October 12, 2014Pastor John C. Martin

Part 2 – Are You Ready?

I Thessalonians 5:1-4 New International Version

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

I Thessalonians 5:1-4 New International Version

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Matthew 24:36-44 New International Version

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about

Matthew 24:36-44 New International Version

what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Matthew 24:36-44 New International Version

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Five Key Questions

I. What is the rapture?

1. Definition of rapture

1. Definition of rapture

It comes from the Latin word “raptu” which means “caught away or caught

up”. The Latin word is equivalent to the Greek word “harpazo” which is found in

I Thessalonians 4:17.

2. It is the blessed hope.

Titus 2:13 New International Version

…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…

2. It is the blessed hope.

I. What is the rapture?

II. What will the rapture be like?

1. Christians will be caught up.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 New International Version

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. 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.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 New International Version

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. 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,

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 New International Version

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. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1. Christians will be caught up.

2. It will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

I Corinthians 15:51-52 New International Version

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. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

2. It will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

3. It will be devastating to those left behind.

Luke 17:34-35 New International Version

“I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”

3. It will be devastating to those left behind.

II. What will the rapture be like?

III. When will the rapture happen?

1. Only God the Father knows.

Matthew 24:36 New International Version

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…”

1. Only God the Father knows.

2. Imminent Return of Christ.

It could happen at any time!

Luke 12:35-40 New International Version

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell

Luke 12:35-40 New International Version

you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour

Luke 12:35-40 New International Version

the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

2. Imminent Return of Christ.

It could happen at any time!

3. Pre-Wrath rapture.

I Thessalonians 5:9 New International Version

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Pre-Wrath rapture.

I Thessalonians 1:9b-10 New International Version

They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

3. Pre-Wrath rapture.

Daniel 12:1 New International Version

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered…”

III. When will the rapture happen?

IV. What will happen after the rapture?

Answer: The Great Tribulation

1. It will be worldwide

(Revelation 3:10)

2. It will be the worst time of affliction ever in

human history

(Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21)

3. The Antichrist and the False Prophet will come

into power

(2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13 and 17)

4. There will be a mark of the beast - 666

(Revelation 13:16-18)

5. Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ will be saved

(Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 14:6-7)

IV. What will happen after the rapture?

V. What will end the great tribulation?

Answer: The Second Coming of Christ

Revelation 19:11-16 New International Version

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in

Revelation 19:11-16 New International Version

blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury

Revelation 19:11-16 New International Version

of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

V. What will end the great tribulation?

Conclusion: Are you ready?

October 12, 2014Pastor John C. Martin

Part 2 – Are You Ready?