Sermon Notes 6/8 – The Rapture – The Last Days

1. THE RAPTURE IS BIBLICAL

– Isaiah 26:20-21 & 1 Thess 13-18

-there will be a rapture

-the final authority is the Word of God – Galatians 1:6-9

-the reaction of earth – sadness and gladness

2. THE RAPTURE WILL LEAVE PEOPLE BEHIND – Philippians 3:20-21

-only unbelievers will be left when the rapture occurs

              How can people be saved when the rapture takes place?

     a. Past Witnessing Opportunities – 1 Thess 1:6-10

     b. Past Prayers – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

     c. The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent – Haggai 2:5…Acts 20:23…Psalm 139:7-10

3. THE LORD IS A PEOPLE MOVER –

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

Elijah – 2 Kings 2:1-17 (vs9-12)

Philip – Acts 8:26-40 (v39)

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ – Mark 9:2-8

The Rapture

***The Rapture is going to be a great family reunion – Hebrews 12:1-3 & Revelation Chapters 4-5

4. THERE WILL BE RAPTURE RIDICULE – 1 Peter 4:12-19

-this is the persecution of believers for their faith in Jesus & the Word of God

v12 – Jesus suffered and so all believers will suffer

vs13-14 – the glory & presence of the Lord will help us get through all persecution

vs14-16 – let the persecution do a work inside of us as believers

              -the unbelievers will blaspheme the Lord for persecution

v17 – judgment – refers to affliction & distress

-this refers to persecution and not Christians being under the judgment of God

v18 – scarcely saved – living for Jesus is hard at times

v19 – trust the Lord.  He has our best interests in His heart