Rapture and Revelation

The rapture and the second coming are separate events. Let me contrast the rapture and the revelation:

At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air to go to the third heaven [John 14: 3; 1 Thess. 4: 17]. At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth [Rev. 19: 14].

The rapture occurs before the tribulation [1 Thess. 5: 9; Rev. 3: 10]. The second coming occurs after the tribulation [Rev. 6-19].

At the rapture Christ comes to rescue saints from the tribulation and take them to the Judgment Seat for reward [Rom. 14: 10; 2 Cor. 5: 10; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 5: 9; Rev. 4: 4, 10]. At the second coming He removes unbelievers as an act of judgment and reigns in His kingdom [Matt. 24: 40-41].

At the rapture Christ gathers the elect church [1 Thess. 4:13-18]. At the second coming the angels gather God’s elect Israel [Dan. 12: Matt. 24: 31].

The rapture will be secret and instant [1 Cor. 15: 50-54]. The second coming will be visible to all [Rev. 1: 7; Matt: 24: 29-30; Zech. 12:10].

The rapture is imminent; it could take place any moment [Titus 2: 13; 1 Thess. 4: 13-18; 1 Cor. 15: 50-54]. The second coming will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place [2 Thess. 2: 4; Matt. 24: 15-20; Rev. 6:18].

At the rapture he comes as a bridegroom while at the revelation He comes as “the wrath of the Lamb.”

The Blessed Hope and the Day of the Lord are different Events.

Church Servants

1 Timothy 3:1-13

 

1 Tim. 3:1-7 gives us the spiritual qualifications of those called to lead the church. Paul gave insight into the call, the personal life, the family life, the church life, and the testimony of the one called to lead the church.

 

1 Tim. 3:8-13 we look at those who are called to serve the church, the office of Deacon. When God raises up a man to serve His church, He looks for hearts right with him, not talents, not human abilities, not social status, or occupation, but He raises up a spiritual men.

 

Lets take a few seconds to look at this word “deacon” and its many variations. Originally it meant performing menial tasks such as waiting on tables [Acts 6]. It grew into any service in the church. The word means “servant, minister, ministry, or service.” He is to be “kicking up the dust" in service.

 

What are the duties of a deacon? They assist the pastor in caring for the spiritual and temporal needs of the church under the pastors oversight. They carry out whatever tasks are assigned to them by the pastor or needed by the church.

The office of deacon is one of two ordained offices in the church and serve alongside the pastor meeting the temporal and spiritual needs of the congregation.

Pastors who lead and deacons who serve perform different functions, but the spiritual qualifications are almost identical except for 2 clear differences:

(1) The pastor is to be "apt to teach” [v.2].

(2) The pastor leads, gives oversight, and superintends the work of the church. The deacons serve the pastor and church in the work of the church (vs. 4-5, 8).

W.A. Criswell says, "There is no such thing as a "Deacon Board" but a "Body of Servants." Board has to do with a business or corporation. They are not managers but ministers.

 

 

Three "Lost" Parables

The themes of Luke 15:1-32 is three-fold:

1. God’s attitude toward sinners, which is quite different from the Scribes and Pharisees.

2. God rejoices when repentant sinners turn to Him and are "found." God saves anyone who repents and comes to Him on God's terms. There are two aspects to this salvation.

There is God’s part: the shepherd seeks the lost sheep, and the woman searches for the lost silver, and the loving Father looks for the lost Son.

There is man’s part in salvation: for the lost son willingly repented and returned home. To emphasize but one aspect is to give a false view of salvation, for both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man must be considered.

3. Joy comes when that which is lost is found.

We note a four-fold pattern: lost, search, found, and rejoice. This is the pattern of salvation: sinners are lost, they are sought by Christ, they are found, and rejoicing follows.

It is easy for us today to read these two parables and take their message for granted, but the people who first heard them must have been shocked. Jesus was saying that God actually searches for lost sinners not the self-righteous.

No wonder the scribes and Pharisees were offended, for there was no place in their legalistic theology for a God like that. They were like many today, to proud to admit their sinful condition.

Checkmate- The Scribes and Pharisees would affirm the search for the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, while condemning him for searching for and recovering lost souls.

