Christian Church 24.7 Ministry Community Group
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The message today is from 1 Thess. Chpt 4. vs-13-18
What does it mean to be "caught up"? As a kid when we used that term, we referred to someone being behind or lagging behind and we would tell them to "catch up", When we get behind of bills, payments and we get them "caught up", it's a great feeling. Anyone ever been in that type situation?
Today, if you liik at many of the prophecies made in the Bible, we see many if not all of these already being fulfilled. Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection were all prophecied and came to pass. What then, is the next great prophecy to be fulfilled? I believe it is the Believers being "caught up". We refer to this great event as "The Rapture"/ It has also been referred to as "the great catching away". I have been asked these 3 questions, in my ministry. 1.What should we expect? 2, What do we do? 3. What happens after the Rapture? I will try to answer these questions in this message.
1. What should we do, how should we live our lives?
Remember, that we are closer to this event now than we have ever been. The clock of time never stops ticking. Never.
Life keeps reminding us of the shortness of time. Years ago, only old people died--ow look around you. Young people, teens, early middle age, die every day. Dreams are destroyed, remind us of the importance of the opportunities we are given to witness to others, to work for the Lord and to watch for His coming. We are to be a good testimony to others by how we live, how we act, how we react and what we say. Look around you, how many loved ones are in Heaven now, that were once in this life. Look at the signs around us. When we are going somewhere, we look for signs to Six Flags, Disney World, Myrtle Beach etc. When we see these signs, we know we are getting close to our destination.
There are signs all around us. Here are just a few. Wars and rumors of wars. Matt. 24:7. Natural disasters, earthqueakes, pestilence, famines, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, false prophets, lying wonders, false Christs', Christians being hated and Christians rights and Christian beliefs challenged and legislated out of our society by our courts by liberal judges. We have settled for abortion, took the 10 Commandments off the court house walls, prayer out of school, Bible out of schools, Baccaleaurette services out of schools, increased crime, children being abducted, all stated that this thing would come to pass and we are seeing it today in this nation that was founded on God.
2. What should we do? Notice verse 17 "we which are alive and remain shall be "Caught Up" together to meet the Lord in the air. The dead in Christ shall rise first then we will be raised to meet them--Praise the Lord--Gravity over-ruled.
Believers who are alive, will escape death. Listen folks, a Better day is coming. When we think of this Great Day, laying up treasures here should not be a priority, Getting more stuff won't matter as much.
Matt. 24:32-33 is the parable of the Fig Tree. (Israel). In 1948, Israel became a nation again. All the great prophecies concerning Christ's return have been fulfilled so, we should be living each day, like His coming will be today, We should be looking up, watching,, working for Christ's Kingdom (winning souls) and witnessing wherever and whenever we get an opportunity.
3. What happens after this "Catching Away"?
As believers, we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive our reward. for our witness, for out testimony and what we have done to further the Gospel of Christ in this Live, Romans 14:12. We will receive reward for our stewardship, our talents and our opportunities that had been given to us and how we used them for Christ's Kingdom and Glory. 1 Cor. 3:12-15 tells us about these works that we have done. If we devoted our time to things, stuff, and us, then these works will be swept away and they are referred to as wood, hay, and stubble and the fire of Righteous Judgment will burn them up. Notice, the believer will still be saved, but he will have no reward. You see, if a man was lost, he wouldn't be here at the Judgment Seat of Christ away. He would be waiting to be judged at the Great White Throne, which happens later. Point to notice, Nowhere in the Scriptures, does is mention any man, being returned to earth for losing his salvation at this Judgment Seat of Christ.
In closing, This last remark is just an observation that you might want to think about. From the fall of man in the garden, till Christ came, was 4000 years. From when Christ was here till now, is approx. 2000 years. 4000 plus 2000 is 6000. Now stop and think a moment. 2nd Peter 3:8 says, With God, a thousand years is as a day and a day as a thousand years. It has been approx. 6 days (6000 yrs.) since the fall of man. What did God do on the 7th day? He rested!!!!
What is the next day (1000 yrs.) mentioned in the Scriptures? The 1000 year reign of Christ upon His return after the great tribulation, mentioned in Rev.20"1-6. Folks, I believe Christ can come at any time. Are you Ready?
So, I ask this question to you. How does your future look? Rewards or Regrets?
May you study this and give it some real thought. May God Bless.
Oldbiker.
What does it mean to be "caught up"? As a kid when we used that term, we referred to someone being behind or lagging behind and we would tell them to "catch up", When we get behind of bills, payments and we get them "caught up", it's a great feeling. Anyone ever been in that type situation?
Today, if you liik at many of the prophecies made in the Bible, we see many if not all of these already being fulfilled. Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection were all prophecied and came to pass. What then, is the next great prophecy to be fulfilled? I believe it is the Believers being "caught up". We refer to this great event as "The Rapture"/ It has also been referred to as "the great catching away". I have been asked these 3 questions, in my ministry. 1.What should we expect? 2, What do we do? 3. What happens after the Rapture? I will try to answer these questions in this message.
1. What should we do, how should we live our lives?
Remember, that we are closer to this event now than we have ever been. The clock of time never stops ticking. Never.
