The Rapture Of The Redeemed

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Rapture Of The Redeemed

Introduction:

A. The term, “rapture,” is derived from the Latin word raptus, which means, “caught away” or “caught up.” The Lord word is equivalent to the Greek harpazo, translated as “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The rapture event, described here and in 1 Corinthians 15, refers to the catching up of the church from the earth to meet the Lord in the air. It will involve only the faithful of Christ’s Church.

B. When Paul wrote this passage he did not want the new Christians to be ignorant (literary, “uninformed”) concerning the rapture of the redeemed. Paul did not want those new Christians to sorrow as others which have no hope at the time they loose loved ones by death.

C. Paul explained the rapture of the redeemed for

two reasons:

a. To clarify to the new believers God’s

prophetic plan for His righteous children

b. To comfort…

i. Those who were grieving over the death

of a loved one

ii. Those who were brokenhearted

iii. Those who were discouraged

D. Tonight I want to discuss three events we can

look forward to as we consider, “The Rapture Of

The Redeemed.”

The first event we can look forward to is…

A. The Return Of The Savior (v. 16 a-c)

a. Verse 16 describes what will happen

before the rapture…

i. The Lord will descend with a shout

ii. The Trumpet Will Sound

b. 1 Corinthians15:52 describes how quickly

the rapture will occur…

i. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an

eye.”

ii. We must be watching for His return

iii. We must be ready for His return

The second event we can look forward to is…

B. The Resurrection Of The Dead (v. 16 d)

a. The bodies of dead believers will rise

first

b. The spirits of believers will already be

in Heaven with the Lord

c. 2 Corinthians 5:8, “To be absent from the

body is to be present with The Lord”

The third event we can look forward to is…

C. The Rapture Of The Saints (vv. 15, 17)

a. The believers on earth will be caught up

to meet the Lord in the air

b. The believers will be changed and become

like the Lord

i. The corruptible will put on

incorruption

ii. The mortal will put on immortality

iii. Death will be swallowed up in victory

iv. Read 1 Corinthians 15:57-58