1
Why is the Rapture So Important?
1 Corinthians 15:1-6, 50-58
Introduction:
The Bible is important because of what we are told in it.
The facts –
- Jesus was born exactly where God said HE would be,
- HE lived a perfect life,
- HE was crucified, as God said HE would be,
- HE died and was buried; and was resurrected like HE said HE would be.
- HE IS COMING AGAIN – back to this earth to catch the church away and THEN HE shall return to this earth setting up HIS kingdom.
Paul tells us what many believe to be the “gospel” in a nutshell (1 Co. 15:1-6) and they call it the Death / Burial and Resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ.
BUT, I think we could add one other item to that short list and do NO harm – placing on it “HIS Soon Return”.
Jesus promised all in the Scriptures that there would come a time when HE would “receive us unto HIMSELF, that where HE is, we should be also”.
In order for us to get to the place HE is – the Rapture has got to happen,
IT IS IMPORTANT!
HE promised it would happen and it will
I)The Rapture Will Bring Resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (King James Version)
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
A)Who is affected!
1)Christ.(15:12-20)
2)Church.(15:20-23
3)Comfort. (I Thes. 4:18)
B)When they are affected
1)Dead in Christ will rise first.
2)Those who are alive are next.
C)What is affected!
1)Our peace of mind;
(a)just walk into the graveyard and remember the coming Rapture.
2)Our comfort of life;
(a)just remembering HIS promises of resurrection.
II)The Rapture Will Bring Recovery.
NOTE: “…we shall all be changed…”
A)The Living believers will be caught up in a moment.
1)** At our being caught up –
(a)there shall also be a change affected.
(b)We shall be like HIM.
B)What was lost by Adam and Eve in the Garden shall be regained.
1)Talk about the perfect body – we’ll have it then
2)Talk about all pain being ended – it will be
3)Talk about perfect knowledge – we’ll have it for sure
4)Talk about the end of all sickness / sorrow and death or disease – THEY’RE DONE
C)All creation is waiting to be revealed on that wonderful day.
1)** Bible says the creation groans under the curse of the fall.
Romans 8:21-23 (King James Version)
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
2)** But once all this has happened – we who belong to God will sing Praises to HIM and helping us will be creation itself.
The Rapture Will Bring Resurrection.
The Rapture Will Bring Recovery.
III)The Rapture Will Bring Reunion and Rewards
A)A reunion of all those who have gone ahead of us.
1)** Every loved one who has passed away and went to Heaven – We’ll see them again.
2)** Many have been gone for more years than we care to remember – but once our eyes meet theirs, the matter of time won’t matter.
3)All of the lonely hours will seem as nothing
4)All of the meals of eating alone will be replaced by sitting around the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
B)The rewards to all will be given by the LORD.
1)Rewarded for FAITHFULNESS
2)Rewarded for SERVICE
3)Rewarded for LOVING HIS APPEARING – if we love this we’ll be faithful and serve HIM.
IV)Conclusion: Question – Are you ready for the Rapture?