The “Rapture” should be “Left Behind”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Introduction:
The “Left Behind” movie coming out this weekend is bringing the false doctrine of premillennialism back into the consciences of our society. Tonight we’ll look at the false ideas and compare them to the Scriptures.
1. A Theological Delusion
A. The rapture is based on the false idea that Jesus failed in His mission
to come to earth and save the souls of mankind. So He had to set up
the church as a contingency plan until Jesus could return and set up
His earthly kingdom. Which Jesus specifically denied – John 18:36
B. The premillennialist says that there will be a secret rapture of the
faithful and after 7 years Christ and His faithful will return to the earth
to set up His reign. During the 7 years they are gone, there will be
great tribulation on earth and at the end of the 7 years 144,000 Jews
will come to believe in Jesus. It’s only after the Jews believe, that
Christ will come and rule the world from Jerusalem for 1000 years,
and then will come the judgment and glorification of the saints.
C. This is completely false, but the advocates will site 1 Thessalonians
4:15-18 to support their claims.
1. The passage says “always” not 7 years - vs. 17
2. Nowhere in the Bible is anything said about a secret or public
rapture - 2 Peter 2:1
3. This passage confirms that Christ will never again set His
foot on the earth! – vs. 17
4. There will be no earth here to anyway! – 2 Peter 3:10-13
5. The New Heavens & New Earth are where Jesus went to
“prepare a place” – John 14:6
2. Premillennial theory vs. the Clear, Decisive Scriptures
A. Premillennial view: Christ is NOT now reigning.
The Scriptures: Christ IS now reigning – 1 Corinthians 15:25
B. Premillennial view: Christ will begin His reign at His return.
The Scriptures: Christ will end His reign at His return – 1 Corinthians 15:28
C. Premillennial view: Christ will establish a kingdom at His return.
The Scriptures: Christ’s kingdom will terminate at His return – 1 Cor. 15:24
3. So what will actually happen on the last day?
a. The dead, both righteous & unrighteous will be raised – John 5:28-29
b. The judgment will follow – Revelation 20:12-15
c. The saints will be carried to heaven, the wicked sent to hell – Matt. 25:41-46
d. Christ will give His kingdom to God – 1 Corinthians 15:24
e. The earth will disappear in the fires of the judgment of God – 1 Thess. 1:7-9, 2 Peter 3:10
Conclusion:
The rapture is a false idea, based on a false doctrine. Christ didn't fail, He did exactly what He came to do. His kingdom is here now, it is His church, (Revelation 1:6 & 9 - John says he was presently in the kingdom while still alive along with the other Christians he is writing to). The rapture, tribualtion and 1000 year reign all fly in the face of clear biblical teaching and would serve as "signs" for the end of time, which Jesus says that there are none! Matthew 24:36.
