THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

  1. Intro.
    1. this passage of Scripture tells us of a glorious future event for the believer
      1. this prophetic passage tells of the hope of all Christians
      2. this passage reveals the blessed hope of Christ return
    2. we refer to this event as the rapture
      1. the word rapture is not found in the NT
      2. the doctrine is clearly set forth in God’s Word
      3. the word "rapture" means to be snatched away
    3. the rapture speaks of the second coming of Christ
      1. it is as literal and definite as His first coming
      2. God’s saints have had a difficult past (hated, persecuted), but we have a glorious future
      3. God has not forgotten His people
      4. the world may scoff and ridicule the Christian, but God will avenge His saint in due time
    4. notice the positive statement that is made [shall descend – 16]
  2. the rapture will be instantaneous – I Corinthians 15:51-52
    1. the rapture will be a stunning and shocking experience for many people
      1. the unbeliever
      2. religious people, church goers, bench warmers
    2. the rapture will be the beginning of a spiritual dark age for those remaining on earth
    3. the rapture will be the beginning of a new and glorious day for those "in Christ"
    4. the rapture will be the beginning of the end for Satan and his followers
    5. things that will take place in the life of the believer at the rapture
      1. "we shall be changed"
        1. all our faults and weaknesses will vanish away
        2. we will be transformed into a wonderful, flawless, and majestic saint in heaven
        3. we will be made into His likeness – I John 3:2
      2. "this corruptible must put on incorruption" – I Corinthians 15:53
        1. every saint will receive a glorified body of extreme perfection
        2. the flesh will no longer have dominion over us
        3. the temptation to sin will vanish away
        4. we will enter into a place were Christ will truly be the Lord of our life
        5. disease will be unknown
        6. we will no longer grow tired or old
      3. "death is swallowed up in victory"
        1. after the rapture there will be no more death for the saints of God
        2. no more tears will be shed for departed loved ones
    6. Christ will come when we least expect it – I Thessalonians 5:2, 9-10
      1. a thief comes unexpectedly, so will Christ
      2. a thief come usually at night, so will Christ
        1. the clouds of doubt and unbelief indicate that night is near
        2. Jesus said, "the night cometh when no man can work"
      3. when Jesus takes His saints out of this world it will be as a thief in the night
  3. the rapture will be selective – I Thessalonians 4:16-17
    1. only those in Christ will be caught up into the clouds
      1. nobody knows the number of people that will be
      2. Jesus never encouraged us to believe that everyone would go
        1. Matthew 7:14 -- few find the way of life
        2. Matthew 24:36-39 -- only eight saved out of the millions who lived on the earth
        3. Luke 18:8 – will faith be found on earth when Jesus comes
      3. it is wishful thinking to believe that God will take everyone who has ever made the slightest profession of religion
      4. "the average person would feel so out of place with the true saints of God in glory, that it would be "hell" for them in heaven"
    2. the rapture is strictly and only for those "in Christ"
      1. the rapture will affect every segment of society
      2. the carnal church member, and the worldly preachers will be delighted
      3. for awhile there will be rejoicing
        1. those narrow-minded and fanatical people are missing
        2. no more prayer meetings or evangelistic efforts
        3. all religious restraint will be removed
    3. in due time the world will realize the terrible fact that Christ has come back, and taken His own away
      1. home will be broken and shattered
      2. immorality will increase
      3. bitterness in the heart of man will abound toward God and man
      4. the spirit of antichrist will prevail in the souls of men – I Thessalonians 2:7
    4. the Christian after the rapture
      1. once he was looked down upon, but now he is looked up to
      2. once he suffered in this world, but now he sees the world suffering
      3. all because Jesus came a second time, just as He promised – John 14:1-3
  4. the rapture will be the beginning of the saints reward
    1. the Christian’s reward is not in this life
      1. we are pilgrims and strangers in this land – Hebrews 11:13
      2. we are promised nothing but ridicule, hatred, and misunderstanding by the people of this world
      3. Jesus said, "if they hated me, they will hate you"
    2. when Jesus comes for His own, He will give reward to them for faithfulness and service – Rev. 22:12
      1. the reward for overcoming temptation – James 1:12 (we overcome because we love Him)
      2. the pastor’s reward – I Peter 5:4
      3. the soul winners reward – I Thessalonians 2:19
      4. a reward for those that love the thought of Christ coming again – II Timothy 4:8
      5. a reward for excellence in service – I Corinthians 9:25
      6. the martyrs reward – Revelation 2:10