R437 The Rapture, Pt.2

We all could use some encouragement. I will fight it together today in the Bible-based routing of Dr. Don Wilton and his message on the route of this is part two we began yesterday, but you don't need that particular to dive into what you're going to get out of today's teaching with Dr. Wilson stay with us if you want to hear yesterday you confided on our website tewonline.org Jeep. This message stands alone as we had to first Thessalonians chapter 4 Revelation chapter 1 about the rapture is not a lot of discussion about but as we open God's word with Dr. Don Wilton we gain insight from Scripture itself, as we study the word know that were available as well. To pray with you and for you at 866-899-WORD 866-899-9673 and were also connecting on our website tewonline.org you come see us today DEW online.org folks I wonder say several things to you to this so much I want to start I want you to turn over the book of Revelation.

It's a lost book in the Bible, Revelation, when I want you to turn with me to chapter 4 Revelation chapter 4. Now, let's just understand something here this morning. There are many passages in Corinthians in Matthew in first Thessalonians chapter 1. First Thessalonians chapter 4 in Revelation chapter 1 through three which deals with the latest of the seven churches in Asia, which is the church I there are announcements all pronouncements rolling off the warning about the rapture of the church in Revelation chapter 4. We actually read about the time that the rapture occurs. Revelation chapter 4 begins the rapture of the church and the rapture of the church signals the beginning of the seven year tribulation. Well, let's just read about it. Revelation chapter 4. Off to this. I look now off to walk. What is the right to sign you what is drawing inside. Off to walk well off to the church age.

That's the age in which we live. These things that have happened since Jesus was saying into heaven to be with God forever. All these things. You see, chapters 1 through three in the book of Revelation deal with the letters to the seven churches, and the seven churches are you and me. This is the day of grace.

This is the time that we when every person has an opportunity. Folks, I'm going to say something I want you to listen. I will guarantee you that there is at least one person here today maybe a young teenage man, maybe a young lady might be a boy girl might be a grandparent guarantee you God for bid, but I'll guarantee there's at least one person got a guy who's not paying attention guarantee you today that there's at least someone yesterday who is scoffing at even the thought of this guarantee you that there is someone yesterday who assign lesson man I don't need all this man I gotta listen all the stuff too many other things to do. I bought a beautiful girlfriend man. I don't need one am booting a I'm raising a family. I'm trying to get my bank balance tried to hear about. You see we living in the day of grace, folks. It's as simple as saying to you right now. Would you would you give your heart to Jesus. Would you do it right now. Would you sample that issue because you cannot afford not to.

And so it is that John writing in chapter 4 of the book of the Revelation. Let me show you something to watch me all I had a heart attack thought I was going to jump on this is this is what happens in the book of Revelation, the book of Revelation is pointing from point a to my brother Jim over there to direct all and from me to Jim over there is the revelation of God and what Revelation is all about. It is the systematic unfolding of the revelation of everything that God has for us. It's slowly opening the pages of God's book and telling us who we are and where we going and how we going to get there and the reason why we going to get.

That is the revelation of God and the overriding message of the book of Revelation is that Jesus Christ laws he is and he always will be totally victorious. We know the brother Jim from the beginning we know what happens at the end because God's word tells us well here in Revelation chapter 4. We have the announcement about the rapture off to this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like what was that's either excuse me, like I trumpet have you heard that before. The voice speaking to me like a trumpet said, now wait a minute now, folks. What is the second coming. That's Jesus coming down to hear the trumpet sounds in line with what the church at Thessalonica and John is told to come up here and I will show you what must take place. Often these things. In other words, what is about to happen is just the beginning of what is about to happen. Now you say to me right a minute foster care in chapter 4 we begin the rib we begin the tribulation. There's going to be a time of unmitigated disaster and playing in torment upon the people who are literally left behind. What about us will look back at Revelation chapter 3 in verse 10, just look back at verse 10.

Since you have kept my Kaman to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live upon the earth.

God's word is absolute. It is absolutely precious and absolutely assured. We can have absolute confidence in the word of God. Why, because God's word says if you love him and you believe in him and you receive them in your heart you are going to be enraptured you going to be snatched away. So what is he say there in verse two at once that word once is the is the rapture of the church at once. Immediately I was in the spirit and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it and so we go on into the race of the description of the throne room and what happens in the book of Revelation, and it begins not unsurprisingly, in verse eight by the angel standing around the throne room saying holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty was and is and is not something that amazing well let's have a look at I'm data on support questions number one what is the rapture number two, what, when will it occur number three. Why do I believe this is number four. How does it affect me well number one what is well. The word rapture is not actually in the Bible the word. It's a Latin word which literally means to be snatched up to be called away. We read about it in first Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 13 and this main passage dealing with the rapture separates these issues for us.

