Message from the Pastor

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Rejoicing in the Rapture
1 Thess. 4:13-18
Intro: There is much confusion about future events in regard to the Bible and the world. People talk of the “end of the world” with an air of Fear and Dread; some talk of a catastrophe that destroys us all in a moment; some have feared a “nuclear holocaust” where some madman pushes a button and blows the world to smithereens; some fear a catastrophe of nature- the explosion and disintegration of the sun and the universe as we know it. The world exploits these fears to sell books and movies about what they call the Apocalypse with the whole subject being surrounded by Fear and Dread. It’s interesting that Jesus said that in the last days of time men’s hearts would fail them because of Fear. I want to clarify something right here; for those of us who know and love the Lord Jesus, for those of us who have been saved and Are saved; this matter should not be the cause of dread for any Child of God! We should be Rejoicing in the Rapture! Rejoicing in the coming of the Lord for his people! Rejoicing in the Hope that we have that goes far beyond this life and this world.

I. The Rapture is a Positive Truth. Notice in verses 16,17 of text the use of the word Shall. Shall is the strongest positive word in the English language; even a small step up from will. - The Lord SHALL descend from Heaven. - The Dead in Christ Shall Rise first. - We which are alive and remain Shall be caught up - So Shall we ever be with the Lord. The Rapture is a Positive Truth!
     Positive in the sense that it will Positively Take Place. Jesus promised that he would come for his people; Angels promised it; John wrote of it; James wrote of it; Paul wrote of it; Peter wrote of it; Jude wrote of it. You and I can count on the fact that the Rapture SHALL take Place. Jesus Shall descend from heaven- the dead in Christ Shall rise from the dead- all living Christians Shall be caught up and shall forever be with the Lord.
     It seems in this passage that Paul may have John 14:1-3 in mind where Jesus told his disciples that he was going away to prepare a place for them- that if he went away he would come again and receive them unto himself- that where he was they would also be there. Jesus words, “I will come again” are matched by Paul’s words, “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven. The Lord’s promise that he would receive us unto himself is matched by Paul’s statement that we “shall be caught up together.” The Lord’s statement, “That where I am there ye may be also,” is matched by Paul’s statement, “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The Lord’s announcement, “Let not your heart’s be troubled..” is matched by Paul’s words, “Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.” POSITIVE TRUTH! Not only positive in the fact that it will positively take place; but also that it is a POSITIVE truth rather than a Negative one. It is a truth to inspire- not to dismay; to excite us- not to depress us; to cause rejoicing- not confusion, fear or dread. A Positive truth! What more positive truth could there be than the fact that after we have received Jesus Christ into our hearts, we then have the promise that he will receive us into Heaven?!! He Caught us up out of the Miry Clay of Sin and he will Catch us up out of this Sinful World.

II. The Rapture is a Personal Truth. This Truth is for ME! This truth is for YOU! It is for us personally- as individuals. Notice the use of personal pronouns in my text passage today: vs. 13- I, you, ye; vs. 14- we; vs. 15- we, you, we; vs. 17- we twice. This truth is for US! We are the ones involved here. At this point, it’s MY own Grandmas and Grandpas (Galiher and Mayberry) who will rise first; At this point it is my own Mom and Dad who will be caught up; It is I, Myself, and MY wife and MY girls who will be caught up. This is Personal! How about you? What personal connection does the truth of the Rapture have for you? Do you have personal members of your own family that will be among those to rise from the dead at the rapture? Do you have personal members of your family that will be among those who are caught up to be with the Lord in the Rapture? Will YOU are among those who will be caught up at the Rapture? This is personal truth!
     Do you consider the subject of the Rapture confusing? It doesn’t have to be. Stop worrying about so many of the details and rejoice in the Rapture! Stop fearing; stop dreading and Rejoice. This is our BLESSED HOPE! Blessed- Happy; Our Happy Hope! Are you rejoicing in the Rapture?
     I’m waiting in Expectation - I know that Jesus is coming in the clouds and it could happen today.      I’m waiting in Anticipation- To expect means that one assumes or supposes something is going to happen; to anticipate means that one looks forward to what is going to happen; waits for it with joy and longing I not only Expect that Jesus will come, I am anticipating his coming. Peter used these two phrases: Looking For and Hasting unto... We are not only to Look for His Coming but LONG for his coming.    
     I’m waiting with Preparation- Since I Expect Jesus to come; since I Anticipate his coming; I am making preparation for his coming. I took him as my Savior many years ago and I have tried to live for him ever since. I take his Word seriously: I read it; study it; and obey it. I take the Holy Ghost seriously: I believe in him; honor him; seek his constant infilling; follow his guidance; and try to live in his power. How about you? Are you Rejoicing in the Rapture?
  “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!”