PREPARE FOR RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: PREPARE FOR RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 KJV
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord 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 with 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.

Read 1Cor 15:51-52


What is the rapture?

- First let me say what the rapture is.
- The word rapture is derived from the Latin word raptu, which means caught away or caught up.
- The word described in our text refers to the catching up of the church from the earth to meet the Lord in the air.
- It only involves the faithful of Jesus church, not the ones who play church.

So What Will The Rapture Look Like?

- Our text says, the dead in Christ will rise first.
- All the ones who died in Christ will rise first to meet the Lord in the air and then we who are alive and remain will be caught up with the Lord together.
- We will all visibly be united with Christ and united with loved ones who have died before.

- Following the rapture of the church is the Tribulation period or the day of the Lord.

Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation Period?

- This is a question that has been debated for many years, by great scholars.
- There are four major views right now concerning the rapture and they are:

a. The Post tribulation view which states that the church is going through all the tribulation.
b. The Mid Tribulation view states the church will only go through half of the tribulation
c. The Pre Tribulation view states that the church will not go through any of the Tribulation
d. The Partial Rapture view states that only those sanctified will be taken before the tribulation, and the rest of the church will go through the tribulation.


- My personal opinion is the Pre Tribulation theory that clearly states in scripture that we will not go through any of the tribulation.
- Let me give you some reasons why I believe this to be true.
- Rev 3:10 says, since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
- Christ promises to keep the faithful from the hour of trial that is to come upon the whole earth.
- I Thess 1:10 says, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
- Paul promise to the church in Thessalonians was that they would be rescued from the coming wrath which is the tribulation hour.
- Also when you read from Rev 4 right through to 22 the term church or churches disappear.
- The bride of Christ appears in Chapter 19 with Christ in Heaven, ready to come down to earth
. . . CONTINUE NEXT TIME

LET US PRAY
FATHER WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, HOW EVER THE SITUATION LET YOUR MERCY SPEAK FOR ME. DONT LET ME MISS THE RAPTURE IN JESUS NAME

SAY AMEN
GOOD MORNING BRETHREN