Basic Biblical Beliefs Series: Listening for the Trumpet 2017: The Reflection Year Series

Transcription

1 Basic Biblical Beliefs Series: Listening for the Trumpet 2017: The Reflection Year Series Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4: (NIV) 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the 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. 17 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. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. Subject Question: In light of Paul s teaching concerning the certain return of the Lord, what three facts should spur each and every Christian to be about the business of laboring for the Lost? Compliment answer: There Will Be a Return (Vs.13-14), There Will Be a Rapture (Vs.15-16), and There Will Be a Reunion (Vs.17-18). Big Idea: In light of Paul s teaching concerning the certain return of the Lord, the three facts should that spur each and e very Christian to be about the business of laboring for the Lost are There Will Be a Return (Vs.13-14), There Will Be a Rapture (Vs.15-16), and There Will Be a Reunion (Vs.17-18). Homiletical Idea: I see God s Plan Purpose: I want the congregation to hear and discern the good but troubling news of Christ s promised second coming so that we all might be about, desperately about, sharing the Gospel with as many as we can. Ground Work:

2 Question: "What is the end times timeline?" Answer: Got Questions Ministries takes a pretribulation approach to eschatology. From that perspective, here is the order of end-times events that the Bible reveals: 1. The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to snatch away all those who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 15:52). At this same time, the dead in Christ will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too. From our perspective today, this is the next event in the eschatological timeline. The rapture is imminent; no other biblical prophecy needs to be fulfilled before the rapture happens. 2. The rise of the Antichrist. After the church is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7 8), a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20). 3. The tribulation. A period of seven years in which God s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6 16). The Antichrist s rise to power is associated with this time period. During the tribulation on earth, the Church will be in heaven. It is thought that at this time the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6 10). 4. The Battle of Gog and Magog. In the first part of the tribulation, a great army from the north, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel and is defeated by God s supernatural intervention (Ezekiel 38 39). (Some commentators place this battle just before the start of the tribulation.) 5. The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17).

3 6. The Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus returns with the armies of heaven (Mark 14:62). He saves Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11 21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). 7. The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31 46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell. 8. The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1 3). 9. The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60 62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40 48). 10. The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7 10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear. 11. The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11 15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire. 12. The new creation. God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. It is at this time that God wipes away all tears and there will be no more pain, death, or sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him (Revelation 21 22).

4 Two Judgements Charles Stanley What is the difference between the judgment seat of Christ and the white throne of judgment? One will evaluate the actions of every believer for the purpose of rewards; the other assesses the lives of all unbelievers. Let s examine a few scriptural passages regarding these two end-time judgments. A. The Judgment Seat of Christ Scripture is clear that entrance into eternal life is already settled for those who have placed their trust in Jesus (John 3:16). However, at the judgment seat of Christ, He will determine the degree of eternal rewards believers deserve, based on their deeds. No verse specifies when we will stand before the Lord. But Dr. Stanley believes this judgment will take place either after our death or following the rapture of believers, whichever comes first. We know that we will appear with Christ in our glorified bodies at the second coming (Rev. 19:14), which means we will face judgment before that time. (Jesus return to earth as a conquering king marks the end of tribulation and the beginning of His thousand-year reign.) 2 Corinthians 5:10 reads: (For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.) Imagine facing the Lord to give an account of your life. What do you expect this will be like? In light of the judgment seat of Christ, what renewed perspective do you have on your worries, goals, and frustrations? Describe the result of the evaluation, according to verse 10. Romans 14:10-12 reads:. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God s judgment seat. 11 It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. [12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. (Both verses are directed only toward believers What point does Paul make about how the coming judgment should affect our interactions with fellow believers (v. 10)? How could you apply this truth to a difficult relationship?

5 Read 1 Corinthians 3: In this passage, Paul compares the walk of faith to the construction of a home, and he describes the basis on which our lives will be judged. Think about the negative qualities of wood, hay, and straw as building materials. Why might Paul have chosen them to represent worthless deeds and sinful actions? Why are gold, silver, and precious stones good metaphors for worthy deeds? What will believers receive if their works were righteous and useful to God s kingdom (1 Cor. 3:14)? What is the fate of a believer whose life was filled with worthless deeds or good works done with a selfish motive (1 Cor. 3:15)? What do you think this means? At this judgment, believers will not be condemned, though they may feel ashamed or remorseful over their foolish choices (Rom. 8:1; 1 John 2:2). B. The Great White Throne The second judgment involves unbelievers those who lived independently of the Lord. It takes place after the rapture, judgment seat of Christ, tribulation, millennial reign of Christ, and the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 20:4-11). It evaluates the deeds of those who never accepted Jesus offer of a new life in Him. Read Revelation 20: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. In verse 11, the throne is called great because it is important or elevated (Isa. 6:1). Its whiteness might symbolize righteousness and/or indicate that it is splendid or shining. What does Revelation mean by earth and heaven fled away (v. 11)? This figurative language conveys that when Jesus appears to judge the world, all mankind will see the awesomeness of the Lord. Everything else will appear to fade away in contrast. In what two ways are the lost evaluated (Rev. 20:13, 15)?

