Selected Scriptures Memory Verse: 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:17, NIV Background: The rapture is a promise for the Church alone the body of believers in Jesus Christ. Although the word rapture in not found in our English Bible, the doctrine of the Rapture is clearly present. The apostle Paul repeatedly spoke to others about this blessed hope. Reflection: How does the thought that Jesus could call us to heaven at any moment make you feel? The Rapture The Rapture is the imminent return of Christ in the air for His church, when the dead in Christ will be resurrected and believers who are alive at His coming will simultaneously be caught up [Greek harpazo to snatch or catch away; Latin rapturo (source of English word rapture)] together with them to meet the Lord in the air, will receive their new bodies (translated), ascend into heaven with Christ for the Bema seat judgment and Marriage of the Lamb. This term is also used to describe the Spirit catching up Philip and physically transporting him (Acts 8:39), to describe Paul being caught up into the third heaven or paradise (2 Corinthians 12:2 4), and to describe the male child being caught up to God and to His throne in the vision in Revelation 12:5. Contrasts between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ Rapture Christ meets saints in the air (clouds) Living saints are translated Saints go to heaven Imminent Context of joy and comfort Christ comes for His bride Deliverance before wrath Described only in New Testament Concerns the saved Satan is not bound Will occur in a split second of time No unfulfilled prophecy remains Second Coming Christ meets saints on the earth No translation mentioned Saints remain on earth Preceded by signs Context of wrath and tribulation Christ comes with His bride Deliverance following wrath Described in both Old and New Testaments Concerns both saved and unsaved Satan is bound and confined in the abyss Will be visible to all Numerous signs yet to be fulfilled Evidence supporting a Pre-Tribulation Rapture [Rapture occurs before the Tribulation] includes: The primary purpose of the Tribulation is to refine Israel (Deuteronomy 4:29 30; Jeremiah 30:4 11) The Church is not mentioned in any Old or New Testament text describing the Tribulation (Daniel 8 12; Matthew 24; 1 Thessalonians 5; Revelation 6 18) The Rapture of the Church is not mentioned in any Second Coming passage The Church is not destined for wrath (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 10; 5:9) The Church is not mentioned in the Day of the Lord texts (1 Thessalonians 5:1 9) The Church is to be kept from that hour of testing (Revelation 3:10) continued on next page... 39
We cannot know the exact date of Christ s return at the Rapture (Matthew 24:23 36, 42). However, the Rapture is imminent and could occur at any time (John 14:1 3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 17). Prophecy was sealed until the time of the end when the wise (enlightened by the Holy Spirit) shall understand (Daniel 12:4, 9 10), and when Christ was asked What will be the sign of Your coming? by His disciples, He answered them (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21), providing insights into the character of the times preceding the Tribulation. We have more reason to believe Christ s return is near than has any other previous generation so comfort one another and look for the blessed hope of His appearing (1 Thessalonians 4:18; Titus 2:13)! * Maranatha (Lord come quickly)! Perhaps today! Are you ready? Daniel 9:24 27 Prophetic Panorama of the Period between Christ s Advents 69 weeks Temple one week Millennial 483 years Destroyed seven years Kingdom Olivet Apostle Temple General Birth Tribulation Christ s Discourse Experiences Destroyed Signs Pangs 1 st Half 2 nd Half Second Coming Matthew 24 4 6 7 8 9 14 15 28 29 31 Mark 13 9 13 5 7 8 14 23 24 27 Luke 21 12 19 20 24 8 9 10 11 25 28 Revelation Millennial Tribulation Kingdom and Church Age 4 5 Eternity Future 1 3 6 18 19 20 22 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18 chart prepared by Laurna Berg 40
day one Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13 17. 1. The Rapture is when Jesus will appear in the clouds to take His bride, the body of believers, to heaven. Paul described this event in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 17 and 1 Corinthians 15:50 58. Describe what will take place in your own words. 2. Read Romans 5:9. Why is Jesus coming for His Church? 3. Who will take part in the Rapture? When do you think the Rapture will happen? 4. What new insights on the Rapture did you gain from the word box at the beginning of this lesson? 5. Sharing: How does the thought of the Rapture encourage and/or challenge you? Memory Verse: Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10, NASB 41
