Until He Returns || 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Rapture and Return to Rule Earth (post trib.)
VS
Rapture and Remove from Earth (pre trib.)
Rapture – rapio (latin vulgate) to seize or snatch away
1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together ( harpazó) with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together ( harpazó) with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Harpozo – to seize, catch up, snatch
Goal – That we all would love and long for the Lord’s return, whichever view we hold.
1.How we meet the Lord in the air
1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet (apantésis) the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet (apantésis) the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Apantésis- to meet (contextually – a technical for the reception of a newly arrived official)
Acts 28:15-16
And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet (apantésis) us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet (apantésis) us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Matthew 25:6
But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet (apantésis) him.’
But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet (apantésis) him.’
25:10 – And while they (foolish) were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
Parousia
2. Relief and revenge on the same day.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-8
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
3. Gathering to Christ is on the Day of The Lord
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
4. Paul teaches like he’s posttribulational
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
Now concerning the coming of our Lord JesusChrist and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
Now concerning the coming of our Lord JesusChrist and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
5. Jesus pictures his future disciples enduring tribulation.
Matthew 24: 4, 9, 15, 23, 26, 33
6. Christians experience tribulation as refining, not wrath
Acts 14:22b
….through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
….through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Punishment vs Purification
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you
1 Peter 4:17-19
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And“If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And“If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
7. Kept for the hour of trial
Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Galatians 1:3-5
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
John 17:15
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
PRE TRIB = Right before things get real bad Jesus is going to bail us out.
POST TRIB = Things are going to get real bad. Jesus returns. All Good.
Escapism – habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine
The goal of the christian life is not to get out of this world tomorrow and go to heaven. The Bible story is Jesus leaving us in the world to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth today.