1. When Christ Comes FOR His Saints.
The RAPTURE:
When Christ Comes FOR His Saints.

2. INTRODUCTION— Why I don’t believe in “a” rapture…

3. INTRODUCTION— Why I don’t believe in “a” rapture…
Because I actually believe in 3 OF ‘EM!

4. Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

5. Proverbs 25
7  For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

6. Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

7. Revelation 11
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

8. THE 3 RAPTURES: 1st Rapture: Proverbs 25:7
The rapture of O.T. Saints at the resurrection of CHRIST.

9. THE 3 RAPTURES: 2nd Rapture: Revelation 4:1
The rapture of N.T. Saints at any MOMENT.

10. THE 3 RAPTURES: 3rd Rapture: Revelation 11:12
The rapture of TRIBULATION Saints at the END of the Tribulation Period.

11. A Detailed Description of the Sequence of the Rapture.
1. The TIME it will happen.
Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

12. NOTE:
Contextually, the Rapture will be that event which CONCLUDES the CHURCH AGE.

13. 1 Thessalonians 4
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

14. A Detailed Description of the Sequence of the Rapture.
2. The WAY It Will Happen
Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

15. 1 Corinthians 2
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

16. 1 Corinthians 2
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

17. Comparing things spiritual with spiritual (1 Cor
Comparing things spiritual with spiritual (1 Cor. 2:13) concerning the sequence of the Rapture.

18. 1 Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

19. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”

20. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
In the New Testament, the word “sleep” is the word used to describe the DEATH of a believer.

21. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
In the New Testament, the word “sleep” is the word used to describe the DEATH of a believer.
1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

22. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
When someone dies who knows the Lord, at that very moment, their SOUL and SPIRIT comes out of their BODY and that body simply goes to SLEEP.

23. Genesis 35
16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

24. Acts 7
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

25. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
In the Old Testament, when the SOUL and SPIRIT departed out of someone who died, it WASN’T RECEIVED into the PRESENCE of the Lord.

26. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
In the Old Testament, when the SOUL and SPIRIT departed out of someone who died, it WASN’T RECEIVED into the PRESENCE of the Lord.
Note: The BLOOD of Jesus Christ had not yet been offered, and Christ had not yet sealed the victory with the RESURRECTION.

27. Luke 16
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 23
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

28. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
For those of us who have received Christ in the Church Age, “to be ABSENT from the body”… is “to be PRESENT with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

29. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
The BODY then goes to SLEEP in the ground until it is AWAKENED by the TRUMPET of God at the Rapture.

30. 1 Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

31. 1 Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

32. 1 Corinthians 15
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

33. 1 Corinthians 15
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

34. 1 Thessalonians 4
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

35. 1 Corinthians 15
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

36. Psalm 23
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

37. 1 Thessalonians 4
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

38. 1 Thessalonians 4
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

39. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
Notice, that “them which are ASLEEP” (4:13-14), is used in CONTRAST with “those which are ALIVE and REMAIN. (4:15)
1 Thessalonians 4
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

40. An understanding of the biblical usage of “SLEEP/ASLEEP.”
Notice, that “them which are ASLEEP” (4:13-14), is used in CONTRAST with “those which are ALIVE and REMAIN. (4:15)
1 Thessalonians 4
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

41. 1 Thessalonians 4
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

42. Is Jesus coming FOR those who are ASLEEP, or are they coming WITH Him?

43. Is Jesus coming FOR those who are ASLEEP, or are they coming WITH Him?
When he talks about them coming “WITH” Him, he’s talking about their SOULS and SPIRITS!
1 Thessalonians 4
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

44. Is Jesus coming FOR those who are ASLEEP, or are they coming WITH Him?
When he talks about them RISING BEFORE WE DO, he’s talking about their BODIES!
1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

45. 1 Thessalonians 4
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

46. 1 Corinthians 15
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

47. Notice Paul’s explanation in 1 Corinthians 15:20-57…

48. 1 Corinthians 15
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

49. 1 Corinthians 15
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

50. 1 Corinthians 15
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51. 1 Corinthians 15
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

52. 1 Corinthians 15
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

53. 1 Corinthians 15
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54. 1 Corinthians 15
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

55. 1 Corinthians 15
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

56. 1 Corinthians 15
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

57. Philippians 3
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

58. 1 John 3
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

59. 1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

60. 1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

61. 1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

62. Revelation 4
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
1 Corinthians 15
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

63. “Twinkling of an eye” = .11 of a second

64. 1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

65. 1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Jude 9
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

66. 1 Corinthians 15
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

67. Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

68. Note: “TRUMPETS” in the Bible are consistently used to call people to an ASSEMBLY.

69. Exodus 19
13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long,
they shall come up to the mount.

70. Joshua 6
4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. 5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

71. Judges 6
34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

72. 2 Samuel 6
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

73. Jeremiah 4
5 Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.

74. CONCLUSION— Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…

75. 1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.
Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…
1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.

76. 1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.
Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…
1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.
2) The SHOUT… “Come up hither!”

77. 1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.
Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…
1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.
2) The SHOUT… “Come up hither!”
3) The VOICE of the archangel…“Death is swallowed up in victory!”

78. 1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.
Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…
1) Heaven OPENS and the Lord DESCENDS.
2) The SHOUT… “Come up hither!”
3) The VOICE of the archangel…“Death is swallowed up in victory!”
4) The TRUMPET sounds.

79. Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…
5) The bodies of the dead believers are resurrected, glorified and REUNITED with their souls and spirits in the air.

80. Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…
5) The bodies of the dead believers are resurrected, glorified and REUNITED with their souls and spirits in the air.
6) The bodies of the those who are alive are RAPTURED, and glorified in the air.

81. 7) We are taken to the 3rd HEAVEN to forever be with the Lord.
Putting all the pieces of the sequence together…
5) The bodies of the dead believers are resurrected, glorified and REUNITED with their souls and spirits in the air.
6) The bodies of the those who are alive are RAPTURED, and glorified in the air.
7) We are taken to the 3rd HEAVEN to forever be with the Lord.