Bible Reference: Titus 2:13-14
Titus 2:13-14 KJV
13 looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Introduction
I. The Prophecy of the Rapture
A. A Frequent Promise
Philippians 3:20 KJV
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
John 14:1-3 KJV
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
B. A Factual Promise
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 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. 16 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: 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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
6 Facts
1. The Lord Will Come
2. We Will Hear The Lord's Shout
3. The Dead In Christ Will Rise
4. Christians Will Be "Caught Up"
5. We Will Meet The Lord In The Air
6. We Will Ever Be With The Lord
II. The Promise of the Rapture
A. Imminent Hope
1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 1:10 KJV
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
B. Inspirational Hope
1 Corinthians 15:51 KJV
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
III. The Preparation for the Rapture
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 KJV
9 even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
A. Through Salvation
1 Thessalonians 4:14 KJV
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.B. Through Sanctification
1 John 3:1-3 KJV
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
C. Through Steadfastness
Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Conclusion
