Study # 1

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 & other Scriptures describing this Great Event.

This passage of Scripture along with many more tell us of the glorious event for true believers who have been born again, saved by the grace of God, the only way one can be saved. Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 4:12; John 14:6. Rapture means to be Caught up; to be snatched away; extreme joy or pleasure. Rapture isn't found in the N.T., but the doctrine is clearly set forth in God's Word. The Rapture is as literal and definite as the first coming of Christ. The Rapture is the first phase, aspect, or stage of  His Second Coming. This isn't some new doctrine, it has always been in the Bible, the Precious Word of God. We must study the Word and rightly divide it in order to understand this doctrine. Paul believed it and taught it. He believed the Lord could come at any moment. Now, if I did not believe in the Rapture of the Saints before the Tribulation and Great Tribulation Period. I would have to say, I am looking for the 'mark of the beast', therefore, looking for the anti-christ to appear on the scene who will require it to be placed on the right hand or forehead before anyone can buy or sell.

Praise God! I am not looking for the anti-christ, I am looking for THE CHRIST, the LORD JESUS to return as He promised when He said in John 14:3 "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." This verse of Scripture, as far as I know, is the first mention of the Rapture, even though the word Rapture isn't used, but it ties in with many other Scriptures teaching the Rapture of the Saints. Now, I have used the word Saints in speaking of Christians because we are called Saints in the N.T., also priests. We are believer priests, in that we have direct access to God the Father through the one and only High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ........We don't always live saintly, nevertheless we are called by that name, therefore we should strive to live up to the name by living godly and righteous lives. We can only do so by yielding to the Holy Spirit to lead us in the way of all truth, and righteousness. Only God can empower us to live holy lives as we yield to Him.

Titus 2:11-15, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Peculiar people means special chosen ones) The Rapture will be the beginning of a new and glorious day for all who are "in Christ." The Rapture will be the beginning of a spiritual dark age for all remaining on the earth, it also will be the beginning of the end of satan and his followers.

God has not forgotten His Children, He will deliver us out of this present evil world, perhaps soon. We Christian will be delivered from his wrath, as He promised.  Galations 1:3-4, "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from out Lord Jesus Christ. Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. A'-men." Praise His Holy name!!! We shall be delivered!  We Christians have a living Hope. Hope means to anticipate with pleasure and expectation or confidence.

Hebrews 6:19, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; I Peter 1:3-10, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:" Praise the Lord again, and again!  These Scriptures ought to make a backslidden baptist repent, get his heart right with the Lord and shout praises unto Him. A'men! My dear friends, what great comfort we can have by just believing and claiming His precious promises just as they are given in His Precious, unadulterated, plenary, God breathed Book, the Bible. His promises are sure. Nothing can make them void.  We true born again believers in Christ have a purifying Hope and will have a greater purifying Hope when Jesus comes for us.

I John 3:1-3, "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. 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. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." How in this world could a person sink with his head that high above water?????????

NO WAY my friend if one is a true born again believer in Christ. Praise Him again!!! We have a "Comforting Hope" in knowing and believing the Lord's Promise of His return for His very own before the Tribulation Period of 7 years which is divided into two parts the latter part, three and one half years, know as the Great Tribulation, a terrible period of time, such as no one has ever seen, or ever will see in the future.  I hope to elaborate on this later. 

I Thessalonians 4:13-18, "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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

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 with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort ye one another with these words." This is absolutely speaking of the Rapture. This has always been in the Bible, it was divinely inspired along with all other Scriptures. II Timothy 3:16, " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instructions in righteousness:"

Therefore we should prayerfully study the Word... II Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."

Many wrongly divide the Word of God because they lean to their own understanding, or perhaps the understanding of someone else, or follow false teachings of cults, etc.

Evangelist R. E. Layne