Countdown to Judgement Part 3
Sermon by Pastor Barry Forder
@ Calvary Chapel Portsmouth on 2025-07-27

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This transcript is accurate, but not perfect. It is a close guide to the content of the audio (mp3 file) but there may be instances where the text is not exactly right. If in doubt check with the audio. These instances are usually quite obvious (or of no importance at all, such as lack of full-stop or capital letters).
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So we are concluding this morning this mini-series, as I said, looking at this whole subject of judgment and the days that we're living in. And in the first two sessions, we've kind of looked at the fact that judgment is spoken of over 300 times in Scripture. And over 100 of those occasions, it's specifically referring to a very succinct, specific time of judgment that is coming. It's spoken of on 25 occasions as the day of the Lord. 

Isaiah, as we've noted already, speaks of this time of tribulation that's coming. Now, don't mistake this for the tribulation that we all experience. Jesus said that those who would live godly in Christ Jesus will experience tribulation. We're going to be persecuted. That is something we experience. But that is a persecution, a tribulation that comes from the world towards believers. That's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about a time of wrath from God being poured out on this world, this Christ-rejecting, unbelieving world. And Jesus says, And the Old Testament goes at pains, if I may put it that way, to speak of the labour pains that we're going to see. That they increase in frequency. And in Matthew 24 and elsewhere in the New Testament, we're told of wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence. And we see all of that. All of that is going on right now to a greater degree than at any time in history. I mean, who would have thought that something like COVID would cripple the world? For the time that it did. I mean, the amazing thing is that we've kind of got back to normal. I don't know if you've noticed now, people just walk around and you don't see sanitizer everywhere. But I remember at the time, people were saying, Oh, the world will never be the same again. And somehow we've all gone back to exactly as it was. 

But what's next? I don't think any of us are naive enough to think that that will never happen again. And certainly wars and rumours of wars. And as I said already, when Jesus uses those expressions, he's quoting from Isaiah, who is speaking about specific wars and rumours of wars in the Middle East with Israel and their surrounding nations. Well, that's what we're hearing constantly on the news. There's very seldom a day that goes by that we don't hear something on the news about Israel and its neighbours, and the wars that are going on there. And famines and pestilence. Sorry, famines and earthquakes. Again, all these things. As Jesus said, we're seeing them. But the really fascinating thing for us is that in 1 Peter, we're told that this season of judgment is going to begin with the church. And we're seeing it already. 1 Peter 4, verse 17. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God. And if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? It's saying the specific season of judgment is going to commence with the church. And we looked at the questions. Why will it come? And we concluded because of the apostasy that we see. We asked, when will it come? And we saw quite clearly that Jesus says that there is a time of harvest coming. And in the time of the harvest, there's going to be this separation of the wheat and the tares. It's going to occur in the final church age. 

Remember Matthew 13, verse 30. The disciples in the parable that Jesus is given to illustrate this, asked the question, should we just pull out the tares and get rid of them? And Jesus says, no. Let both grow together. And we have this really important until the harvest. And in the time of the harvest, in this time that's leading up to this judgment, I will say to the reapers, gather ye first the tares and bind them in bundles. And we've seen and we are seeing the apostate church being gathered together in bundles. The difference between the true church and the apostate church is becoming clearer and clearer. There are things now that some mainstream churches are endorsing, accepting and promoting that we cannot. We cannot go along with. They are completely contrary to scripture. They are worshipping and proclaiming a false god who accepts all sorts of things that the Bible will not allow. So notice first the tares are going to be gathered. And that's what we're seeing. 

We looked at two questions. The first of those was, what do we mean by the final church age? And if you remember last week, we went through looking at the seven churches that are in the final church age. We recorded it in the book of Revelation. These churches which today are in the area of Turkey, Asia Minor as it was known then. And these seven specific churches, that as we saw, lay out the history of the Christian church. Now there are some people that will say, oh, I don't believe that. And well, fine, but it does. I mean, you can't deny the fact that the way that these churches, of all the churches that existed in the first century that Jesus could have written to. The church of Jerusalem is not included. The church of Antioch. Antioch's not included. 

Corinth, Philippi, all these other great churches that we know so much of. These seven are chosen specifically because of the characteristics that they exhibit map the history of the Christian church. And as we noted last week, Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 tells us that Israel are a model of the church. Their history is a model of the church. And incredibly, we see that these seven churches, these ones you can see on the right-hand side, the church of Ephesus, Smyrna, the church of Pergamos, and then Thyatira, Sardis, and then we have Philadelphia following on from that, and then finally Laodicea. These seven churches that are listed in Revelation, these seven ages of the church, which is what they list, the church began with that time of espousal. Then it went into this time of personalization. This victory was obtained through suffering. The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church, was what was said. And then we get to the time of the marriage of the church in the world with Constantine, Emperor Constantine, who legalizes Christianity. And complacency stepped in, and we started using these pagan buildings and so on. And that then leads to a rejection of God's rule, theocracy, and the beginning of the papacy, where we bring a man in to rule over us. And that leads to the division of the church with the Reformation, which is depicted by the church at Sardis. And interestingly, the Catholic church, which was so riddled with idolatry and still is, is actually commended for its good works. Whereas the Protestant church, there's nothing good said of it. Why? Because it had the opportunity to go back and correct, and it didn't. It left so many errors in place that have riddled the church today. Things like amillennialism, the belief that there would be a new world, that there would not be a literal rule and reign of Jesus on earth. It's a denial of so many scriptures. Not least what the angel Gabriel promised to Mary in Luke chapter 1, verse 32. That the son that she was carrying was going to rule over the house of Israel. That he was going to be the king, to sit on the throne of David. That's not what happened. Did Gabriel get it wrong? No, this idea of amillennialism has crept in. There's so many other things. Antisemitism, which was so much part of the Catholic church, again, remained part of the Catholic church. It was so much part of the denominational churches, and to this day. And so judgment was foretold. And yet there was a way of escape that was promised. The church of Philadelphia are a good church. There's no bad thing said of them. And this promise of escape of the judgment, ultimately, the apostate church, the tears and so on, will be destroyed. And Jesus spoke about those that said, Lord, Lord. And said, we've done this in your name, and this in your name. And Jesus says, depart, I never knew you. And ultimately, that church will be destroyed. And that church will be cast into this time of tribulation. And we saw how incredibly this maps the history of Israel. They started with this time of espousal in the wilderness. Then they had the time where they were entering into the promised land with Joshua. It was a victory, but through a time of war. But that complacency then brought the time of defeat during the judges. But they also then rejected God's rule and wanted a man to rule over them, which led ultimately to the division of the kingdom into the northern kingdom, Israel, which were rebuked of God because of their idolatry. Just like that. Just like that. Just like that. Just like that. Just like that. Just like the Catholic Church. And Judah, who should have learned, who should have gleaned from the lessons, but didn't. And then finally, judgments foretold. The faithful were taken away out of harm's way to Babylon and kept safe there. Why, judgment came upon Jerusalem. Jerusalem was eventually burned with fire. And those that rejected God, rejected prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah and Daniel and so on. But finally, the faithful of Israel returned to inherit the land. And a temple was ultimately built that the Messiah would then teach for us. And the faithful were taken away out of harm's way to Babylon and came back to Israel. And the faithful were taken away out of harm's way to Babylon and came back to Israel. And just the same here for the church. Ultimately, the Lord is going to return and establish his throne as a kingdom. And the faithful will rule and reign with him. So that was the first question. Where are we and where is the final church age? We are in this time right now. 

The second question then, and we kind of posed this in the first week, was what happens to the true church or the wheat, as Jesus puts it in Matthew 13? And when we look at the Bible, we see that the wheat is the first thing that we eat. And when we're told specifically that they're going to be gathered into his barn, what does that mean? Well, we need to remind ourselves, a couple of scriptures we looked at last week. In Genesis 18, remember the situation that the Lord comes to visit Abraham. And he takes Abraham to a place where they're overlooking Sodom and Gomorrah. And Abraham's nephew Lot was there. And so Abraham, naturally concerned for his nephew, has the chutzpah to ask God. He says, Abraham drew near and said, will they also destroy the righteous with the wicked? He's thinking of his nephew. Lord, you're going to bring judgment on this place. I understand that the iniquity is riddled in these places, but what about the righteous? And he starts with a high number. He says, per adventure, there'll be 50 righteous within the city. Will they also destroy and not spare the place for the 50 righteous that are therein? And before God has the opportunity to answer, Abraham just carries on and says this. He says, that be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked. And that the righteous should be as the wicked. That be far from thee. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right? See, Abraham's stating a really important principle. That God cannot judge the righteous with the wicked. They have to be separated. And that's exactly what God does. He brings Lot out and brings him to a place of safety so that he can then pour his wrath upon Sodom and Gomorrah. And of course, historically, we know that's what happens. But there are many of these examples in the Old Testament. In Genesis chapter 6, speaking of the flood, the time of Noah, God says, And behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life from under heaven, and everything that is in the earth shall die. But with thee I will establish my covenant, and thou shalt come into the ark. You see, God removes Noah and his family. He says, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. He brings them to a place of safety. And then he pours his wrath out. Every time we look at this in Scripture, the same pattern. The same pattern. In Exodus, at the time of the Exodus, God says, For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and I will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt. See, as God was bringing his wrath upon Egypt, those that were in the houses, those that were in the houses protected under the blood, were saved. God puts his own people to a place of safety and then brings his wrath. In Psalm 27, David here says, For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion. See, this is a fundamental principle of the way that God works. In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me. He shall set me upon a rock. And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. Therefore, I offer you, offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy. I will sing, yeah, I will sing praises unto the Lord. You see, the implication of what we're reading here is that there's a time of judgment falling upon the world, those around him, on his enemies, and yet he's taken to a place of safety. And specifically, we're told it's the tabernacle, the place of God's dwelling. He says, that's where the Lord will hide me. It's a lovely picture. In Isaiah 26, picking up verse 20, an incredible statement. Come, my people, I'll enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee. Hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment until the indignation be overpassed. Now, in case you're not sure what this is talking about, the next verse makes it really clear. For behold, the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain. No question, this is talking about the day of the Lord. This is talking about this time of judgment that we've been speaking of. And this promise is made to God, God's people. Now, you may say, well, this is a promise just to Israel. Okay, and there is certainly a way that we see that God protects Israel through that time of tribulation. They're taken out of the land. There's another principle being played out as God takes his people out of the land of Israel and they're taken to what we believe Petra or Edom. And they're protected there. Which is a lovely little fulfillment of the promise that we find back in Genesis. Do you remember when Jacob's coming back into the land after being away with Uncle Abel? And Esau comes back. And Esau comes out to meet him. And Esau says, look, come back to my place. Got the kettle on, come, come. And Jacob says, we will come to you. But he doesn't. Jacob never goes to Edom. He stays in the land. But that wasn't a lie. It wasn't just an omission on Jacob's heart. It was prophetic. Because one day Israel will go to Edom. That will be fulfilled. But this is speaking of God's people being brought, not just to Edom, but it says into thy chambers. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. To Israel. And they will be hidden until the indignation be overpassed. It's a lovely picture. In Zephaniah, chapter 2, verse 3, another one. Seek ye the Lord, all you meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment. Seek righteousness. Seek meekness. And maybe you shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Another really clear scripture. And who are the meek of the earth? We asked this when we looked at this, I think, the last week or the week before. And Jesus said it's the meek who are going to inherit the earth. So let's ask the question the other way. Who are those who inherit the earth? Well, from scripture, we're told it's the church. Many scriptures tell us that we will rule and reign with Jesus. And so, by a process of deduction, it's the meek, it's those who will inherit the earth, it's the church to whom this is applicable. And I say the church because ultimately the church will include Jews and Gentiles. In Christ, we are all one. There is no distinction any more. 

And then we get to 1 Thessalonians. And we read this incredible promise. And it's amazing that Paul starts this by saying, but I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren. And it's quite staggering how many are ignorant of these scriptures. Paul says, I don't want you to be in darkness. I don't want you to not understand these things. And he goes on and says, He's saying the people of the world have no hope. When someone dies, that's the end for them. But for us as believers, we have hope. And this is what Paul goes on to say. If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, just stop there for a second. That elevates this to a completely different level. This isn't just some fringe issue. He's saying this is on the par with the fact that Jesus died and rose again. If we believe that in the same way, the same confidence we have in that, even so, them also which sleep in Jesus, those that have died already as Christians, will God bring with him? 

That's quite a strange statement. He goes on and says, For this we say, For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, not my opinion, or I think Timothy or Titus suggested this. No, this is what we're saying by the word of the Lord, that we which were alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent or go before, that's the old King James, prevent, not proceed, those or them which are asleep. Now, firstly, notice a couple of things here. Firstly, that Paul believed himself to be of that group that were alive and were potentially alive. Potentially still be there when the Lord came back. It's the doctrine of imminence. The idea that Jesus could return at any time. Paul says, For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain. Paul counted himself in that group. He expected Jesus to come back. Unto the coming of the Lord. Shall not prevent, shall not go before them which are asleep. And he goes on and explains, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shadow, and with a voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. And this is this wonderful bear. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Speaking of a time of resurrection. The Christians who have died, our loved ones that have gone before us. I think of my gran, I think of my brother-in-law. I think of Paul. I think of so many that have gone on before us. 

And they're going to die. They're going to rise first. They're going to receive new bodies. We'll talk about that in a moment. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds. So that's all those saints that have died. Their souls are going to come back with Christ. They're going to get new bodies. They're going to rise first. And then together we're going to be caught up into the clouds. To meet the Lord. This isn't any ambiguous scripture. This is really clear. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Now, that word caught up is the Greek word harpazo. That's the word at the top of the screen there. That's what it means. It means to catch up. 

And notice what Paul says. We should comfort each other with these words. It should be a great comfort to us. He says, not only sorrowing like those who have no hope, this should be a wonderful comfort for the church. To know that we have this hope. This is hope. In 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of it there as well. He says, Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Kind of makes sense. We're going to need new bodies for eternity. If we didn't have new bodies, we'd spend eternity flat on our back. You think of the cases in scripture. Daniel. You think of John, Revelation. And others that see Jesus as he is, in his glory, in his majesty. They just fall down. As though they were dead. Unless we've got new bodies, we spend eternity flat on our face. 

He says, behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep. In other words, we shall not all die. Just as Paul says in Thessalonians. But we shall all be changed. And it's going to happen so quickly. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. That's the way the translators could put this. The Greek is atomos. It's the smallest indivisible unit of time. I believe it's 10 to the minus 33 seconds. If you're interested. For the trump shall stand. The trump shall stand. And the dead shall be raised incorruptible. And we shall be changed. That verse in Thessalonians is no isolated verse. It is consistent with everything Paul says in the New Testament. Everything we find in the Old Testament. It's a wonderful promise. It says, for this corruptible must put on incorruption. And this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. Oh, death. Where is that? I sting. A grave where is thy victory? As we said before, the biggest problem we had was the problem of death. People have said, why didn't Jesus come to solve the problem of hunger or the problem of whatever else? Jesus came to solve the biggest problem we had, and that was death. And death is defeated through Jesus. And that leads us to this word, rapture. It's a word we get from 1 Thessalonians 4.17 that is translated there, caught up. And as I said already, the Greek word is harpazo. In the Latin Vulgate translation, we talked about that a few weeks back in our study of different Bible versions and things, the word harpazo there is actually translated as rapturous, and that's where we derive the word rapture from. So you're not going to find the word rapture in an English translation of the Bible per se, but you will find the word caught up, which is just a translation of rapturous or harpazo, which is the Greek. 