day two Preparation Matthew 24:44 says Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 1. What do you think it means to be ready? 2. Read Luke 17:26 27 and Genesis 6:5. Describe what the days of Noah were like. Keep in mind Noah was preaching to others to repent for 120 years. 3. How does today s culture remind you of the days of Noah? 4. Additional insight about the culture in the end times is given in 2 Timothy 3:1 5. What are these characteristics? How do these describe the world today? 5. The Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are two separate events. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18 and Revelation 19:11 16. Describe the ways that these two events differ. Memory Verse: Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10, NASB 42
day three Selected Scriptures Jesus Himself scolded religious leaders because they could not discern the signs of the times. We can know the season we are in simply by recognizing the signs of today. The signs are increasing in frequency, and for the first time in history, all are happening simultaneously. 1. The Bible mentions several signs that will be evident as we near the return of Jesus. Describe the signs in the chart below that we are to watch for. Types of Signs Reference Description Signs in Nature Matthew 24:7 Mark 13:8 Luke 21:11 Signs in Culture 2 Timothy 3:2 4 Romans 1:29 31 Signs Spiritually 2 Timothy 3:5 2 Timothy 4:1 4 Matthew 24:5 Matthew 24:9 Signs Politically Matthew 24:6 7 Matthew 24:12 2. Sharing: In Matthew we are told that these signs are like birth pangs, increasing in intensity and timing. How have you noticed an increase in each of these types of signs in your lifetime? 3. The Bible says that in the last days there will be scoffers who mock the return of the Lord (2 Peter 3:3 4). List examples of how this is true today. 4. Sharing: Have you personally experienced people doubting that Jesus will return? Would you consider yourself to be a scoffer? Why or why not? Memory Verse: Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10, NASB 43
days four and five Selected Scriptures 1. There are several examples of catching up found in the Bible. Read the following verses and record the details. Enoch (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5) Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) Isaiah (Isaiah 6) Philip (Acts 8:39 40) Paul (2 Corinthians 12:1 6) John (Revelation 4:1 2) Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:11 12) Digging Deeper: The state of Israel was re-established on May 14, 1948. The chart below is an overview of fulfilled prophecies regarding Israel. In light of prophecy and the age we are in, what are some practical ways you can witness to Jewish people? 44
Prophecy Reference Status Jews would be re-gathered from all over the world Isaiah 11:10 12 Began coming to pass during WWI Israel reborn as a state Isaiah 66:7 8 Happened May 14, 1948 after WWII The land would go from desolate to abundance Ezekiel 36:35 Began after Israel was re-established Jerusalem would be controlled by the Jews Luke 21:24 Happened June 1967 after the Six Day War Jerusalem would be a burdensome stone Zechariah 12:3 Core issue in Middle East peace talks Hebrew language Zephaniah 3:9 Only example of a dead language coming back into use Mighty in power Zechariah 12:6 For a country roughly the size of New Jersey, it s now one of the mightiest militaries in the entire world 2. Paul says that those who look for Jesus to appear will earn the Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7 8). List all the ways you can think of that we can live our lives expecting Jesus? 3. Sharing: Describe some ways you are living your life that demonstrate you are expecting Jesus. 4. Paul referred to the Rapture as our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). How is this true for believers? 5. After describing the Rapture, Paul closed his description by encouraging believers to comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). How does this encourage and comfort believers? personal response to God The Rapture is an event that is imminent, in other words, there is no prophecy that needs to be fulfilled first in order for it to happen. In your very next breath, you could be in Heaven. How exciting is that? As Luke 21:28 says, But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near! Take some time to reflect about how this perspective enables us to live in anticipation of Christ s return. Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus. 45