Our Blessed Hope
. . . waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus
Titus 2:13
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11; Titus 2:11-15
Recurrent Thought
Devoted Christ-followers are to live godly lives knowing the suddenness of their possible death and the unexpectedness of the Christ Coming to take His Church
Death is a reality we all face. It is a passage of transfer from one state to another. Death is so overwhelming because the information about it is scanty, and if any, we usually still are not ready for it to happen to us. It is a passage that removes us from our human existence permanently. Jesus is the only one who died, and rose again and never to die again. He conquered Death. Paul deals with the subject of those who are asleep by showing that they will resurrect when Christ comes again. The passage walks through the nagging uneasiness of the reality of Death and the Status of those who have died. Paul candidly reminds them of what they should know and remember that death is not final, in fact, those who have died in Christ will resurrect and come with him at his second coming. In general this text explores two issues: What happens to those who die in Christ and what will be the Conditions of Jesus Coming.
Here are eight truths all devoted Christ-followers (disciples) should know about the Believer’s Death and the Coming of Christ,
- Know that the Dead in Christ Are Actually Fallen Asleep (4:13)
- Because they are merely sleeping we should not mourn for them without hope
- While those who die without Christ are in pain in Hell
- If you knew where they go and what will happen when Jesus Come, You will not be worried of those who have died. When we mourn them, we should do it with Hope (4:13)
- They are fallen asleep, resting in Jesus.
- Know that the Dead in Christ are With Him in Glory (Eph. 4:9)
- The Spirit of the Fallen in Christ goes straight in the presence of God
- The Dead in Christ are asleep and are not kept for destruction
- Falling asleep is not in eternal slumber state as some suppose. It is the death of the Body. To be absent in the body is to be alive with God (2 Cor. 5:8)
- The Scriptures shows that the dead in Christ used to go Paradise, the Place of Resting (Abrahams Bosom). But when Jesus arose from the dead, he went to Hell and shamed the dark entities (Luke 16: 19-31; 2 Peter 3:18-22); and went to Abraham’s bosom and took Captive captivity into the presence of God (Eph. 4:8-10)
- Christ descended into hell as a triumphant king to proclaim his victory over sin, death, and the devil and went to the side of Paradise and took the saints who had died before him.
- When Believers die, they go to be with the Lord that is why he would come with them. Jesus will come with those who have fallen asleep (4:14)
- Know that the Dead in Christ will be Raised by Jesus Christ Himself
- The Spirits of the Dead in Christ shall come with him at His Coming
- God through Christ shall resurrect the Dead in Christ
- The Dead in Christ shall be the first to experience Parousia
- Know that the Death & Resurrection Guarantees Our Resurrection
- The death & Resurrection of Christ is the Guarantee for the Resurrection of those dead in Christ; because He arose, he will also raise them from the dead (4:14).
- But this is sure, we are not destined to Wrath but obtain Salvation through Jesus Christ (5:9)
- His Death assured us of being with him always; Whether dead or Alive (5:10)
- Know that Devoted Christ followers (Dead & Alive) shall be Caught Up With Him
- In this event the dead in Christ are resurrected with new incorruptible bodies (4:16-17)
- This is the event commonly called Rapture. The word is to be caught up in the clouds
- Lord will descend with Loud Command
- Voice of an archangel (One name of Archangel in the Bible: Michael)
- Sound of a Trumpet (Trump of God)
- Then the dead in Christ will arise first
- Then those alive, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The Greek Word is Harpazo which means seize or grab by force commonly called Rapture from Latin.
- Two ideas of the Second Coming of Jesus:
- Rapture: Jesus will come in the air to Pick the Church, His Bride
- Second Coming: Jesus will come on the Earth to Fight for Israel (The Wrath of God, Great Tribulation & Armageddon).
- There are three main Views: Pre-tribulation, Mid-tribulation, Pre-Wrath and Post Tribulation (Revelation 6 comes after the Church is called come up here).
- Known that the Time of His Coming is Unknown but imminent (Ch. 5:1)
- It shall be Like when a thief comes in the Night and one expects
- It shall be sudden and unexpected. Only the Father knows the actual Day.
- The Catching Away of the Church is imminent; Any time without warning
- It shall be while People are preoccupied with the pursuit of Peace (5:3)
- The Coming of the Lord will precipitate sudden destruction in the Earth (5:3)
- Know that Devoted Christ Followers are to be Ready at all Time
- Believers are to be Awake, Wait Soberly and live Godly Lives (Titus 2: 12; 1 Thess. 5: 6-8)
- Children of the Light and of the Day who do not sleep will not be surprised (5:4-6)
- Keep awake and be Sober as you Wait for the day of His Coming (5:6-8)
- As you wait: put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation (Faith, Love and Hope 5:8)
- Living sanctified and godly Lives (Titus 2:12)
- Know and understand that the Blessed Hope is Pillar of Daily Encouragement
- We should encourage one another when we read and think about these upcoming event (4:18)
- This life is not all there is therefore be encouraged. Your loved ones that are asleep shall be resurrected therefore be encouraged.
- God has not appointed us unto Wrath (Ch.5:9) This is the reason it looks this is Pretribulation Rapture (Rev. 6)
- We should continue to encourage one another as we wait (5:11)
- We should encourage one another for Jesus will snatch up the Church from the Wrath of God
Conclusion
The Catching Away (Rapture) of the Church may be unexpected and sudden; but we must be ready at all times
Prayer Time
Lord help me to be ready in thought and Life