What do we mean by rapture? It's being physically taken from the earth to heaven without dying. That's what we're talking about. That's what Paul's speaking of. At a time coming, the church are going to be taken physically. The dead in Christ are going to rise first. Then we that are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds and will be taken back to heaven. Now, for many people, if they've not come across this, it can seem strange. And you end up scurrying. You end up scurrying through your Bible. Is this true? Well, let me give you some examples from Scripture to show you that this isn't an unknown thing. There's actually seven, I believe, of these situations, these occurrences in Scripture. I won't go through all of them now, but I'll give you a few specific ones. Back in the book of Genesis in chapter 5, we read, An Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah 300 years and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Enoch were 365 years. And we're told, An Enoch walked with God. It just speaks of that wonderful fellowship. It's what we had right back in the Garden of Eden, that Adam and Eve walked with God. And then sin comes in and it breaks that fellowship. Enoch had gone into a place where they had such a wonderful relationship, walking with God. It was really lovely this morning. I went to drop Connie off there. The girls are away at a youth camp at the moment. And as we drove into the big field where they were camping, I could see a man walking along in the distance, Bible in hand, praying. Clearly, he wasn't aware that I could see him. It was just lovely to see somebody walking with God. 

Enoch walked with God. He was having so much fellowship with God. And one day, he's out and God says, you're closer to my place now. You might as well come back with me. And so God takes him back. He says, And he was not, for God took him. He didn't die. He was literally taken alive from earth to heaven. In 2 Kings, we read the account of Elijah. And it came to pass, as they still went on, this is Elijah and Elisha, and talked, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. He didn't die. He just went up into heaven. He was raptured, caught up. Perhaps so. And Elisha saw it and cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more. And then in the book of Revelation, we read this, of two witnesses who are to come, who will witness in Jerusalem and testify. It is after three days that they're going to come. They're killed by Antichrist and so on. It says, After three and a half days, the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. That's that call, that upward call. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies behold them. Now in this case, they did die, but God brought them back to life. Three and a half days later, they're raptured. They're caught up to heaven. And their enemies just stand on watching. And possibly one that we all know really well is in Acts chapter one, picking up verse nine. And when he'd spoken these things, this is Jesus, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. Okay? Again, Harpazo, rapture. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? The same Jesus, which is taken up from you, into heaven, shall so come in like manner. What an interesting promise that is. You've seen him go up into the clouds. You're going to see him come back in the clouds. As you've seen him go into heaven, it's this promise. It's a wonderful thing. So Jesus himself was raptured, if you like. So then that leads us to the questions regarding the rapture. Two questions, really. Why? And when? I'm trying to attempt to answer those questions. There are four reasons why, why the church needs to be raptured. Four. Let me go through them. You might find some others, but these are four that I can see. Firstly, it's for the saints to receive resurrection bodies fit for eternity. We've already seen those scriptures. We'll look at it more in a second. Secondly, it's to fulfill the promise that Jesus made in John 14. We'll explore that as well. Thirdly, it's to present us, that's the bride, the church, to our heavenly bridegroom. And finally, it's to deliver us from the wrath to come. Four distinct reasons why the rapture has to happen. Let's take the first one. 

In Luke 14, verse 13 and 14, we read this. It's picking up partway through the text, but you get the gist of it. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind, and thou shalt be blessed. This is Jesus speaking to the disciples. For they cannot recompense thee, for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the dead. The just. And that's an interesting expression. It's something that, if we've read this for the first time, we're going to think, well, what does that mean? Well, let's carry on. Because when we go to John 5, we have another interesting expression. Marvel not at this, verse 28, for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. So Jesus himself clearly speaking of these things. And they shall come forth that have done good unto the resurrection of life. Okay? Speaking of a resurrection, the resurrection, the just, the resurrection of life. And they that have done evil, separately, we're told, unto the resurrection of damnation. There's two resurrections that are alluded to here. The resurrection of life, the resurrection of damnation. 

Revelation 20, verse 6. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection. What does that mean? On such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and Christ, and shall reign within a thousand years. So Jesus speaks of two distinct resurrections. The resurrection of the just, or the resurrection of life, and the resurrection of the unjust. 

The resurrection of life, or if you like, the resurrection of the just. Luke 14, 14, we saw a moment ago. The first resurrection, as it's alluded to in Revelation 20. A better resurrection is what's alluded to in Hebrews 11, 35. Or the resurrection of the dead, those that have died in Christ. Philippians 3, verse 11. That's a category. It's not a single event. I'll explain it in a moment. Whereas the resurrection of damnation is the resurrection of the unjust. And that is a single event that we find in Scripture. Let's look at the first one, the resurrection of life. In 1 Corinthians 15, verse 20, we read, But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept. So this resurrection of life began with Christ. began with Christ. began with Christ. began with Christ. began with Christ. His resurrection from the dead was the first of all those that will rise from the dead. For since by man came death, by man also came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Now notice this next thing, verse 23. But every man in his own order. So Paul tells us it's not all going to happen at once. There's going to be a process in a sense, over a period of time. First of all, Christ, the firstfruits. We know that Christ is risen. Then we have those that are Christ at his coming. That's the next group. That's what we talk about, the rapture. And then verse 24, then comes the end. We'll talk about that in a moment. 

Because in the context and when we read through the book of Revelation, we find that there are others who are raised, given new bodies. They are the tribulation martyrs. They're not the church. These are individuals who become believers once the church is removed. And they put their faith and trust in Jesus and accordingly they're saved. But they don't become part of the church. They're part of that group that are referred to in Revelation 19 as the wedding guests. They're invited to the wedding. 

All of those form part of the first resurrection. Resurrection of life. Christ, the firstfruits. Those that are Christ's that is coming and then the end and that's those that are part of the tribulation that are resurrected afterwards. The resurrection of damnation is a single event for all unbelievers. We read this in Revelation 20 and I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books or this is the scary bit here, according to their works. You don't want to be judged according to your works because however many good things you may think you've done, you've at least done an equal share of bad things. And if you're judged according to your works, even if you've done one thing, if you've broken the law in one regard, as James tells us, we're guilty of breaking the whole law. 

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them. And they were judged, every man, according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire and they were judged This is the second death. So it's a resurrection to judgment and then ultimately the second death. 

Notice what we read though in 1 John 3 verse 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it does not yet appear what we shall be like. But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. John alluding here to the things that Paul's already spoken of. That we're going to be changed in the moment in the twinkling of an eye. We're going to be transformed these natural bodies that we have that get old that creak in the morning when we get up and it's harder to get downstairs in the morning. I'm glad we've got a handrail. 

Well I've done it a few times I'm okay but that first time John says that we're going to be changed and we're going to see him because we're going to be like him in that sense. Notice what as an aside here we read in Luke 24 verse 31 this is on the day of the resurrection Jesus appears to the disciples and says behold my hand and my feet that it is I myself handle me and see for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see me have. What's a little teaser in that verse? Well it's the statement for a spirit has not flesh and bones. You see we often speak of flesh and blood but when Jesus is resurrected there is no blood in his system. He says a spirit has not flesh and bones. He specifically makes that distinction. And what is it again we read in Corinthians now this I say brethren that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Our new bodies will not be blood drive they'll be spirit drive. 

Again Paul speaks of this mystery something that was once hidden that's now revealed and all are going to die but all are going to be changed. Again this corruption is going to be changed into that which is incorruptible. 

Okay so that's the first reason we'll be resurrected we'll be given new bodies. The second reason is to fulfill the promise that Jesus made in John 14. Let's look at that promise we all know it quite well I believe. In my father's house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you says Jesus. I go to prepare a place for you. What a lovely promise from Jesus. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again to receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also. I've heard people try and say Jesus never spoke of the rapture. Yes he did. This is a really clear statement that Jesus says I'm going to go to heaven I'm going to prepare a place for you but I'm going to come back and I'm going to receive you to myself and I'm going to take you back to that place. Where did Jesus go when he ascended? We know he was going to his father's house that's what he told us it's heaven. Many scriptures confirm. So Jesus' promise was to take us back to his father's house. Why? To reward us for our labours among other reasons. In Colossians we read for the hope which is laid up in heaven or the hope which is laid up for you in heaven or have you heard before in the word of truth of the gospel? You see people who try and deny the rapture who say it's a part of the second coming or that it is just the second coming but in a different veil they miss this whole thing that at the second coming Jesus returns to the earth to establish his kingdom on the earth. Well if you hold that position I'm really sorry but you're never going to get the treasure that's laid up in heaven because Jesus said he's going to come and take us to that place that he went to that he's been preparing for us and then we're told again in this verse that we have this hope laid up for us in heaven. And in Matthew 6 we know it well but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where neither moth nor wrath does corrupt and where thieves do not break in nor steal for where your treasure is there will your heart be also. Are we living for the earth or are we living for heaven? In Philippians we read this verse 20 of chapter 3 for our citizenship is in heaven. From which we also eagerly wait for the saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body. See again we have it. Then it may be conformed to his glorious body according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself. Again this promise of going to heaven having our bodies transformed and so on. In 2 Corinthians we're told therefore we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ the beamer seat. And we're told why? That everyone may receive the things done in his body according that he has done whether it be good or bad. We're going to be rewarded depending on how we have lived as Christians. It's nothing to do with sin. Our sin was all paid for at Calvary. This is purely to do with our works and whether we have lived and served Christ. In 1 Corinthians 3 it's laid out very clearly. It says for no other foundation or for other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones all of which are pure are fired when they go through fire or wood, hay and stubble which are all burnt up and nothing's left every man's work shall be made manifest everything shall become clear for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try or shall test every man's work of what sort it is. Again if any man's work abide which he has built thereon he shall receive a reward there's a reward prize at the beam at the judgment seat of Christ. If any man's work shall be burned he shall suffer loss but he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire. So there's a promise here of how we are going to live and whether we're going to be rewarded or not. It's the law of sowing and reaping. We're going to be rewarded accordingly. It's not an issue of salvation by the way. 

In 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 11 Peter speaks there for so an entrance shall be made ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. That sounds good isn't it? An abundant entrance. 

2 John verse 8 says look to yourself that we lose not those things which we have wrought but that we receive a full reward. There's one of many scriptures that allude to this that we're going to be taken back to heaven. We're going to be rewarded depending on how we have lived our lives as Christians. There's the promise there of an abundant entrance. There's a promise of a full reward but there's also the warning that we could lose it. So don't think we can just live casually as a Christian and that we'll all be the same. No that's not how it works. 

This has nothing to do with salvation. Salvation was all done at the cross. This has to do with the rewards for faithful service. There's a number of rewards that are listed in the New Testament. We've gone through this before. Review the study we did on 1 Corinthians chapter 3. There's at least five crowns that are specifically mentioned in scripture. And ultimately those crowns are given to us as rewards for faithful service and we get to lay those crowns at Jesus' feet. That's why we sing crown him with many crowns. It pains me that so many Christians in so many churches sing crown him with many crowns. Wonderful hymn. I have no idea what they're singing about. We're singing about that time before the throne when we will give Jesus at the time of the rapture we'll be given these rewards as we go back to heaven and we get to lay these crowns at his feet. As a thank you for what he's done. 

Okay, so to fulfill that promise. To receive those rewards and so on. The judgment seat of Christ. All part of that promise in John 14. Thirdly, it's to present us as a bride to our heavenly bridegroom. This is another pivotal reason for the rapture. 

The Jewish wedding serves as an incredible model that God has intentionally used to bring us together. And so we're going to look at the Hebrew word for marriage. It means sanctification. And what a lovely picture. In 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 3 we're told that God's will for us in anything, anytime, anytime you say I wonder what God's will is 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 3 as you'll go through the verse it says God's will is your sanctification. That you be set apart. 

And then it also speaks about abstaining from fornication. That's an intimate indulgence with somebody other than the one you're committed to. Your spouse. In our case, Jesus. That's what God wants. He wants us to be set apart with just Jesus. 

So the Jewish wedding itself is a picture of that setting apart. We get to the ketubah or the betrothal. Very similar in many respects to our engagement. But it's far more serious. With the ketubah a marriage contract is signed between the groom and his bride. It's not just a giving of rings typically that we do in this country. With no formal commitment as such at that point. In the contract in a Jewish marriage the groom undertakes to give all that he has in order to provide for every need of his bride. What a wonderful picture of what Christ has done. He gave all that he has. We're betrothed to him. And not only while he's alive but also in the event of his death. But it was through Christ's death that he's given us all. 

To mark the contract the groom and the bride drink from a cup of wine together. How interesting that Jesus in Matthew 26 said he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying drink ye all of it for this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins but I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 

Another promise of these things. 

Then typically for the Jews there's an interval between the ketubah this is kind of the engagement if you like and then the chuppah which is like the wedding ceremony. And it's customary for the shatan or the groom and the keilah who's the bride to remain apart for the time leading up to the wedding day. That's typically the way the Jews do it but how interesting that that's exactly what Jesus has done with us. During the time the groom returns to his father's house and prepares a room for his bride. What is it we just read in John 14? I go and prepare a place for you. 

I mean if the disciples didn't get that at the time then I'm sure they'd have got it very shortly afterwards. It's the beautiful picture of a Jewish marriage. That Jesus has gone back to his father's house to prepare a place for us. Again, in my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and he'll come again to receive us to himself. 

Also during the interval something quite significant takes place. It's the cleansing of the bride. Now it's a ritual ceremony. It's the mikvah. It's a ritual bath that the bride would go through to cleanse herself kind of spiritually and so on. So she enters marriage in a state of complete purity without spot or blemish. And one of the parts of this ceremony includes removing all man-made things such as jewellery, nail polish or anything else and then being fully immersed in water. She's supervised and assisted during the ritual to ensure it's done correctly. This is a wonderful picture of what is going on right now. We call it sanctification being set apart. Ephesians 5 we read this Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it. That contract is already signed in his blood. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. We're going through this process of being cleansed right now. That he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish. Blemish. 