The dead in Christ. Those who have fallen asleep in him the day of the Lord as opposed to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But I'm also going to cite you folks if we had time to die for the next five or six years. We might also note many biblical examples of the rapture right throughout Scripture in Genesis chapter 5 in verse 24. The Bible says that Enoch walked with God. He was translated he was snatched up. He was no marital in second Kings chapter 2 verses one through 18 Elijah was snatched or taken away out of the presence of Elisha and only the mantle of these blessings left behind. What about him.

In John chapter 14, Jesus said I am going to come back again in first Corinthians 15. Now let's turn over there we go to read this one alternately to first Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 51. I want to read just two verses for you very important first Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 51. Pharaoh says listen, I tell you a mystery. Now why did he call us a mystery. I think he quoted a mystery folks because these things are not easy to understand. That's why: the ministry it's something that goes beyond human comprehension of something that we really struggle with.

He says listen, I tell you a mystery. We will not closely, but we will all be changed how in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the loss. What trumpet there it is again the trumpet will sound at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound good will be raised imperishable, and we will all betray we will be translated and changed in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, the rapture, it means to be snatched away taken out of this world. The Bible says that if you love the Lord Jesus Christ. You are going to be a participant in the rapture. Number two, when will the rapture occur, will folks, I'm going to say first of all, not everyone agrees on this and that's fine. I don't fall out of fellowship with people of these things. But secondly I'm data cite you. No one knows now there's nothing wrong with going back and looking through the Scriptures. In fact, I want you to turn with me to Matthew's gospel chapter 24 that's turnover. Therefore want to exalt Matthew chapter 24. Let's alternately as I'm going to read quite a long passage Matthew chapter 24.

This is dealing with. When the rapture is going to happen. Verse 30. Let me also say to you folks. There is there is a very close correlation between the second coming of Jesus and the rapture of the church and some of these passages. They run a very fine line. There are many people who believe that this passage refers exclusively only to the second coming there other people who believe that it refers to both. And there are others who believe that it refers exclusively to the rapture of the church. I want you to listen to it for yourself. That's why we are believers together. Listen verse 30 at that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn not folks. Why will the nations of the earth mourn, simply because they will have been left behind. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky. You remember that in first Thessalonians. We will meet them where in the clouds where in the sky coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. Now look at verse 31 and he will send these angels with what with a loud trumpet cool and they will gather his elect to all the elect believers. Those who have been saved from basin where all these believers from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the others go down to verse 36 now this is a tough passage in verse 36 no one knows about that day or I'll not even the angels in heaven, nor the sun but only the father as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man for the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage Bible says people will be given in marrying and giving in marriage, up to the guy in this instance, Noah entered the ark, and I knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. This is how will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field.

One will be taken and the other one left behind two women will be grinding with a handful one will be taken. The other one left behind. Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day the Lord will come. Look at verse 44 so you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at all. When you do not ask him to come. No one knows you're listening to Dr. Don Wilton and you know when he talks about the idea that we must be ready, because the Lord will come when we do not expect him to come we don't fear is coming. It's what the Bible calls our blessed hope if you don't see it like that, if perhaps there is a spirit of fear involved in your life and the idea that the world could come to the end of the rapture could take place in the next few moments.

Would you let us talk with you and pray with you our phone numbers 866-899-WORD and we're confident that as we walk you through the Scriptures. You'll see how you can be sure that you belong to Jesus Christ. You are saved by his grace, let's talk about it again. The phone number is 866899 word jotted down, start yourself, 866-899-9673 will connect with you anytime 24 hours a day, or meet with us online as well.

A TW online.org. I know sometimes it's better to use the keyboard if that's the case, will mutual website T EW online.org why you're there, be sure to connect with us. Our social media. Be sure to sign up for the daily Encouraging Word with Dr. Don Wilton its daily email that comes at about 6 o'clock Eastern a wonderful bit of God's word application for how we can use that in our lives to understand and draw closer to God to worship and more to serve him better. But if it's available actually free sign up today online@twonline.org. Now back to this great teaching on the rapture from Dr. Don Wilton. The Bible is full over the signs of the times? Why do I believe, why do I believe in the rapture. Well basically because the Bible says so that's what folks more specifically, and I've read some of these passages to Revelation chapter 3 in verse 10 that we those who are believers are going to be From that hour of testing and trial and tribulation. Matthew chapter 24 and verse 29. We didn't read it a minute ago that we will be On the hour of disgrace. Revelation chapters 1 through three. I want you to turn to go back to Revelation. But let me give you an example. This is too important to run through Revelation chapter let's look at Revelation chapter 3 and verse 22 Revelation chapter 3 in verse 23 Revelation chapter 3 and verse 22 narratives. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches here in Revelation chapter 3 and verse 22 we find a remarkable statement God is speaking to the seven churches in Asia and these seven churches represent you and me now look what happens in verse 22. He says he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to what is that site what the Spirit says to the churches nine chapter 4 verse one what happens the rapture. Remember, the rapture takes place is snatched out of this world. The church believers. Well, let's see what happens. Let's go to chapter 13 let's get into the middle of the tribulation.

