Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 5:13, John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Introduction
The person coming is the ‘King’ and not just a ‘king’. We have natural kings that rules people or govern their domain. We also have spiritual kings as Christians (Rev 1:6, 5:10, 1Pet 2:9). He is not a local king. He is not an earthly king. He is not a traditional king. He is the King. The king is Jesus Christ. This King was, is and is to come (Heb 13:8, Rev 1:8). .
Note:
- The King was not recognized all over the world when He first came.
- He died (Mark 15:44), He rose (Luke 24:34), He lives (Revelation 1:18, Hebrews 7:25) and He is coming again (Revelation 22:20)
- When natural kings rule and exercise dominion, whatever takes them out of their domain must be very important. This is because at their command or word, people obey them. Therefore for the King to be coming, it means what He’s coming to do is very important.
- Currently, the King is doing a very good job in heaven.
- The King has been in heaven before (i.e. at His first coming). He is going to come again. For Him to be coming, it means what He is coming to do is very vital.
His coming is in two folds; the first is at rapture and the second is the second coming of Christ or Second Advent. The rapture precedes the second coming. When Jesus first came, He came to the earth. When Jesus is coming at rapture, He is not coming to the earth but to the clouds (i.e. in the air). When Jesus is coming the second time, He is coming to earth with raptured saints to reign for 1000 years. The rapture qualifies the saints for the second coming.
What is rapture?
- It is the word that means “caught up” as used in 1Thessalonians 4:17
- In the Greek, it is the word “harpazo” which means to carry off or snatch up
- It means to grasp hastily. It means to carry away with speed
- It is the act of transporting
- In Latin, it is the word “rapturo” which means to transport from one place to another
- The scriptural terms for “rapture” are; “Caught-up” (1Thessalonians 4:17, 2 Corinthians 12: 4); “receive you unto myself” (John 14:3);; “Come up hither” (Revelation 4::1, 11:12).
- When we use it, it means the “catching up” of Christians to meet the LORD in the air. The Christians then goes to the planet heaven with Christ to become settled in their eternal mansions that He has gone to prepare for them who serve Him until death or until the time of the rapture (1Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 4:13-18, Philippians 3:20-21, Col 3; 4, James 5:7-8, Revelation 4:1).
- When we use the word ‘rapture’ we do not mean the second coming of Christ or any stage or phase of it. This is because rapture is distinct and separate coming of the Lord with at least 7years between the two comings out of heaven.
What is second coming?
- The first coming of Christ is the first time He came to earth to live here and fulfill a mission. This was over 2000 years ago (1John 3:8, Luke 19: 10)
- The second coming of Christ will occur when He literally comes again to live on earth to fulfill another mission. That is, to reign as king of the whole earth and put down all rebellion (1 Corinthians 15:24-23, Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Jude 14-15, Revelation 5:10, 11:15, 20:1-20, Zechariah 14, Ezekiel 38:31).
- The second coming is at least 7 years after the rapture when Christ will literally lands on earth to live among men as He did at first advent or coming (Zechariah 14:4-5, Daniel 2:44-45, 7:7-14, 7:18, 7:22, 7:27, Luke 1:32-33, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Ephesians 1:10, 2:7, 3:11, Jude 14-15, Revelation 5:10, 20:1-10)
- Christ will not come to the earth at the rapture. He will come only as far as the clouds. The dead and the living in Christ will rise to meet in the air to go to heaven with Him (John 14:1-3, Luke 21:34-36, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 51-56, Ephesians 5:27, Philippians 3:21, Colossians 3:4, James 5:7-8)
- At the rapture, Christ will come in the air (1Thessalonians 4:17). But at the second coming, He will descend unto Mount of Olives from where He ascended (Zechariah 14:3-4, Hebrews 1:10-12)
- At rapture, He will come as a thief (2 Peter 3:10), while at second coming, every eye shall see Him (Revelation 1:7)
- At rapture, Christ will come for the saints while at second coming to the earth, Christ will come with the saints
- The signs of His coming at rapture are imminent, (Matthew 24:13).
Between the rapture and second coming of Christ to the earth, the following things will take place:
- The saints will be taking to heaven (John 14:1-3)
- There will be judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 5: 10)
- There will be marriage supper of the lamb between the reward seat of Christ and second coming of Christ (Revelation 19:7-14)
- The Great tribulation or Daniel 70th week will be on earth. This is for seven years. It is going to be a very lawless and bloody period.
This Daniel 70 weeks is divided into three:
a) The first period = 7 sevens = 49 years.
b) The second period = 62 seven = 434 years
c) The third period = 1 seven = 7 years.
