Opening illustration: Video clip of ’Left Behind.’
What is being ‘caught up?’
* To Seize ~ act of grasping suddenly
* Rapture
* Biblically it pertains to meeting the Lord in mid-air
* The Rapture is a concept in Christianity relating to the return of Jesus.
* Paul cites "the word of the Lord" about the return of Jesus to gather His saints.
Process of Rapture:
1. Christ Descends from Heaven
* Descends with a shout
* Descends with the voice of an archangel
* Descends with the trumpet of God
2. Dead in Christ will RISE first
* Meaning of RISE in Greek ~ avnasth,sontai
* Cause to Arise
* Awaken from Sleep
* To Resurrect or Be Revived
In context of v. 16 it pertains to being resurrected and walking & witnessing to the body of Christ before being raptured with other believers. The word RISE is used in the same context of Christ’s resurrection, witness and ascension.
3. Believers + the ones who were dead in Christ are RAPTURED
* Caught up together in the clouds
* Meet the Lord in the air
* Be with Christ ALWAYS
How to PREPARE yourself for the RAPTURE?
Genesis 5: 1 - 24
Introduction: There has always been discrepancy about the believers in Christ being caught up in mid-air to be with the Lord, which some called to be raptured. In fact 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 – 17 talks about it graphically. It says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
We have seen throughout the Bible that whatever God wants to do in the future, He already exemplifies it in the past in order to bear testimony to it. For example the resurrection of all and then the judgment is already exemplified through Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Now the corporate rapture that is to occur in the future needs to bear a testimony. Apparently we see two people namely; Enoch in Genesis 5 and Elijah in 2 Kings 2 are raptured. Therefore we can concur that this event will be possible after certain sign and wonders on earth.
But in all this we as believers need to affirm as to who will really qualify to be raptured. To help us through we will go through the testimony of Enoch.
Let us read Genesis 5: 3 – 24.
Historical Background: We see here that the first 65 years, Enoch did not walk with God. During this era, the Canaanites and Sephites lived for the world. In this ancient history we also get insights into the final moments of human future history. When the Bible talks about Cain’s descendants and their great cities. They were a people of arts, commerce, sciences and the world. They had been extracted from the garden to Eden and had all the know how’s of the times. They were a people of entertainment and enjoyed the status quo of being celebrities of their times. They became so wicked that God had to literally come down Himself and say that He was going to destroy the whole setup.
Testimony of Enoch: Now in this genealogy we see Enoch follows on the heels. Just a few lines from Enoch, God had to take a stand to destroy the world.
But what did God do with the man who walked with Him?
In Genesis 5: 24 we see that Enoch didn’t face death but God took him. God did not take all the people in the lineage, only Enoch had that privilege because he walked with God.
[The Bible doesn’t say Enoch lived – it says ‘he walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.’ For it is good for man to walk with God. By rapturing Enoch, God was showing the world that if they had not sinned, they would also be caught up with the Lord in this manner.]
Now we see that God did not rapture all the people in this genealogy. They may have been good people, may have gone to church, given offering and even prayed.
God knew that He was going to destroy the world soon and He only sought one man – Enoch. A man who lived amidst a perverse environment, sinful world but stood head and shoulders above everyone else. Thus God took him.
World Scenario: The scenario in the world during that time was very much like today – it was getting ready for the flood, but the people were mocking – thinking and making others believe that nothing like that could ever happen.
There had been a man walking with God. And God thought that before He lets loose His wrath on the world, He needs to get Enoch before He destroys the entire world.
What happened to the rest of the world? Well they had to ride the flood.
Enoch did not have to prepare for tomorrow, for his food, housing, clothing etc. because he was gone.
Walking with God please God. In Amos 3: 3 it says, ‘Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’ Enoch was the seventh generation from Adam [perfect number] and Noah was of the 10th generation. Noah and his family had to ride the flood in a Ark [huge boat].
Why did God do this?
We know that 144,000 Jews are sealed to be with the Lord (i.e. those Jews who have accepted Christ as their Messiah, Lord, Savior and God.]
What are you going to do when stars start falling, earthquakes and wars take place. Natural disasters are on the way. Do you want to wait for all those events to occur before you take that step for the Lord?
I’ve got a proposition! Why not walk with God now?
Enoch lived in a generation which was surrounded by gloom and yet he walked with God.
Summary of Enoch’s testimony:
• Walked with God [Genesis 5: 24] – perfect holy walk in the fear of the Lord.
• Pleased God [Hebrews 11: 5] – learned not to offend God by sinning against Him.
• Warned others about the coming judgment of God [Jude 14]
The flood came in the same year Methuselah died who has the longest recorded lifespan. Isn’t it interesting that Enoch appears in the beginning of the Bible and then right at the end too.
In Jude 14, Enoch testifies that God is coming with 10,000 of His saints. You may ask ‘Why he talks about the 2nd Coming and not the rapture?’ Why would he talk about something that had already taken place in his life. He had already been caught up.
Do you think you can continue in sin, mock God, be unfaithful to Him and expect to be raptured.
Enoch’s story is not only a story of surrounding gloom but of saving grace. For he was and then he was not. It is time we should stop looking for signs and wonders but start listening to His voice.
What does Godliness entail? Walking with God! Now his body is in a state of glory.
Two driving from work - one taken, one left.
Two in a classroom – one taken, one left.
Two having a meal – one taken, one left.
Application: None of us will escape it. People may laugh at us. Well that is the cost Enoch, Noah, the prophets and the apostles paid. What about you? You may have made a decision in your life to be committed to the Lord and to be saved but it doesn’t guarantee you to be raptured. We are not talking about being saved but going in the rapture. A need to have a holy walk with God, pleasing Him and evangelizing those around us.
Conclusion:
Hundred’s are not ready.
• No Bible meditation
• No prayer life
• No family altar
• No consecration
• No bridling the tongue
• No commitment
• No devotional life
• No dedication
• No testimony
• No warning those around you
Do we consider the ‘Word of God’ as a social, cultural thing, a polite thing?
This is not condemnation – this is getting ready. This does not mean that you are not saved. But testifies to the fact that you want to walk with God on a daily basis. You want to please Him everyday and tell others about Christ and His love & salvation.
Do you want that kind of testimony?
High time you said, “Satan get behind me!’
God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit I commit myself to you. Touch me! My body is the temple of the living God ……. You will not do what harms you. I crucify all my harmful desires to the cross of Christ.
Let us not be distracted but be ready for bearing that testimony to be caught up with our Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 – 17 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Are you PREPARED for the RAPTURE?
