Sermon Notes 5/18 – The Last Days – The Rapture

(1.)   Watch out for Mockers in the last days – 2 Peter 3:1-9

-do not be a mockerm, scoffer or a skeptic.  The rapture will happen…

(2.) The Rapture is a God given Supernatural-Miraculous Last Days Event – John 5:1-8

-Will you be made whole

-Jesus is a Miracle Worker – He is God

-Definition of miracle – a divine interruption and intervention by the Lord which overrides the natural laws of earth….A miracle is when eternity invades time

-we will see & be involved in many miracles in our generation – John 14:12

-Miracles happen because of the grace and mercy of Jesus –

        ***Bethesda – means house of mercy or grace

        ***Psalm 23:6

-The rapture is a God given supernatural miraculous event

         *we become totally whole

-The rapture cannot be grasped just intellectually

-The Lord is a PEOPLE MOVER – Colossians 1:13-14

Examples of the Lord moving people in the Bible:

Enoch – Genesis 5:21-24 & Hebrews 11:5-6

Elijah – 2 Kings 2:1-17 (vs9-12)

Philip – Acts 8:26-40 (v39)

(3.) REVELATION VS RAPTURE

Revelation

-this is the second coming of Jesus to earth with the church

-Acts 1:9-11 & Revelation 19:11-18

-we have a promise of the Lord’s return – John 14:1-3

Rapture

-this is the church rising from earth to meet Jesus in the air

-1 Thess 4:13-18 & 1 Cor 15:51-52

The Rapture will produce 3 Things:

1. COMFORT – 1 Thess 4:13-18

-Our God is the god of all comfort – 2 Cor 1:4

-the Holy Spirit is our Comforter – John 14:26

2. A MOTIVATION TO LIVE RIGHT – Titus 2:11-14 & 2 Peter 3:10-13 & 1 John 3:2-3

3. THE RAPTURE WILL BE A WITNESS TO THOSE WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND – Matthew 24:13-14

-after the rapture takes place only unbelievers are left on earth

         How can people be saved when the church is gone?

a. Past Prayers

b. Past Witnessing

c. The Presence of the Holy Spirit