Are You Ready For The Rapture?

By Donnie L. Martin
Bible Book: 1 Thessalonians  4 : 13-18
Subject: Rapture; Return of Christ; Second Coming of Jesus
Introduction
Though the word "rapture" is often used in theological discussions, it is never used in the Bible.
This does not mean however, that it is an unscriptural term, or that it should not be used. In verse
seventeen of our text we find the words "caught up," which mean "to snatch or catch away" (W.E.
Vine, Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, Vol. I, published by Fleming H. Revell
Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey; pg. 174). This is essentially the idea found in the Latin word
"RAPTO," from which we get our English word "rapture." The Latin word meant "to seize, to carry
off" (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Ready, published by Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 89).

The Rapture may be a rather mysterious or vague event to many people. However, the
Scriptures conclusively points out the certainty of this event and those that follow it. Though we
are not told the exact time of the Rapture, we do know that it is the next great event on the
eschatological agenda. As certainly as you are sitting here this morning, the events which I have
just read to you in First Thessalonians 4: 13-18 will take place.

My question and concern this morning however, is not the certainty of the Rapture, but, "Are you
ready for the Rapture?" Saint and sinner alike must address this question. I want to discuss
some  reasons why everyone needs to seriously consider this question today.

Theme: You must be ready for the Rapture because of:

I. THE SUDDENNESS OF THE RAPTURE

It Will Happen Without Signs

1. It Will Be Without Warning

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-2, "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write
unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night."

"The Day of the Lord" begins immediately at the Rapture of the Church. This term is used to refer
to that period of time beginning after the Rapture of the Church and ending with the creation of
the new heavens and new earth after the Millennial Kingdom. It's occurrence cannot be
specifically fixed due to the fact that it follows the Rapture, which also cannot be specifically fixed
as to its time of occurrence.

2. The Signs Of Matthew 24 Are Often Applied Wrongly

The appearance of false Christs (Matthew 24: 4-5).

Wars and rumors of wars (Matthew .24: 6).
Famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in diverse places (Matthew 24: 7).
The gospel of the kingdom must be preached to all the world (Matthew 24: 14).
The budding of the fig tree (Matthew 24: 32).
The sign of the days of Noah (Matthew 24: 37-41).
If you will carefully read Matthew 24: 3-35, you will find it describes the conditions during the
Tribulation period. Matthew 24: 36-51 speaks of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

The gospel of Matthew was written primarily to the Jews that they might understand that Jesus
Christ was their promised Messiah and coming King. All of the signs mentioned in Matthew 24
were given so the Jews would know when Messiah's kingdom was about to be set up.

There are no signs given in scripture concerning the Rapture of the Church. We are merely told
to watch and wait for Jesus.

Hebrews 9: 28b "...and unto them that look for him shall he (Jesus) appear the second time
without sin unto salvation."

1 Thessalonians 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."

B. It Will Happen Speedily

1 Corinthians 15: 51-52, "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed. (52) 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."

Jesus could come today. He could come before I finish this message. But the question is, "Are
you ready for the Rapture?"

Rapture will take place quickly and unexpectedly. We need to be ready. There's a man in yonder
glory I have loved for many years,

He has cleared my guilty conscience and has banished all my fears.

He is coming in a moment in the twinkling of an eye,  And no time will be allotted for you to utter
one good-bye. No time to kiss the husband or embrace the loving wife, If they are but united in
the bonds of holy life.

Are you ready, Christian, ready, for shout and trump and voice?

Will His coming make you tremble or cause you to rejoice?

Are you walking, talking with Him daily, taking Him your care,Do you live so close to heaven that
a breath would waft you there?

Quoted in Fairest of All, Herbert Lockyer, Eerdmans, 1936, p. 71.

II. THE SUBJECTS OF THE RAPTURE

1. The Believers In Christ Will Be Raptured

Thessalonians 4: 15-17, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) 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: (17) 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."
Note: Only believers, those who have given their hearts to Christ by faith, will be raptured. Here's
what I'm talking about:

Saving faith may thus be defined as a voluntary turning from all hope and grounds based on self
merit, and assuming an attitude of expectancy toward God, trusting Him to do a perfect saving
work based only on the merit of Christ.

L.S. Chafer, True Evangelism, p. 55-6.

B. The Bride Of Christ Will Be Raptured

1. Paul Likened The Church At Corinth To A Virgin Engaged To Her Lord

Corinthians 11: 2, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one
husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."

2. The Church Will Enjoy The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb

Revelation 19: 7, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb
is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."

Note: In Ephesians 5, Paul illustrates the relationship between Christ and the Church with the
marital relationship between a husband and his wife.

The book of Revelation places the Marriage of the Lamb between the Judgment Seat of Christ
and the Millennial Kingdom.

3. The Church Will Not Go Through The Tribulation's Languishing

Thessalonians 5: 9, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord
Jesus Christ."

Revelation 3: 10, "Because thou (church at Philadelphia) 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."