Sermon Notes 5/4/23 The Last Days

(1.) THE DEFINITION OF THE RAPTURE – 1 Thess 4:13-18

-the words trinity and rapture are not used in the Bible

-the words caught up are used instead of rapture

-rapture means to be moved from one place to another a state of great joy by force by the Lord

-there will be a rapture – Phil 3:20-21 & Isaiah 26:20-21a

-stay unified when it comes to last day events.  The last days are all about Jesus Christ – Revelation 1:1

-the next greatest event on God’s prophetic clock is the rapture – Rev 4:1-5

-the reaction on earth will be unbelievable – panic, shock & some gladness

-the rapture can happen now at any time —— expect it any day now

-The Judgment Seat of Christ occurs right after the rapture – 2 Cor 5:10

It is also called the Bema Seat and the Reward Seat of Jesus Christ

           ***Our sins were judged on the cross

           ***The Bema seat deals with our works on earth

Bad – means worthless/good for nothing

1 Cor 3:11-15 – some of our works will be rewarded and some will be burned up

          – 5 different kinds of crowns will be rewarded

          – we give the crowns back to Jesus – Rev 4:10-11

          THE RAPTURE WILL PRODUCE 3 THINGS:

1. COMFORT  – John 14:26 & 2 Corinthians 1:4

-a promise of comfort – John 14:1-3

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

3. THE RAPTURE WILL BE A WITNESS TO THOSE LEFT BEHIND

-people will still get saved after the rapture because:

***past witnessing

***past prayers

***the Holy Spirit is still around – Ps 139:7 & Acts 20:23

***The rapture is supernatural event that will happen

Examples of Bible scriptures referring to the rapture:

—Elijah – 2 Kings 2:1-7

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

—Philip – Acts 8:26-40 (v39)