1

WHEN GOD SNATCHES YOU UP

2 Corinthians 12:1-4 (King James Version)
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Introduction:

All of us have experienced an upward tug at some time in our lives.

  • One of the most common experiences of it is on an elevator.

This past week while making a hospital visit, I watched BO as the elevator began to ascend up. HE felt "the upward tug."

One times my daughter and I road a ride called the sling shot it was the closes thing to leaving this world I could imagined

When a sinner realizes that he is a sinner headed for hell

  • Then trusts Christ's sacrificial death, burial, resurrection according to the scriptures,
  • God saves Him.
  • Included in that salvation are a "quickening" and a "raising":

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

First of all, let me show you from the Bible

I.THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCEDWHEN GOD SNATCHES UP

Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

  1. The faithful man, Enoch, experienced it
  2. The fearless man, Elijah, experienced it
  • 2 Kings 2:11 (King James Version)
    11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
  1. The forecasting man, John the Revelator, experienced it
  • Rev. 4:1 - God said to him, "Come up hither," and he was "caught up"!

II.THE EXPLANATION OF WHEN GOD SNATCHES YOU UP

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV) 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.

  1. There will be Christ in the sky
  2. There will be a call from heaven
  3. There will be a coming out of the graves
  4. There will be a catching up of the saints
  5. There will be a change in our bodies
  6. There will be
  7. A cheering,
  8. A comforting,
  9. And a collection of the people of God!

It's almost impossible to get everyone to come to every church service. They just won't do it.

But EVERY saved person will go up at the Rapture!

III.THE EXPECTATION OFWHEN GOD SNATCHES YOU UP

Titus 2:13 (KJV) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

  1. It is a steadfast expectation
  2. We believe in an imminent return of the Lord --

a)It could happen at any moment.

  1. Paul looked for it in his day!
  1. It is a sure expectation

John 14:1 (KJV) 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.

  1. It is a sweet expectation
  2. It is "that blessed hope" of Tit. 2:13