1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Good To Go (Series On End Times)
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The word rapture describes a mysterious miracle. A moment when every living believer will be instantly changed into their resurrection bodies and lifted into heaven to meet Jesus. First the dead in Christ and then the living believers will be caught up to meet Christ.
John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Jesus keeps His promise.
1 Thessalonians 1:10
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Millions of people will have vanished. Society will tumble into violence and pandemonium. Praise God, we will not be around to see it.
Luke 17:34-35
I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
Two people sipping coffee at Starbucks, one will be taken, and the other left.
Philippians 3:21
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
We can say farewell to cancer, pain and suffering, and welcome to healing, wholeness, and renewal.
When will the rapture take place?
Matthew 24:37-39
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Jesus compared this moment to the rescue of Noah.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
How can we be encouraged if we are going to face the Antichrist?