The third period (also known as the 70th week is divided into 3):
(i) At start, Anti-Christ will be revealed. Anti-Christ makes seven years covenant with Israel (Dan 9:27, Rev 11:3, 16-18). It is for 3½ years.
(ii) At middle, there will be abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). This is the desolation of the future Jewish temple at Jerusalem. This will be accomplished by the Antichrist who will break his 7-year covenant with Israel and do away with the future Jewish sacrifices in the temple in order to establish himself as “god” in this temple.
(iii) In the last 3½, the Antichrist will persecute Israel and the saints that remain on earth. (Jeremiah 36:7, Daniel 9:25, 9:27, Matthew 24:15, Revelation 12:6, 13, 17, Genesis 37:9-10). The Christians who will be saved at this time will pay with their blood (Revelation 7:9-14).
There is a wide gap between the 69th week and 70th week. The gap is the church age, the year of the Lord’s favour (Isa 61:2). God’s wrath will be unleashed in forms of judgment. There will be three of them.
(i) During this tribulation, there will be the seal judgment (Revelation 6)
1st seal – Revelation 6:2
2nd seal – Revelation 6:3-4
3rd seal – Revelation 6:5-6
4th seal – Revelation 6:7-8
5th seal – Revelation 6:9. Saints will be killed
6th seal – Revelation 6:12-13
7th seal – silence for ½ hour
Man looks for death but it will not show up (Revelation6:16-17)
(ii) During this tribulation, there will also be the trumpet judgments (Revelation 8 & 9.)
1st trumpet – Revelation 8:6-7
2nd trumpet – Revelation 8:8-9
3rd trumpet – Revelation 8:10-11
4th trumpet – Revelation 8:12-13
5th trumpet – Revelation 9:1-2, 20-21
6th trumpet – Antichrist Army 200 millions (Revelation 9:13-21)
7th trumpet – Beginning of Christ reign (Revelation 11:15-18)
(iii) During this tribulation, there will also be the Bowls of Judgment (Revelation15 & 16). These are seven in number.
5. After the great tribulation, the battle of Armageddon will take place. The Lord Jesus Christ comes to the earth with the saints to destroy the army of Antichrist in Israel Zechariah 12:9, Revelation 19:11-21, Revelation 14-20, Revelation 19:15-16, Zechariah 14:1-14
6. Millennial Reign of Christ for 1000 years (Daniel 2:24-35, 44-45, Isaiah 11, Revelation 20, 4). . Satan will be chained. After the Millennial reign, the final Rebellion will take place. Satan will have a brief and last opportunity to deceive people at this time (Revelation 20:7-10). The Great White throne judgment will take place after the final rebellion. Sinners will be judged before God at this throne (Revelation 20:11-15). The heaven and the earth will be burnt will fervent heat. Then, a new heaven and the new earth will be created. What is of relevance to us now is to know that the rapture is when Christ is coming to take the saints that are ready home and it is imminent (Luke 21:34, John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-56, Ephesians 5:25-27). Hence, there is need to live ready.
The manner of Jesus’ coming at rapture (1Thessalonians 4:15-18)
1. He is coming with a shout. That is, a cry of incitement. It is an order. It is a command in word. The shout is the call for preparation for action
2. He is coming with the voice of the archangel.
3. He is coming with the triumph of God. This is to herald an event that will take place in a moment (1 Corinthians 15:51-58).
When is He coming?
1. The coming is imminent (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8)
2. The time is not definitely stated as to the year, day or hour but it will take place before the great tribulation and revelation of the Antichrist.
3. He is going to come suddenly (Mark 13:36, Revelation 22:20)
4. He is going to come unexpectedly (Matthew 24: 44, 42, Luke 12:49, Matthew 25:13)
Therefore what should we do?
1. Believe the coming of the Lord (1Thessalonians 4:14)
2. Pray for His coming (Matthew 6:10, Revelation 22:20)
3. Love His coming (2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 16:22)
4. Look and wait for His coming (2 Timothy 4:1-2)
5. Prepare for His coming. This is by occupying till He comes (Luke 19:13).
What do I occupy myself with?
1. Doing God’s will i.e. be obedient (John 14:23).
2. Not defiling our separation (2 Corinthians 6:14)
3. Not forsaken pilgrim character (John 17:13)
4. Going forth without the camp (Hebrews 13:13)
5. Witnessing for Christ (Act 3, 1:8)
6. Setting your affections on things above (Colossians 3:1)
7. Laying up your treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19)
8. Watch and be sober (1Thessalonians 5:6)
9. Put on breastplate of faith and love (1Thessalonians 5:6)
10. Comfort and edify one another (1Thessalonians 5:11)