RAPTURE

END-TIME PREVIEWS
“Rapture”
Rev. 4:1-2 (NKJV)

Rev. 1:19

“Write the things which you have seen” (Ch. 1), “and the things which are” (Ch. 2-3), “and the things which will take place after this” (Ch. 4-22).

  1. What does the word “Rapture” mean? (1 Thess. 4:16-17)
    “caught up“, “to grab“, “to snatch“, “to carry off“

A. “Decent” (1 Thess. 4:16)(Acts 1:11)(Mt. 24:30)(1 Thess. 4:17)

B. “Description” (1 Thess. 4:16)(Mt. 24:31)(1 Cor. 15:52)

C. “Dead” (1 Thess. 4:16)

The Bible speaks of “Two Resurrections” (Jn. 5:28-29)

1. “Resurrection of life” (only Believers)

a. 1st Section (Mt. 27:51-53)(some saints resurrected w/Jesus)

b. 2nd Section (1 Thess. 4:16-17)(Rev. 4:1)(during the Rapture)

Paul says 2 things will happen at the Rapture:

1. “Dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Cor. 15:52-53)

2. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in
clouds…”

c. 3rd Section (Tribulation Saints)

2. “Resurrection of condemnation” (lost people, “Great White Throne of Judgement”)(Rev. 20:11-14)

D. “Departure” (Rev. 4:17)

1. Phillip (Acts 8:39)

2. Paul (2 Cor. 12:2)

 

2. When will the “Rapture” take place?

Pre-Tribulation / Mid-Tribulation / Post-Tribulation

Examples of N.T. saints who were expecting / anticipating the “Rapture” to happen in their lifetime:

– Jesus (Mt. 24:42, 44)(Mt. 25:13)

– Paul (Phil. 3:20)

– Author of Hebrews (Heb. 9:28)

– James (Jam. 5:8)

– Peter (1 Pet. 4:7)

– John (1 Jn. 2:18a)

 

Reasons I believe Rev. 4:1-2 is the “Rapture of the Church”

  • “Church is missing” (Rev. 4-19)
  • “Phrase” (“behold a door standing open in heaven”)(1 Thess. 4:16-17)
  • “Removal of the Holy Spirit” (Rev. 4:2, 2 Thess. 2:7)
  • “What Jesus said” (Rev. 3:10, 1 Thess. 5:9, 1 Thess. 1:10)

 

3. What are the results of “the Rapture?”

A. “Spectacular Event” (1 Cor. 15:51-54)

B. “Sudden Event” (Mt. 24:36-39)(1 Cor. 15:52)

C. “Separating Event” (Lk. 17:34-36)

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