1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Pg 1048 In Church Bibles

2. “I believe in the rapture of the Church by Jesus Christ” Church by Jesus Christ” “I believe in the rapture of the Church by Jesus Christ” Church by Jesus Christ” - 56% of Christians - “yes” - 56% of Christians - “yes” - when pressed, most confused - when pressed, most confused

3. “I do not want you to be ignorant” Israel’s future (Rom 11:25-26) (Rom 11:25-26) Israel’s future (Rom 11:25-26) (Rom 11:25-26) Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:1) (1 Cor 12:1) Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:1) (1 Cor 12:1) Suffering in serving (2 Cor 1:8) (2 Cor 1:8) Suffering in serving (2 Cor 1:8) (2 Cor 1:8) The Rapture (1 Thess 4:13) (1 Thess 4:13) The Rapture (1 Thess 4:13) (1 Thess 4:13) 1) Confusing Subjects 2) God doesn’t want 3) Can be overcome

4. Why?Why?ComfortComfort “I do not want you to be ignorant” doesn’t determine reality doesn’t determine reality Understanding the rapture doesn’t save soul (or lose) doesn’t save soul (or lose) does bring comfort does bring comfort

5. Why?Why?ComfortComfort What?What? “I do not want you to be ignorant” RaptureRapture

6. RaptureRapture Asleep, sleep in Jesus NOT Soul sleep NOT Soul sleep At death, Soul with Jesus At death, Soul with Jesus

7. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. Philippians 1:21-23

8. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Philippians 1:21-23

9. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

10. And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

11. RaptureRapture Asleep, sleep in Jesus NOT Soul sleep NOT Soul sleep At death, Soul with Jesus At death, Soul with Jesus IS Christian metaphor for death IS Christian metaphor for death

12. RaptureRapture Asleep, sleep in Jesus Rapture = “caught up” To seize, snatch away To seize, snatch away ἁ ρπάζω - harpázō - rapturo (Latin)

13. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39

14. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2

15. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. Matthew 13:19

16. RaptureRapture Asleep, sleep in Jesus Rapture = “caught up” To seize, snatch away To seize, snatch away ἁ ρπάζω - harpázō - rapturo (Latin)

17. Why?Why?ComfortComfort What?What? Rapture = “caught up” How?How? Based on Resurrection “I do not want you to be ignorant”

18. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3

19. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3

20. Why?Why?ComfortComfort What?What? Rapture = “caught up” How?How? Based on Resurrection “I do not want you to be ignorant” Based on Revelation

21. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2

22. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Corinthians 12:3-4

23. Why?Why?ComfortComfort What?What? Rapture = “caught up” How?How? Based on Resurrection “I do not want you to be ignorant” Based on Revelation

24. remaining remaining Lord will descend dramatically! Lord will descend dramatically! sleeping - new bodies sleeping - new bodies remaining - changed remaining - changed sleeping sleeping Neither better

25. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 1 Corinthians 15:51- 52

26. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible 1 Corinthians 15:51- 52

27. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51- 52

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

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

30. Based on Revelation remaining remaining Lord will descend dramatically! Lord will descend dramatically! sleeping - new bodies sleeping - new bodies remaining - changed remaining - changed sleeping sleeping Neither better Rapture!Rapture! Thus we (together) always with the Lord!!! Thus we (together) always with the Lord!!!

31. Why?Why?ComfortComfort What?What? Rapture = “caught up” How?How? Based on Resurrection “I do not want you to be ignorant” Based on Revelation

32. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

33. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3

34. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1

35. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

36. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3

37. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:4

38. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” John 14:5

39. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6