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 Revelation’s Glorious Rapture!

Revelation’s Glorious Rapture

The return of Jesus to gather His people from this earth is the grand theme of the Bible. One verse out of every 11 in the New Testament, and 2,500 in the entire Bible speak of this momentous event. Some refer to this as the rapture, although the term does not appear in the Bible.

Introduction

This earthshaking event is the ultimate goal of Bible prophecy and is more evident in Revelation than in any other books of the Bible. To study Revelation is to become acutely aware of Jesus’ return and the rapture of His saints. No wonder satan tries to keep people from reading Revelation.

It is shocking to recall that at Jesus’ first coming, as a babe in Bethlehem, the people were surprised and unprepared. This was true in spite of the fact that hundreds of Old Testament prophecies described His first coming with detailed accuracy.

But the people were mistakenly applying the prophecies of His second coming, and ignoring those that applied to His first advent. Thus, they rejected His appearance as the infant son of a poor family.

History has a way of repeating itself. It is shocking to consider, but could it be possible that Christian people may be misapplying the hundreds of Bible prophecies concerning Jesus’ second return?

Could some be setting themselves up for one great mind-boggling surprise? Jesus solemnly warned of this when He spoke of His return. He said in Matt. 24:4 "Take heed that no man deceive you". He further stated that false ideas regarding the rapture would be so powerful and convincing that "if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect". Then, He capped it with, "Behold, I have told you before". We would say today "You have been warned". In light of this solemn warning by Jesus, let us now prayerfully see what the prophecies reveal regarding the blessed rapture.

1. How did angels refer to Jesus’ return?

Acts 1:9-11

"He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight"

He "shall come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven".

•Note:

• a. They saw Him depart - He will

• be visible. (Rev. 1:7, Matt. 24:27)

• b. He left in a cloud - He will

• return in a cloud (Matt. 24:30; 26:64, Mark 13:26; 14:62, Rev. 1:7, etc.).

• c. He left bodily - He will appear bodily (1 Thess. 4:17).

Therefore, His ascension was literal, bodily and visible. His return will be the same!

2. Does Revelation say how Jesus will return? Rev. 1:7

"Behold He cometh with clouds …"

3. What are these clouds? Psalm 104:3.

"Who maketh the clouds His chariot."

Answer: Thousands and thousands of angels.

Note: In Matt. 25:31, Jesus said all the angels would come with Him. Then myriads of bright shining angels will cover the sky like clouds of today.

4. Who will see Jesus when He comes? Rev. 1:7

"Every eye shall see Him".

Note:

This is too plain to be misunderstood. Everyone living on earth will see Jesus at His return. This includes both the saved and the unsaved. Matt. 24:30 says all the tribes of the earth shall mourn at His appearing.

5. What will the angels do at Jesus’ return? Matt. 24:31

"They shall gather together His elect from … one end of heaven to the other".

6. Does Jesus teach a secret rapture?

A. In Matt. 24:27 His return compares to lightning.

Answer: NO.

Note: There is nothing secret about lightning!

B. In 1 Thess. 4:16 & 1 Cor. 15:52, Paul says: The Lord will descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump (trumpet) of God.

Note:

There is nothing secret or quiet about this event. In fact, Jeremiah declares that the Lord will make a mighty roar, a shout and a noise heard to the ends of the earth when He returns from heaven.

Jeremiah 25:30-33.

7. What will happen to all the righteous at the rapture?

A. 1 Corinthians 15:52

"The dead shall be raised" (resurrected).

B. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

"The dead in Christ shall rise first".

C. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

"We which are alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds".

Note:

When Jesus returns the righteous dead are resurrected with new, never dying bodies, and the living righteous are caught up with them to meet the Lord amid the clouds of angels that fill the entire sky with indescribable glory.

8. What kind of bodies will the raptured saints have?

A. Phil. 3:20,21 Bodies like the Lord Jesus Christ (glorious bodies).

B. Luke 24:36-43 & Acts 1:11 They will have bodies with flesh and bones (visible, touchable).

9. Does Jesus come to earth or remain in the air?

Answer: He remains in the air.

1 Thess. 4:17

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air ..."

