First Assembly of God
Salem, NJ
th
August 11 2002
Pastor Brian D. Corkum
R U Ready For the Rapture... Going Up Pt. 1
We can look at history and see that it is moving forward…
To some sort of Climax of Change and catastrophe…
The Big Question is WHEN?
God has been communicating to his people from the very
beginning…
Lord has also been saying throughout the Generations .
Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Mark 4:9
 From the very beginning each event has moved us
closer to DAY of redemption… Each prophet voice has
led us to the RAPTURE of the church….
FROM THE:
Time of innocence.. In the Garden of Eden
The Time of Conscience ... Knowledge of Good & Evil
The Time of the flood
The Time of Human the first human Government…
Bable Confusion of languages
The Time Israel Living under promise
The Time of The Law Given by Moses
The Time of Christ --- Fulfillment of Scripture
PROMISE
The Time of The Church
The Time of Rapture
The Time of Tribulations…… The Time of 2nd Coming
The 1000 years reign of Christ.. The Time of Judgment
No Time …Eternity
ILL:
While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir
Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island,
promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go
back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a
miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able
to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly
scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island
than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating
their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was
fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!" They
replied, "We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was
clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded
each other, 'The boss may come today.'"
The trump may sound anytime. How important for us as
Christians to be "packed and ready to go!" As you leave
home today, don't say goodbye -- say "Maranatha!" Our
Daily Bread.
LIVNG WITH A MIND SET
The word "Maranatha" is a Aramaic expression that
means: "our Lord comes." It was used as a greeting in the
early church. When believers gathered or parted, they didn't
say "hello" or "goodbye" but "Maranatha!"
If we had the same upward look today, it would revolutionize
the church. O that God's people had a deepening awareness
of the imminent return of the Savior!
The WORD RAPTURE: IS NOT in the Bible… The Word
comes from a Latin Translation of a greek word Harpazo
which is translated into English “CAUGHT –UP” it means to
Violently seize, or to snatch away….
 Rapture is all About Christ Coming For His
BRIDE..THE CHURCH….
TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Main Text)
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about
those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who
have no hope.14 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.15 According to the Lord's own
word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till
the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who
have fallen asleep.16 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, and the dead in
Christ will rise first.17 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.18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
VS 13-14
I. The Imminent return is coming for ALL Saints
The Believers were troubled… They thought that those
who had gone on before WOULD miss Christ
Coming…
Paul tells Them Don’t be ignorant of the truth…BE
reminded of the plan….and purpose
God Knows about it all…. Paul’s saying relax …Find
Rest In Him
II. Imminent Coming comes with a Detail Plan
Vs 15-17
According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we
who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord,
will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 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, and the dead in Christ will rise
first.17 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
 Paul is bring them Comfort that the living has no
advantage over those that have gone on
 THE ORDER OF EVENTS:
1. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,
Birth Jesus Gabriel Came
Michael Arc Angel… Battling for the Lord
2. With a loud command,
3. With the voice of the archangel and
4. With the trumpet call of God, and the
5. Dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that,
6. 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
When The Rapture happens it is going to be Quick…
Rapture is Instantaneous
Twinkle of the Eye… 100th of a second
Gk Word: Atomos--- We get the word Atom
It means that it can’t be divided….The rapture will be so
Quick and sudden that the time frame in which it happens
cannot be humanly divided…
1 Cor. 15:52-57
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this
corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be
brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy
sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of
death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But
thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this
prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to
heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Rev 22:19-20
And if any man shall take away from the words of the
book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out
of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from
the things which are written in this book. 20 He which
testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
2 Peter 3:9-10
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as
some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also
and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
John 14:1-6 ….. I COME AGAIN….