The Rapture of The Church

MARCH 5, 2024 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

LEARNING GOAL & INTRODUCTION

Learning Goals:

1. To understand what Rapture mean

2. To know that there are Rapture foreshadow in the Old Testament

3. To understand the difference between Rapture and 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul says, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who
have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. …For the Lord Himself will descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we…”—Paul includes himself— “…who are alive and remain shall be caught up…”—
there’s our word “harpodzo” or “raptured”— “…together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” Then Paul closes with, “Therefore comfort one another
with these words.”

Certainly! The concept of the Rapture is a Biblical belief that suggests believers in Christ will be taken up to
heaven before a period of tribulation on Earth. While interpretations may vary, here's a comprehensive Bible
study on the Rapture, presented chronologically with relevant Bible references:

1. Old Testament Foreshadowing:

a. Enoch's Translation:

Genesis 5:24 - "Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."

b. Elijah's Ascension:

2 Kings 2:11 - "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire
appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind."

2. New Testament Foundations:

a. Jesus' Promise of His Return:

John 14:1-3 - "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me... I am going to
prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with
me...". It is a promise that cannot fail.
b. Paul's Teachings:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - "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. 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." This is to say that no matter what we are passing through
victory is sure.

c. Imminent Return:

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a
flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." The doctrine of the rapture is described in 1 Corinthians
15 by Paul. And in verse 51, it is known as “a mystery.”

Question: Why is 1Cor.15:51 describe rapture as mystery? To what level should Christian hold and cherish
and eager to witness it?

d. The Timing of Rapture:

Matthew 24:36 - "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but
only the Father." Explain this and why we should not be deceived

3. Tribulation and Second Coming:

a. Tribulation Foretold:

Matthew 24:21 - "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until
now—and never to be equaled again."

b. The Second Coming:

Revelation 19:11-16 - "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is
called Faithful and True... The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in
fine linen, white and clean."

4. Comfort and Encouragement:

a. Encouragement for Believers:

1 Thessalonians 5:9 - "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord
Jesus Christ."

b. God's Faithfulness:

2 Timothy 2:13 - "If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."

Question: List out the various ways through which believers can comfort and encourage themselves in the
troubled world.

CONCLUSION
The concept of the Rapture is a source of hope for believers, assuring us of the promise of being with Christ
eternally. As Christian, we are looking for that great event — the Rapture, when we are going to see Christ. It
means He is going to take us to be with Himself — to that place He has prepared for us. Are you ready?