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….