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and they too shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery says Paul and then he says something that's really wonderful but I'm not speaking about marriage. I'm talking about Christ and the church. Do you realize that marriage is a model of Christ and the church? That's why it's so important to God. God could have set up any system He wanted to have. He wanted to. But he established marriage to teach us about Christ and the church. Our helper our chaperone if you like who helps us get ready cleanses us is the Holy Spirit. We're told in John 14, 17 He shall be with you and in you. And the Holy Spirit is the one that's preparing us and getting us ready for our wedding day. And we get to the exciting part the hoop part so kind of that Jewish name just sounds hoopa doesn't it? It's that kind of celebration. At the appointed time the groom will then return and is accompanied with a shout and the blast of a ram's horn. Remember what we've just read in Thessalonians? We'll see it again in a moment. To claim his bride to take her back to his father's house to the place that he's prepared. And as we saw in Thessalonians for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of an archangel. Once you understand the Jewish marriage ceremony all these scriptures make so much sense. The day in Christ will rise first and we are alive and we remain and we're caught up together and we'll forever be with the Lord. We then get to the marriage supper itself and this typically is a seven day feast. 

And then the wedding blessing is pronounced after the seven days are completed. Interestingly for the church after seven years not seven days but after seven years whilst the tribulation is unfolding on earth there's a wedding blessing that is pronounced for Christ and his bride. It's the same model it's the same picture. We read in Revelation 19 and I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thundering saying hallelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. No question about who he's talking about is there? And he said unto me right blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. I believe those are the ones that are called out of tribulation. Blessed are they that are called to come and celebrate. And he said unto me these are the true sayings of God. What an incredible model we see in all of this. But Jesus himself draws our attention to this. He says the kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son. And as you go through the parable you realize that God is the father. Jesus is the son. He's the heavenly bridegroom and the church is his bride. 

So finally the final reason that the rapture has to happen is to deliver us from the wrath to come. We saw this last time in Luke 21. Jesus says watch you therefore and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the son of man. What things? Well all nations being in distress. Global turmoil and ultimately the day of the law the tribulation. Jesus himself said there is a way of escaping these things. 

And we've seen already promises in Thessalonians but this is another one in chapter 5. But let us who are of the day be sober putting on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation for God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul has just spoken of the rapture. He's just spoken of the harpazo of being called up to meet the Lord in the air. Why? And he says because God's not appointed us to wrath. It's almost in the same breath he's saying it. Wrath, as I said earlier is not persecution. Don't confuse the two. Wrath, we're speaking of the day of the Lord and as we've said already from Isaiah many scriptures I'm not going to read these we've gone through a number of these already. This time of judgment is from the Almighty. This isn't something Satan does or the world does. This is God's wrath being poured out on the people of the earth. And we're told that the purpose is to destroy the sinners out of it out of the world out of the world that have just committed so much iniquity and so on and and there'll be signs in the stars and in the heavens and so on and God says I will punish the world for their evil and finally in the wrath of the Lord of hosts in the day of his fierce anger it's very clear what is coming on the earth. So God is going to remove his people. It's a specific time of judgment on the wicked unbelieving Christ rejecting world and God cannot and will not subject the blood-bought church to that time of wrath. Consistent with God's dealings as we've seen this morning throughout scripture the church will be removed before the tribulation begins because the whole period of tribulation is a time of wrath. There's a lovely picture that we see with Noah. Jesus himself said as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be also in the days of the son of man. In the days of Noah there were three groups of people. There were those who perished in the flood. That's the wicked. It speaks of the world. It speaks of the people It speaks of those who will go through that time of tribulation. There were those who were preserved through this time. Now ultimately it will be the Jews and specifically we know there's 144,000 Jews that are sealed but the nation of Israel is preserved through that time. But there's another group. Those that were removed prior to the flood. In this case Enoch who was raptured. And you might say well Enoch was just one person. Well yeah so is the body of Christ. We're one in him. It's a lovely picture of what God has done and what he's going to do again. So what's our response to all of these things? In 2 Timothy 4.8 we read this. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing. This is one of the crowns. One of those five crowns specifically that I mentioned earlier. This crown is one of those crowns that is promised to those that have loved his appearing. That are looking forward to the coming of the Lord. They're excited about it. That's how we should be. 

My girls have been away for the best part of this week. I'm looking forward to them coming home today. I'm looking forward to seeing them again. I'll be honest it's been quite quiet at home and that's been quite nice but it would be lovely to see them again. I used to remember when my parents when I was a bit older and I would stay at home and they would go away and I used to look forward so much to them coming back. I'm sure Wilfred last week or two you've been so looking forward to your lovely wife coming home. You know when people go away we long to see them come back. Well Christ has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us but he's going to come again to receive us. We should be excited. We should be longing and looking forward to seeing him. In Titus we read this for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in the present world and here we are looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. When is it that we get to see him at the time of the rapture? 

The rapture is our blessed hope is what we are looking forward to. It's the hope we have that we will be taken from this world to the place that he's gone to prepare for us who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself the world. A peculiar people zealous of good works. What a wonderful verse this is in Titus because it speaks of that the rewards the good works and so on a purified people the bride of Christ really everything's in this. 

There are a number of slides that will go up with this slide pack online and I give you other details other reasons why the timing of the rapture is such why it cannot be in the middle of the tribulation or the end of the tribulation and there's some clear biblical distinctives as to why and I'll leave those in there if you want to dig into that more those slides will be online but this is our hope this is what we should be so excited about but we need to be getting ready let's bow our hearts.

Father we just thank you for this morning this opportunity to review these things to be reminded Lord of the promises the exceedingly great and precious promises that you have made to your church that you have gone before us you have gone to prepare a place for us and that you will come again and you will receive us to yourselves that we will be caught up in the air and that Lord as we've seen throughout scripture you will remove your people before the time of wrath begins and you will take us to that pavilion that place of safety that tabernacle where we can be with you we can worship you we can celebrate where we will drink anew with you that cup

Oh Lord how we look forward to these things - Lord how it makes sense of so much scripture
Oh Lord stir our hearts we pray may we not be given over to the things of this world but may Lord we redeem the time recognizing Lord that the days are evil and Lord make every opportunity we can to share these wonderful truths with those around us that as many as possible can be spared from this time of coming judgment and can come to know the Saviour for themselves

Lord we just pray for revival - we pray for work in this land - we pray for work in our own lives - we ask these things this morning in Jesus name. Amen.

Okay may God richly bless you ... let's spend some time fellowshipping over some teas and coffees :-)

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So we are concluding this morning this mini-series, as I said,

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looking at this whole subject of judgment and the days that we're living in.

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And in the first two sessions, we've kind of looked at the fact that judgment is spoken of over 300 times in Scripture.

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And over 100 of those occasions, it's specifically referring to a very succinct, specific time of judgment that is coming.

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It's spoken of on 25 occasions as the day of the Lord.

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Isaiah, as we've noted already, speaks of this time of tribulation that's coming.

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Now, don't mistake this for the tribulation that we all experience.

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Jesus said that those who would live godly in Christ Jesus will experience tribulation.

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We're going to be persecuted.

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That is something we experience.

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But that is a persecution, a tribulation that comes from the world towards believers.

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That's not what we're talking about here.

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We're talking about a time of wrath from God being poured out on this world,

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this Christ-rejecting, unbelieving world.

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And Jesus says,

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And the Old Testament goes at pains, if I may put it that way, to speak of the labor pains that we're going to see.

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That they increase in frequency.

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And in Matthew 24 and elsewhere in the New Testament, we're told of wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence.

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And we see all of that.

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All of that is going on right now to a greater degree than at any time in history.

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I mean, who would have thought that something like COVID would cripple the world?

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For the time that it did.

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I mean, the amazing thing is that we've kind of got back to normal.

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I don't know if you've noticed now, people just walk around and you don't see sanitizer everywhere.

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But I remember at the time, people were saying,

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Oh, the world will never be the same again.

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And somehow we've all gone back to exactly as it was.

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But what's next?

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I don't think any of us are naive enough to think that that will never happen again.

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And certainly wars and rumors of wars.

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And as I said already, when Jesus uses those expressions, he's quoting from Isaiah,

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who is speaking about specific wars and rumors of wars in the Middle East with Israel and their surrounding nations.

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Well, that's what we're hearing constantly on the news.

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There's very seldom a day that goes by that we don't hear something on the news about Israel and its neighbors,

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and the wars that are going on there.

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And famines and pestilence.

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Sorry, famines and earthquakes.

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Again, all these things.

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As Jesus said, we're seeing them.

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But the really fascinating thing for us is that in 1 Peter,

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we're told that this season of judgment is going to begin with the church.

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And we're seeing it already.

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1 Peter 4, verse 17.

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For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.

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And if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?

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It's saying the specific season of judgment is going to commence with the church.

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And we looked at the questions.

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Why will it come?

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And we concluded because of the apostasy that we see.

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We asked, when will it come?

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And we saw quite clearly that Jesus says that there is a time of harvest coming.

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And in the time of the harvest,

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there's going to be this separation of the wheat and the tares.

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It's going to occur in the final church age.

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Remember Matthew 13, verse 30.

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The disciples in the parable that Jesus is given to illustrate this,

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asked the question, should we just pull out the tares and get rid of them?

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And Jesus says, no.

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Let both grow together.

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And we have this really important until the harvest.

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And in the time of the harvest, in this time that's leading up to this judgment,

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I will say to the reapers,

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gather ye first the tares and bind them in bundles.

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And we've seen and we are seeing the apostate church being gathered together in bundles.

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The difference between the true church and the apostate church is becoming clearer and clearer.

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There are things now that some mainstream churches are endorsing, accepting and promoting

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that we cannot.

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We cannot go along with.

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They are completely contrary to scripture.

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They are worshipping and proclaiming a false god

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who accepts all sorts of things that the Bible will not allow.

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So notice first the tares are going to be gathered.

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And that's what we're seeing.

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We looked at two questions.

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The first of those was, what do we mean by the final church age?

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And if you remember last week, we went through looking at the seven churches

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that are in the final church age.

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We recorded it in the book of Revelation.

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These churches which today are in the area of Turkey, Asia Minor as it was known then.

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And these seven specific churches, that as we saw, lay out the history of the Christian church.

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Now there are some people that will say, oh, I don't believe that.

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And well, fine, but it does.

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I mean, you can't deny the fact that the way that these churches,

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of all the churches that existed in the first century that Jesus could have written to.

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The church of Jerusalem is not included.

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The church of Antioch.

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Antioch's not included.

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Corinth, Philippi, all these other great churches that we know so much of.

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These seven are chosen specifically because of the characteristics that they exhibit

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map the history of the Christian church.

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And as we noted last week, Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 tells us that Israel are a model of the church.

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Their history is a model of the church.

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And incredibly, we see that these seven churches, these ones you can see on the right-hand side,

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the church of Ephesus, Smyrna, the church of Pergamos, and then Thyatira, Sardis,

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and then we have Philadelphia following on from that, and then finally Laodicea.

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These seven churches that are listed in Revelation, these seven ages of the church,

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which is what they list, the church began with that time of espousal.

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Then it went into this time of personalization.

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This victory was obtained through suffering.

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The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church, was what was said.

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And then we get to the time of the marriage of the church in the world with Constantine,

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Emperor Constantine, who legalizes Christianity.

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And complacency stepped in, and we started using these pagan buildings and so on.

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And that then leads to a rejection of God's rule, theocracy,

00:07:12.640 --> 00:07:17.080
and the beginning of the papacy, where we bring a man in to rule over us.

00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:21.460
And that leads to the division of the church with the Reformation,

00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:24.080
which is depicted by the church at Sardis.

00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:29.320
And interestingly, the Catholic church, which was so riddled with idolatry and still is,

00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:31.640
is actually commended for its good works.

00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:34.720
Whereas the Protestant church, there's nothing good said of it.

00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:40.040
Why? Because it had the opportunity to go back and correct, and it didn't.

00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:44.620
It left so many errors in place that have riddled the church today.

00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:46.660
Things like amillennialism,

00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:47.400
the belief that there would be a new world,

00:07:47.400 --> 00:07:50.000
that there would not be a literal rule and reign of Jesus on earth.

00:07:50.200 --> 00:07:51.900
It's a denial of so many scriptures.

00:07:52.340 --> 00:07:57.099
Not least what the angel Gabriel promised to Mary in Luke chapter 1, verse 32.

00:07:57.719 --> 00:08:02.380
That the son that she was carrying was going to rule over the house of Israel.

00:08:03.039 --> 00:08:05.320
That he was going to be the king, to sit on the throne of David.

00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:06.060
That's not what happened.

00:08:06.799 --> 00:08:07.820
Did Gabriel get it wrong?

00:08:08.739 --> 00:08:11.599
No, this idea of amillennialism has crept in.

00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:12.560
There's so many other things.

00:08:13.299 --> 00:08:15.700
Antisemitism, which was so much part of the Catholic church,

00:08:16.200 --> 00:08:17.380
again, remained part of the Catholic church.

00:08:17.400 --> 00:08:21.060
It was so much part of the denominational churches, and to this day.

00:08:22.280 --> 00:08:23.659
And so judgment was foretold.

00:08:24.340 --> 00:08:26.239
And yet there was a way of escape that was promised.

00:08:26.400 --> 00:08:27.940
The church of Philadelphia are a good church.

00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.320
There's no bad thing said of them.

00:08:29.760 --> 00:08:32.000
And this promise of escape of the judgment,

00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:38.000
ultimately, the apostate church, the tears and so on, will be destroyed.

00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:40.079
And Jesus spoke about those that said, Lord, Lord.

00:08:40.760 --> 00:08:42.840
And said, we've done this in your name, and this in your name.

00:08:42.880 --> 00:08:44.460
And Jesus says, depart, I never knew you.

00:08:45.699 --> 00:08:47.380
And ultimately, that church will be destroyed.

00:08:47.400 --> 00:08:49.680
And that church will be cast into this time of tribulation.

00:08:50.699 --> 00:08:53.660
And we saw how incredibly this maps the history of Israel.

00:08:53.920 --> 00:08:56.020
They started with this time of espousal in the wilderness.

00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:59.720
Then they had the time where they were entering into the promised land with Joshua.

00:08:59.880 --> 00:09:01.439
It was a victory, but through a time of war.

00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:04.579
But that complacency then brought the time of defeat during the judges.

00:09:05.400 --> 00:09:08.880
But they also then rejected God's rule and wanted a man to rule over them,

00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:12.480
which led ultimately to the division of the kingdom into the northern kingdom, Israel,

00:09:13.020 --> 00:09:16.960
which were rebuked of God because of their idolatry.

00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:17.180
Just like that.

00:09:17.180 --> 00:09:17.199
Just like that.

00:09:17.199 --> 00:09:17.240
Just like that.

00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:17.300
Just like that.

00:09:17.300 --> 00:09:17.360
Just like that.

00:09:17.400 --> 00:09:18.500
Just like the Catholic Church.

00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:23.199
And Judah, who should have learned, who should have gleaned from the lessons, but didn't.

00:09:23.640 --> 00:09:25.060
And then finally, judgments foretold.

00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:29.220
The faithful were taken away out of harm's way to Babylon and kept safe there.

00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:31.079
Why, judgment came upon Jerusalem.

00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:32.959
Jerusalem was eventually burned with fire.

