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January 14, 2022 2:00 am
Some people are skeptical about the rapture because the date has been incorrectly predicted so many times. Skip explores this future event in the message "Come Up Here" from the What's Next? series.
This teaching is from the series Pastor Skip's Top 40.
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So I hear people all the times the word sure is an emblem Bible Bible is who cares that the word is in their teaching. The idea is clearly there is where we are alive and remain shall be caught word in Greek are so positive about those shows up 18 different times in 13 different verses in and when it's translated it means four times to catch up were to be cut out.
Did you know that dozens of people have made claims about Jesus is returning to the year. Needless to say nobody is just right so far today we continue our countdown skips top 40 messages on the connect with Skip Heitzigs of YouTube channel in the number 31 spot is his message, peer Skip gives you some clarity on what you can expect from the rapture and other end times events before we begin, we want to tell you about an exciting opportunity you have, to encounter the roots of your faith in the land of the Bible are invited to join Stephanie toward Israel in 2022. Visiting the places for the offense of the Bible and folded currents in your faith if that's where it comes to never have before. All the info bearings increases.com/AP Q okay in Revelation chapters 1 and four for today stay so much joy Skip Heitzigs up to $1.6 billion, and I don't know if it affected any of you, but your winning Powerball while the odds were 292 million to one that you would not win Powerball you would be more likely to be struck by an asteroid than to win so I noticed that the clerk was on the news being interviewed was selling tickets to people buying the two dollar tickets to Powerball.
There's a line around the store and somebody said so, why do you think so many people want to buy this ticket were they buying in the car had an interesting answer.
He said there buying hope. It's two dollars worth of hope and then explain what he meant.
He said you know they take their ticket home within the numbers read on the news in the first number is their number, they get all excited. My number they read the second number it's their number again. They get all excited her number isn't their number before.
While there, he said that hope didn't last long, but that's what they're buying two dollars worth of hope all and say that some a lot better than two dollars for the hope called the blessed hope when Paul wrote to Titus, he said, looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, the blessed hope is also what Peter called a living hope living because the one who promised it is alive because of a resurrection he has promised to come back and he promised to come back for those who believe in him that is an event I want to discuss with you this morning from the pages of the book of Revelation to look at this idea. This thought of what I think we have depicted here before us and that is a word when I say it it causes some to get excited to cause others to roll their eyes that is the rapture of the church as it causes people to roll their eyes, because some of us can remember 1988 and we may remember the book that was published and made lots of news.
Some people here told me on almost that I had to tell people warn people that the Lord is coming back. The book said Jesus Christ will come back in the rapture for his church. In 1988 between September 11 and September 13 of that year's Rosh Hashanah on the year. Jesus is coming back 88 reasons why that will happen.
That's what it's called so after the date came and went. The author Edgar Whisenant published second book called the final shout rapture 1989 and then when that date came and went. He called it the final shout, 1990, and once again the final shout, 1994 and I think that was his final shout because he's no longer with us. So a lot of people have predicted the event of the rapture and because of that negative press. Some will dismiss the idea altogether.
And that's unfortunate because it is a real event to distinct event and it's an event for the church and its is an event that is given detail in passages like John chapter 14 first Thessalonians chapter 4 first Corinthians chapter 15, but here I think we see it received in the chronology of Revelation. You know there's only two people in the Bible that were given a trip to heaven.
One was Paul. The other was John Paul was taken there, but he didn't give us any details you know we start reading second Corinthians chapter 12. He says I was taken to the third heaven and would get so excited because we want to tell us what it was like as I can tell you just to amaze its unlawful for me to even talk about the great John on the other hand, sees it, and he is commanded to write about and he does so in chapters 4 and five in the detailed description in the book of Revelation.
Let me throw some out at you to hopefully jog your memory.
Do you recall when Jesus told his disciples, some of you standing here will not taste death until they see the coming kingdom in glory. Then he took Peter, James and John, and he was transfigured before them on a mountain so we kind of think will that's the fulfillment of that promise. However, what John sees in this vision of the book of Revelation, though it was partially fulfilled in that little glorious snippet of a transformation he sees in real full-blown expanded vision of the glorious Christ the things that the church and the details that follow in the book of Revelation. So we discussed last week in Revelation 1.
The John hears a voice behind me turns to see who it is speaking and he sees one like the Son of Man, and the words are in red because it's Jesus in this vision talking to John and giving him instruction.