6 Notice how similar the apostle John s description is to the judgment in Daniel 7:9-10. This scene, which is reminiscent of a human courtroom, is composed of a judge, the accused, and a written document listing the transgressions of those waiting to be judged (Rev. 20:12). Throughout history, the deeds of billions have been recorded in heaven. What does that fact indicate about the awesomeness of our God? What words indicate that all strata of society will stand before this throne (v.12)? At the time of this revelation, Christians were cruelly persecuted for their faith. What purpose(s) might John have had for describing the punishment of non-believers? Matthew Henry s Commentary explains the unusual terminology of verse 13: The grave [or the earth] shall surrender the bodies of men, hell shall surrender the souls of the wicked, [and] the sea shall surrender the many who seemed to have been lost in it. The first death describes separation of the soul from the body until judgment. At the second death, from whom are the lost separated (v. 14)? The lake of fire is the place of eternal punishment commonly known as hell. What is the only way that people escape it (v. 15)? How can a person make sure that his or her name is recorded in the book of life (John 3:36)? Closing: God s Word clearly teaches that all people whether saved or not will stand before Jesus one day to be judged. Believers will answer for their deeds at the judgment seat of Christ, and the lost will face Him at the great white throne. Wise men and women will prepare for Jesus judgment by living in light of eternity. Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the gift of Your Son and for eternal life, which is available to anyone who will accept Your forgiveness. Empower us to share the hope we have, and help us honor You with our deeds and actions. On the day of judgment, may we hear You say, Well done, good and faithful servant. In Your Son s name we pray. Amen.

7 Premillennialism: Christ's Second coming before a literal one thousand-year period, known by some as a thousand-year Sabbath, is preceded by a gradual deterioration of human society and behavior, and the expansion of evil through an end time government or kingdom. This school of thought can be divided into three main interpretations: Dispensational, Midtribulation/Pre-wrath and Historic Premillennialism or Post-Tribulation viewpoint. Pre-tribulation Premillennialism or Dispensationalist View: The rapture of the church occurs just prior to the seven-year tribulation, where Christ returns for his saints to meet them in the air. This is followed by the tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist to world-rule, the return of Christ to the Mount of Olives, and Armageddon, resulting in a

8 literal 1000-year millennial reign of the Messiah, centered in restored Jerusalem. Pre-wrath/Mid-tribulation View: The rapture of the church occurs in the midst of the seven-year period. Mid-tribulation view holds that the rapture occurs halfway through; Pre-wrath holds that the rapture occurs sometime in the midst of the tribulation in the latter 3.5 years, but before God's wrath is poured out upon the nations. Historic Premillennialism or Post-Tribulation View: The rapture of the church (the body of true believers) happens after a period of great tribulation, with the church being caught up to meet Christ in the air and will accompany him to earth to share in his (literal or figurative) thousand year rule. Postmillennialism: Christ's Second coming is seen as occurring after the one-thousand years, which many in this school of thought believe is ushered in by the church. This view is also divided into two sub-schools of interpretation: Revivalist Postmillennialism: the millennium represents an unknown period of time marked by a gradual Christian revival, followed by widespread successful evangelism. After these efforts is the return of Christ foreseen. Reconstructionist Postmillennialism: the Church increases its influence through successful evangelism and expansion, finally establishing a theocratic kingdom of 1,000 years duration (literal or figurative) followed by the return of Christ. Amillennialism: Non-literal "thousand years" or long age between Christ's first and second comings; the millennial reign of Christ as pictured in the book of Revelation is viewed as Christ reigning at the right hand of the Father. Therefore, another name for it is "realized millennialism", because it emphasizes an inaugurated future in the first coming of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit in the Pentecost. It is the view held by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches as well as by a number of the older Protestant denominations, such as the Lutherans, Calvinists, and Anglicans. It can be hard to draw a fine line between Amillennialism and Revivalist Postmillennialism, as they agree on much and are both reluctant to make concrete predictions about the future based on Scriptural prophecy. Broadly, though, Amillennialism tends to believe society will, through growing rebellion,