00:09:33.040 --> 00:09:38.280
And those that rejected God, rejected prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah and Daniel and so on.

00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:43.819
But finally, the faithful of Israel returned to inherit the land.

00:09:44.400 --> 00:09:47.199
And a temple was ultimately built that the Messiah would then teach for us.

00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:48.200
And the faithful were taken away out of harm's way to Babylon and came back to Israel.

00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:48.240
And the faithful were taken away out of harm's way to Babylon and came back to Israel.

00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:49.860
And just the same here for the church.

00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:54.220
Ultimately, the Lord is going to return and establish his throne as a kingdom.

00:09:55.300 --> 00:09:57.840
And the faithful will rule and reign with him.

00:09:58.600 --> 00:09:59.760
So that was the first question.

00:10:00.140 --> 00:10:02.300
Where are we and where is the final church age?

00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:04.080
We are in this time right now.

00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:10.700
The second question then, and we kind of posed this in the first week,

00:10:10.760 --> 00:10:15.980
was what happens to the true church or the wheat, as Jesus puts it in Matthew 13?

00:10:16.520 --> 00:10:17.000
And when we look at the Bible, we see that the wheat is the first thing that we eat.

00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:19.860
And when we're told specifically that they're going to be gathered into his barn,

00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:20.580
what does that mean?

00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:23.600
Well, we need to remind ourselves,

00:10:23.920 --> 00:10:25.400
a couple of scriptures we looked at last week.

00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:30.160
In Genesis 18, remember the situation that the Lord comes to visit Abraham.

00:10:30.920 --> 00:10:34.920
And he takes Abraham to a place where they're overlooking Sodom and Gomorrah.

00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:37.640
And Abraham's nephew Lot was there.

00:10:38.540 --> 00:10:40.520
And so Abraham, naturally concerned for his nephew,

00:10:41.140 --> 00:10:42.680
has the chutzpah to ask God.

00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:44.080
He says, Abraham drew near and said,

00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:46.980
will they also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.360
He's thinking of his nephew.

00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.300
Lord, you're going to bring judgment on this place.

00:10:50.380 --> 00:10:53.380
I understand that the iniquity is riddled in these places,

00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:55.580
but what about the righteous?

00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:58.780
And he starts with a high number.

00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:01.160
He says, per adventure, there'll be 50 righteous within the city.

00:11:01.660 --> 00:11:05.080
Will they also destroy and not spare the place for the 50 righteous that are therein?

00:11:06.140 --> 00:11:08.660
And before God has the opportunity to answer,

00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:10.900
Abraham just carries on and says this.

00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:14.260
He says, that be far from thee to do after this manner,

00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:16.400
to slay the righteous with the wicked.

00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.800
And that the righteous should be as the wicked.

00:11:19.260 --> 00:11:20.240
That be far from thee.

00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:22.220
Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?

00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:24.740
See, Abraham's stating a really important principle.

00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:28.820
That God cannot judge the righteous with the wicked.

00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:30.280
They have to be separated.

00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:31.900
And that's exactly what God does.

00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:34.860
He brings Lot out and brings him to a place of safety

00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:38.260
so that he can then pour his wrath upon Sodom and Gomorrah.

00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:40.400
And of course, historically, we know that's what happens.

00:11:41.180 --> 00:11:43.600
But there are many of these examples in the Old Testament.

00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:46.800
In Genesis chapter 6, speaking of the flood,

00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:48.219
the time of Noah, God says,

00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:51.260
And behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth

00:11:51.260 --> 00:11:54.819
to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life

00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:58.819
from under heaven, and everything that is in the earth shall die.

00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:02.420
But with thee I will establish my covenant,

00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:04.140
and thou shalt come into the ark.

00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:06.400
You see, God removes Noah and his family.

00:12:06.540 --> 00:12:08.420
He says, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

00:12:08.520 --> 00:12:10.240
He brings them to a place of safety.

00:12:11.260 --> 00:12:12.800
And then he pours his wrath out.

00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:15.800
Every time we look at this in Scripture, the same pattern.

00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:16.240
The same pattern.

00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:19.560
In Exodus, at the time of the Exodus,

00:12:20.359 --> 00:12:20.699
God says,

00:12:20.760 --> 00:12:22.500
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night,

00:12:22.520 --> 00:12:25.280
and I will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt,

00:12:25.400 --> 00:12:26.339
both man and beast.

00:12:26.520 --> 00:12:29.439
And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment.

00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.579
I am the Lord.

00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:36.040
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are.

00:12:36.280 --> 00:12:38.959
And when I see the blood, I will pass over you,

00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:41.140
and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you

00:12:41.140 --> 00:12:42.900
when I smite the land of Egypt.

00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:45.280
See, as God was bringing his wrath upon Egypt,

00:12:45.400 --> 00:12:46.780
those that were in the houses,

00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:48.680
those that were in the houses protected under the blood,

00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:49.800
were saved.

00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:52.560
God puts his own people to a place of safety

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.939
and then brings his wrath.

00:12:55.520 --> 00:12:58.219
In Psalm 27, David here says,

00:12:58.380 --> 00:13:01.740
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion.

00:13:02.020 --> 00:13:06.219
See, this is a fundamental principle of the way that God works.

00:13:06.880 --> 00:13:09.319
In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me.

00:13:09.660 --> 00:13:11.319
He shall set me upon a rock.

00:13:12.359 --> 00:13:15.560
And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me.

00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:16.640
Therefore, I offer you,

00:13:16.640 --> 00:13:19.240
offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy.

00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:21.600
I will sing, yeah, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:23.880
You see, the implication of what we're reading here is that

00:13:23.880 --> 00:13:26.500
there's a time of judgment falling upon the world,

00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.860
those around him, on his enemies,

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.140
and yet he's taken to a place of safety.

00:13:30.140 --> 00:13:32.580
And specifically, we're told it's the tabernacle,

00:13:33.400 --> 00:13:34.939
the place of God's dwelling.

00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:37.380
He says, that's where the Lord will hide me.

00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:39.060
It's a lovely picture.

00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:41.400
In Isaiah 26,

00:13:42.260 --> 00:13:43.420
picking up verse 20,

00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.340
an incredible statement.

00:13:45.520 --> 00:13:46.240
Come, my people,

00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:49.540
I'll enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee.

00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.840
Hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment

00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:54.460
until the indignation be overpassed.

00:13:54.920 --> 00:13:57.500
Now, in case you're not sure what this is talking about,

00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:58.900
the next verse makes it really clear.

00:13:58.900 --> 00:14:01.520
For behold, the Lord comes out of his place

00:14:01.520 --> 00:14:04.740
to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.

00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:07.000
The earth also shall disclose her blood

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.420
and shall no more cover her slain.

00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.860
No question, this is talking about the day of the Lord.

00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:12.360
This is talking about this time of judgment

00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.720
that we've been speaking of.

00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.900
And this promise is made to God,

00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:16.740
God's people.

00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:19.940
Now, you may say, well, this is a promise just to Israel.

00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:23.320
Okay, and there is certainly a way that we see

00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:25.960
that God protects Israel through that time of tribulation.

00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:27.660
They're taken out of the land.

00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:29.200
There's another principle being played out

00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:31.440
as God takes his people out of the land of Israel

00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:34.540
and they're taken to what we believe Petra or Edom.

00:14:35.380 --> 00:14:36.380
And they're protected there.

00:14:37.660 --> 00:14:39.760
Which is a lovely little fulfillment of the promise

00:14:39.760 --> 00:14:41.760
that we find back in Genesis.

00:14:41.900 --> 00:14:43.640
Do you remember when Jacob's coming back into the land

00:14:43.640 --> 00:14:45.380
after being away with Uncle Abel?

00:14:45.380 --> 00:14:46.220
And Esau comes back.

00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.000
And Esau comes out to meet him.

00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:48.820
And Esau says, look, come back to my place.

00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.580
Got the kettle on, come, come.

00:14:50.780 --> 00:14:52.760
And Jacob says, we will come to you.

00:14:53.540 --> 00:14:54.260
But he doesn't.

00:14:55.140 --> 00:14:56.760
Jacob never goes to Edom.

00:14:57.140 --> 00:14:58.080
He stays in the land.

00:14:58.880 --> 00:14:59.740
But that wasn't a lie.

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:01.620
It wasn't just an omission on Jacob's heart.

00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:02.560
It was prophetic.

00:15:03.140 --> 00:15:05.960
Because one day Israel will go to Edom.

00:15:06.800 --> 00:15:07.580
That will be fulfilled.

00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:11.580
But this is speaking of God's people being brought,

00:15:12.280 --> 00:15:15.120
not just to Edom, but it says into thy chambers.

00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.260
To Israel.

00:15:15.260 --> 00:15:15.320
To Israel.

00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:15.360
To Israel.

00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:15.380
To Israel.

00:15:15.380 --> 00:15:15.440
To Israel.

00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:15.500
To Israel.

00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:15.540
To Israel.

00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:15.580
To Israel.

00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:15.600
To Israel.

00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:15.620
To Israel.

00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:15.640
To Israel.

00:15:15.640 --> 00:15:15.660
To Israel.

00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:15.700
To Israel.

00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:15.740
To Israel.

00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.380
To Israel.

00:15:16.380 --> 00:15:16.420
To Israel.

00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:16.520
To Israel.

00:15:16.520 --> 00:15:16.700
To Israel.

00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:16.740
To Israel.

00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:16.760
To Israel.

00:15:16.760 --> 00:15:16.800
To Israel.

00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:16.820
To Israel.

00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:16.840
To Israel.

00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:16.900
To Israel.

00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:17.000
To Israel.

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.020
To Israel.

00:15:17.020 --> 00:15:17.040
To Israel.

00:15:17.040 --> 00:15:17.080
To Israel.

00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.100
To Israel.

00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.400
To Israel.

00:15:17.400 --> 00:15:17.420
To Israel.

00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:17.440
To Israel.

00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:17.480
To Israel.

00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:20.300
And they will be hidden until the indignation be overpassed.

00:15:21.400 --> 00:15:22.420
It's a lovely picture.

00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:25.340
In Zephaniah, chapter 2, verse 3, another one.

00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:28.540
Seek ye the Lord, all you meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment.

00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.500
Seek righteousness.

00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:30.920
Seek meekness.

00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:35.020
And maybe you shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:38.340
Another really clear scripture.

00:15:38.920 --> 00:15:39.940
And who are the meek of the earth?

00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:42.840
We asked this when we looked at this, I think, the last week or the week before.

00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:46.220
And Jesus said it's the meek who are going to inherit the earth.

00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:48.240
So let's ask the question the other way.

00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:49.940
Who are those who inherit the earth?

00:15:50.140 --> 00:15:52.100
Well, from scripture, we're told it's the church.

00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:55.580
Many scriptures tell us that we will rule and reign with Jesus.

00:15:57.460 --> 00:16:02.160
And so, by a process of deduction, it's the meek, it's those who will inherit the earth,

00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:04.780
it's the church to whom this is applicable.

00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:09.220
And I say the church because ultimately the church will include Jews and Gentiles.

00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:11.580
In Christ, we are all one.

00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:14.280
There is no distinction anymore.

00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:22.280
And then we get to 1 Thessalonians.

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:25.060
And we read this incredible promise.

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:29.100
And it's amazing that Paul starts this by saying,

00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:33.380
but I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.

00:16:33.380 --> 00:16:39.640
And it's quite staggering how many are ignorant of these scriptures.

00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:41.060
Paul says,

00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:42.700
I don't want you to be in darkness.

00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:45.040
I don't want you to not understand these things.

00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:46.680
And he goes on and says,

00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:58.340
He's saying the people of the world have no hope.

00:16:59.180 --> 00:17:01.080
When someone dies, that's the end for them.

00:17:01.760 --> 00:17:03.360
But for us as believers, we have hope.

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.280
And this is what Paul goes on to say.

00:17:05.280 --> 00:17:09.620
If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, just stop there for a second.

00:17:10.540 --> 00:17:12.680
That elevates this to a completely different level.

00:17:12.780 --> 00:17:14.280
This isn't just some fringe issue.

00:17:14.540 --> 00:17:19.980
He's saying this is on the par with the fact that Jesus died and rose again.

00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:24.680
If we believe that in the same way, the same confidence we have in that,

00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:29.600
even so, them also which sleep in Jesus,

00:17:30.020 --> 00:17:31.760
those that have died already as Christians,

00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:34.440
will God bring with him?

00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:38.300
That's quite a strange statement.

00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.020
He goes on and says,

00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:39.760
For this we say,

00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:42.160
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,

00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.520
not my opinion,

00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:47.060
or I think Timothy or Titus suggested this.

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:50.120
No, this is what we're saying by the word of the Lord,

00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:56.300
that we which were alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord

00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:58.500
shall not prevent or go before,

00:17:58.580 --> 00:17:59.360
that's the old King James,

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.540
prevent, not proceed,

00:18:01.060 --> 00:18:02.420
those or them which are asleep.

00:18:03.040 --> 00:18:04.560
Now, firstly, notice a couple of things here.

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:09.460
Firstly, that Paul believed himself to be of that group that were alive

00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:09.820
and were potentially alive.

00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:12.040
Potentially still be there when the Lord came back.

00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.899
It's the doctrine of imminence.

00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:17.439
The idea that Jesus could return at any time.

00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.360
Paul says,

00:18:19.520 --> 00:18:20.919
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.399
that we which are alive and remain.

00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.700
Paul counted himself in that group.

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.580
He expected Jesus to come back.

00:18:28.179 --> 00:18:29.580
Unto the coming of the Lord.

00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:33.899
Shall not prevent, shall not go before them which are asleep.

00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:34.700
And he goes on and explains,

00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:39.700
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shadow,

00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:43.919
and with a voice of the archangel,

00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:46.280
and with the trump of God.

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.540
And this is this wonderful bear.

00:18:49.300 --> 00:18:52.300
And the dead in Christ shall rise first.

00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.560
Speaking of a time of resurrection.

00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:57.000
The Christians who have died,

00:18:57.080 --> 00:18:58.520
our loved ones that have gone before us.

00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:00.580
I think of my gran,

00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:02.639
I think of my brother-in-law.

00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.480
I think of Paul.

00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:06.960
I think of so many that have gone on before us.

00:19:09.260 --> 00:19:09.679
And they're going to die.

00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.640
They're going to rise first.

00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.880
They're going to receive new bodies.

00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.840
We'll talk about that in a moment.

00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:17.440
Then we which are alive and remain,

00:19:18.280 --> 00:19:21.040
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.

00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:24.060
So that's all those saints that have died.

00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:26.700
Their souls are going to come back with Christ.

00:19:26.780 --> 00:19:27.760
They're going to get new bodies.

00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.940
They're going to rise first.

00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:32.200
And then together we're going to be caught up into the clouds.

00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.400
To meet the Lord.

00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:36.060
This isn't any ambiguous scripture.

00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:36.800
This is really clear.

