THE BLESSED HOPE OF THE BELIEVER

SERIES: THE END TIMES.

TEXT: I CORINTHIAN 15:51-57,1THESSALONIANS 4:13-17

During these days of corona virus, (Covid-19 pandemic) many people in the world have talked about the end times .The Bible speaks very clearly of the events of the end times. These verses that we have read this morning give us a little insight into a future event known as “The Rapture”. The word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible, However, the Event is real and described in the Bible. We get the word “Rapture” from the Latin translation of the Greek word arpazw (Harpazo). It means, “Caught up”. The rapture is that future event when the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will return in the clouds above this very earth and will catch away all the saved people of this world. This time is known in the Bible as “The Blessed Hope of the Believer” Titus 2:13. This future event will be the focus of our message this morning. While the Bible talks very clearly about rapture, the book of Revelation 4:1-2, the Bible tells us that John the revelator tells us about the trumpets that will herald the rapture. In the Bible times, trumpets were used for four specific purposes:-

1. To proclaim victory.
2. To call an assembly.
3. To announce a warning.
4. To call the troops to battle.

The trumpets fit with the idea of the rapture because all the four of these events will take place when the rapture takes place.

1. Victory over the world will be announced by the church.
2. The saints will be called to assemble themselves in the presence of the Lord.
3. The trumpets will announce a warning of judgement to the world.
4. The Angelic troops will be summoned to the battle.

When the trumpets sounds, all those who are saved by grace will be leaving this world when the trumpet fades. Let us learn:-

I.  OUR LORD WILL HAVE RETURNED (I THESSALONIAN 4:17

1. In fulfillment of His promise.

• Before our Lord went to the cross, He promised His disciples that He would return for them one day. (JOHN 14:1-3).
• He reaffirmed this promise to Apostle John in (Revelations 22:20).
• When Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven angelic messengers assured the Apostles of the Lords Impending return. (ACTS 1:9-14).
• This same Jesus, shall so come in like manner
• Jesus ascended to heaven bodily, He shall come again bodily and every eye shall see Him.

1. In fulfillment of His purpose

• While the Lord was making His promise to return someday, He also started His purpose (John 14:3)
• The Lord’s desire to receive His bride unto Himself (Ephesians 5:25-27)
• Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us from our sins.
• He died on the cross to purchase His bride, the church. He wants to be with her in His heavenly home forever and ever.

II.  ALL DEPARTED SAINTS WILL HAVE BEEN RESURRECTED (I THESSALONIANS 4:13-10, I COR.15:52)

1. Their present condition: I Thess. 4:13- Tell us that those saints who have departed (died) are “Asleep” this does not refer to “ soul sleep” it refers to the fact that their bodies are asleep.

• When a saint of God leaves this world, they are immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord in Heaven (II Cor.5:8, Phil 1:23)
• Presently, all those who left this world in a saved condition are in presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• They are in a place free from the cares pains and burdens of this world (Revelation 21:27)

1. Their promised completion (I Cor. 15:52)

• The departed saints will be raised “incorruptible”
• They will be changed, when, they left their bodies were destined for the ground from which they came.
• When Christ returns, He will bring their Spirits back with Him, He will raise their bodies and glorify them.
• He will then place the Spirits back into those newly glorified bodies!!
• Our Lord shouted in Bethany and Lazarus lived! (John 11:43-44)
• Our Lord shouted at Calvary and some rose from their graves (Matt.27:50-52)
• Our Lord shall shout from the clouds and all the departed saints will live (I Thess.4:16)
• There is power in the creative word of our Lord.

III.  ALL LIVING SAINTS WILL HAVE BEEN RAPTURED (I THESS 4:17, I COR.15:51-52)

1. The true church will leave instantaneously (I Cor.15:52) – The word “Moment” speaks of indivisible point in time. A span of time so short that there is none shorter”

• Twinkling of an eye”- The blink of an eye is 1/30^th of a second. 1000^th of a second.
• Paul in I Thess.4:17 call it “Caught up” to snatch away, to seize with force, to claim for oneself.
• There will be no fore warming, no announcements on TV, Radio, papers, pulpit, and no breaking news.
• Absolutely, there will be no time to get saved or repent. We must be ready (Matt.24:44)
• If Jesus Christ comes right now, are you ready to meet Him?

1. The true church will leave intact (I Cor.15:51)

• Paul tells us that “All” will be changed, every born again believer will have a part in the rapture of the church.
• All the saints will go together, no first, second and third class citizens in the kingdom of God!
• Saved is Saved and lost is lost. All saved will go; all lost will be left behind.

IV.  ALL SAINTS WILL HAVE BEEN RECONSTRUCTED (I COR.15:52-57)

1. Changed physically- At the moment of the Rapture, all the saints will experience a radical change.

• These mortal bodies will be changed to immortal ones.
• These perishable bodies will be changed to imperishable bodies.
• We will get new immortal bodies which cannot experience death, decay or disease, no coronavirus.
• We will get new immortal bodies which will shine with brilliance of 10000 suns, what a day that will be!! Hallelujah, Maranatha, even so come Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Changed permanently, perfectly.

• When this change comes, it will remake us into the image of our Lord (I John 3:2)
• Our new bodies will not be bound by time and space (John 20:19).
• Our new bodies can enjoy food and fellowship (Luke 24:36-43)
• Our new bodies can never die (Heb. 7:25)
• Our new bodies will shine with heavenly brilliance (Rev.21:23, Matt 17:2)

V.  ALL SAINTS WILL BE ENJOYING A REUNION (I THES. 4:17)

1. With our loved ones “together with them in the clouds”

• All the children of God and all time will be together forever in heaven.

1. With our Lord

• As great as our reunion with saved loved ones will be, it will be eclipsed by another reunion “so shall we ever be with the Lord”
• We will see the one who died for us on the cross- The Lord Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION

• All these events will take place before the trumpet sound fades away!!
• Are you ready for that event? Have you been washed in the blood of the lamb?
• Are you saved? If not I beg you to come to Jesus now.
• Jesus Christ is coming, don’t be caught unprepared!!