The Rapture

1. December 03, 2012 The Rapture

2. Part 1 - Introduction

3. Opening Daniel: • No to food sacrificed to idols; oncei they won this, they overcame everything else. • Can you pray in public? Do people know you are saved at work? • Do you love your life unto death? His friends said, even if he doesn’t deliver us we will not bow... Jesus: • Passed 3 tests and devil left for a season (devil is never far away, in fact the boundary of light is darkness) • Jesus persecuted for doing good each time, even for reading scripture • Even though Peter (get behind me Satan) • Even on the cross (if you are the son of God) this was the first temptation and also the last. • Jesus said “it is finished”: FINAL VICTORY! For us, our FINAL VICTORY comes when we die (sleep) or when we are raptured. Worship: When I get to heaven, I know who I will see I will see my darling Jesus, and shout Halleluiah, Amen! Shout Halleluyah! x3 Amen! . Prayer: • There is little time left because the table is almost full; help me to run faster (let your zeal consume me). • Encourage me Lord and please show me a glimpse of Heaven – Daniel, David, Paul, Stephen... • Prophecy: I will see you in Heaven IJN. Final Victory: Whatever you are going through, it is for a season. There is a final victory when all our sorrow will be over. To overcome Satan, we must first overcome ourselves e.g. temperate in ALL things (even sex that we not be enslaved to our spouses). If we win over ourselves, other victories are easier because the enemy keeps coming. We must be able to say the prince of this world found nothing in me.

4. Introduction Daniel 7:13: I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the cloudsof heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Acts 1:9 (Jesus Ascends to Heaven) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloudreceived Him out of their sight. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (The Comfort of Christ’s Coming) 13 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. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[a] 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 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. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the cloudsto meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. The rising of those who are still alive to join the resurrected dead is known as the Rapture. It is a simultaneous event that includes • the return of Jesus, • the Resurrection of the dead in Christ, • and the Rapture of we who are alive The Rapture will be a swift, sudden, forceful, and military in style, similar to a snatching by force.

5. Signs Examples Phillip: Acts 8:39 Now when they came up out of the water, the SpiritoftheLordcaught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. Paul: 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caughtuptothethirdheaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Revelation 12:5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caughtuptoGodandHisthrone. Elijah: 2 Kings 2:10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am takenfromyou, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” The coming of Christ will be instantaneous and worldwide Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. The coming of Christ will be visible to all Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The coming of Christ will be audible Matthew 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

6. Timing The Parable of the Fig Tree 32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it[d] is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only" (Matthew 24:36 - RSV) "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (Matthew 24:34, KJV) ONLY the Father in Heaven knows when this event will occur! Not even Jesus, the saints in Heaven or any man (Matthew 24:34-36). Signs (Parable of the fig tree): • The specific time frame that immediately precedes the rapture event can be known. • This time frame is often referred to as "the season"

7. Part 2: 5 Steps

8. 5 Steps Left Behind • Some will be “left behind” because they are not saved. The anti-Christ will be merciless. • There will be 7 horrible years of FIRE with the anti-Christ and no option of death • Strong men will cry like babies (worse than labour pangs) • The fire will refine all remaining impurities Questions: • Who will be left behind? • Will there be a second chance to be saved? • What is the difference between spots, blemishes and wrinkles? • Will you be ready when The Lord shall come? • There will be a catching away • There will be a catching upwards (not sideways) • Transfiguration • A Triumph • A Blessedness

9. Part 3: Conclusion

10. What must I do? • Be born again • Grow and bear fruit • Receive the Holy Spirit • Live Holy

11. 1) Be born again. John 4:24 (NKJV) 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 14:17 (guides into all truth) John 3:6-7 (NKJV) 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You MUST be born again.’ 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 (NKJV) 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Romans 3:23 (NKJV) 23 for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Hebrews 9:27-28 (NKJV) 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offeredonceto bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly waitfor Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

12. 2) Grow and bear fruit. 1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV) 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,[a] 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NKJV) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) 17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV) 18 praying alwayswith all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for allthe saints—

13. 3) Receive the Holy Spirit John 14:15-21 (NKJV) Jesus Promises Another Helper  15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with youand will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Indwelling of the Father and the Son 19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Acts 1:8 (NKJV) 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Luke 1:35 (NKJV) – Power for Possibilities 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

14. 4) Live Holy! Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 1 Corinthians 6:16-17 (NKJV) 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Peter 1:16 (NKJV)because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”[a] 2 Peter 3:10-14 - The Day of the Lord 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.[c] 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Hebrews 12:14Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Isaiah 59:1-2 (NKJV) - Separated from God (Luke 15:33 – Darkness and Jesus on the cross) 1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy,That it cannot hear.2 But your iniquities have separated youfrom your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you,So that He will not hear.

15. Prayer • Thank you, for speaking to me (he that hath an ear...) • Father, help me to finish well like Elijah, Enoch, Jesus, Steven, Paul, John… • Father, save my family (the rich man and Lazarus...) • Father, when I get to Heaven: • Let me see you • Let me serve you • Let me get a reward (works tested by fire…)