TEXT: Matthew 24:37-42 (READ)
INTRO: Much has been written and said about the Rapture of the Church. Best-selling books (like the popular “Left Behind” series) have been written. Countless sermons have been preached on the subject. Many of us have watched gospel films (like the old Billy Graham movie, “A Thief in the Night”). Hundreds of songs have been written on that theme from old hymns like “There’s Going to be a Meeting in the Air” to the Gaither classic “The King is Coming.” From Andrae Crouch’s, “Soon and Very Soon” to more contemporary songs like Crystal Lewis “People Get Ready, Jesus is Coming” (Soon we’ll be going home).
Perhaps one of the most powerful songs about the rapture is Larry Norman’s haunting “The Son Has Come and You’ve Been Left Behind.” Recently re-recorded by DC Talk, this song sums up the tragic and frightening reality that many will face the day after the rapture:
“There’s no time to change your mind,
The Son has come and you’ve been left behind.”
I’m here to remind you of a biblical fact that none that Satan wants us all to forget: Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God who rose triumphant from the grave. Jesus Christ, who even now is seated at the right hand of the Throne of God in majesty and great power. Jesus Christ, who ascended through the clouds into heaven right before the eyes of his astonished disciples. Jesus Christ, who is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords".
PROP: This same Jesus is coming again. We have his word on it.
John 14:2-3 – “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that where I am you may be also.”
We even have the angel’s word on it.
Acts 1:9-11 – “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (The disciples stood there) looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who had been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Jesus is coming again. Could be today. Could be tomorrow. Could be next year. Could be in 5 or ten years. “No man knows the day or the hour” but Jesus is coming…and soon. We’re closer today than we’ve ever been to the coming of the Lord. The question for you is this:
INTERROG. SENTENCE: If He comes back today, will you be left behind?
HERE ARE FOUR THINGS WE KNOW FOR SURE ABOUT THE RAPTURE:
1. IT WILL COME SUDDENLY. When Jesus comes, he will come so suddenly, so quickly that it will take your breath away.
I Corinthians 15:51 – “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash (moment), in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
He’s coming SUDDENLY. In a split-second moment. In the blink of an eye. Like a surprise blast from a trumpet or a sudden gust of wind. People will disappear right before your very eyes! One second they are here, the next they’ll be gone, with Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:3 – “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them SUDDENLY.”
Matthew 24:27 – “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
He’s coming SUDDENLY. Like lightning in the heavens he will appear and be gone. Flash. Blink. Gone. “The Son has come and you’ve been left behind.” You say, “Couldn’t he at least send a memo or something?” You’re holding it in your hands. (the Bible). We’re reading that memo today. Revelation 22:20 – “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming SOON.’” What if he came in the next second? What if he came before your next heartbeat? What if he came before you had time to even say a prayer? He’s coming SUDDENLY. Will you be left behind?
2. IT WILL COME UNEXPECTEDLY. When Jesus comes it will catch millions of people completely by surprise.
Matthew 24:36-39 – “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
Just another day, like every other day. People will be in their cars, at work, in bed, getting married, going to parties, playing with their kids, watching the game, sitting down for a meal, playing golf, going to the mall and SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY Jesus will come. People will disappear, leaving piles of clothes and jewelry where they once stood. Swings will dangle empty as children go to be with Jesus. Driverless vehicles will careen out of control. The world will go into utter chaos, caught by complete surprise. Jesus said it would be that way.
Matthew 24:42-44 – “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
He’s coming UNEXPECTEDLY. Jesus said, “When you least expect it, EXPECT IT!” Let me give you an assignment: Take a poll of several people this week and ask them if they think Jesus is coming back any time soon. Watch how many of them look at you like your nuts! They’re not watching! They’re not ready! They think the church has been “crying wolf” about this “rapture thing” for years and “nothing ever happens.’ It’s just wacko religious stuff for “extremists.” Tabloid fodder for the National Inquirer.
All that just makes me realize the coming of Jesus is nearer than it’s ever been before because he’s coming UNEXPECTEDLY. Like a thief in the night. When you least expect it. Moments after it happens, millions of people will say, “Oh if only I’d been ready!” but it will be too late. What a shock. What a dreadful surprise. “The Son has come and you’ve been left behind.” Matthew 25:13 – “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Are you ready? Are you watching and waiting? Is your lamp trimmed and filled with oil in anticipation of the bridegroom’s coming? Or are you in for the shock of your life?
I Thessalonians 5:4 – “But you brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” You’ve been warned. You’re without excuse. He’s coming UNEXPECTEDLY. Will you be left behind?
SUDDENLY, like lightning.
UNEXPECTEDLY, like a thief.
3. IT WILL COME SPECIFICALLY. When Jesus comes, he’s only coming for those who are “watching and waiting” for his return.
Matthew 24:40-41 – “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”
Jesus will know who he’s coming for. He’s coming selectively. He’s coming SPECIFICALLY.
Matthew 25:1-10 (READ)
The Bridegroom is not coming for everyone. He’s only coming for those who are ready. II Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will aware to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” He’s not coming for “the good people.” He’s not coming for the “religious people.” He’s not coming for people who have read the bible and gone to Sunday School when they were kids. He’s not coming for you just because you’ve been baptized or confirmed or because you’re a member of a local church.
He’s coming SELECTIVELY. He’s going to check the book for your reservation. He’s only coming for those whose names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life.” He’s only coming for those who have made a public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. He’s coming for the redeemed. Are you saved or not? Is your name in that book or not? Are you ready or not? Cause “ready or not, here he comes!” If he came right now do you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you’d go with him? Or will you be left behind?
“There’s no time to change your mind,
The Son has come and you’ve been left behind.”
SUDDENLY, like lightning.
UNEXPECTEDLY, like a thief.
SELECTIVELY, for those who are ready.
4. IT WILL COME FINALLY. When Jesus comes, he’s only coming once. There will be no “second chance” rapture.
Revelation 3:11 – “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
I know it gets hard some days. I know that you are surrounded by temptation and that this nation that we live in is growing more godless each day. I know there are skeptics who laugh and sneer at the thought of Jesus coming back again. I know you’ve heard sermons before about the rapture. I know you’re only human and that sometimes doubts and fears begin to creep in. I know that life just doesn’t seem fair at times and that the pressures and the pain can become nearly unbearable.
I also know that Satan wants to steal your crown. Don’t you let him. The word of God is still true. We have Jesus’ very sure promise. He will FINALLY COME and when he comes, He’s coming FINALLY. He’s only coming once. The devil would love to lull you to sleep on this one. He wants you to run out of oil in your lamp – to let your light go out. Don’t let it happen. There’s too much at stake!
I Thessalonians 5:19-24 – “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and HE WILL DO IT.”
This could be the day! Devil, you hear me today: KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF MY CROWN!! It belongs to Jesus. Someday I will bow and cast it at His feet! Now, how about you? Is your crown secure? Are you ready for this once-in-a-lifetime moment? He’s only coming once. No instant replays. No second chances.
“There’s no time to change your mind,
The Son has come and you’ve been left behind.”
CONCLUSION:
SUDDENLY, like lightning.
UNEXPECTEDLY, like a thief.
SELECTIVELY, for those who are ready.
FINALLY, when it’s over, it’s over.
“People get ready, Jesus is coming,
Soon we’ll be going home.
People get ready, Jesus is coming,
To take from the world his own.”