Now what I want you to notice with me. Beginning in chapter 1, but then looking at chapter 4 are three occurrences that happen to John the apostle three occurrences that happen to John before he writes about this tribulation that the bulk of the book takes up in the three occurrences are simply this. John is commanded to write. John is called to heaven, and John is captivated by glory. So first of all he has to look down because he's told to write something. He then looks up as he goes somewhere and then he looks around, and he describes to us the glories of heaven. Let's look back at chapter 1. Let's take it up in verse 17 this week and will notice that John is commanded to write when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
But he laid his right hand on me, saying to me. Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last I am he who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forever more. Only one person can say that I have the keys of Hades and death write the things which you have seen in the things which are in the things which will take place after this.
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches, but you remember last week I told you that this book was written and symbols we all noticed that as we read the book of signs and symbols in verse one it says that God gave it to him.
He said he sent and signified it. The word signified in verse one of chapter 1 means given in signs or symbols. So we asked the question why why is a given in signs why all these symbols and then I said I won't answer it.
I'll wait till this week to answer so let me give you the reasons why I believe this book is written symbols. First reason is preservation symbols can withstand the test of time. Symbols transcend normal human language and therefore there are not weakened by times or not we can buy language they're not weakened by culture.
There preserved because of that second reason is emotion.
When you read symbols.
They arouse a certain kind of an emotion, usually a strong emotion. So when we get to it instead of just saying a dictators in a come on the world scene. It's written like this, and I saw a beast rise up out of the sea that does something to the reader far different than just plain didactic lady writing so preservation emotion. The third is orientation. I mentioned last week that out of the 404 versus comprise the book of Revelation almost 300 of them harken back to an Old Testament reference and so with the symbols that we read about most of the symbols are rooted in the Old Testament. That is why they might sound weird to us but to a first century Jewish reader familiar with the Jewish apocalyptic literature, like Daniel or Ezekiel or Zechariah. They make more sense. So the orientation and the number four protection for the sake of protection if you're aware of this but the early church was under the watchful eye of the Roman government and they were seizing documents to try them into court for treason and sometimes they would find their writings, their scriptures and they would try to see looks, subversion, sedition, etc. can you imagine a Roman soldier finding a copy of the book of Revelation is looking to go lie a lot. It's just as all where all the signs and symbols.
I don't get this and it would be confusing to them and us for protection. So all of those reasons help us understand why the book was given in signs and symbols something else.
John is told to write, but he's given an outline and how to write verse 19.
Did you notice the command is write the things which you have seen and the things which are in the things which will take place after this.
Now this is important because that is exactly what John does in the book.
That's how this book is laid out verse 19 of chapter 1 becomes the outline for the entire book look at it more carefully write the things which you have seen what John see in chapter 1 vision of Jesus, and he writes that down. He writes down the details of what he has seen.
He never seen Jesus like this before. He remembered him in his earthly on exalted state.
He turned and he saw one like the Son of Man, but vastly different. He writes that second he is told to write the things which are in John does that in chapters 2 and chapter 3 of Revelation. Those of the things going on at that time the church is seven churches in Asia minor.
In fact if you look at verse 20 the meaning of a couple of the symbols are given so we don't even have to guess the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches angels. The Greek word on the loss. It could mean heavenly messenger could mean earthly messenger both are seen using the term in the bucket mean the pastors the elders of the church and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches of these seven churches which are written about in chapters 2 and three were actual, literal congregations in Asia minor. Within 100 mile radius close to each other in modern-day Turkey. I visited the ruins of the mall there and in close proximity to each other. They were literal actual living congregations at the time of John, but also I believe for a lot of reasons. I don't have time to get into that they were seven periods of church history all the way from the apostolic church era all the way to the apostate church era. It comprises all of church history is like a panorama of the things of the church so John writes about the church in chapters 2 and chapter 3. By the way the churches are represented by a lamp stand. I think that's so fitting a lampstand raises the lamps. The oil lamps high so that it gives light didn't Jesus say about us. You are the light of the world. Have you ever thought of yourself that way. Have you ever thought of your self when you walk into a room and the light of the world probably have it you are you really are and think of it this way people in this world are looking for a way out of the darkness, but if they look at God's people and we seem to be in the dark is not a lot of hope so it's like that lighthouse in Florida.
I read about some time ago, one of the glass panes broke out, and so they replaced it they didn't have glass of the time, but to replace it, to preserve the light from blowing out. This is an old lighthouse. They put up a piece of tin in that one side so would I. Going the only problem was from one direction was a dark spot. I'm told that a ship trying to find harbor one night couldn't see it because in looking at the lighthouse.
It saw a dark spot and people trying to navigate through life. In looking at what is on the lampstand are shining our light, they need to be able to see a bright and clear where the lampstand and Jesus holds the lampstands and walks in the midst of the lampstand.
