November 19, 2006
"Understanding the Rapture of the Church"
Part
2
God is Not Slow in Keeping His Promise—Part 8
Selected verses
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
—2 Peter 3:9
Review:
1. The Rapture is not mentioned in the Old Testament.
2. The Rapture is first introduced by Jesus.
3. The Rapture is first explained by Paul.
- Christ is coming again (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
- We have God's truth (1 Thessalonians 4:15)
- Dead Christians will arise (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
- Living believers caught up (1 Thessalonians 4:17a)
- Christians are forever with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17b)
Encourage one another with these words!
—1 Thessalonians 4:18
Read: Titus 2:11-14
Live As Children of Light
1. We are not living in ignorance of God's plan.
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
—1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
—Acts 1:6-7
Read: Daniel 12:2
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand–a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.
—Joel 2:1-2
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
—Matthew 24:42-44
2. Don't be fooled, judgment is coming.
While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
—1 Thessalonians 5:3-5
Read: Isaiah 13:6-13
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, " Where is the promise of His coming?
—2 Peter 3:3-4 (NASU)
3. Don't be indifferent or careless about spiritual things.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be selfcontrolled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
—1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
—Ephesians 6:13 (NASU)
Read: 1 John 5:11-13
Question: What is the hope of salvation?
Answer:
The assurance that salvation gives us.
- You are saved from the guilt and penalty of sin.
- You are being saved from the power and pollution of sin.
- You will be saved from the presence of sin when Christ returns.
4. Christians do not need to fear God's wrath.
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
—1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
Read: Colossians 3:1-6
Lifework
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
—1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Be Thankful!"
Here are some verses you may want to include in your Thanksgiving celebration as your family gathers to give thanks and enjoy God's goodness. You may want to have different people around the table read a verse, share one thing for which they are especially thankful, and how their gratitude motivates them to do something for another.
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
—Psalm 105:1-3
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?
—Psalm 106:1-2
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say this–Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
—Psalm 107:1-2; 8-9; 21-22
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign...The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life... He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
—Revelation 11:17, 21:17,20-21