What can we know about Life in Christ (Now and Later)

[1Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV] 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.

[1Th 4:15-16 NIV] 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.

[1Th 4:17-18 NIV] 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.

Last week… We look at the teaching that our mortal bodies will become incorruptible, deathless. Paul in Thessalonians, in imagery—from biblical and political sources—to enhance his message used rich metaphors that would be misunderstood two thousand years later.

“The LORD called to him from the mountain” 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. [Exodus 19:18-19 NIV]

[Daniel 7:13 NIV] 13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

[Daniel 7:14 NIV] 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Are you ready for the moment of truth? Political crisis Economic crisis Worldwide epidemics Environmental catastrophe Mass disappearances Military apocalypse And that’s just the beginning . . . of the end of the world. It’s happening now.

The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey, published in 1970 Jesus to come back by no later than 14 May 1988. Here was the reasoning: Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matt. 24:32–34).

Lindsey interpreted the fig tree to be a symbol for Israel Lindsey interpreted the fig tree to be a symbol for Israel. The budding of the tree supposedly referred to the founding of the state of Israel on 14 May 1948; thus, the generation in which this happened will not pass away until Jesus comes back. Since a generation supposedly is 40 years in the Old Testament, that would put the Second Coming no later than 1988.

Furthermore, since Lindsey calculated that there would be seven years of tribulation first and that Christians would be “raptured” or taken up to heaven to escape the unpleasantness, 14 May 1981 was considered by many to be the beginning of the end.1 No later than that day, many Christians were expected to disappear, whereupon the unbelievers who were left behind would face seven years of the Antichrist and vials of wrath until Jesus returned to begin a reign on earth that would last a thousand years.

3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 2Peter 3:3 NIV (Last days…In these days)

[2Peter 3:4-13 NIV] 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [2Peter 3:6-7 NIV]

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [2Peter 3:8-9 NIV]

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [2Peter 3:10-11 NIV]

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. [2Peter 3:12-13 NIV]

Summary In our last times, unbelievers will “scoff” at the promises of God…they will attack The second coming They forget the flood – that God judges The present creation is “reserved for fire” That day will come “like a thief” The Elements will be destroyed by fire

Summary and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare…some translations will say; Be burned up.” That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

Summary But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells 2Peter 3:13

Summary The physical world as we know it will be destroyed (the elements will melt in the heat), and a “new heaven and new earth” where righteousness dwells