Are Your Bags Packed?

ARE YOUR BAGS PACKED?

As we look at Revelation Chapter 4 we see John still on the Isle Of Patmos. The letters to the Seven Churches has been completed. John is on a holding pattern waiting for the next word from God of impending danger to non-believers. Many writers have written how they believe the Church will be removed. Below I will give you three views the first being AMILLENNIALISTS along with POSTMILLENNIALLSM believe that GOD’S promises concerning the RAPTURE and END TIMES are figuratively and they can’t be taken LITERALLY. Both AMILLENNIALISTS, POSTMILLENNIALISM believe “THE RAPTURE of the CHURCH, and the RETURN OF JESUS to earth happens together. This event will occur at the END OF THE MILLENNIUM. Neither believe in the modern state of ISRAEL relevant to the prophesies in Revelation. Neither hold to the fact there will be a literal 1,000 YEAR MILLENNIUM. AMILLENNIALISTS refer to the reign of CHRIST in the hearts of His believers. POSTMILLENNLATISM say the MILLENNIUM refers to a period of peace when the Gospel reaches all people.. Both believe Christians will suffer during the Tribulation. The church will be caught up to meet JESUS (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; and Revelation 19:7-9

and immediately return to earth with JESUS.

I believe in the PREMILLENNIALISM which states the Rapture of the church will occur before the Seven years of Tribulation here on earth. After three and one half years tribulation, the Anti Christ will appear ushering in the Great Tribulation for the remainder of Seven years. At the end of the Great Tribulation

Jesus Christ will return just as He said; Satan will be bound for 1000 years and

the reign of Jesus Christ begins for all the Jews and Gentiles that made it through

the Great Tribulation. The scripture is like 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 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. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Please Turn in Your Bible to Revelation 4:1-5

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.

3. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Lets Pray

Rapture is a state or experience of being carried away. The English word comes from a Latin word RAPIO, which means to seize or snatch away.

The Greek word from which we take the term “Rapture” appears in 1THESSALONIANS 4:7, translated “caught up.” The Latin translation of this verse used the word rapturo.

The Greek word is translated HARPAZO which means to snatch or take away.

Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel also saw God’s Throne

Isn’t it wonderful that one day whether its 100 years, or 6 months, or 1 week, one day, one hour, or 5 seconds the Lord will take His church the BRIDE OF CHRIST

to rule and reign with Him forever.

Today we will look at 4 Points

I. John Heard The Invitation From Christ

II. A Description of Him Who Sets On The Throne In Heaven

III. The 24 Elders Clothed in White, raiment; Crown of Gold on Their Head

IV. The Power That Came From The Throne

John was given the Honor of presenting the Letters to the Seven Church and now to go along with that Honor he was to see into the future, a vision, events that would soon take place.