2 Thess. 2: 1 – 12
Text: Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way…v.3
Introduction:
The Truth of the matter
1 Thess. 4: 16 – 5:4
2 Thess. 1: 3 – 5
Prayer Point v.6
Emphasis: The healthy Church is a rapturable Church
This looks like the conclusion of our annual Bible Study on the 1 Thessalonians
I. Indicators of Rapture
1. No one knows the actual day of rapture – Matt. 24:36, 4:12 – 40
2. Powerful delusion, lying, spirit, condemnations poured on the wicked – 2 Thess. 2:12
3. Increase in wickedness – Matt. 24: 11, 24
4. Lukewarmness of many Christians – Mat. 24:12
5. Children will rebel against their parents and kill them – Matt. 13:12
II. Events of Rapture
1. Christ will appear in heaven and all eyes will see Him –
Matt. 24:26 – 27, “…for a lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will the coming of the son of Man”.
2. Jesus will come in the clouds with power and glory with his angels and a loud trumpet call – Matt. 24:30-31
3. At rapture, two men will be in the field, the upright one will be taken, the rebellious will be left behind – Matt. 24:40 – 41
III. Hence Jesus Must Be Followed
Why?
1. He is the Alpha and Omega – Rev. 1:8, 17
2. He is alive forevermore – Rev. 1:18
3. Jesus will punish those who do not know God and do not obey his gospel – 2 Thes. 1:8
4. Jesus will punish them with everlasting destruction and send them out of his presence and from the majesty of is power - 2 Tim. 1:9
5. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus because he is the Way, the Truth and the Life – John 14:6 – 7
6. He answers prayers uttered in His name – John 14:13
7. He shed His blood for remission our sin – John 28:30
IV. Be Prepared for the Rapture
1. Be earnest and repent, open the door of your heart to Jesus. He is knocking – Rev. 3: 19 – 20
2. Be born again – John 3:3-4, Mark 12: 9 – 10
3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit – Luke 24:49
4. Be led by the Holy Spirit
5. Bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit
6. Be a disciple unto Christlikeness, Mark 9:34 – 36. Accept Jesus as the Lord ad Saviour
7. Keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come – Matt. 24:42
8. Learn preparedness from the parable of the ten virgins – Mat. 25:14 – 30
9. Minister salvation to children – Mark 9: 42
10. Watch how you use your body – Mark 9:43 – 48
11. Invest in missions and other works of God – Mark 10: 29-31
12. Love – Marl 12: 29 – 31
13. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus – Luke 9:23
14. Do God’s will always – Luke 9: 46 – 48
15. Pray that you will stand - Luke 22:36
Conclusion:
Are you a healthy Christian? (growing, loving, obedient, serving, etc)
Are you in healthy Church? (obeying the word, trust your leaders, sincere in relationship, holy in all manners etc.)
Are you prepared for Rapture? (genuinely born again, sincerely expectant faithfully serving the Lord, etc)