00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.500
And so we shall ever be with the Lord.

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:42.360
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:48.360
Now, that word caught up is the Greek word harpazo.

00:19:49.100 --> 00:19:50.760
That's the word at the top of the screen there.

00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:51.980
That's what it means.

00:19:52.040 --> 00:19:53.220
It means to catch up.

00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:56.780
And notice what Paul says.

00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:59.760
We should comfort each other with these words.

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.040
It should be a great comfort to us.

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:05.320
He says, not only sorrowing like those who have no hope,

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:08.020
this should be a wonderful comfort for the church.

00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.660
To know that we have this hope.

00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:09.960
This is hope.

00:20:11.780 --> 00:20:13.980
In 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of it there as well.

00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.240
He says,

00:20:14.320 --> 00:20:15.240
Now this I say, brethren,

00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:17.540
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,

00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:19.460
neither does corruption inherit incorruption.

00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:20.240
Kind of makes sense.

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:24.560
We're going to need new bodies for eternity.

00:20:24.760 --> 00:20:26.000
If we didn't have new bodies,

00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:27.400
we'd spend eternity flat on our back.

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:29.760
You think of the cases in scripture.

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.560
Daniel.

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.800
You think of John, Revelation.

00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:36.800
And others that see Jesus as he is,

00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.740
in his glory, in his majesty.

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.700
They just fall down.

00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:40.160
As though they were dead.

00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:42.200
Unless we've got new bodies,

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.000
we spend eternity flat on our face.

00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.800
He says, behold, I show you a mystery.

00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.700
We shall not all sleep.

00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.520
In other words, we shall not all die.

00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.420
Just as Paul says in Thessalonians.

00:20:53.760 --> 00:20:54.940
But we shall all be changed.

00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:56.800
And it's going to happen so quickly.

00:20:57.040 --> 00:20:59.040
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:00.900
That's the way the translators could put this.

00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:02.080
The Greek is atomos.

00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:04.180
It's the smallest indivisible unit of time.

00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:05.940
I believe it's 10 to the minus 33 seconds.

00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:07.000
If you're interested.

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:10.320
For the trump shall stand.

00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:10.980
The trump shall stand.

00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:13.180
And the dead shall be raised incorruptible.

00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.880
And we shall be changed.

00:21:14.080 --> 00:21:16.480
That verse in Thessalonians is no isolated verse.

00:21:16.760 --> 00:21:19.640
It is consistent with everything Paul says in the New Testament.

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:21.440
Everything we find in the Old Testament.

00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.800
It's a wonderful promise.

00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:26.940
It says, for this corruptible must put on incorruption.

00:21:27.020 --> 00:21:28.680
And this mortal must put on immortality.

00:21:29.020 --> 00:21:30.940
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,

00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:32.660
and this mortal shall have put on immortality,

00:21:33.260 --> 00:21:35.540
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:37.260
death is swallowed up in victory.

00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:38.200
Oh, death.

00:21:38.280 --> 00:21:38.680
Where is that?

00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.100
I sting.

00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.940
A grave where is thy victory?

00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.980
As we said before,

00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:46.080
the biggest problem we had was the problem of death.

00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.400
People have said,

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:49.520
why didn't Jesus come to solve the problem of hunger

00:21:49.520 --> 00:21:50.920
or the problem of whatever else?

00:21:52.300 --> 00:21:54.120
Jesus came to solve the biggest problem we had,

00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.720
and that was death.

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.880
And death is defeated through Jesus.

00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:01.240
And that leads us to this word, rapture.

00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:05.000
It's a word we get from 1 Thessalonians 4.17

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:07.340
that is translated there, caught up.

00:22:07.540 --> 00:22:08.180
And as I said already,

00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.680
the Greek word is harpazo.

00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:12.180
In the Latin Vulgate translation,

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.480
we talked about that a few weeks back in our study

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.780
of different Bible versions and things,

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:20.460
the word harpazo there is actually translated as rapturous,

00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:22.840
and that's where we derive the word rapture from.

00:22:23.320 --> 00:22:25.240
So you're not going to find the word rapture

00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:27.440
in an English translation of the Bible per se,

00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:30.420
but you will find the word caught up,

00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:34.800
which is just a translation of rapturous or harpazo,

00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.460
which is the Greek.

00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.560
What do we mean by rapture?

00:22:40.340 --> 00:22:44.280
It's being physically taken from the earth to heaven without dying.

00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:45.700
That's what we're talking about.

00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:47.020
That's what Paul's speaking of.

00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:52.160
At a time coming, the church are going to be taken physically.

00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:53.680
The dead in Christ are going to rise first.

00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:56.060
Then we that are alive and remain will be caught up together with them

00:22:56.060 --> 00:22:59.260
in the clouds and will be taken back to heaven.

00:23:00.280 --> 00:23:03.460
Now, for many people, if they've not come across this,

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.220
it can seem strange.

00:23:06.300 --> 00:23:08.060
And you end up scurrying.

00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.740
You end up scurrying through your Bible.

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:09.560
Is this true?

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:12.100
Well, let me give you some examples from Scripture

00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:14.300
to show you that this isn't an unknown thing.

00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:17.180
There's actually seven, I believe, of these situations,

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.840
these occurrences in Scripture.

00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:20.180
I won't go through all of them now,

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.660
but I'll give you a few specific ones.

00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.800
Back in the book of Genesis in chapter 5,

00:23:24.520 --> 00:23:24.800
we read,

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:28.820
An Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah 300 years

00:23:28.820 --> 00:23:29.920
and begat sons and daughters.

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:33.320
And all the days of Enoch were 365 years.

00:23:34.040 --> 00:23:34.380
And we're told,

00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:36.100
An Enoch walked with God.

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.340
It just speaks of that wonderful fellowship.

00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:39.800
It's what we had right back in the Garden of Eden,

00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:41.459
that Adam and Eve walked with God.

00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:43.500
And then sin comes in and it breaks that fellowship.

00:23:44.020 --> 00:23:45.379
Enoch had gone into a place

00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:47.220
where they had such a wonderful relationship,

00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:49.360
walking with God.

00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:52.419
It was really lovely this morning.

00:23:52.540 --> 00:23:54.540
I went to drop Connie off there.

00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:56.419
The girls are away at a youth camp at the moment.

00:23:57.280 --> 00:24:00.000
And as we drove into the big field where they were camping,

00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:01.959
I could see a man walking along in the distance,

00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.879
Bible in hand, praying.

00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:06.740
Clearly, he wasn't aware

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.240
that I could see him.

00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:10.159
It was just lovely to see somebody walking with God.

00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.379
Enoch walked with God.

00:24:13.459 --> 00:24:14.800
He was having so much fellowship with God.

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.820
And one day, he's out and God says,

00:24:17.040 --> 00:24:18.600
you're closer to my place now.

00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.480
You might as well come back with me.

00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.840
And so God takes him back.

00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:22.260
He says,

00:24:22.439 --> 00:24:23.800
And he was not, for God took him.

00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.320
He didn't die.

00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:27.740
He was literally taken alive from earth to heaven.

00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:31.300
In 2 Kings, we read the account of Elijah.

00:24:31.459 --> 00:24:33.639
And it came to pass, as they still went on,

00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:35.040
this is Elijah and Elisha,

00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:35.520
and talked,

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:37.320
that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire,

00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.199
and horses of fire,

00:24:38.340 --> 00:24:39.860
and parted them both asunder.

00:24:39.959 --> 00:24:42.600
And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.159
He didn't die.

00:24:44.260 --> 00:24:45.439
He just went up into heaven.

00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:46.280
He was raptured,

00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.179
caught up.

00:24:49.260 --> 00:24:49.879
Perhaps so.

00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.800
And Elisha saw it and cried,

00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.740
My father, my father,

00:24:52.959 --> 00:24:54.020
the chariot of Israel,

00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:54.800
and the horsemen thereof.

00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:55.800
And he saw him no more.

00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:58.139
And then in the book of Revelation,

00:24:59.159 --> 00:24:59.959
we read this,

00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:02.459
of two witnesses who are to come,

00:25:02.899 --> 00:25:05.000
who will witness in Jerusalem and testify.

00:25:05.959 --> 00:25:06.959
It is after three days

00:25:06.959 --> 00:25:07.280
that they're going to come.

00:25:07.280 --> 00:25:09.300
They're killed by Antichrist and so on.

00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.460
It says,

00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:11.340
After three and a half days,

00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:13.540
the Spirit of life from God entered into them,

00:25:13.760 --> 00:25:14.980
and they stood upon their feet,

00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:17.000
and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

00:25:17.280 --> 00:25:20.040
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them,

00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.280
Come up hither.

00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:23.600
That's that call, that upward call.

00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.940
And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud,

00:25:27.040 --> 00:25:27.960
and their enemies behold them.

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.060
Now in this case, they did die,

00:25:29.520 --> 00:25:31.060
but God brought them back to life.

00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.780
Three and a half days later,

00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.840
they're raptured.

00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.700
They're caught up to heaven.

00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:36.960
And their enemies just stand on watching.

00:25:37.280 --> 00:25:40.720
And possibly one that we all know really well

00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.300
is in Acts chapter one,

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.580
picking up verse nine.

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.360
And when he'd spoken these things,

00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.060
this is Jesus,

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.879
while they beheld,

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.580
he was taken up,

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.920
and a cloud received him out of their sight.

00:25:53.040 --> 00:25:53.160
Okay?

00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.280
Again,

00:25:54.540 --> 00:25:54.879
Harpazo,

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.620
rapture.

00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:58.160
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven,

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.639
as he went up,

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:58.860
behold,

00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:01.020
two men stood by them in white apparel,

00:26:02.280 --> 00:26:02.899
which also said,

00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.500
Ye men of Galilee,

00:26:03.560 --> 00:26:05.100
why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:06.080
The same Jesus,

00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.260
which is taken up from you,

00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:07.720
into heaven,

00:26:08.300 --> 00:26:10.379
shall so come in like manner.

00:26:10.520 --> 00:26:12.000
What an interesting promise that is.

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.899
You've seen him go up into the clouds.

00:26:14.020 --> 00:26:15.360
You're going to see him come back in the clouds.

00:26:17.300 --> 00:26:18.300
As you've seen him go into heaven,

00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:18.800
it's this promise.

00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.639
It's a wonderful thing.

00:26:20.540 --> 00:26:22.080
So Jesus himself was raptured,

00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:22.500
if you like.

00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.820
So then that leads us to the questions

00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:27.060
regarding the rapture.

00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.920
Two questions, really.

00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:28.660
Why?

00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.320
And when?

00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.960
I'm trying to attempt to answer those questions.

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:36.240
There are four reasons

00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.960
why,

00:26:37.280 --> 00:26:40.720
why the church needs to be raptured.

00:26:41.600 --> 00:26:42.000
Four.

00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:43.020
Let me go through them.

00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.220
You might find some others,

00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:45.260
but these are four that I can see.

00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.520
Firstly,

00:26:47.300 --> 00:26:48.800
it's for the saints to receive

00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:50.760
resurrection bodies fit for eternity.

00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:52.700
We've already seen those scriptures.

00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:53.780
We'll look at it more in a second.

00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:55.000
Secondly,

00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.740
it's to fulfill the promise

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:58.660
that Jesus made in John 14.

00:26:59.040 --> 00:27:00.000
We'll explore that as well.

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.879
Thirdly,

00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:03.000
it's to present us,

00:27:03.060 --> 00:27:03.780
that's the bride,

00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.300
the church,

00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:06.480
to our heavenly bridegroom.

00:27:07.280 --> 00:27:08.280
And finally,

00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:10.440
it's to deliver us from the wrath to come.

00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.860
Four distinct reasons

00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:14.060
why the rapture has to happen.

00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.879
Let's take the first one.

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.840
In Luke 14,

00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:21.560
verse 13 and 14,

00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.260
we read this.

00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.820
It's picking up partway through the text,

00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:24.720
but you get the gist of it.

00:27:25.040 --> 00:27:26.180
But when thou makest a feast,

00:27:26.300 --> 00:27:26.820
call the poor,

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.680
the maimed,

00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.180
the lame,

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.800
and the blind,

00:27:29.260 --> 00:27:30.280
and thou shalt be blessed.

00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:31.700
This is Jesus speaking to the disciples.

00:27:32.040 --> 00:27:33.620
For they cannot recompense thee,

00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:35.500
for thou shalt be recompensed

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.040
at the resurrection

00:27:36.040 --> 00:27:37.040
of the dead.

00:27:37.280 --> 00:27:37.840
The just.

00:27:39.020 --> 00:27:40.240
And that's an interesting expression.

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.080
It's something that,

00:27:41.280 --> 00:27:42.379
if we've read this for the first time,

00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:42.720
we're going to think,

00:27:42.760 --> 00:27:43.580
well, what does that mean?

00:27:43.760 --> 00:27:44.560
Well, let's carry on.

00:27:45.040 --> 00:27:46.420
Because when we go to John 5,

00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.879
we have another interesting expression.

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.840
Marvel not at this,

00:27:49.840 --> 00:27:50.399
verse 28,

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.320
for the hour is coming

00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:53.160
in which all that are in the graves

00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.120
shall hear his voice.

00:27:54.820 --> 00:27:55.500
So Jesus himself

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.600
clearly speaking of these things.

00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:58.660
And they shall come forth

00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.680
that have done good

00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:03.160
unto the resurrection of life.

00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:04.700
Okay?

00:28:05.040 --> 00:28:06.160
Speaking of a resurrection,

00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.139
the resurrection,

00:28:07.280 --> 00:28:07.680
the just,

00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.420
the resurrection of life.

00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:10.120
And they that have done evil,

00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:12.240
separately, we're told,

00:28:13.020 --> 00:28:14.440
unto the resurrection of damnation.

00:28:14.540 --> 00:28:15.480
There's two resurrections

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.220
that are alluded to here.

00:28:16.260 --> 00:28:17.080
The resurrection of life,

00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:18.600
the resurrection of damnation.

00:28:20.760 --> 00:28:22.899
Revelation 20, verse 6.

00:28:23.520 --> 00:28:24.840
Blessed and holy is he

00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:28.040
that has part in the first resurrection.

00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.860
What does that mean?

00:28:30.100 --> 00:28:31.060
On such the second death

00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.660
has no power,

00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.760
but they shall be priests of God

00:28:32.760 --> 00:28:33.180
and Christ,

00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:35.120
and shall reign within a thousand years.

00:28:35.760 --> 00:28:36.760
So Jesus speaks of

00:28:36.760 --> 00:28:38.300
two distinct resurrections.

00:28:38.340 --> 00:28:39.340
The resurrection of the just,

00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.740
or the resurrection of life,

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:43.500
and the resurrection of the unjust.

00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:48.700
The resurrection of life,

00:28:48.760 --> 00:28:49.100
or if you like,

00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.120
the resurrection of the just.

00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.260
Luke 14, 14,

00:28:51.320 --> 00:28:52.040
we saw a moment ago.

