Caught Away
Sunday November 5, 2023
Notes
1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 NKJV
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
Luke 24:36–43 AMP
Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace (freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you! 37 But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit. 38 And He said to them, Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts? 39 See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Feel and handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have. 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 And while [since] they still could not believe it for sheer joy and marveled, He said to them, Have you anything here to eat? 42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 And He took [it] and ate [it] before them.
Acts 1:9–11 AMP
And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them, 11 Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 NKJV
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Look at verse 15
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…Revelation 3:8–13 NKJV
“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
2 Thessalonians 2:5–12 NLT
Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. 9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.
Revelation 6:1–2 NKJV
Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
WHAT DO WE DO UNTIL THEN?
1. Walk Submissively
One of the most important themes in this book is obedience. It is because of the disobedience of mankind that God will judge the world, and His holy saints are charged repeatedly to distance themselves from the world’s rebellion by “keeping the words” of the book. We are to walk submissively according to God’s Word.
2. Worship Triumphantly
This means that we grab hold of the truth of God’s Word and give it back in worship to God. We praise His name triumphantly, with exuberance and conviction.
3. Witness Urgently
Evangelism will one day cease—but not yet. One major purpose of Revelation is to remind sinners that eternal judgment is coming and to stimulate believers to share the Good News of redemption in Jesus’ name. It is our duty to preach the Gospel, so people may hear and believe the Good News about Jesus, and receive a new nature and a new character.
4. Work Fervently
Further the Gospel, We must work, and work hard. The time goes by so quickly!
We should remind ourselves that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
5. Watch Expectantly
We do not know when the Lord is coming back to this earth. But we do know His arrival is closer today than it was yesterday! He could come at any time to take His Church to His Father’s house. There will be no time to prepare. That is why we must always be ready. The requirement for salvation is that we take freely what God offers us.