Christian Church 24.7 Ministry Community Group
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The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church of Thessalonica due to them thinking that Jesus would return in their lifetime and when, He didn't, they were concerned about their loved ones who had passed away in the meantime.
Here is what Paul wrote then, I will expound on this.
"But I would not have you ignorant brethren, concerning them which are asleep. that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope . For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain, shall not prevent them which are asleep, For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first., Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and, so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words"
Matt. Chpt. 24 speaks of the end times in the New Testament. Daniel Chpt. 12 speaks about the end times from the Old Testament. We can go back to Genesis Chpt. 5 and see how wicked man had become. The wickedness of man became so great that God told Noah to build and ark, that He was going to destroy man from off the face of the earth. This Ark that Noah was to build, had a three fold purpose.
1. It would be for their salvation
2. It would be for their security
3. It would be for their safety.
Jesus referred to this event in Matthew Chpt. 24 vs 37-39.
The Coming of the Lord will be in 2 parts.
First, what we call the Rapture or "catching away" of the church, the bride of Christ mentioned in our text.
The Lord will come in the clouds, He will call the saved, both dead and alive, and we will meet Him in the clouds.
Secondly, Jesus comes back, with us, 7 years later on a white Horse, with the Armies of God Rev. 19 vs 11.
Here is something to note.
Jesus first coming will be in joy and reception.
Jesus Second coming will be in judgment and destruction.
Now, with these things being said, I will comment on this event we call the Rapture.
I. It will be sudden:
I Cor. 15 vs 51-52 says it will be in the twinkling of an eye.
There will be no time to pack, no time to get ready, no time to negotiate. You will either be ready or you won't.
This is why is so important to know you are saved. This is why the scriptures say "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation:, II Cor, 6 vs-2.
There will be no announcements, no public address notices, no loud speakers, no CNN announcement.
Right now, is the only time you have. ----NOW.
Yesterday is passed, tomorrow is not here and, you are not guaranteed a tomorrow, so, today is the only time you have, that is NOW, as spoken of in II Cor. above.
II. It will be Solemn: Luke 17-vs34-36
Solemn means grave or serious. Why will it be solemn or serious?
A. All your unsaved loved ones will be left behind.
Many will look for their loved ones but, they will not be found,
Husbands separated from wives and vice versa.
Children separated from their parents.
III. It will be shocking:
1. Many will think they are going but, they won't Matt. 7 vs-21-23.
2. Many have false hopes. They thought because they were a church member, they were going.
You see, there is only ONE way of salvation:
Being born again (have a spiritual birth into God's family)
Salvation comes by ONE person--Acts 4 vs 2
Salvation comes by ONE way, John 14 vs 6
IV. It will be Satisfying:
A. A glad reunion
1. with our loved ones
2. with OT Saints
3. With the Apostles
4. Most of all, we will see Jesus, as He is for we shall be like Him.
We will have a new body--Praise the Lord!
1. No more death
2, No more pain
3. no more parting
4. no more funerals
5. no more cemeteries
6. no more diseases.
7. no more sadness
It will be Sad:
Someone reading this message, may not be ready. Some loved one will not be ready.
You see, whether there are streets of gold, walls of Jasper, gates of pearl doesn't really matter to me. Jesus will be there and that's all I need.
You can be ready and you can be assured of it!!!!!!
Jesus died to pay your sin debt. He died to atone for your sins.
Many people have told me through the years, I will have to get my life straightened out then, I will get saved.
Listen friend, Jesus died for you while you were and are a sinner. Romans 5 vs 8 says this. But God commendeth His love for us in that WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us.
Church is not a sanctuary for Saints, it is a hospital for Sinners!!!!! I wish people could grasp that.
Romans 8 vs 1 says this. "There is therefore NOW, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
So. when the Rapture comes, will you be TAKEN or SHAKEN???????
See, here is how it is in a nutshell.
1. The world is spinnin
2, Mankind is sinnin
3, Satan is grinnin
But, Jesus is Comin!!!!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU READY?
May God add His blessings to this message.
Oldbiker
Here is what Paul wrote then, I will expound on this.
