What about the Rapture?What about the Rapture?

What rapture?Will Jesus return to earth and reign for

1,000 years in Jerusalem?

March 13 - AM

It is everywhereIt is everywhere

Almost every denomination teaches some form of the Premillennial doctrine

Most of this teaching is a figment of man’s imagination.

Some of it seems to be supported by obscure passages in Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation

It is everywhereIt is everywhere

What is this teaching all about?

What does the Bible teach?

How can I refute this confusing doctrine?

Several DifficultiesSeveral Difficulties

There are so many forms and variations of this doctrine

Pre- mill, Post-mill, A-millRapture – Pre-trib, Mid-trib, Post-tribResurrections – 3, 5, 7 Judgments – 1, 5, 7What are the signs of Christ’s coming?

Simple AnswersSimple Answers

Trying to summarize this doctrine is Trying to summarize this doctrine is impossible – but I will tryimpossible – but I will try

It is taught that:– All the faithful will be raised (the rapture) and

taken to heaven– A wicked anti-christ will rule the world– Christ will come with his saints (army) and

overthrow the anti-christ

Simple AnswersSimple Answers

It is taught that:It is taught that:– All Jews will be returned to IsraelAll Jews will be returned to Israel– The temple will be rebuiltThe temple will be rebuilt– Jewish worship and priesthood will returnJewish worship and priesthood will return– Jesus will reign over all the earth on the Jesus will reign over all the earth on the

throne of David in Jerusalemthrone of David in Jerusalem How can I answer all of that in a few How can I answer all of that in a few

minutes?minutes?

The KingdomThe Kingdom

Didn’t John and Jesus preach and promise a Didn’t John and Jesus preach and promise a kingdom “at hand”? – Matthew 3:2; 4:17kingdom “at hand”? – Matthew 3:2; 4:17

Was it promised in the lifetime of the apostles?Was it promised in the lifetime of the apostles? Mark 9:1Mark 9:1 - And He said to them, “Assuredly, I

say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

Did God Fail?Did God Fail?

The KingdomThe Kingdom

The kingdom was to come in the days of The kingdom was to come in the days of the Roman Empirethe Roman Empire

Daniel 2:44Daniel 2:44 - And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

The KingdomThe Kingdom

Jesus prayed – “Thy Kingdom come”Jesus prayed – “Thy Kingdom come” Did that prayer of Jesus fail?Did that prayer of Jesus fail? Has the kingdom planned from the Has the kingdom planned from the

foundation of the world come?foundation of the world come? OR Did the Jews foil the plan of God and OR Did the Jews foil the plan of God and

cause the Kingdom to be delayed?cause the Kingdom to be delayed?

The Kingdom Is HereThe Kingdom Is Here

Colossians 1:13 - Colossians 1:13 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Hebrews 12:28Hebrews 12:28 - Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

The Kingdom Is HereThe Kingdom Is Here

Revelation 1:9 - Revelation 1:9 - I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The Mission of JesusThe Mission of Jesus

Why did Jesus come to earth 2,000 years Why did Jesus come to earth 2,000 years ago?ago?

QUESTION: Did Jesus come to set up a QUESTION: Did Jesus come to set up a kingdom and reign forever?kingdom and reign forever?

OR: Did Jesus come to die on the cross, OR: Did Jesus come to die on the cross, be raised the 3be raised the 3rdrd day and ascend to day and ascend to heaven?heaven?

NOTE: Both cannot be correct.NOTE: Both cannot be correct.

The Mission of JesusThe Mission of Jesus

Did Jesus come to set up a kingdom and Did Jesus come to set up a kingdom and reign forever?reign forever?

What if Jesus has succeeded in becoming What if Jesus has succeeded in becoming king on David’s throne?king on David’s throne?– Still under the Law of MosesStill under the Law of Moses– Still offer animal sacrificesStill offer animal sacrifices– Not have remission of sins, salvationNot have remission of sins, salvation– No hope of eternal life, resurrectionNo hope of eternal life, resurrection

Here is the AnswerHere is the AnswerEventsEvents ProphecyProphecy FulfillmentFulfillment

Die for our sinsDie for our sins Isaiah 53:5 1 Corinthians 15:3

Here is the AnswerHere is the Answer

Isaiah 53:5 - Isaiah 53:5 - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

1 Corinthians 15:3 - 1 Corinthians 15:3 - For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

Here is the AnswerHere is the AnswerEventsEvents ProphecyProphecy FulfillmentFulfillment

Die for our sinsDie for our sins Isaiah 53:5 1 Corinthians 15:3

Raised from deadRaised from dead Psalm 49:15 Romans 1:4

Here is the AnswerHere is the Answer

Psalm 49:15 - Psalm 49:15 - But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.

Romans 1:4 - Romans 1:4 - and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Here is the AnswerHere is the AnswerEventsEvents ProphecyProphecy FulfillmentFulfillment

Die for our sinsDie for our sins Isaiah 53:5 1 Corinthians 15:3

Raised from deadRaised from dead Psalm 49:15 Romans 1:4

Ascend to FatherAscend to Father Daniel 7:13 Acts 1:9

Here is the AnswerHere is the Answer

Daniel 7:13 - Daniel 7:13 - “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.

Acts 1:9 - Acts 1:9 - Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Here is the AnswerHere is the AnswerEventsEvents ProphecyProphecy FulfillmentFulfillment

Die for our sinsDie for our sins Isaiah 53:5 1 Corinthians 15:3

Raised from deadRaised from dead Psalm 49:15 Romans 1:4

Ascend to FatherAscend to Father Daniel 7:13 Acts 1:9

Receive a Receive a KingdomKingdom

Daniel 7:14 Acts 2:33

Here is the AnswerHere is the Answer Daniel 7:14 - Daniel 7:14 - Then to Him was given dominion

and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

Acts 2:33 - Acts 2:33 - Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

What about the Rapture?What about the Rapture?

Coming of Jesus will NOT be for a few – but Coming of Jesus will NOT be for a few – but for all.for all.– John 5:28-29 – All will be raised at the same timeJohn 5:28-29 – All will be raised at the same time– Revelation 1:7 – Every eye shall see himRevelation 1:7 – Every eye shall see him

All will be judgedAll will be judged– 2 Corinthians 5:10 – All will appear – good or bad2 Corinthians 5:10 – All will appear – good or bad

Kingdom is already hereKingdom is already here– Kingdom is the church – Matthew 16:18Kingdom is the church – Matthew 16:18

The Bottom LineThe Bottom Line

Here is the simple test:Here is the simple test: Did Jesus come to reign forever OR did He Did Jesus come to reign forever OR did He

come to die for our sins?come to die for our sins? You can’t have both.You can’t have both. Jesus came to die, to be raised, to ascend to Jesus came to die, to be raised, to ascend to

heaven.heaven. There, in heaven, he was crowned as king of There, in heaven, he was crowned as king of

His Kingdom.His Kingdom.

The Bottom LineThe Bottom Line

Are you a citizen of that kingdom?Are you a citizen of that kingdom? Today you can be a part of the great, eternal Today you can be a part of the great, eternal

kingdom of God, with Jesus now reigning as kingdom of God, with Jesus now reigning as King of Kings.King of Kings.

The same faithful obedience that adds you to The same faithful obedience that adds you to the church (Acts 2:47) places you in the the church (Acts 2:47) places you in the kingdom.kingdom.