Bible Study Week 11
Part 5
Jesus Comes For His Church
Jesus is Coming Back
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica of the great hop that was ahead for the bride of Christ, the church. This event is commonly called the rapture of the church. Several things are clear concerning this monumental event as described in I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
* Concerning the dead, we are not to sorrow as one without hope (verse 13).
* Because Jesus rose again, He will raise the dead in Christ also (verse 14).
* The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven. There will be a heavenly shout with the voice of the archangel included, and the trumpet of God will sound (verse 16).
* Those who died after living their lives for Jesus will be raised first (verse 16).
* The living saints will be caught up together with dead saints in the clouds (verse 17).
* All will meet the Lord Jesus in the air, never to be parted again (verse 17).
* We are to comfort one another with this truth (verse 18).
>>> What are the dangers of not being ready for the coming of the Lord?
The Hour is Unknown
Jesus in Mathew 24:40-42, warned of the danger of not being ready for His coming. There will be a separation between those who are ready and those who are unprepared.
* "Then shall two be in the field, the one taken, and the other left (verse 40).
* "The two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one taken, and the other left" (verse 41).
* "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (verse 42).
We Shall All Be Changed
In sum, there will be resurrection of the righteous dead. Jesus Christ will return for His church. There will be a glorious catching away of the saints of God, and there will be a wonderful reunion with the saints of God who have gone on before (I Corinthians 15:51-54; I Thessalonians 4:17). The following passage describes the proper response to this great truth.
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11-13).
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. God is powerful enough to restore the Jews to the land of Israel. How should that give me faith for God's ability to take care of my anxieties?
2. When it come to events at the end of time, do I feel peace or discomfort? Why?
3. What do I need to do to be ready for the rapture?
4. God foretold the events at the end of time and how we are to be ready for them in the Bible. How am I doing in growing in my understanding of Scripture?
5. What step can I take this week to draw closer to God?