"But I would not have you ignorant brethren, concerning them which are asleep. that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope . For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain, shall not prevent them which are asleep, For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first., Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and, so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words"
Matt. Chpt. 24 speaks of the end times in the New Testament. Daniel Chpt. 12 speaks about the end times from the Old Testament. We can go back to Genesis Chpt. 5 and see how wicked man had become. The wickedness of man became so great that God told Noah to build and ark, that He was going to destroy man from off the face of the earth. This Ark that Noah was to build, had a three fold purpose.
1. It would be for their salvation
2. It would be for their security
3. It would be for their safety.
Jesus referred to this event in Matthew Chpt. 24 vs 37-39.
The Coming of the Lord will be in 2 parts.
First, what we call the Rapture or "catching away" of the church, the bride of Christ mentioned in our text.
The Lord will come in the clouds, He will call the saved, both dead and alive, and we will meet Him in the clouds.
Secondly, Jesus comes back, with us, 7 years later on a white Horse, with the Armies of God Rev. 19 vs 11.
Here is something to note.
Jesus first coming will be in joy and reception.
Jesus Second coming will be in judgment and destruction.
Now, with these things being said, I will comment on this event we call the Rapture.
I. It will be sudden:
I Cor. 15 vs 51-52 says it will be in the twinkling of an eye.
There will be no time to pack, no time to get ready, no time to negotiate. You will either be ready or you won't.
This is why is so important to know you are saved. This is why the scriptures say "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation:, II Cor, 6 vs-2.
There will be no announcements, no public address notices, no loud speakers, no CNN announcement.
Right now, is the only time you have. ----NOW.
Yesterday is passed, tomorrow is not here and, you are not guaranteed a tomorrow, so, today is the only time you have, that is NOW, as spoken of in II Cor. above.
II. It will be Solemn: Luke 17-vs34-36
Solemn means grave or serious. Why will it be solemn or serious?
A. All your unsaved loved ones will be left behind.
Many will look for their loved ones but, they will not be found,
Husbands separated from wives and vice versa.
Children separated from their parents.
III. It will be shocking:
1. Many will think they are going but, they won't Matt. 7 vs-21-23.
2. Many have false hopes. They thought because they were a church member, they were going.
You see, there is only ONE way of salvation:
Being born again (have a spiritual birth into God's family)
Salvation comes by ONE person--Acts 4 vs 2
Salvation comes by ONE way, John 14 vs 6
IV. It will be Satisfying:
A. A glad reunion
1. with our loved ones
2. with OT Saints
3. With the Apostles
4. Most of all, we will see Jesus, as He is for we shall be like Him.
We will have a new body--Praise the Lord!
1. No more death
2, No more pain
3. no more parting
4. no more funerals
5. no more cemeteries
6. no more diseases.
7. no more sadness
It will be Sad:
Someone reading this message, may not be ready. Some loved one will not be ready.
You see, whether there are streets of gold, walls of Jasper, gates of pearl doesn't really matter to me. Jesus will be there and that's all I need.
You can be ready and you can be assured of it!!!!!!
Jesus died to pay your sin debt. He died to atone for your sins.
Many people have told me through the years, I will have to get my life straightened out then, I will get saved.
Listen friend, Jesus died for you while you were and are a sinner. Romans 5 vs 8 says this. But God commendeth His love for us in that WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us.
Church is not a sanctuary for Saints, it is a hospital for Sinners!!!!! I wish people could grasp that.
Romans 8 vs 1 says this. "There is therefore NOW, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
So. when the Rapture comes, will you be TAKEN or SHAKEN???????
See, here is how it is in a nutshell.
1. The world is spinnin
2, Mankind is sinnin
3, Satan is grinnin
But, Jesus is Comin!!!!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU READY?
May God add His blessings to this message.
Oldbiker
Tomorrow Fri I will be an intercessory prayer warrior at our church's community outreach of Hallelujah Night. I painted a huge mural of a pastel carousel and announcement of the event. I will be at a booth under a tent with another prayer warrior. I will be interfacing with lot of public neighbors who are troubled and unsaved. What an opportunity to harvest! Please pray for me for discernment and my prayers are fervent and outreach evangelism is successful in reaching souls for Jesus Christ. Your ministry on DS is appreciated. Your sister in Christ, Carol