00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.680
The first resurrection,

00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:55.360
as it's alluded to in Revelation 20.

00:28:56.040 --> 00:28:57.040
A better resurrection

00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:57.940
is what's alluded to

00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.520
in Hebrews 11, 35.

00:29:00.280 --> 00:29:01.879
Or the resurrection of the dead,

00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:03.100
those that have died in Christ.

00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:06.180
Philippians 3, verse 11.

00:29:06.760 --> 00:29:08.200
That's a category.

00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.879
It's not a single event.

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.080
I'll explain it in a moment.

00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:15.000
Whereas the resurrection of damnation

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:17.800
is the resurrection of the unjust.

00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:20.480
And that is a single event

00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.320
that we find in Scripture.

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.500
Let's look at the first one,

00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:23.360
the resurrection of life.

00:29:25.260 --> 00:29:27.280
In 1 Corinthians 15, verse 20, we read,

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:29.440
But now is Christ risen from the dead

00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:31.720
and become the firstfruits

00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:33.220
of them that slept.

00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:35.580
So this resurrection of life

00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:36.360
began with Christ.

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:36.440
began with Christ.

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.500
began with Christ.

00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:36.600
began with Christ.

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:36.740
began with Christ.

00:29:36.760 --> 00:29:39.200
His resurrection from the dead

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:41.640
was the first of all those

00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:42.600
that will rise from the dead.

00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:45.240
For since by man came death,

00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:47.240
by man also came also

00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.180
the resurrection of the dead.

00:29:48.260 --> 00:29:49.360
For as in Adam all die,

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.280
even so in Christ

00:29:50.280 --> 00:29:51.420
shall all be made alive.

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.980
Now notice this next thing,

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.879
verse 23.

00:29:54.760 --> 00:29:57.120
But every man in his own order.

00:29:57.780 --> 00:29:58.520
So Paul tells us

00:29:58.520 --> 00:29:59.760
it's not all going to happen at once.

00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:01.340
There's going to be a process

00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:01.680
in a sense,

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.840
over a period of time.

00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:03.940
First of all,

00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.480
Christ, the firstfruits.

00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.500
We know that Christ

00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:06.860
is risen.

00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.240
Then we have

00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.740
those that are Christ

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.580
at his coming.

00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.960
That's the next group.

00:30:12.020 --> 00:30:12.660
That's what we talk about,

00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.260
the rapture.

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.840
And then verse 24,

00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.540
then comes the end.

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.020
We'll talk about that

00:30:19.020 --> 00:30:19.480
in a moment.

00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:24.000
Because in the context

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.820
and when we read through

00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:25.580
the book of Revelation,

00:30:26.040 --> 00:30:27.920
we find that there are others

00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:30.800
who are raised,

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.600
given new bodies.

00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.960
They are the tribulation martyrs.

00:30:35.020 --> 00:30:35.980
They're not the church.

00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.640
These are individuals

00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:39.720
who become believers

00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:42.220
once the church is removed.

00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.300
And they put their faith

00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:45.180
and trust in Jesus

00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:47.040
and accordingly they're saved.

00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:47.820
But they don't become

00:30:47.820 --> 00:30:48.640
part of the church.

00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.520
They're part of that group

00:30:50.520 --> 00:30:51.240
that are referred to

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.200
in Revelation 19

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.800
as the wedding guests.

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.660
They're invited to the wedding.

00:30:58.280 --> 00:30:59.420
All of those

00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:02.520
form part of the first resurrection.

00:31:04.260 --> 00:31:05.260
Resurrection of life.

00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.260
Christ, the firstfruits.

00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:08.000
Those that are Christ's

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.400
that is coming

00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.080
and then the end

00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:09.940
and that's those that are

00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.940
part of the tribulation

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.060
that are resurrected afterwards.

00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.880
The resurrection of damnation

00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:16.500
is a single event

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.540
for all unbelievers.

00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.900
We read this in Revelation 20

00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.820
and I saw the dead,

00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:22.280
small and great,

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.180
stand before God

00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.520
and the books were opened

00:31:24.520 --> 00:31:26.080
and another book was opened

00:31:26.080 --> 00:31:27.500
which is the book of life

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:29.040
and the dead were judged

00:31:29.040 --> 00:31:30.080
out of those things

00:31:30.080 --> 00:31:31.380
which were written in the books

00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:33.360
or this is the scary bit here,

00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:35.020
according to their works.

00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.520
You don't want to be judged

00:31:37.520 --> 00:31:38.400
according to your works

00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:40.460
because however many good things

00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.520
you may think you've done,

00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.760
you've at least done

00:31:43.760 --> 00:31:45.040
an equal share of bad things.

00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.300
And if you're judged

00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:48.100
according to your works,

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.180
even if you've done one thing,

00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.000
if you've broken the law

00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.820
in one regard,

00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:52.720
as James tells us,

00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.540
we're guilty of breaking

00:31:53.540 --> 00:31:54.080
the whole law.

00:31:56.120 --> 00:31:57.420
And the sea gave up the dead

00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.020
which were in it

00:31:58.020 --> 00:31:58.920
and death and hell

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.820
delivered up the dead

00:31:59.820 --> 00:32:00.560
which were in them.

00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.620
And they were judged,

00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.120
every man,

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.460
according to their works.

00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.760
And death and hell

00:32:04.760 --> 00:32:06.300
were cast into the lake of fire

00:32:06.300 --> 00:32:06.480
and they were judged

00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:08.360
This is the second death.

00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:10.260
So it's a resurrection

00:32:10.260 --> 00:32:10.860
to judgment

00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.700
and then ultimately

00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.560
the second death.

00:32:14.760 --> 00:32:16.200
Notice what we read

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:18.020
though in 1 John 3 verse 2.

00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:18.520
Beloved,

00:32:19.540 --> 00:32:21.640
now are we the sons of God

00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:23.080
and it does not yet appear

00:32:23.080 --> 00:32:24.420
what we shall be like.

00:32:25.300 --> 00:32:26.160
But we know

00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.780
that when he shall appear

00:32:27.780 --> 00:32:29.420
we shall be like him

00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.980
for we shall see him

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.120
as he is.

00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.520
John alluding here

00:32:33.520 --> 00:32:34.300
to the things that Paul's

00:32:34.300 --> 00:32:35.040
already spoken of.

00:32:35.540 --> 00:32:36.300
That we're going to be changed

00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:37.060
in the moment

00:32:37.060 --> 00:32:39.100
in the twinkling of an eye.

00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:41.220
We're going to be transformed

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.800
these natural bodies

00:32:42.800 --> 00:32:43.379
that we have

00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:43.980
that get old

00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.840
that creak in the morning

00:32:44.840 --> 00:32:45.440
when we get up

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.800
and it's harder to get downstairs

00:32:46.800 --> 00:32:47.200
in the morning.

00:32:47.280 --> 00:32:48.379
I'm glad we've got a handrail.

00:32:51.320 --> 00:32:52.260
Well I've done it a few times

00:32:52.260 --> 00:32:52.720
I'm okay

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.780
but that first time

00:32:53.780 --> 00:32:57.820
John says that

00:32:57.820 --> 00:32:59.180
we're going to be changed

00:32:59.180 --> 00:33:00.600
and we're going to see him

00:33:00.600 --> 00:33:01.360
because we're going to be

00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:02.940
like him in that sense.

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:06.640
Notice what

00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.720
as an aside here

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:09.360
we read in Luke 24

00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:10.060
verse 31

00:33:10.060 --> 00:33:11.220
this is on the day

00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.780
of the resurrection

00:33:11.780 --> 00:33:13.240
Jesus appears to the disciples

00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.600
and says

00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.720
behold my hand and my feet

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:16.380
that it is I myself

00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.480
handle me and see

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:17.980
for a spirit

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:19.180
has not flesh and bones

00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.120
as you see me have.

00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:21.620
What's

00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:23.080
a little teaser

00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:24.300
in that verse?

00:33:25.580 --> 00:33:26.380
Well it's the statement

00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.960
for a spirit

00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.920
has not flesh

00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.560
and

00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:30.800
bones.

00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.900
You see we often speak

00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.600
of flesh and blood

00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:36.200
but when Jesus is resurrected

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.360
there is no blood

00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.080
in his system.

00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.620
He says a spirit

00:33:40.620 --> 00:33:41.960
has not flesh and bones.

00:33:42.080 --> 00:33:42.640
He specifically

00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.640
makes that distinction.

00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.260
And what is it again

00:33:45.260 --> 00:33:46.140
we read in Corinthians

00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:47.660
now this I say brethren

00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:48.920
that flesh and blood

00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:50.200
cannot inherit

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.120
the kingdom of God.

00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:53.260
Our new bodies

00:33:53.260 --> 00:33:54.760
will not be blood drive

00:33:54.760 --> 00:33:56.640
they'll be spirit drive.

00:33:59.540 --> 00:34:00.000
Again

00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:01.340
Paul speaks of this mystery

00:34:01.340 --> 00:34:02.780
something that was once hidden

00:34:02.780 --> 00:34:03.520
that's now revealed

00:34:03.520 --> 00:34:05.180
and all are going to die

00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:06.360
but all are going to be changed.

00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.820
Again this corruption

00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:09.880
is going to be changed

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.440
into that which is incorruptible.

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.560
Okay

00:34:14.560 --> 00:34:16.100
so that's the first reason

00:34:16.100 --> 00:34:17.480
we'll be resurrected

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.500
we'll be given new bodies.

00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.699
The second reason

00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:21.340
is to fulfill the promise

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.699
that Jesus made in John 14.

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.440
Let's look at that promise

00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:24.279
we all know it quite well

00:34:24.279 --> 00:34:24.620
I believe.

00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.020
In my father's house

00:34:26.020 --> 00:34:27.100
are many mansions

00:34:27.100 --> 00:34:28.699
if it were not so

00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:30.040
I would have told you

00:34:30.040 --> 00:34:31.060
says Jesus.

00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.739
I go

00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:34.020
to prepare

00:34:34.020 --> 00:34:36.080
a place for you.

00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:38.179
What a lovely promise

00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.620
from Jesus.

00:34:39.319 --> 00:34:40.239
And if I go

00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:41.739
and prepare a place for you

00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:43.799
I will come again

00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:45.580
to receive you

00:34:45.580 --> 00:34:46.759
unto myself

00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:48.939
that where I am

00:34:48.939 --> 00:34:50.179
there you may be also.

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.419
I've heard people try and say

00:34:52.419 --> 00:34:53.759
Jesus never spoke of the rapture.

00:34:53.839 --> 00:34:54.259
Yes he did.

00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:56.779
This is a really clear statement

00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:57.600
that Jesus says

00:34:57.600 --> 00:34:58.740
I'm going to go to heaven

00:34:58.740 --> 00:35:00.200
I'm going to prepare a place for you

00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:01.200
but I'm going to come back

00:35:01.200 --> 00:35:02.240
and I'm going to receive you

00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:02.720
to myself

00:35:02.720 --> 00:35:04.140
and I'm going to take you back

00:35:04.140 --> 00:35:04.980
to that place.

00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:06.100
Where did Jesus go

00:35:06.100 --> 00:35:06.980
when he ascended?

00:35:07.540 --> 00:35:08.500
We know he was going

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.419
to his father's house

00:35:09.419 --> 00:35:10.140
that's what he told us

00:35:10.140 --> 00:35:10.680
it's heaven.

00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.980
Many scriptures confirm.

00:35:14.200 --> 00:35:15.060
So Jesus' promise

00:35:15.060 --> 00:35:16.240
was to take us back

00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:17.600
to his father's house.

00:35:18.020 --> 00:35:18.259
Why?

00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:19.700
To reward us

00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.399
for our labors

00:35:20.399 --> 00:35:21.439
among other reasons.

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:23.100
In Colossians we read

00:35:23.100 --> 00:35:23.740
for the hope

00:35:23.740 --> 00:35:25.580
which is laid up in heaven

00:35:25.580 --> 00:35:27.919
or the hope

00:35:27.919 --> 00:35:28.879
which is laid up

00:35:28.879 --> 00:35:29.859
for you in heaven

00:35:29.859 --> 00:35:31.180
or have you heard before

00:35:31.180 --> 00:35:31.939
in the word of truth

00:35:31.939 --> 00:35:32.700
of the gospel?

00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:34.220
You see

00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:36.700
people who try and deny

00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.620
the rapture

00:35:37.620 --> 00:35:38.740
who say it's a part

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.660
of the second coming

00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.580
or that it is just

00:35:40.580 --> 00:35:41.480
the second coming

00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.240
but in a different veil

00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:44.419
they miss this whole thing

00:35:44.419 --> 00:35:46.240
that at the second coming

00:35:46.240 --> 00:35:47.799
Jesus returns

00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:48.819
to the earth

00:35:48.819 --> 00:35:50.939
to establish his kingdom

00:35:50.939 --> 00:35:51.899
on the earth.

00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:55.080
Well if you hold that position

00:35:55.080 --> 00:35:55.819
I'm really sorry

00:35:55.819 --> 00:35:56.799
but you're never going to get

00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:57.759
the treasure that's laid up

00:35:57.759 --> 00:35:58.120
in heaven

00:35:58.120 --> 00:36:00.819
because Jesus said

00:36:00.819 --> 00:36:01.379
he's going to come

00:36:01.379 --> 00:36:02.339
and take us to that place

00:36:02.340 --> 00:36:03.780
that he went to

00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:05.220
that he's been preparing for us

00:36:05.220 --> 00:36:07.320
and then we're told again

00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:07.680
in this verse

00:36:07.680 --> 00:36:08.640
that we have this hope

00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:10.140
laid up for us in heaven.

00:36:12.120 --> 00:36:13.480
And in Matthew 6

00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.020
we know it well

00:36:14.020 --> 00:36:15.540
but lay up for yourselves

00:36:15.540 --> 00:36:16.400
treasure in heaven

00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.720
where neither moth

00:36:17.720 --> 00:36:18.200
nor wrath

00:36:18.200 --> 00:36:18.660
does corrupt

00:36:18.660 --> 00:36:19.240
and where thieves

00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:20.240
do not break in nor steal

00:36:20.240 --> 00:36:21.820
for where your treasure is there

00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:22.820
will your heart be also.

00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.900
Are we living for the earth

00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:25.340
or are we living for heaven?

00:36:27.160 --> 00:36:28.480
In Philippians we read this

00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.540
verse 20 of chapter 3

00:36:29.540 --> 00:36:31.000
for our citizenship

00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:31.980
is in heaven.

00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:33.760
From which we also

00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:34.860
eagerly wait

00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.580
for the saviour

00:36:35.580 --> 00:36:36.600
the Lord Jesus Christ

00:36:36.600 --> 00:36:37.840
who will transform

00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:38.660
our lowly body.

00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:39.740
See again we have it.

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:41.500
Then it may be conformed

00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.680
to his glorious body

00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:44.200
according to the working

00:36:44.200 --> 00:36:45.000
by which he is able

00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:45.720
even to subdue

00:36:45.720 --> 00:36:46.960
all things to himself.