So write the things which are seen, the vision of chapter 1. Write the things which are the things of the church chapters 2 and three in the notice verse 19 the very last phrase and the things which will take place after this. Now, in the Greek language its meta-how to after these are after this meta-tout and that's how John writes the book now turn over to chapter 4 please for a moment. Chapter 4 because John was commanded to write but now John is called to heaven.
Watch this chapter 4 verse one after these things stop if you and I were reading the Greek text would say meta-tout back to the outline chapter 1 verse 19, the things which are the things that you've seen the things which are in the things which will be meta-tout to after this we come to chapter 4 meta-tout to after this or after these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven and the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me saying come up here and I will show you things which must take place meta-tout after this. So after these things up for things after the vision he saw in chapter 1, after the message that Jesus gives to the seven churches chapters 2 and three. Now suddenly John is in heaven. Suddenly, John is in the presence of God. Suddenly John sees it, the throne and he writes about it he holds it in chapters 4 and five.
Follow me here. The church has been in focus in chapters 1 to entry of the book of Revelation 19×19 times the word church appears in chapters 1, two and three, it's Jesus and the church Jesus and the church. The church is invoked now suddenly in chapter 4. After these things the church. It's as if they disappear. It is not seen.
It is not spoken about it is not even mentioned at all until the end of the book after Jesus comes back in the kingdom is developed in the new heavens and the new earth are put in place. The word church appears from chapter 4 on its gone. In fact, the very last mention of it is in the verse right before verse one of chapter 4.
Look at Revelation chapter 3 verse 22. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches last mention of it in the book. Now it's meta-tout after this after the things of the church after the church age has run its course. So those are the three divisions of the book of Revelation. That's how it's laid out what John is seeing chapter 1, the things which are chapters 2 and three in the things which will take place after this. Now John is in heaven.
Instantly, and I believe we would call this a preview of coming attractions. This is a depiction of the rapture of the church. In fact, even the language in verse one of chapter 4 sounds a little bit familiar. If your Bible student at all and you know the Texan first Thessalonians 4 right. John says that a first voice that I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me saying come up here that sound familiar invective is not familiar, you need to be familiar with it. Turn with me to run first Thessalonians. Now chapter 4 first Thessalonians chapter 4. Love to hear those Bible pages turning's not the same and you have a little phone and you're gonna doing this with your finger to make which they should put that in a nap. By the way, that the sound they could do that. First Thessalonians 4 verse 13, but I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, died, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. What you need to know is the Thessalonians were all worried. They believe Jesus was coming. Paul had told him he's coming back but many of their friends and relatives have already died. So there wondering what about them to miss the coming of the Lord and policy.
No no no no no.
They're not to miss the coming of the Lord to be there and factoring to see it first.
Verse 16 for the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel with the trumpet of God. She got that voice of an archangel, he's going to the Lord himself in a shout with the voice of an archangel with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. So your relatives who have gone into heaven, they're knocking to miss this.
They're going to see it first course if 6 feet further to travel so they need to get a little head start, I suppose. Look at verse 17 is the classic passage, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up to gather with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Okay, so I hear people all the time sake. While the word rapture areas and in the Bible where the word Bible is in in the Bible who cares that the word isn't there, the teaching, the idea that doctrine is clearly there is. It is where you discredit. We who are alive and remain shall be caught up the word in Greek far pod so far pods of how God still shows up 18 different times in 13 different verses in the New Testament, which translated means four times to catch up or to be caught up three times means to take something by force. One time it's translated to snatch away twice to snatch twice to catch away twice to clock in one of the idea. This patent number 31 message messages count from his series. What's next message and more Scripps teaching as well as full-length sermons anywhere any time on any device that YouTube.com/count to let you know about a resource that traces Jesus path to the cross and set you on a trajectory to an even more fulfilling life in Christ year was 1962 Lily Pres. Kennedy's strong claim. I believe that this nation should commit itself to leaving the hill for this date is out landing a man on the moon. The air 32 mankind ever done anything old moon and know that we do in the next 10 years, and it can ended with a man come back home.
They want an incredible thing to say when all of our faith.
At that moment amounted to 15 minutes in faith on the moon is in you hardcover resource for this month, receive your copy to $35 more to support this program to connect, call 192 connect with gift.com one 892 we close by you to check out the connect with mobile app you will have access to a treasure trove of Scripps messages right at your fingertips like more information, connectwithskip.com/and come back next Skip Heitzigs of shares another top 40 message and dives into one of Jesus most significant prayers. Jesus Christ thought it important to stay in contact with his father often by prayer. Where does that leave us some we can to sort of toss out or bring in whatever we like is necessary when I'm really in trouble about God or will I make a constant priority to be connected with Skip presentation of connection communication to ever-changing time