RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS (1)

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 15: 51 – 57, 1 THESSALONIANS 4: 13 – 18

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 15: 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 change.

INTRODUCTION

The word rapture is from the Greek word (HERPAZO) meaning to carry off a group hastily; snatch off; to seize and overpower and the act of transporting. The rapture is different from the second coming of Christ; let us not confuse the two events. The rapture is believes blessed hope. When Jesus shall appear in the air, the dead in Christ shall rise first and those of us who are alive shall be caught up to be with the Lord in the air until after the great tribulation on the earth. (1 Thessalonians 2: 19, 1Thessalonians 3: 13, 1 John 14: 1 –3, 2Corinthians 5: 10, Revelation 19)

PREPARATION FOR THE RAPTURE

Being born again (John 3: 3 – 8, Act 3: 19)
Living a holy life (Ephesians 5: 26 – 27, 1 Corinthians 6: 9 – 11)
Being prayerful (Luke 18: 1, Luke 22: 41, 46)
Being faithful (Mathew 24: 44 – 46, Revelation 22: 11 – 12, Ephesians 6: 18)
Being watchful (Mathew 24: 42, Mathew 26: 41)

NATURE OF THE RAPTURE

It will be a sudden event (1 Corinthians 15: 52)
All the dead saints from Adam to the rapture shall resurrect (Mathew 24: 4, 41, 1Thessaloonians 15: 52)
Our body shall be incorruptible and immortality (1 Corinthians 15: 52 – 54)
All the saints shall gather in the air (1 Thessalonians 44: 17, Mathew 24: 40 – 41)