00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:49.220
Again this promise

00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:51.240
of going to heaven

00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:52.460
having our bodies transformed

00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.100
and so on.

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.660
In 2 Corinthians

00:36:55.660 --> 00:36:56.260
we're told therefore

00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:56.980
we must all appear

00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:58.000
before the judgment seat

00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.380
of Christ

00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.040
the beamer seat.

00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:01.280
And we're told why?

00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:02.180
That everyone may receive

00:37:02.340 --> 00:37:03.600
the things done in his body

00:37:03.600 --> 00:37:04.660
according that he has done

00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:05.700
whether it be good or bad.

00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:07.300
We're going to be rewarded

00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:08.980
depending on how we have lived

00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:09.980
as Christians.

00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:11.560
It's nothing to do with sin.

00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:12.860
Our sin was all paid for

00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.400
at Calvary.

00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:15.040
This is purely to do

00:37:15.040 --> 00:37:15.960
with our works

00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:16.880
and whether we have lived

00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:18.260
and served Christ.

00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:19.820
In 1 Corinthians 3

00:37:19.820 --> 00:37:20.900
it's laid out very clearly.

00:37:21.020 --> 00:37:21.940
It says for no other foundation

00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:22.980
or for other foundation

00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:23.840
can no man lay

00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:25.080
than that which is laid

00:37:25.080 --> 00:37:26.640
which is Jesus Christ.

00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.980
Now if any man build

00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.740
on this foundation

00:37:28.740 --> 00:37:29.740
with gold, silver,

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.620
precious stones

00:37:30.620 --> 00:37:32.320
all of which are pure

00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:33.100
are fired when they go

00:37:33.100 --> 00:37:33.560
through fire

00:37:33.560 --> 00:37:36.380
or wood, hay and stubble

00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:37.740
which are all burnt up

00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:38.420
and nothing's left

00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:40.000
every man's work

00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:41.000
shall be made manifest

00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.920
everything shall become clear

00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:43.820
for the day shall declare it

00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:44.860
because it shall be revealed

00:37:44.860 --> 00:37:45.540
by fire

00:37:45.540 --> 00:37:47.240
and the fire shall try

00:37:47.240 --> 00:37:47.920
or shall test

00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:49.020
every man's work

00:37:49.020 --> 00:37:50.800
of what sort it is.

00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:51.660
Again

00:37:51.660 --> 00:37:56.780
if any man's work abide

00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.900
which he has built thereon

00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:59.360
he shall receive a reward

00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:00.760
there's a reward prize

00:38:00.760 --> 00:38:02.260
at the beam

00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:03.120
at the judgment seat

00:38:03.120 --> 00:38:03.560
of Christ.

00:38:03.900 --> 00:38:04.560
If any man's work

00:38:04.560 --> 00:38:05.060
shall be burned

00:38:05.060 --> 00:38:05.820
he shall suffer loss

00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:06.600
but he himself

00:38:06.600 --> 00:38:07.400
shall be saved

00:38:07.400 --> 00:38:08.960
yet so as by fire.

00:38:09.120 --> 00:38:11.140
So there's a promise here

00:38:11.140 --> 00:38:13.460
of how we are going to live

00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:14.060
and whether we're going

00:38:14.060 --> 00:38:14.920
to be rewarded or not.

00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:15.760
It's the law of sowing

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.700
and reaping.

00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:18.260
We're going to be rewarded

00:38:18.260 --> 00:38:18.940
accordingly.

00:38:19.060 --> 00:38:19.740
It's not an issue

00:38:19.740 --> 00:38:21.320
of salvation by the way.

00:38:23.580 --> 00:38:24.620
In 2 Peter

00:38:24.620 --> 00:38:27.860
chapter 1 verse 11

00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:29.440
Peter speaks there

00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.440
for so an entrance

00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:32.240
shall be made

00:38:32.260 --> 00:38:33.120
ministered unto you

00:38:33.120 --> 00:38:34.160
abundantly

00:38:34.160 --> 00:38:36.040
into the everlasting

00:38:36.040 --> 00:38:37.100
kingdom of our Lord

00:38:37.100 --> 00:38:38.200
and Saviour Jesus Christ.

00:38:38.340 --> 00:38:39.420
That sounds good isn't it?

00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:41.420
An abundant entrance.

00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:45.060
2 John verse 8 says

00:38:45.060 --> 00:38:45.680
look to yourself

00:38:45.680 --> 00:38:46.580
that we lose not

00:38:46.580 --> 00:38:47.220
those things

00:38:47.220 --> 00:38:48.120
which we have wrought

00:38:48.120 --> 00:38:49.360
but that we receive

00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:50.760
a full reward.

00:38:52.300 --> 00:38:52.860
There's one of many

00:38:52.860 --> 00:38:54.160
scriptures that allude to this

00:38:54.160 --> 00:38:55.280
that we're going to be

00:38:55.280 --> 00:38:56.800
taken back to heaven.

00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.460
We're going to be rewarded

00:38:58.460 --> 00:38:59.380
depending on how

00:38:59.380 --> 00:39:00.320
we have lived our lives

00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:00.920
as Christians.

00:39:02.260 --> 00:39:03.340
There's the promise there

00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:04.280
of an abundant entrance.

00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:04.820
There's a promise

00:39:04.820 --> 00:39:05.540
of a full reward

00:39:05.540 --> 00:39:06.360
but there's also the warning

00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:07.140
that we could lose it.

00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:10.320
So don't think we can just live

00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:11.580
casually as a Christian

00:39:11.580 --> 00:39:13.820
and that we'll all be the same.

00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.940
No that's not how it works.

00:39:17.060 --> 00:39:17.960
This has nothing to do

00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:18.540
with salvation.

00:39:19.520 --> 00:39:21.040
Salvation was all done

00:39:21.040 --> 00:39:21.680
at the cross.

00:39:22.300 --> 00:39:23.160
This has to do

00:39:23.160 --> 00:39:24.580
with the rewards

00:39:24.580 --> 00:39:25.920
for faithful service.

00:39:26.860 --> 00:39:27.960
There's a number of rewards

00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:28.740
that are listed in the New Testament.

00:39:28.880 --> 00:39:29.540
We've gone through this before.

00:39:29.640 --> 00:39:30.600
Review the study we did

00:39:30.600 --> 00:39:31.860
on 1 Corinthians chapter 3.

00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:34.120
There's at least five crowns

00:39:34.120 --> 00:39:34.820
that are specifically

00:39:34.820 --> 00:39:35.740
mentioned in scripture.

00:39:36.700 --> 00:39:37.800
And ultimately those crowns

00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:38.860
are given to us as rewards

00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:39.760
for faithful service

00:39:39.760 --> 00:39:41.200
and we get to lay those crowns

00:39:41.200 --> 00:39:42.100
at Jesus' feet.

00:39:43.660 --> 00:39:44.620
That's why we sing

00:39:44.620 --> 00:39:45.820
crown him with many crowns.

00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:47.560
It pains me that so many Christians

00:39:47.560 --> 00:39:48.300
in so many churches

00:39:48.300 --> 00:39:49.480
sing crown him with many crowns.

00:39:49.540 --> 00:39:50.040
Wonderful hymn.

00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:51.120
I have no idea

00:39:51.120 --> 00:39:51.820
what they're singing about.

00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.780
We're singing about that time

00:39:53.780 --> 00:39:54.400
before the throne

00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:56.140
when we will give Jesus

00:39:56.140 --> 00:39:57.780
at the time of the rapture

00:39:57.780 --> 00:39:59.040
we'll be given these rewards

00:39:59.040 --> 00:40:00.340
as we go back to heaven

00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:02.020
and we get to lay these crowns

00:40:02.020 --> 00:40:02.240
at his feet.

00:40:02.260 --> 00:40:03.340
As a thank you

00:40:03.340 --> 00:40:04.000
for what he's done.

00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:09.420
Okay, so to fulfill that promise.

00:40:09.560 --> 00:40:10.740
To receive those rewards

00:40:10.740 --> 00:40:11.220
and so on.

00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:12.180
The judgment seat of Christ.

00:40:12.300 --> 00:40:13.300
All part of that promise

00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:13.940
in John 14.

00:40:14.940 --> 00:40:16.280
Thirdly, it's to present us

00:40:16.280 --> 00:40:17.020
as a bride

00:40:17.020 --> 00:40:19.020
to our heavenly bridegroom.

00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:22.980
This is another pivotal reason

00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:24.080
for the rapture.

00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:27.600
The Jewish wedding

00:40:27.600 --> 00:40:29.560
serves as an incredible model

00:40:29.560 --> 00:40:32.240
that God has intentionally used

00:40:32.260 --> 00:40:34.360
to bring us together.

00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.260
And so we're going to look at

00:40:35.260 --> 00:40:38.480
the Hebrew word for marriage.

00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:42.300
It means sanctification.

00:40:43.040 --> 00:40:44.540
And what a lovely picture.

00:40:45.640 --> 00:40:47.680
In 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 3

00:40:47.680 --> 00:40:49.840
we're told that God's will

00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:51.040
for us

00:40:51.040 --> 00:40:53.460
in anything, anytime,

00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.120
anytime you say

00:40:54.120 --> 00:40:55.700
I wonder what God's will is

00:40:55.700 --> 00:40:57.340
1 Thessalonians 4 verse 3

00:40:57.340 --> 00:40:58.080
as you'll go through the verse

00:40:58.080 --> 00:40:59.080
it says God's will

00:40:59.080 --> 00:41:00.860
is your sanctification.

00:41:02.260 --> 00:41:03.280
That you be set apart.

00:41:05.280 --> 00:41:06.840
And then it also speaks about

00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:08.840
abstaining from fornication.

00:41:09.380 --> 00:41:10.720
That's an intimate indulgence

00:41:10.720 --> 00:41:12.080
with somebody other than

00:41:12.080 --> 00:41:13.660
the one you're committed to.

00:41:14.080 --> 00:41:14.900
Your spouse.

00:41:15.060 --> 00:41:15.860
In our case, Jesus.

00:41:16.720 --> 00:41:17.880
That's what God wants.

00:41:18.020 --> 00:41:19.160
He wants us to be set apart

00:41:19.160 --> 00:41:20.340
with just Jesus.

00:41:22.680 --> 00:41:24.320
So the Jewish wedding itself

00:41:24.320 --> 00:41:25.300
is a picture of that

00:41:25.300 --> 00:41:26.000
setting apart.

00:41:26.700 --> 00:41:27.820
We get to the ketubah

00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:28.740
or the betrothal.

00:41:29.740 --> 00:41:31.060
Very similar in many respects

00:41:31.060 --> 00:41:32.000
to our engagement.

00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:33.920
But it's far more serious.

00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:35.000
With the ketubah

00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:36.560
a marriage contract is signed

00:41:36.560 --> 00:41:38.620
between the groom and his bride.

00:41:40.200 --> 00:41:41.560
It's not just a giving of rings

00:41:41.560 --> 00:41:42.900
typically that we do in this country.

00:41:43.520 --> 00:41:45.220
With no formal commitment

00:41:45.220 --> 00:41:46.240
as such at that point.

00:41:47.120 --> 00:41:48.100
In the contract

00:41:48.100 --> 00:41:49.740
in a Jewish marriage

00:41:49.740 --> 00:41:51.180
the groom undertakes

00:41:51.180 --> 00:41:53.080
to give all that he has

00:41:53.080 --> 00:41:54.880
in order to provide

00:41:54.880 --> 00:41:56.740
for every need of his bride.

00:41:56.840 --> 00:41:57.660
What a wonderful picture

00:41:57.660 --> 00:41:58.460
of what Christ has done.

00:41:59.180 --> 00:42:00.440
He gave all that he has.

00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:02.500
We're betrothed to him.

00:42:04.020 --> 00:42:05.480
And not only while he's alive

00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:07.020
but also in the event of his death.

00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:09.160
But it was through Christ's death

00:42:09.160 --> 00:42:11.380
that he's given us all.

00:42:14.520 --> 00:42:16.840
To mark the contract

00:42:16.840 --> 00:42:18.000
the groom and the bride

00:42:18.000 --> 00:42:20.420
drink from a cup of wine together.

00:42:21.260 --> 00:42:22.620
How interesting that Jesus

00:42:22.620 --> 00:42:24.820
in Matthew 26 said

00:42:24.820 --> 00:42:26.020
he took the cup and gave thanks

00:42:26.020 --> 00:42:27.160
and gave it to them saying

00:42:27.160 --> 00:42:28.440
drink ye all of it

00:42:28.440 --> 00:42:29.660
for this is my blood

00:42:29.660 --> 00:42:30.280
of the New Testament

00:42:30.280 --> 00:42:31.280
which is shed for many

00:42:31.280 --> 00:42:32.280
for the remission of sins

00:42:32.280 --> 00:42:33.620
but I say unto you

00:42:33.620 --> 00:42:35.240
I will not drink henceforth

00:42:35.240 --> 00:42:36.240
of the fruit of the vine

00:42:36.240 --> 00:42:37.460
until that day

00:42:37.460 --> 00:42:39.900
when I drink it new with you

00:42:39.900 --> 00:42:40.880
in my Father's kingdom.

00:42:43.320 --> 00:42:44.760
Another promise of these things.

00:42:46.860 --> 00:42:48.540
Then typically for the Jews

00:42:48.540 --> 00:42:49.160
there's an interval

00:42:49.160 --> 00:42:51.520
between the ketubah

00:42:51.520 --> 00:42:53.040
this is kind of the engagement

00:42:53.040 --> 00:42:53.560
if you like

00:42:53.560 --> 00:42:54.880
and then the chuppah

00:42:54.880 --> 00:42:56.060
which is like the wedding ceremony.

00:42:56.680 --> 00:42:57.340
And it's customary

00:42:57.340 --> 00:42:58.720
for the shatan or the groom

00:42:58.720 --> 00:42:59.800
and the keilah

00:42:59.800 --> 00:43:00.380
who's the bride

00:43:00.380 --> 00:43:01.500
to remain apart

00:43:01.500 --> 00:43:03.380
for the time leading up

00:43:03.380 --> 00:43:04.080
to the wedding day.

00:43:05.220 --> 00:43:06.240
That's typically the way

00:43:06.240 --> 00:43:06.880
the Jews do it

00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:07.700
but how interesting

00:43:07.700 --> 00:43:08.560
that that's exactly

00:43:08.560 --> 00:43:09.840
what Jesus has done with us.

00:43:10.720 --> 00:43:12.220
During the time

00:43:12.220 --> 00:43:13.880
the groom returns

00:43:13.880 --> 00:43:15.740
to his father's house

00:43:15.740 --> 00:43:17.520
and prepares a room

00:43:17.520 --> 00:43:18.100
for his bride.

00:43:19.260 --> 00:43:20.260
What is it we just read

00:43:20.260 --> 00:43:22.200
in John 14?

00:43:22.600 --> 00:43:24.540
I go and prepare a place for you.