Go to chapter 13 in verse nine. I want to show you something very important.

You look at chapter 13 in verse nine something all of a sudden is missing.

He who has an ear, let him hear. Want to go through that again that some of you listen right in the middle of the church age before the rapture of the church before the church is being taken out of this will be for believers have gone what is it say he who has an air let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches well in the middle of the tribulation onto the rapture. Chapter 13 in verse nine he who has an ear, let him hear. Why not to the churches because the church is a multi-the church is not believers or not they it's an irrelevant statement, it's redundant to regress back to those who already with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So why do I believe this Revelation 310. In Matthew 24, 29 Revelation chapter 1 through three the letters to the seven churches.

The comparison with the tribulation.

I'm also going to say to you that if no rapture was to happen.

According to Scripture, other things would have to happen before his coming.

Why you see nowhere in the Bible does the Bible say I want you to keep your eyes open for the battle of Armageddon. When that happens, Jesus is going to come again Bible doesn't cite Bible doesn't say hold on everyone. I want you to look out for the Antichrist when he appears that your son Jesus coming again. I want you to look for the false prophet. When the false prophet comes that your son I want you to know when the marriage supper of the Lamb is announced that your son. The Bible says time after time off.

The time that the sign for you and me just a little to him. Jesus Christ, the and the finisher of our lives we've got to look to Jesus, but then I want to say to you that there are other passages look with me at first Thessalonians chapter 1 go back to first Thessalonians chapter 1 we didn't read this one and I'm going to read to you.

Just verse 10 first Thessalonians chapter 1 in verse 10 and to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead. Jesus, who rescues us from his coming raw in that wonderful Jesus, the one who rescues us, snatches us away delivers us from his coming rock.

Why do I believe these things, folks, well, we could go back in the Scripture look at types of pictures in the Bible of the rapture. I've spoken to you about Enoch what happened to Enoch, Enoch thought.

Was snatched away before the judgment. What about blocked.

Remember locking Sodom and Gomorrah lot.

He got snatched away before judgment fill up on Sodom and Gomorrah. What about Noah and the flood know about put into the ark, he got caught up, snatched away delivered protected be fair judgment claim upon the earth. Three questions we've looked at, what is the rapture number two. When will the rapture occur number three. Why do I believe this there's 1/4 question that I have to office today. How does this affect me what it affects me folks. Perhaps in two ways. Number one, it causes me to examine my own relationship with Jesus Christ.

That's what I study your understanding of the rapture. It it it causes me to talk to to examine my own heart before God. The Bible says we must examine our soon to find out if we're in the fight for freedom. The white folks. I was 23 years of age. Listen to me. I grew up under some of the most powerful biblical expositional preaching. You and I will ever hear. It didn't make any difference to me. You might be here today with a family who loves the Lord Jesus Christ to make any difference to you. Yet God doesn't have a family plan for salvation, you go to heaven because you got a Christian girlfriend, Laura Christian, husband.

When I was 23 years of age, folks, I had to get on my face before God and I had to settle the issue. My relationship with God and having seen through the issue.

My relationship with God. The second thing an understanding of the rapture does for me it compels me, but no alternative folks. I cannot preach a message like this and then just go off the air and couldn't care what happens to anybody out there that we might never meet who doesn't know what to do next. I cannot coming to this church to Diane and preach this word and then just stand up and say look, folks, why don't we just bola just go home right now we're over time as Buddhism and I'm sure somebody's mad that I'm over time and you know I'm sure something was burning and by the way, I believe you go to the first presentation of the rapture and listen folks, there is nothing more important than the compulsion that we feel in our hearts and the compassion that we have because we love you and the Lord Jesus Christ and I am compelled today to say this to you but folks what Jesus Christ has done for me.

He'll do the same thing for you please set on the truth of that victory to victory is yours over sin and ever death.

It all comes not by something we do, but by something receive like to talk with someone. Our phone numbers. 866-899-WORD 24 hours a day you find one. I was happy to talk or the simple prayer connects with great resources at 866-899-9673.

You heard Dr. Donnie's is been preaching and there's a difference when he's preaching any steps in the studio and service from his heart. That's what's coming up next.

Are you ready to give your heart blocked Christ I'm so happy to hear that wanting to pray this prayer dear God, I love you love me very, very, and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came God on the cross so that I might be forgiven today. I repainted myself I can face my son and I invite you to come and talk to Jesus name I pray, if you prayed that prayer.

Let me be the first want to welcome you to the family of God.

This is one I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying how very important for us so we can talk to Nick Weiss, you can begin this wonderful journey in just a moment. I'm in a come back with a futuristic life.

Jesus Christ prayed along with Dr. Wilson.

Moments ago, not only to the angel so we celebrate with you at The Encouraging Word and would love to put some free resources in your hands. Dr. Don wants you to have is whether you gave your life to Christ for the first time. Moments ago during the broadcast. Today we dedicate your life to Christ.

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