The Coming Kingdom of Christ - Part 4

Last week we discussed the purpose for Christ’s return to the earth. There were a couple of things that require clarifying to prevent confusion. I will provide detail description of what is meant by born-again and saved, if not tomorrow, then early next week.

The event described in last week’s discussion was what is called by most Christians is the rapture. I realize this designation makes some uncomfortable because the actual term “rapture” is not in the Bible however by mere definition it is definitely described in the Bible.

Let us look at several instances.

The most popular description is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 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 one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Next, we find the same event described in 1 Corinthians 15:50-55

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — 52 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. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:50-55

Next, we find the same event previewed in Colossians 3:1-4.

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Then John provides a couple of brief previews in 1 John.

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 2:28

1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

We have examples in the Old Testament with Enoch and Elijah.

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:21-24

1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal…11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 2 Kings 2:1, 11-12

Finally, John experiences the rapture and what happens immediately thereafter. This is revealed to us in Revelation 4.

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Revelation 4:1-5

You may be thinking, I don’t see what you are talking about.

Okay, then allow me to expound on this passage.

In chapter 1 of Revelation, the Lord Jesus gave John a command to record three things. That which he has seen, Jesus in all His glory. That which is, Jesus inspecting the lifestyle of the true church (believers) while they are on earth. That which is to come, the wrath of God being poured out upon earth dwellers (unbelievers) and Jesus bodily second coming to the earth as the righteous judge and King.

In chapters 2 & 3, John gives us the description of how Jesus inspects the body of Christ, the church. Then immediately after the inspection, in chapter 4 a door opens in heaven, and John is physically transported in the spirit at the call from the Lord. John is part of the church. This my friend is the rapture. From chapter 4 through 19 the church is only seen in heaven and there is no inspection taking place.

They worship before the throne of God in chapters 4 and 5 then return with the Lord Jesus to the earth in chapter 19. There is no doubt that the church is removed (raptured) from the earth prior to the seven-year tribulation that will culminate with the appearance of the beast (antichrist) and false prophet. During this seven-year period the world will experience calamities and destruction so terrifying that Jesus said if He doesn’t return to stop the carnage that all people will die.

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. Matthew 24:22

Oh, you want to know how bad it will be. Well, if the Lord spare me, tune in tomorrow and I will give you the rundown on how many people will die during the seven-year reign of terror of the antichrist and the outpouring of the wrath of God.

Here’s a hint, billions will die. Details tomorrow.

Until then, take care.