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Why is the Rapture So Important?
Text:
1 Corinthians 15:1-6, 50-58
1 Corinthians
15:1-6, 50-58
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
(SKIP OVER TO )
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. [1]
Introduction:
The Bible is important because of what we are told in it. The facts – Jesus was born exactly where God said HE would be, HE lived a perfect life, HE was crucified, as God said HE would be, HE died and was buried; and was resurrected like HE said HE would be. HE IS COMING AGAIN – back to this earth to catch the church away and THEN HE shall return to this earth setting up HIS kingdom.
Paul tells us what many believe to be the “gospel” in a nutshell (1
In order for us to get to the place HE is – the Rapture has got to happen, IT IS IMPORTANT! AGAIN – HE promised it would happen and it will
John 14:1-4
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. [2]
Many today are focusing on the Rapture of the Church and are saying there are all types of signs that have to happen before the Rapture takes place – NOT SO. All that is yet left unfulfilled concerns itself with the Tribulation Period, which follows the Rapture of the church for the duration of seven years. But new emphasis is placed on the Rapture, personally I feel that it is because of the “heart feeling” that it cannot be much longer before the LORD comes to catch us away.
I.
The Rapture Will Bring Resurrection.
1 Corinthians
15:51-52
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [3]
A.
Who is
affected!
i. Christ. (15:12-20)
ii. Church. (15:20-23
iii. Comfort. (I Thes. 4:18)
B.
When
they are affected
i. Dead in Christ will rise first.
ii. Those who are alive are next.
C.
What is
affected!
- Our peace of mind; just walk into the graveyard and remember the coming Rapture.
- Our comfort of life; just remembering HIS promises of resurrection.
II.
The Rapture Will Bring Recovery.
NOTE: “…we shall all be changed…”
A.
The
Living believers will be caught up in a moment.
** At our being caught up – there shall also be a change affected. We shall be like HIM.
B.
What was
lost by Adam and Eve in the Garden shall be regained.
- Talk about the perfect body – we’ll have it then
- Talk about all pain being ended – it will be
- Talk about perfect knowledge – we’ll have it for sure
- Talk about the end of all sickness / sorrow and death or disease – THEY’RE DONE
C.
All
creation is waiting to be revealed on that wonderful day.
** Bible says the creation groans under the curse of the fall.
Romans 8:21-23
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption i
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [4]
** But once all this has happened – we who belong to God will sing Praises to HIM and helping us will be creation itself.
I.
The Rapture Will Bring Resurrection.
II.
The Rapture Will Bring Recovery.
III.
The Rapture Will Bring
A.
A
reunion of all those who have gone ahead of us.
** Every loved one who has passed away and went to Heaven – We’ll see them again.
** Many have been gone for more years than we care to remember – but once our eyes meet theirs, the matter of time won’t matter.
- All of the lonely hours will seem as nothing
- All of the meals of eating alone will be replaced by sitting around the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
B.
The
rewards to all will be given by the LORD.
- Rewarded for FAITHFULNESS
- Rewarded for SERVICE
- Rewarded for LOVING HIS APPEARING – if we love this we’ll be faithful and serve HIM.
Conclusion: Question – Are you ready for the Rapture?
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