What about the Rapture? What rapture? Will Jesus return to earth and reign for 1,000 years in Jerusalem? March 13 - AM

It is everywhere  Almost every denomination teaches some form of the Premillennial doctrine  Most of this teaching is a figment of man’s imagination.  Some of it seems to be supported by obscure passages in Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation

It is everywhere  What is this teaching all about?  What does the Bible teach?  How can I refute this confusing doctrine?

Several Difficulties  There are so many forms and variations of this doctrine  Pre- mill, Post-mill, A-mill  Rapture – Pre-trib, Mid-trib, Post-trib  Resurrections – 3, 5, 7  Judgments – 1, 5, 7  What are the signs of Christ’s coming?

Simple Answers  Trying to summarize this doctrine is impossible – but I will try  It is taught that: –All the faithful will be raised (the rapture) and taken to heaven –A wicked anti-christ will rule the world –Christ will come with his saints (army) and overthrow the anti-christ

Simple Answers  It is taught that: –All Jews will be returned to Israel –The temple will be rebuilt –Jewish worship and priesthood will return –Jesus will reign over all the earth on the throne of David in Jerusalem  How can I answer all of that in a few minutes?

The Kingdom  Didn’t John and Jesus preach and promise a kingdom “at hand”? – Matthew 3:2; 4:17  Was it promised in the lifetime of the apostles?  Mark 9:1  Mark 9:1 - And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”  Did God Fail?

The Kingdom  The kingdom was to come in the days of the Roman Empire  Daniel 2:44  Daniel 2:44 - And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

The Kingdom  Jesus prayed – “Thy Kingdom come”  Did that prayer of Jesus fail?  Has the kingdom planned from the foundation of the world come?  OR Did the Jews foil the plan of God and cause the Kingdom to be delayed?

The Kingdom Is Here  Colossians 1:13 -  Colossians 1:13 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,  Hebrews 12:28  Hebrews 12:28 - Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

The Kingdom Is Here  Revelation 1:9 -  Revelation 1:9 - I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The Mission of Jesus  Why did Jesus come to earth 2,000 years ago?  QUESTION: Did Jesus come to set up a kingdom and reign forever?  OR: Did Jesus come to die on the cross, be raised the 3 rd day and ascend to heaven?  NOTE: Both cannot be correct.

The Mission of Jesus  Did Jesus come to set up a kingdom and reign forever?  What if Jesus has succeeded in becoming king on David’s throne? –Still under the Law of Moses –Still offer animal sacrifices –Not have remission of sins, salvation –No hope of eternal life, resurrection

Here is the Answer EventsProphecyFulfillment Die for our sins Isaiah 53:51 Corinthians 15:3

Here is the Answer  Isaiah 53:5 -  Isaiah 53:5 - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.  1 Corinthians 15:3 -  1 Corinthians 15:3 - For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

Here is the Answer EventsProphecyFulfillment Die for our sins Isaiah 53:51 Corinthians 15:3 Raised from dead Psalm 49:15Romans 1:4

Here is the Answer  Psalm 49:15 -  Psalm 49:15 - But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.  Romans 1:4 -  Romans 1:4 - and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Here is the Answer EventsProphecyFulfillment Die for our sins Isaiah 53:51 Corinthians 15:3 Raised from dead Psalm 49:15Romans 1:4 Ascend to Father Daniel 7:13Acts 1:9

Here is the Answer  Daniel 7:13 -  Daniel 7:13 - “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.  Acts 1:9 -  Acts 1:9 - Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Here is the Answer EventsProphecyFulfillment Die for our sins Isaiah 53:51 Corinthians 15:3 Raised from dead Psalm 49:15Romans 1:4 Ascend to Father Daniel 7:13Acts 1:9 Receive a Kingdom Daniel 7:14Acts 2:33

Here is the Answer  Daniel 7:14 -  Daniel 7:14 - Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.  Acts 2:33 -  Acts 2:33 - Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

What about the Rapture?  Coming of Jesus will NOT be for a few – but for all. –John 5:28-29 – All will be raised at the same time –Revelation 1:7 – Every eye shall see him  All will be judged –2 Corinthians 5:10 – All will appear – good or bad  Kingdom is already here –Kingdom is the church – Matthew 16:18

The Bottom Line  Here is the simple test:  Did Jesus come to reign forever OR did He come to die for our sins?  You can’t have both.  Jesus came to die, to be raised, to ascend to heaven.  There, in heaven, he was crowned as king of His Kingdom.

The Bottom Line  Are you a citizen of that kingdom?  Today you can be a part of the great, eternal kingdom of God, with Jesus now reigning as King of Kings.  The same faithful obedience that adds you to the church (Acts 2:47) places you in the kingdom.