1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Rapture -- "I'll Wake You Up When We Get There!" - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Scripturally, we have come to one of the most important passages in the Bible on something called "The Rapture of the church", an event connected to the second coming of Jesus. Paul had taught the believers that Jesus was coming back very, very soon. They were anticipating this. But while they were waiting, some of them had died. "Uh-oh!"

This brought questions. What happens to those people when Jesus finally does come? Do they get "left behind"? Did they miss out? The believers in Thessalonica wanted to know. This next section is new information in answer to their question.

There is no lack of opinionation and speculation about this event and how it fits into God's plan for things to come. Most everyone agrees it will happen, but how and when are matters of disagreement. I imagine that even among our ranks there would not be consensus.

My plan is not to get too complicated, but to let the passage speak for itself to the church. We will look at other passages as we make our way through the whole of God's word. But for tomorrow, there are two main things to be accomplished -- hope, and comfort. If you leave with those two things, then God's word has done its job in your heart. If you need hope and comfort regarding death and the future, then.....

.....View and See!