October 12, 2014
Pastor John C. Martin
Part 2 – Are You Ready?
I Thessalonians 5:1-4
New International Version
Now, brothers and sisters, about times
and dates we do not need to write to
you, for you know very well that the
day of the Lord will come like a thief in
the night. While people are saying,
“Peace and safety,” destruction will
come on them suddenly, as labor
pains on a pregnant woman, and they
will not escape.
I Thessalonians 5:1-4
New International Version
But you, brothers and sisters, are
not in darkness so that this day should
surprise you like a thief.
Matthew 24:36-44
New International Version
“But about that day or hour no one
knows, not even the angels in heaven,
nor the Son, 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
in the days before the flood, people
were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, up to the day
Noah entered the ark; and they knew
nothing about
Matthew 24:36-44
New International Version
what would happen until the flood
came and took them all away. That is
how it will be at the coming of the Son
of Man. Two men will be in the field;
one will be taken and the other left.
Two women will be grinding with a
hand mill; one will be taken and the
other left.
“Therefore keep watch, because
you do not know on what day your
Matthew 24:36-44
New International Version
But understand this: If the owner of
the house had known at what time of
night the thief was coming, he would
have kept watch and would not have
let his house be broken into. So you
also must be ready, because the Son
of Man will come at an hour when you
do not expect him.
Five Key Questions
I. What is the rapture?
1. Definition of rapture
1. Definition of rapture
It comes from the Latin word “raptu”
which means “caught away or caught
up”. The Latin word is equivalent to the
Greek word “harpazo” which is found in
I Thessalonians 4:17.
2. It is the blessed hope.
Titus 2:13
New International Version
…while we wait for the blessed hope—
the appearing of the glory of our
great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…
2. It is the blessed hope.
I. What is the rapture?
II. What will the rapture
be like?
1. Christians will be
caught up.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
New International Version
Brothers and sisters, we do not want
you to be uninformed about those
who sleep in death, so that you do not
grieve like the rest of mankind, who
have no hope. For we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, and so we
believe that God will bring with Jesus
those who have fallen asleep in him.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
New International Version
According to the Lord’s word, we tell
you that we who are still alive, who are
left until the coming of the Lord, will
certainly not precede those who have
fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will
come down from heaven, with a loud
command, with the voice of the
archangel and with the trumpet call of
God,
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
New International Version
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and
are left will be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air. And so we will be with
the Lord forever. Therefore encourage
one another with these words.
1. Christians will be
caught up.
2. It will happen in the
twinkling of an eye.
I Corinthians 15:51-52
New International Version
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not
all sleep, but we will all be changed—
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trumpet. For the trumpet will
sound, the dead will be raised
imperishable, and we will be changed.
2. It will happen in the
twinkling of an eye.
3. It will be devastating to
those left behind.
Luke 17:34-35
New International Version
“I tell you, on that night two people
will be in one bed; one will be taken
and the other left. Two women will be
grinding grain together; one will be
taken and the other left.”
3. It will be devastating to
those left behind.
II. What will the rapture
be like?
III. When will the rapture
happen?
1. Only God the Father
knows.
Matthew 24:36
New International Version
“But about that day or hour no one
knows, not even the angels in heaven,
nor the Son, but only the Father…”
1. Only God the Father
knows.
2. Imminent Return of Christ.
It could happen at any time!
Luke 12:35-40
New International Version
“Be dressed ready for service and keep
your lamps burning, like servants
waiting for their master to return from
a wedding banquet, so that when he
comes and knocks they can
immediately open the door for him. It
will be good for those servants whose
master finds them watching when he
comes. Truly I tell
Luke 12:35-40
New International Version
you, he will dress himself to serve, will
have them recline at the table and will
come and wait on them. It will be
good for those servants whose master
finds them ready, even if he comes in
the middle of the night or toward
daybreak. But understand this: If the
owner of the house had known at
what hour
Luke 12:35-40
New International Version
the thief was coming, he would not
have let his house be broken into. You
also must be ready, because the Son
of Man will come at an hour when you
do not expect him.”
2. Imminent Return of Christ.
It could happen at any time!
3. Pre-Wrath rapture.
I Thessalonians 5:9
New International Version
For God did not appoint us to suffer
wrath but to receive salvation through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Pre-Wrath rapture.
I Thessalonians 1:9b-10
New International Version
They tell how you turned to God from
idols to serve the living and true God,
and to wait for his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead—
Jesus, who rescues us from the
coming wrath.
3. Pre-Wrath rapture.
Daniel 12:1
New International Version
“At that time Michael, the great prince
who protects your people, will arise.
There will be a time of distress such as
has not happened from the beginning
of nations until then. But at that time
your people—everyone whose name
is found written in the book—will be
delivered…”
III. When will the rapture
happen?
IV. What will happen after the
rapture?
Answer: The Great
Tribulation
1. It will be worldwide
(Revelation 3:10)
2. It will be the worst
time of affliction ever in
human history
(Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21)
3. The Antichrist and the
False Prophet will come
into power
(2 Thessalonians 2:3-4;
Revelation 13 and 17)
4. There will be a mark of
the beast - 666
(Revelation 13:16-18)
5. Jews and Gentiles who
believe in Christ will be saved
(Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 14:6-7)
IV. What will happen after the
rapture?
V. What will end the great
tribulation?
Answer: The Second Coming
of Christ
Revelation 19:11-16
New International Version
I saw heaven standing open and there
before me was a white horse, whose
rider is called Faithful and True. With
justice he judges and wages war. His
eyes are like blazing fire, and on his
head are many crowns. He has a name
written on him that no one knows but
he himself. He is dressed in a robe
dipped in
Revelation 19:11-16
New International Version
blood, and his name is the Word of
God. The armies of heaven were
following him, riding on white horses
and dressed in fine linen, white and
clean. Coming out of his mouth is a
sharp sword with which to strike down
the nations. “He will rule them with an
iron scepter.” He treads the winepress
of the fury
Revelation 19:11-16
New International Version
of the wrath of God Almighty. On his
robe and on his thigh he has this
name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
V. What will end the great
tribulation?
Conclusion: Are you ready?
October 12, 2014
Pastor John C. Martin
Part 2 – Are You Ready?