The point is the same for these parables- sinners are lost, they are sought by Christ through us, they are found, and rejoicing follows.

What is the Proof of Salvation

Can the truly saved lose their salvation?

The short answer is NO! If they depart from Christ and the doctrine of Christ they prove they never were saved. Continuation is the proof and evidence of salvation. True believers will persevere to the end.

True believers can backslide and live temporarily in sin, but they will be chastened and corrected by God, but they will eventually return or be taken to heaven prematurely.

Let's look at some proof passages for continuation as proof of salvation.

Matt. 13:18-23 ¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. ²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; ²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. ²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Note that only the "good ground" [receptive heart] was saved and continued to bear fruit.

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Hebrews 10:38-39 ³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. ³⁹ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Col. 1:21-23 ²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: ²³ If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Matt. 7:22-24 ²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Three Appearings

Three Appearings

Hebrew 9:24-28

 As believers in the New Covenant, we don't depend on a human to enter a temporary earthly tabernacle. We depend the heavenly High Priest who entered once and for all into the eternal sanctuary where He represents us forever before God.

 He will never let us go, He will never stop representing us, and He will never stop His intercession for us. That is a promise given to us by God as stated in His written Word.

 "now to appear" means that Christ reported to the Father that He fulfilled His mission. The work of Christ is a completed work, final and eternal.

 Note that the word "appear" is used 3 times in Heb 9:24-28?

1. He has appeared to take away our sin by dying on the cross [v. 26]. Deals with the past and position.
2. He is appearing now in heaven for us [v. 24]. Deals with the present and progressive.
3. He shall appear to take Christians home [v. 28]. Deals with the future and perfect [complete].

These represent what is called the "three tenses of salvation" all based on Christ's finished work.

1. Justification [regeneration] we are in Christ and freed from the penalty of sin.

2. Sanctification is the journey to being more like Christ and being freed from the power of sin.

3. Glorification is at the resurrection when we will be like Christ and freed from the presence of sin.

 

 

Timeless Truths from Obadiah

1. The conflict in the Middle East has biblical and spiritual roots and will be used to accomplish God’s ultimate purposes.

2. People hate Israel because they hate God.

3. The pride of man is his downfall.

4. No matter how lofty and prideful we are, we will not escape God’s judgment.

5. God will preserve his people Israel till the end of time. There have been several attempts to annihilate the Jews but this will not happen.

6. Such a small nation will be “A cup of trembling” to the more numerous and powerful nations.

7. The promises to Israel will stand because God keeps His promises.

8. The way of Cain and human wisdom is the way of destruction.

9. The Lord God reigns.

Three in One

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

 

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

 

[Refuting a Jehovah Witness as to denying the Deity of Jesus and the Trinity or Eternal Godhead]. Keyword- Godhead, Trinity, Jesus

 

1. Jesus Christ is God (OT and NT)

 

Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 

Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

 

Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

 

Psalms 16:10-11 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

Peter uses this passage to speak of the resurrection of Jesus in the Pentecost message in Acts 2:25-35 and Paul uses it in Acts 13:25 (Ps. 22:11-22)

 

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

John 1:1-2 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God.

 

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

John 5:17-24 Christ makes five claims of deity and being equal with God.

 

John 8:56-59 ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. ⁵⁷ Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? ⁵⁸ Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. ⁵⁹ Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.  

 

John 10:30-33 ³⁰ I and my Father are one.³¹ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.³² Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?³³ The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

 

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  

 

Col. 1:15-19¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

 

Hebrews 1:1-3 ¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; ³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

 

Titus 2:10-13 ¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. ¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; ¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

 

1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

 

1 John 4:2-3 ² Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh: ³ And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

 

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

 

2 Peter 1:1-2 ¹ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: ² Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

 

2. The Trinity or Eternal Godhead (OT and NT)

 

Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 

Genesis 1:26-27 ²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

 

Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

 

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

 

Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

 

Matthew 3:16-17 ¹⁶ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: ¹⁷ And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

Eph. 1:1-14 The work of the Godhead in salvation

 

Ephesians 4:4-6 ⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

 

Jude 1:20-21 ²⁰ But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, ²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.