is Gentiles who are going to believe; martyrdom, etc.. it is the faithful tribulation saints but not the church. The Church is not referred to because she is absent from earth and with the Lord in heaven until she return in glory with Him at Armageddon. Revelation Put the following list in correct order 1,000 year Kingdom of Christ on earth Rapture of church and believers judgment New Heaven and New Earth Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers Church Age Destruction of heavens and earth by fire Tribulation period on earth The Second Coming of Christ

5 The Campaign of Armageddon 1. The Church Age 2. The Rapture and judgement of believers work. 3. The Tribulation Period (begins immediately after the rapture, continuing for 7 years) 4. The Campaign of Armageddon (last half of tribulation, culminating at Second Coming) 5. The Second Coming (actual return to earth with glorified church at destroy the beast and antichrist, and all unbelievers ) 6. The 1000 year Kingdom of Christ 7. The Destruction of the Earth by fire Rev.20:11 No place to hide 8. The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15 unbelievers) 9. The New Heavens and the New Earth (Rev ) The Book of Revelation Chapters 6 20 are simply an expansion of information contained in seed form in Daniel 9: Sabbath years predicted in three sections 7 Sabbath years (or 49 years), then 62 Sabbath years (or 434 years) totaling 69 Sabbath years (or 483 years), then the final Sabbath year (7 years) of Tribulation that will usher in the Millennium. 70 Sabbath year periods (70 x 7 years 490 years) 490 years begins, 1095 BC which was Saul s ordination as king, to the Babylonian captivity which was 605 BC. That is 490 years. From 605 BC to 536 is the 70-year captivity. From 536 to the coming of Christ, actually to His crucifixion, is another 483 years which leaves which leaves 7 years yet, which is the tribulation period. So you have 490 years of disobedience, 70 years of chastisement, 490 years total until the King of Kings. Starting with the first king and ending with the last King. And it makes perfect sense, which to me is one of the strongest arguments for a literal 7-year tribulation period that can be found in Scripture. Its the first 490 years( 70 sevens; or 70 weeks) that points out the literalness of the second 70 weeks, and if the first one is literal, certainly the second one is as well. That is what this chart is all about in the middle of your booklet. The angel said to Daniel, another 70 sevens (Sabbath years) is determined on thy people.. They had just been in captivity for 70 years, because of their failure to keep the Sabbath year. How long had they been in captivity? 70 years; one year for every year they did not let the land rest. How many years was that? 70 Sabbath years; 490 years. They were at the last year of the 70 years of chastisement because for 490 years had not let the land lie fallow one year in seven. So that is why God moved them out of Israel for 70 years because they owed Him 70 Sabbath years. That is what it says in Jer.25 and Daniel 9. That is why they were in Babylon for 70 years. It was a very specific chastisement. For 70 exact years. Because for one year in seven they were to let the land rest. God said, Αbecause you would not obey and sanctify my Sabbaths, therefore I will send you to a people whose tongue you do not know, and after 70 years you will return. The reason was that for 490 years (70 Sabbath years) they did not let the land lie fallow. 490 brought them 70 years of chastisement. The it started over, and at that last year of the captivity God said to Daniel, ΑYet 70 Sabbath years (490) I determined upon thy people to bring in everlasting righteousness, the Kingdom of the Messiah. Daniel 9:2 begins by saying, I understood by books the number of years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet that he would accomplish 70 years in the desolation of Jerusalem. What books? Jeremiah 25: That is what Daniel understood, he realized 70 years, this is it, this is the 70 th year. Dan. 9:24; 70 Sabbaths are determined...7 weeks and 60 and 2 = 69 Sabbath years or 483 years. 7 weeks (49 yr. temple and walls rebuilt) and the 62 weeks (434 yr.). The anti-christ will form a covenant with the Jews for 7 years. Between the 483 years and the last 7 is the Church Age. The clock

6 stopped at the crucifixion and will star again at the Rapture. This is one of the strongest arguments for the literal tribulation period, that you have 490 literal years, 70 literal years, and another 490 literal years. 483 of those 490 are literal. If the 483 were literal fulfilled right to the year, why would the last 7 be not literal? C. I. Scofield, Rightly Dividing The Word Chapter 9 SALVATION AND REWARDS The New Testament Scriptures contain a doctrine of salvation for sinners who are lost and a doctrine of rewards for the faithful services of those who are saved. And it is of great importance to the right understanding of the Word that the student should clearly make the distinction between these. What that distinction is may be seen by carefully noting the following contrasts. SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to thee, Give me to drink; thou would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water" (John 4:10). "Ho, every one that thirsts, come to the waters, and he that hath no money; come, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (Isa. 55:1). "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). But in contrast with the freeness of salvation, note that those works that are pleasing to God shall be rewarded. WORKS PLEASING TO GOD SHALL BE REWARDED "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matt. 10:42). "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4:7-8). "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12). "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do

7 it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (I Cor 9:24-25). 'And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities" (Luke 19:17). "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which Is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall he made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (I Cor. 3:11-15). "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2: 10). Not receive life-the suffering saints in Smyrna had life, eternal life, and were suffering for righteousness' sake-but a crown of life they should receive. Crowns are symbols of rewards, of distinctions earned. It may be remarked that four crowns are mentioned: that of joy, or rejoicing, the reward of ministry (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19); of righteousness, the reward of faithfulness in testimony (2 Tim. 4:8); of life, the reward of faithfulness under trial (James 1: 12; Rev. 2: 10); of glory, the reward of faithfulness under suffering (I Pet. 5:4; Heb. 2:9). SALVATION IS A PRESENT POSSESSION "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). "Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace" (2 Tim. 1:9). "And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke 7:50). "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son" (I John 5: 11). But these rewards are to be given at a future time.

8 REWARDS ARE BESTOWED IN THE FUTURE "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works" (Matt. 16:27). "For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:14). "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12). "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (I Pet. 5:4). "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day" (2 Tim. 4:8). "After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them" (Matt. 25:19). God's purpose in promising to reward with heavenly and eternal honors the faithful service of His saints is to win them from the pursuit of earthly riches and pleasures, to sustain them in the fires of persecution, and to encourage them in the exercise of Christian virtues. "Finally, let us heed the warning" (Rev. 3: 11). (See Dan. 12:3; Matt. 5:11-12; Matt. 10:41-42; Luke 12:35-37; Luke 14:12, 14; John 4:35-36; Col. 3:22-24; 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 6: 10; Heb. 11:8-10, 24-27; Heb. 12:2-3.)

9 Bema Seat Judgment Of Believers Destruction Of Heavens And Earth Pentecost to Rapture Raptu Christ s Second Coming 7 Yr. Tribulation Great White Throne Judgment Church Age 1,000 yr. Reign of Peace Millennial Kingdom Into Eternity New Heavens New Earth New Jerusalem Acts 2: Thess 4:13-18 Dan 9:24-27 Rev 19 Rev 20; Isa 11 Rev 20:1-15 Rev Cor 12:13 1 Thess 5:1-9 Rev 4-19 Matt 24 Dan 7: Peter 3:10-13 Eph 4: Cor 3:11-15 Matt 24 Gen 12:1-3