Part 1 of 12 / An Introduction To Eschatology And The Rapture

Time Is Running Out, Will You Be Left Behind?

Introduction: Why Study The End Times

From the beginning of the Church, believers have lived with an expectation of Christ's return. The apostles encouraged the early Christians not only to endure trials but to look forward to the "blessed hope" of Christ's coming.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds."

- Titus 2:11-14

Today, the same promise remains our anchor. But many Christians avoid the subject of prophecy because it seems complicated, controversial, or even frightening.

Yet, nearly two-thirds of the Bible is prophecy, and God did not give us His Word to confuse us but to encourage us. Eschatology - the study of the 'last things' - helps us live with urgency, clarity, and hope. At the heart of this study is the event known as the Rapture of the Church, when Jesus Christ will gather His people to Himself.

Scriptural Foundation For The Rapture

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father's house has many rooms; I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." - John 14:1-3

"Brothers and Sisters, we do not want you to be uniformed 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. For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command (a shout), with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet (Shofar) call of God, 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 Thessalonians 3:13-18

What Is Eschatology?

The word eschatology comes from the Greek words

• Eschatos = 'last'

• Logos = 'study' or 'word'

Eschatology - the study of God's plan for the end of the age and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.

Includes The Following:

• The Rapture of the Church

• The Tribulation Period

• The Second Coming of Christ

• The Millennial (1,000 Years) Reign of Christ

• The Final Judgment

• The New Heaven and the New Earth

Far from being a fringe topic, as some claim, or man made, these truths shape how we are to live today for Christ Jesus.

What is the Rapture

The word 'rapture' comes from the Latin 'rapturo', translating the Greek word 'harpazo' - meaning 'caught up' or 'snatched away' - in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

The Rapture is the sudden & supernatural event when:

• The dead in Christ will rise first (resurrection of believers who have died).

• Living believers will be (transformed and caught up) to meet Christ in the air.

• The Church (believers who had a relationship with Him) will be with Christ forever.

This is NOT the Second Coming (when Jesus physically returns to earth to establish His Kingdom during the Millennial). Rather, it is Christ calling His Bride (the Church) to Himself.

The Hope Of The Rapture - Why Is This So Central?

Paul tells us the Rapture is meant to encourage us.

• In a world filled with sorrow and uncertainty, it reminds us death is not the end.

• For persecuted believers, it promises that suffering is temporary.

• For all Christians, it motivates us to live holy lives in readiness for Christ.

The Rapture is not an escape fantasy, but it is a fulfillment of Christ's promise: "I will come again and receive you to Myself." - John 14:3

Living In Light Of His Soon Return

Because we do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36), believers are called to as follows:

• Live in Holiness

  • "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just. as He is pure." - 1 John 3:2-3

    
    

• Remain Watchful and Alert

  • "Watch out, stay alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is."

    - Mark 13:33

    
    

• Encourage one another with the Hope of Christ's Return

  • "Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:25

Every generation of Christians has been called to live as if Christ could return at any moment, yet you see in our modern world, the decline within the church as a whole who is not seeking or trusting in His Return.

Summary Terms

Eschatology - the study of last things, revelaing God's plan for the future.

The Rapture - Christ's return for His Church, when believers are caught up to meet Him.

The Promise - His coming is meant to encourage and purify us.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why do you think God included so much prophecy in Scripture?

2. How does the promise of the Rapture bring hope in difficult times?

3. In what ways can you live more watchfully and expectantly for

   Christ's return this week?

Prayer For This Week

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the gift of Your word and the blessed hope we have in Jesus Christ. Today, we have learned of the promise that one day our Savior will return for His Church, gather us to Himself so that we may be with Him forever. Lord, let this truth take root in our hearts and give us courage in uncertain times.

Strengthen us to live in holiness, alertness, and faithfulness as we await Your son's appearing. Teach us not to fear the future but to trust in Your perfect plan, knowing that every prophecy will be fulfilled in Your time.

We lift our eyes above the trials of this world and fix them on Christ, our soon-coming King. May our hope in the Rapture fill us with peace, joy, and urgency to share the Gospel with others.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

In His Holy Name we pray,

Amen.

Until Next Week, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.