9 continue to deteriorate, while Postmillennialism believes the influence of the Church on the world will increase, producing greater righteousness. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 4:13-18 Here is comfort for the relations and friends of those who die in the Lord. Grief for the death of friends is lawful; we may weep for our own loss, though it may be their gain. Christianity does not forbid, and grace does not do away, our natural affections. Yet we must not be excessive in our sorrows; this is too much like those who have no hope of a better life. Death is an unknown thing, and we know little about the state after death; yet the doctrines of the resurrection and the second coming of Christ, are a remedy against the fear of death, and undue sorrow for the death of our Christian friends; and of these doctrines we have full assurance. It will be some happiness that all the saints shall meet, and remain together for ever; but the principal happiness of heaven is to be with the Lord, to see him, live with him, and enjoy him forever. We should support one another in times sorrow; not deaden one another's spirits, or weaken one another's hands. And this may be done by the many lessons to be learned from the resurrection of the dead, and the second coming of Christ. What! comfort a man by telling him he is going to appear before the judgmentseat of God! Who can feel comfort from those words? That man alone with whose spirit the Spirit of God bears witness that his sins are blotted out, and the thoughts of whose heart are purified by the Holy Spirit, so that he can love God, and worthily magnify his name. We are not in a safe state unless it is thus with us, or we are desiring to be so. Introduction: As we enter the wondrous time of Advent, we look forward to celebrating the old, old story of a Savior that came to us, born of a Virgin, sought after by wise men, announced by angels from on high, and born in a stable in a far off land. Of Him it has been written: Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. It s a wondrous time, this season of Advent, this season called Christmas And yet, this time really is only the beginning of the Story. And O, it is a grand story,

10 a glorious story, a story that speaks of final things, the end of days, the culmination of the creation pageant that has been unfolding since the dawn of time and of the essence of life itself. It s the end of the Advent story that I want us to explore this morning. What does the Bible say about, not Christ s first coming, but His second? What can us as Christians expect to happen? And more, why should we as Believers be about the business of laboring for the Lost; compelling men and women boys and girls to come to Christ In our text today from 1 Thessalonians we will be looking at 3 sureties: 3 events that the scriptures teach us will certainly take place: There will Be a Return (Vs.13-14), There will Be a Rapture (Vs.15-16), and There will Be a Reunion (Vs.17-18). But before we explore them, I want to share with you the end of the Advent story according to the scriptures. It s a brief look at eschatology; the teaching concerning the end times. In the scriptures there will be 12 events that will unfold and following these two judgments that will take place. (See notes) (Advents are for Family) A. There will Be a Return (Vs.13-14). 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him B. Think of it. The first lesson our text teaches is is: All who have died in the Lord, will come with the Lord when he returns. Aunts, Uncles, Moms and Dads, grandparents and great grandparents, people we fondly remember and those who passed long before we could know who they were and how they lived. They ll be there. They ll all be there. O to see their faces again! C. The real question is, what about you? No one knows the day or the hour of Christ s return but it s a certainty, He is going to return. Are you ready? Have you settled the issue of issues that most want to ignore but none can escape? Have you accepted His offer? Have you considered His claim not just the savior of the world, but your savior, your personal savior, who loved and loves you enough to have given His life so that you could be forgiven and assured a place in heaven? The greatest tragedy in life is not a failed business or a harsh divorce. It s not having to fight the battle of cancer or heart disease. It s not really even death.

11 D. The greatest of tragedies is to have simply put off God s invitation, God s calling, God s pull on your heart until tomorrow a tomorrow which we are never guaranteed, a tomorrow that indeed, may never come. There will be a return it s a certainty. (Advents are for Family) A. There will Be a Rapture (Vs.15-16). 15 According to the Lord s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the 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. B. The dead in Christ here are the bodies that we once possessed they will be changed in a twinkling of an eye, the moral must put on the immortal, our earthy dwelling will be changed to have an eternal body, free from sickness or disease, nor ever meant again to endure and to age, a body that will be like Christ s, eternal in function, perfect in appearance (PTL), not subject to the very presence of sin. We will finally be all that we ever dreamed we could be, all that we ever really secretly drooled to become. C. But, my concern this day isn t the dead in Christ as it is the living without Him. How heartbreaking to be so close, so familiar with the story and yet, so far away. How tragic to have heard the message and found that it was too late. D. In this life there are two realties that each person who has yet to come to Christ must deal with: first, you could pass into eternity on any given day and at given hour. Second, you could be in the midst of your pondering about whether to accept Christ and in that moment, the trumpet would sound, and Christ would come and all those chances you once had are gone your non choice has become your choice. O yes, There will Be a Return it s a certainty There will Be a Rapture it s a certainty. (Advents are for Family) A. There will Be a Reunion (Vs.17-18).. 17 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. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

12 B. Why labor for the Lost? Why be brash and outspoken at times? Why be pushy bold intent on your intent to tell those you love about Jesus? Why take the chance that your kids will think you odd: your coworkers count you bizarre, your friends consider you a fanatic. And don t get me wrong here, laboring for the lots is a shrewd business; we are after all to be as wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves. But keep in mind that somebody needs to explain the hope that is within you the hope of glory. Why are you religious grandma? Why do you go to church, grandpa? C. The truth, the awful truth of the matter and the bottom line is there is too much at stake too much to lose, too valuable of a commodity to, not share. Too many family and friends that need to know We are the bearers and proclaimers of Good News, not bad Gods favor, God s grace, God s goodness God s invitation to come, let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet, I will wash them white as snow. D. Both Advents in our story today, are family affairs, One, with Christ s coming as a babe to start a family; one, with Christ s coming as King of King and Lord of Lords, to end the adoption period who do you know that needs to hear to real story of Christmas, with its beginning, and its end?