"Millions Missing"
1 Th. 4:17 (and others)
Intro:
We live in an age when people are getting caught up into so many different things - drugs... cults... crimes... etc. Those are negative things, but what I really want to talk about is something that we look forward to being caught up in - the rapture!
Millions Missing
The word rapture is a legitimate Latin-English translation of the Greek word harpazo which is translated by the two English words "caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
Vine’s Expository Dictionary gives the following definition for this word harpazo: "(it) is said of the act of the Spirit of the Lord in regard to Philip in Acts 8:39 (the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip); of Paul being caught up to Paradise in 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4; of the Rapture of the saints at the return of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 4:17; of the rapture of the man-child in the vision of Revelation 12:5."
In his book The Positive Side of Prophecy David Lewis states, "harpazo is better translated, ‘caught or snatched up by forceful seizure.’" He adds "The context seems to allow further amplification, ‘caught away forcefully in a state of ecstacy’"!
One morning the world may awaken, open its doors, and find a shocking front page newspaper report something like this -
Millions Missing
"It has been reported that since approximately 3:15 this morning, suddenly, and without warning or trace, multiple millions of persons across the communicating world have disappeared from their homes, places of employment, and many even abandoning their means of transportation.
The United Nations has called it a global calamity. The President of the United States has declared the nation to be in a state of emergency. The armed forces are being dispatched throughout the country to maintain social order and to clear away the rubble left from the tremendous amounts of collisions resulting from the abandoned vehicles, trains and planes which were in motion at the time of the mysterious disappearance." -GB
Nave’s Topical Bible gives some 40 Scripture references for the return of Jesus. For our purposes we will only look at a few -
Jn. 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 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.
1 Cor. 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
The SEB says, We will be changed instantly, like the twinkle in someone’s eye. That last trumpet will sound. Then people will rise from death, never to die again.
1 Thes. 4:16-17 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.
Ca. 2:10, My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me."
Ca. 2:13 "... Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."
Come Away!
This is the Church’s Blessed Hope
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Just the phrase "blessed hope" by itself is exciting "anticipation."
Dr. Alexander Maclaren called it "the happy hope."
Worell’s translation uses the words, "the blissful hope."
Throughout the years the Church has expressed this hope, this joyful expectancy, in its great creeds and in its doctrines.
But in my thinking, the happiness, the bliss, of this hope is expressed, not only in the Church’s solemn doctrines and sacred creeds, but in it’s songs - songs that have encouraged the weary, the lonely, and the persecuted.
Hymns of the past like:
Heaven’s Jubilee
I’ll Fly Away
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder (I’ll Be There)
I’ll See You in the Rapture and
We Shall See the King
Some of the more recent songs are:
When He Comes Back
He’s Coming Back
Evacuation Day and
We Shall Behold Him
People Get Ready
Those songs stir the hope of His coming. I am reminded that the word "hope" denotes the "future." Paul says there is no need to hope for what you already have. (Ro. 8:25-26) And though we aren’t told when it will take place we are told that it won’t be long.
Ph. 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Heb. 10:37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay."
Jam. 5:8-9 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Rev. 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Rev. 16:15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Rev. 22:7 "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."
Rev. 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Christ’s soon return is our blessed hope. It is the next major event on the prophetic horizon for which we are eagerly awaiting.
The Conflict
Most of us here readily accept the idea of the rapture as I have tried to present it. But there are others who choose to see it in a different light. Some think we’re escapists looking for a way out. They would approach the idea of a rapture in a very low-keyed fashion; holding that there is much work to be done, many souls to be won as "Just a little longer Jesus."
That may sound noble in theory, but nevertheless it strays from the Biblical teaching and the Biblical pattern. Paul says, "if it were for this life only we would be of all men most miserable" ...... and he is the one who called the rapture the blessed hope!
Compare this "wait a little longer" theology with some of the final words of the New Testament - ... Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 22:20
How will we know when it happens?
1. 2 Th. 2:1-3 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
2. 2 Th. 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. The unsaved will be deceived
3. What about these people who claim to be Christ?
The saved will know!
"One of these days an event will take place that all the forces of hell cannot duplicate nor counterfeit, nor can they stop it. when the trumpet sounds and you are transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord and when you rise to meet Him - along with millions o other believers you will know beyond the shadow of a doubt Who you are meeting. It is Jesus! It is the rapture! Glory to God in the highest!"
1 Th. 4:17 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.
We will know because we will be with Him! Because our redemption will be complete, we’ll share His glory, we’ll receive our rewards, our bodies will be changed and we’ll see heaven.
When you get your brand new, disease-proof, transfigured, glorified, never-dying, fatigue free body you will know that it is ‘this same Jesus.’ When you rise with millions of believers to meet Him, when you leave earth behind; when you reach that golden shore, when you stand before the throne, you will know that ‘it is the Lord Himself’ and no imposter.
When you know deep down in your soul that you are born-again, and someone comes up saying he is Christ, you will know two things; he isn’t the Lord because your feet are still one the ground and it’s not the rapture!" (Dr. David Lewis)
(In the rapture Jesus remains in the sky NOT walking on earth - that comes 7 years later.)
Close:
Finally, let us be reminded that the return of Jesus for His Church is perhaps the greatest incentive for living right.
In Cornerstone Magazine, Jon Trott writes, "when discussing His return with His disciples, Jesus stressed one point more than any other, to watch and be ready."
A.W. Tozer wrote, "I cannot think of even one lonely passage in the New Testament which speaks of Christ’s revelation, manifestation, appearing, or coming that is not directly linked with moral conduct, faith, and spiritual holiness."
The fact that Jesus is coming back for those who are ready should serve for all of us to daily be conformed to His image. And it ought to press the unsaved to a place of repentance...
"Surprises" (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, p. 206-207, Swindoll)
The song: "Ready or Not" . . .
Invitation for:
Salvation - Col. 1:27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Rededication -