Life keeps reminding us of the shortness of time. Years ago, only old people died--ow look around you. Young people, teens, early middle age, die every day. Dreams are destroyed, remind us of the importance of the opportunities we are given to witness to others, to work for the Lord and to watch for His coming. We are to be a good testimony to others by how we live, how we act, how we react and what we say. Look around you, how many loved ones are in Heaven now, that were once in this life. Look at the signs around us. When we are going somewhere, we look for signs to Six Flags, Disney World, Myrtle Beach etc. When we see these signs, we know we are getting close to our destination.
There are signs all around us. Here are just a few. Wars and rumors of wars. Matt. 24:7. Natural disasters, earthqueakes, pestilence, famines, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, false prophets, lying wonders, false Christs', Christians being hated and Christians rights and Christian beliefs challenged and legislated out of our society by our courts by liberal judges. We have settled for abortion, took the 10 Commandments off the court house walls, prayer out of school, Bible out of schools, Baccaleaurette services out of schools, increased crime, children being abducted, all stated that this thing would come to pass and we are seeing it today in this nation that was founded on God.
2. What should we do? Notice verse 17 "we which are alive and remain shall be "Caught Up" together to meet the Lord in the air. The dead in Christ shall rise first then we will be raised to meet them--Praise the Lord--Gravity over-ruled.
Believers who are alive, will escape death. Listen folks, a Better day is coming. When we think of this Great Day, laying up treasures here should not be a priority, Getting more stuff won't matter as much.
Matt. 24:32-33 is the parable of the Fig Tree. (Israel). In 1948, Israel became a nation again. All the great prophecies concerning Christ's return have been fulfilled so, we should be living each day, like His coming will be today, We should be looking up, watching,, working for Christ's Kingdom (winning souls) and witnessing wherever and whenever we get an opportunity.
3. What happens after this "Catching Away"?
As believers, we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive our reward. for our witness, for out testimony and what we have done to further the Gospel of Christ in this Live, Romans 14:12. We will receive reward for our stewardship, our talents and our opportunities that had been given to us and how we used them for Christ's Kingdom and Glory. 1 Cor. 3:12-15 tells us about these works that we have done. If we devoted our time to things, stuff, and us, then these works will be swept away and they are referred to as wood, hay, and stubble and the fire of Righteous Judgment will burn them up. Notice, the believer will still be saved, but he will have no reward. You see, if a man was lost, he wouldn't be here at the Judgment Seat of Christ away. He would be waiting to be judged at the Great White Throne, which happens later. Point to notice, Nowhere in the Scriptures, does is mention any man, being returned to earth for losing his salvation at this Judgment Seat of Christ.
In closing, This last remark is just an observation that you might want to think about. From the fall of man in the garden, till Christ came, was 4000 years. From when Christ was here till now, is approx. 2000 years. 4000 plus 2000 is 6000. Now stop and think a moment. 2nd Peter 3:8 says, With God, a thousand years is as a day and a day as a thousand years. It has been approx. 6 days (6000 yrs.) since the fall of man. What did God do on the 7th day? He rested!!!!
What is the next day (1000 yrs.) mentioned in the Scriptures? The 1000 year reign of Christ upon His return after the great tribulation, mentioned in Rev.20"1-6. Folks, I believe Christ can come at any time. Are you Ready?
So, I ask this question to you. How does your future look? Rewards or Regrets?
May you study this and give it some real thought. May God Bless.
Oldbiker.
deleted_user
I am with you Oldbiker, the time for this world is short. Satan is working over time as a thief to kill, steal, and destroy, (John 10:10) and as you have pointed out, he is looking to destroy everyone, even the young, for he knows his time is short. You hit the nail in one drive of the hammer when you said our purpose is not to lay up treasures for ourselves here but to be His witnesses so more could be 'caught up' when we go. You are on point about the time line as well, with the signs all around us we who know these things would have to be blind or purposefully ignoring them not to see them. The Bible says we will not know the 'day' or the 'hour' when He will return but it doesn't say anything about not being aware of the years and what you have said here makes so much sense. We need to be about our Father's business while we still have time! Great message!!!
grammydebest
I am with you Oldbiker, the time for this world is short. Satan is working over time as a thief to kill, steal, and destroy, (John 10:10) and as you have pointed out, he is looking to destroy everyone, even the young, for he knows his time is short. You hit the nail in one drive of the hammer when you said our purpose is not to lay up treasures for ourselves here but to be His witnesses so more could be 'caught up' when we go. You are on point about the time line as well, with the signs all around us we who know these things would have to be blind or purposefully ignoring them not to see them. The Bible says we will not know the 'day' or the 'hour' when He will return but it doesn't say anything about not being aware of the years and what you have said here makes so much sense. We need to be about our Father's business while we still have time! Great message!!!
deleted_user
Great message! We Christians need to be about examining ourselves, praying and witnessing to others about Christ.. I know I need to do some deep self examination as to what I am doing with my talents of art (painting) and writing (prose, poetry & memoirs) that they all give glory to God and bear fruition. I want to be painting murals in heaven and writing poetry to the glory of Jesus Christ.
starbright1949
I am new in here and this is fantastic. I am looking for much more. Going to take my laptop, curl up on the bed and read ALL the sermons!!~~~~Debbie
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