1. Is There Going To Be A Rapture? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:4

2. Passages Used  1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:4  Matthew 24:37-41

3. Passages Examined  Context—1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:4 –Rapturists say only righteous dead raised (vv. 14-16) Yet wicked are raised too (Jn. 5:28-29). “Just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15) –Rapturists say return after seven years. Text says remain (v. 17)

4. Passages Examined  Context—Matthew 24:36-42 –Vv. 4-34 about destruction of Jerusalem. –Concerns “days” (vv. 19, 22, 29) –2 nd coming about a “day” (vv. 36, 50) –Parallel to Noah (vv. 37-39). Left for destruction –Likewise those left (vv. 40-41) are left for eternal destruction, not a seven year period of tribulation on Earth

5. Other Ideas  Rapturists say it will be silent –“voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thess. 4:16) –“great noise” (2 Peter 3:10) –“hear His voice” (Jn. 5:28)

6. Other Ideas  Rapturists say it will be unseen –“with His mighty angels, in flaming fire” (2 Thess. 1:7-8) –“every eye shall see Him” (Rev. 1:7) –“at His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:1) –“shall appear” (Col. 3:4; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Jn. 2:28) –“shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2) –“so shall come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

7. What The Bible Teaches  A “general” resurrection –One coming of Christ the 2nd time (Jn. 14:3) –For all (Jn. 5:28-29; Matt. 25:31-46) –Final (1 Cor. 15:23)  A life spent in preparation for judgment –Matt. 24:42; 25:1-13 –2 Cor. 5:10