The Christ Life (Part 4)

THE CHRIST LIFE (Part 4)

Colossians 3:1-4

I. THE WHAT OF THE RAPTURE

II. THE WHEN OF THE RAPTURE

III. THE WHO OF THE RAPTURE

IV. THE WHERE OF THE RAPTURE

V. THE WHY OF THE RAPTURE

VI. THE HOW OF THE RAPTURE

The Difference between the Rapture and the Revelation:

1. Rapture: Christ comes in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

1. Revelation: He comes to the Earth. And in that day His feet will stand on the

Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. (Zechariah 14:4).

2. Rapture: He comes for His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

2. Revelation: He comes with His saints. So that He may establish your hearts

blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord

Jesus Christ with all His saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

3. The Rapture: It is a mystery. A truth unknown in O.T. Times. (1 Corinthians

15:51).

3. The Revelation: It is not a mystery; it is the subject of many O.T. prophecies (Psalm

72; Isaiah 11; and Zechariah 14).

4. The Rapture: Christ coming for His saints is never said to be preceded by signs in

Heaven.

4. The Revelation: Christ coming with His saints will be heralded by heavenly signs.

Immediately after the Tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and

the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from Heaven, and the

powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will

appear in heaven and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will

see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great

glory.

5. The Rapture: The Rapture is identified with the Day of Christ. Paul says in

Philippians 1:6, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a

good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

5. The Revelation: It is identified with the Day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).

6. The Rapture: The Rapture is presented as a time of blessing (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

6. The Revelation: The main emphasis of the revelation is on judgment (2

Thessalonians 2:8-12).

7. Rapture: The Rapture takes place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. (1

Corinthians 15:52). This implies that it will not be witnessed by the world.

7. Revelation: The Revelation will be visible worldwide. Matthew 24:27 says, For as

the lightning comes, from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the

coming of the Son of Man be. Revelation 1:7 says, Behold, He is coming with

clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.

8. Rapture: The Rapture involves the Church.

8. Revelation: The Revelation involves Israel primarily, then also the Gentile nations.

9. Rapture: Christ comes as the Bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16).

9. Revelation: Christ comes as the sun of righteousness with healing in his wings

(Malachi 4:2).

III. THE WHO OF THE RAPTURE

A. Who is Coming?

Acts 1:9-11 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16

B. For Whom is He Coming?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Daniel 12:1, Revelation 20:4

IV. THE WHERE OF THE RAPTURE

The three parts of a Jewish marriage:

A. Engagement

B. Betrothal

C. The Wedding Feast

It was a time for Preparation and Anticipation.