Note:

Jesus promised to return to take His people to Heaven to be with Him. John 14:1-3. He did not promise that at His second coming He would immediately reign over the earth in its sinful condition. John sees the redeemed before the heavenly throne where Jesus takes them after they meet Him in the air. Revelation 7:9,10.

How can you identify an imposter?

Suppose that in Jerusalem a glorious being suddenly appeared who claimed to be Christ and fit the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13-17. Suppose he preached beautiful Bible truths with power, called fire down from Heaven, healed the sick, helped stop wars, read minds, blessed the children, etc. What would be your reaction?

10. How will we know he is a false Christ?

Because Jesus at His coming makes a sky appearance and not an earth appearance.

1 Thess. 4:16,17 tells us Jesus remains in the air.

11. Does satan have power to look like Christ?

Yes - we need to remember that the devil:

a. Appears as an angel of light. 2 Cor. 11:14

b. Works miracles. Rev. 16:14, 2 Thess. 2:9

c. Can call fire from Heaven. Rev. 13:13

d. Will use scripture. Matt. 4:6

e. Is wise and beautiful. Eze. 28:12

12. Would it be safe to go see a false Christ?

Answer: No! Jesus said, "Go not forth".

Matthew 24:23-26.

Jesus clearly commanded that we should not go see false Christs. When we disobey a direct command of Jesus, then we place ourselves in jeopardy, and the devil has unusual advantage over us. If you go when Jesus says "Go not forth", then you are in grave danger of being deceived.

The King is Coming

13. What will the wicked do at the time of the rapture?

Revelation 6:14-16

Answer: Cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them.

14. What happens to the wicked at the rapture?

The Lord shall consume them with the Spirit of His mouth and destroy them with the brightness of His coming.

2 Thess. 1:7,8; 2:8 & Isaiah 11:4.

15. Why doesn’t God give the wicked another chance?

2 Thess. 2:10 - 12:

Because they "believed not the truth".

Note: Another opportunity would also be spurned by the lost. They would rebel all over again because of their wicked hearts. They have defiantly chosen to be disobedient even after God reveals His wonderful love to them through His Son Jesus Christ. In reality, they would be miserable in Heaven, for their lives are out of harmony with God’s love and truth.

16. How much glory will be seen at the rapture?

Luke 9:26:

•" … when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s and of the holy angels."

17. What will Christ and His armies do to the nations? Revelation 19:11-16:

Answer: He will smite the nations.

Note: All the wicked powers of the earth will be destroyed.

18. What is the main purpose of Christs return? John 14:2,3:

Answer: To take His people home. "In my Father’s house are many mansions."

Note:
Jesus and the Father long for all of us to come home. Oh, the joy of the wonderful day!

Here are some exciting things we will experience:

a. Reunion of loved ones and friends

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

b. Blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, dumb sing

Isaiah 35:4-6.

c. No more death, sorrow, tears or pain.

Rev. 21:4.

19. What does Paul call Christ’s coming? Titus 2:13

Answer: The blessed hope.

Note:

Christ’s return is indeed the "Blessed Hope" of God’s people.

20. Can anyone know the time of Jesus’ Return?

Matthew 24:36

Answer: NO. Only the Father in Heaven.

21. What can we know for sure about Jesus’ appearing?

Matthew 24:32,33

Answer: It is near, even at the doors.

Note:

Read Matthew 24 and discover some of the signs or world conditions that Jesus said would clearly identify the time which He would return. Truly these signs are being fulfilled today! So, Jesus’ coming must be very near. He is just outside the door.

Your Eternal Reward

22. How will people be rewarded at Jesus’ second coming? Revelation 22:12

Answer: Jesus will come to give every man according as his work shall be.

Note:

The Bible is clear. People are rewarded according to their works.

Jesus requires obedience: John 14:15

23. What warnings did Jesus give in Matthew 24:44?

Answer:

We should be READY for His coming.

Jesus will come when we least expect Him.

24. If Jesus should come now, would you be ready?

Your Answer:

____________________

Jesus is calling you NOW!
2 Corinthians 6:2

 

Please accept Him before it is eternally too late.

Lesson 4 Praise the Lord! Lesson 6