00:43:26.660 --> 00:43:27.920
I mean if the disciples

00:43:27.920 --> 00:43:28.880
didn't get that at the time

00:43:28.880 --> 00:43:29.780
then I'm sure they'd have

00:43:29.800 --> 00:43:30.880
got it very shortly afterwards.

00:43:31.460 --> 00:43:33.080
It's the beautiful picture

00:43:33.080 --> 00:43:34.920
of a Jewish marriage.

00:43:36.560 --> 00:43:37.640
That Jesus has gone back

00:43:37.640 --> 00:43:38.460
to his father's house

00:43:38.460 --> 00:43:40.700
to prepare a place for us.

00:43:42.060 --> 00:43:43.300
Again, in my father's house

00:43:43.300 --> 00:43:44.080
are many mansions.

00:43:44.220 --> 00:43:44.760
If it were not so

00:43:44.760 --> 00:43:45.200
I would have told you

00:43:45.200 --> 00:43:47.020
I go to prepare a place for you

00:43:47.020 --> 00:43:47.760
and he'll come again

00:43:47.760 --> 00:43:49.440
to receive us to himself.

00:43:52.920 --> 00:43:54.100
Also during the interval

00:43:54.100 --> 00:43:56.040
something quite significant

00:43:56.040 --> 00:43:56.740
takes place.

00:43:56.920 --> 00:43:58.660
It's the cleansing of the bride.

00:43:58.740 --> 00:43:59.720
Now it's a ritual ceremony.

00:43:59.800 --> 00:44:02.140
It's the mikvah.

00:44:02.260 --> 00:44:03.160
It's a ritual bath

00:44:03.160 --> 00:44:04.620
that the bride would go through

00:44:04.620 --> 00:44:05.620
to cleanse herself

00:44:05.620 --> 00:44:07.120
kind of spiritually and so on.

00:44:08.660 --> 00:44:09.740
So she enters marriage

00:44:09.740 --> 00:44:11.940
in a state of complete purity

00:44:11.940 --> 00:44:13.580
without spot or blemish.

00:44:14.300 --> 00:44:15.180
And one of the parts

00:44:15.180 --> 00:44:15.660
of this ceremony

00:44:15.660 --> 00:44:17.700
includes removing

00:44:17.700 --> 00:44:18.900
all man-made things

00:44:18.900 --> 00:44:20.160
such as jewelry, nail polish

00:44:20.160 --> 00:44:20.720
or anything else

00:44:20.720 --> 00:44:22.500
and then being fully immersed

00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:23.080
in water.

00:44:24.740 --> 00:44:25.480
She's supervised

00:44:25.480 --> 00:44:27.520
and assisted during the ritual

00:44:27.520 --> 00:44:29.200
to ensure it's done correctly.

00:44:29.800 --> 00:44:31.580
This is a wonderful picture

00:44:31.580 --> 00:44:33.120
of what is going on right now.

00:44:33.200 --> 00:44:34.380
We call it sanctification

00:44:34.380 --> 00:44:35.660
being set apart.

00:44:36.580 --> 00:44:37.420
Ephesians 5

00:44:37.420 --> 00:44:37.940
we read this

00:44:37.940 --> 00:44:38.980
Husbands love your wives

00:44:38.980 --> 00:44:41.320
even as Christ also loved the church

00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:43.060
and gave himself for it.

00:44:43.080 --> 00:44:43.880
That contract is already

00:44:43.880 --> 00:44:44.660
signed in his blood.

00:44:45.060 --> 00:44:45.940
That he might sanctify

00:44:45.940 --> 00:44:46.740
and cleanse it

00:44:46.740 --> 00:44:47.940
with the washing of water

00:44:47.940 --> 00:44:48.740
by the word.

00:44:48.980 --> 00:44:49.960
We're going through

00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:51.100
this process of being cleansed

00:44:51.100 --> 00:44:51.520
right now.

00:44:51.820 --> 00:44:52.940
That he might present it

00:44:52.940 --> 00:44:53.540
to himself

00:44:53.540 --> 00:44:54.840
a glorious church

00:44:54.840 --> 00:44:56.020
not having spot

00:44:56.020 --> 00:44:56.520
or wrinkle

00:44:56.520 --> 00:44:57.580
or any such thing

00:44:57.580 --> 00:44:58.740
but that it should be holy

00:44:58.740 --> 00:44:59.580
and without blemish.

00:44:59.800 --> 00:45:00.460
Blemish.

00:45:02.640 --> 00:45:03.620
For this cause

00:45:03.620 --> 00:45:04.560
shall a man leave

00:45:04.560 --> 00:45:05.500
his father and mother

00:45:05.500 --> 00:45:06.220
and shall be joined

00:45:06.220 --> 00:45:06.920
unto his wife

00:45:06.920 --> 00:45:07.880
and they too

00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:08.840
shall be one flesh.

00:45:09.200 --> 00:45:10.340
This is a great mystery

00:45:10.340 --> 00:45:10.980
says Paul

00:45:10.980 --> 00:45:12.380
and then he says

00:45:12.380 --> 00:45:13.300
something that's really wonderful

00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:15.000
but I'm not speaking

00:45:15.000 --> 00:45:15.640
about marriage.

00:45:16.620 --> 00:45:17.520
I'm talking about

00:45:17.520 --> 00:45:18.480
Christ and the church.

00:45:18.820 --> 00:45:19.240
Do you realize

00:45:19.240 --> 00:45:19.820
that marriage

00:45:19.820 --> 00:45:21.080
is a model

00:45:21.080 --> 00:45:22.440
of Christ and the church?

00:45:24.340 --> 00:45:25.060
That's why

00:45:25.060 --> 00:45:26.260
it's so important to God.

00:45:27.880 --> 00:45:28.680
God could have

00:45:28.680 --> 00:45:29.720
set up any system

00:45:29.720 --> 00:45:29.780
He wanted to have.

00:45:29.800 --> 00:45:30.320
He wanted to.

00:45:31.080 --> 00:45:32.560
But he established marriage

00:45:32.560 --> 00:45:34.340
to teach us

00:45:34.340 --> 00:45:35.600
about Christ and the church.

00:45:36.680 --> 00:45:37.160
Our helper

00:45:37.160 --> 00:45:39.560
our chaperone

00:45:39.560 --> 00:45:40.040
if you like

00:45:40.040 --> 00:45:42.200
who helps us get ready

00:45:42.200 --> 00:45:43.100
cleanses us

00:45:43.100 --> 00:45:44.340
is the Holy Spirit.

00:45:45.520 --> 00:45:47.320
We're told in John 14, 17

00:45:47.320 --> 00:45:48.480
He shall be

00:45:48.480 --> 00:45:49.440
with you

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:50.260
and in you.

00:45:51.300 --> 00:45:52.000
And the Holy Spirit

00:45:52.000 --> 00:45:52.480
is the one

00:45:52.480 --> 00:45:53.200
that's preparing us

00:45:53.200 --> 00:45:53.920
and getting us ready

00:45:53.920 --> 00:45:54.700
for our wedding day.

00:45:56.020 --> 00:45:57.260
And we get to the exciting part

00:45:57.260 --> 00:45:57.600
the hoop part

00:45:57.600 --> 00:45:58.780
so kind of that

00:45:58.780 --> 00:45:59.480
Jewish name

00:45:59.480 --> 00:45:59.960
just sounds

00:45:59.960 --> 00:46:00.620
hoopa doesn't it?

00:46:00.660 --> 00:46:01.720
It's that kind of celebration.

00:46:02.400 --> 00:46:03.120
At the appointed time

00:46:03.120 --> 00:46:05.060
the groom will then return

00:46:05.060 --> 00:46:06.560
and is accompanied

00:46:06.560 --> 00:46:07.560
with a shout

00:46:07.560 --> 00:46:09.240
and the blast

00:46:09.240 --> 00:46:09.880
of a ram's horn.

00:46:09.960 --> 00:46:10.620
Remember what we've just read

00:46:10.620 --> 00:46:11.080
in Thessalonians?

00:46:11.120 --> 00:46:11.900
We'll see it again in a moment.

00:46:12.300 --> 00:46:13.080
To claim his bride

00:46:13.080 --> 00:46:13.940
to take her back

00:46:13.940 --> 00:46:14.880
to his father's house

00:46:14.880 --> 00:46:15.440
to the place

00:46:15.440 --> 00:46:16.180
that he's prepared.

00:46:16.700 --> 00:46:17.600
And as we saw in Thessalonians

00:46:17.600 --> 00:46:18.480
for the Lord himself

00:46:18.480 --> 00:46:19.360
shall descend from heaven

00:46:19.360 --> 00:46:20.000
with a shout

00:46:20.000 --> 00:46:21.500
with the voice

00:46:21.500 --> 00:46:22.000
of an archangel.

00:46:22.060 --> 00:46:22.700
Once you understand

00:46:22.700 --> 00:46:24.720
the Jewish marriage ceremony

00:46:24.720 --> 00:46:25.720
all these scriptures

00:46:25.720 --> 00:46:27.000
make so much sense.

00:46:28.800 --> 00:46:29.440
The day in Christ

00:46:29.440 --> 00:46:29.980
will rise first

00:46:29.980 --> 00:46:30.640
and we are alive

00:46:30.640 --> 00:46:31.120
and we remain

00:46:31.120 --> 00:46:32.440
and we're caught up together

00:46:32.440 --> 00:46:34.000
and we'll forever be

00:46:34.000 --> 00:46:34.560
with the Lord.

00:46:35.080 --> 00:46:36.100
We then get to the

00:46:36.100 --> 00:46:37.200
marriage supper itself

00:46:37.200 --> 00:46:37.740
and this typically

00:46:37.740 --> 00:46:39.320
is a seven day feast.

00:46:43.160 --> 00:46:45.380
And then the wedding blessing

00:46:45.380 --> 00:46:47.380
is pronounced

00:46:47.380 --> 00:46:49.300
after the seven days

00:46:49.300 --> 00:46:49.840
are completed.

00:46:50.960 --> 00:46:51.440
Interestingly

00:46:51.440 --> 00:46:53.060
for the church

00:46:53.060 --> 00:46:55.200
after seven years

00:46:55.200 --> 00:46:56.000
not seven days

00:46:56.000 --> 00:46:57.440
but after seven years

00:46:57.440 --> 00:46:59.200
whilst the tribulation

00:46:59.440 --> 00:47:00.980
is unfolding on earth

00:47:00.980 --> 00:47:03.680
there's a wedding blessing

00:47:03.680 --> 00:47:04.460
that is pronounced

00:47:04.460 --> 00:47:05.900
for Christ and his bride.

00:47:06.120 --> 00:47:07.040
It's the same model

00:47:07.040 --> 00:47:07.960
it's the same picture.

00:47:09.280 --> 00:47:10.640
We read in Revelation 19

00:47:10.640 --> 00:47:11.900
and I heard as it were

00:47:11.900 --> 00:47:13.200
the voice of a great multitude

00:47:13.200 --> 00:47:14.660
and as the voice

00:47:14.660 --> 00:47:15.440
of many waters

00:47:15.440 --> 00:47:16.140
and as the voice

00:47:16.140 --> 00:47:17.220
of mighty thundering

00:47:17.220 --> 00:47:18.260
saying hallelujah

00:47:18.260 --> 00:47:19.400
for the Lord God

00:47:19.400 --> 00:47:20.660
omnipotent reigneth.

00:47:20.920 --> 00:47:22.060
Let us be glad

00:47:22.060 --> 00:47:23.220
and give honour to him

00:47:23.220 --> 00:47:24.320
for the marriage

00:47:24.320 --> 00:47:25.620
of the Lamb is come

00:47:25.620 --> 00:47:26.660
and his wife

00:47:26.660 --> 00:47:27.960
has made herself ready.

00:47:29.440 --> 00:47:30.280
And to her

00:47:30.280 --> 00:47:31.240
it was granted

00:47:31.240 --> 00:47:32.280
that she should be arrayed

00:47:32.280 --> 00:47:33.040
in fine linen

00:47:33.040 --> 00:47:33.860
clean and white

00:47:33.860 --> 00:47:35.020
for the fine linen

00:47:35.020 --> 00:47:35.900
is the righteousness

00:47:35.900 --> 00:47:36.840
of the saints.

00:47:37.180 --> 00:47:38.000
No question about

00:47:38.000 --> 00:47:38.680
who he's talking about

00:47:38.680 --> 00:47:38.980
is there?

00:47:39.800 --> 00:47:40.440
And he said unto me

00:47:40.440 --> 00:47:41.900
right blessed are they

00:47:41.900 --> 00:47:42.640
which are called

00:47:42.640 --> 00:47:43.660
unto the marriage supper

00:47:43.660 --> 00:47:44.260
of the Lamb.

00:47:45.620 --> 00:47:46.740
I believe those are the ones

00:47:46.740 --> 00:47:47.300
that are called out

00:47:47.300 --> 00:47:47.900
of tribulation.

00:47:48.100 --> 00:47:48.580
Blessed are they

00:47:48.580 --> 00:47:49.120
that are called

00:47:49.120 --> 00:47:50.520
to come and celebrate.

00:47:51.780 --> 00:47:52.560
And he said unto me

00:47:52.560 --> 00:47:53.480
these are the true

00:47:53.480 --> 00:47:54.600
sayings of God.

00:47:55.880 --> 00:47:56.840
What an incredible

00:47:56.840 --> 00:47:57.940
model we see

00:47:57.940 --> 00:47:58.460
in all of this.

00:47:58.580 --> 00:47:59.280
But Jesus

00:47:59.280 --> 00:47:59.980
himself

00:47:59.980 --> 00:48:01.520
draws our attention

00:48:01.520 --> 00:48:02.000
to this.

00:48:02.420 --> 00:48:03.060
He says the kingdom

00:48:03.060 --> 00:48:03.940
of heaven is like

00:48:03.940 --> 00:48:05.060
unto a certain king

00:48:05.060 --> 00:48:06.320
which made a marriage

00:48:06.320 --> 00:48:07.080
for his son.

00:48:07.820 --> 00:48:08.480
And as you go

00:48:08.480 --> 00:48:09.080
through the parable

00:48:09.080 --> 00:48:09.700
you realize that

00:48:09.700 --> 00:48:10.520
God is the father.

00:48:11.400 --> 00:48:12.340
Jesus is the son.

00:48:12.400 --> 00:48:12.900
He's the heavenly

00:48:12.900 --> 00:48:13.480
bridegroom

00:48:13.480 --> 00:48:14.740
and the church

00:48:14.740 --> 00:48:15.400
is his bride.

00:48:17.480 --> 00:48:18.320
So finally

00:48:18.320 --> 00:48:21.380
the final reason

00:48:21.380 --> 00:48:22.800
that the rapture

00:48:22.800 --> 00:48:23.460
has to happen

00:48:23.460 --> 00:48:24.920
is to deliver us

00:48:24.920 --> 00:48:25.820
from the wrath

00:48:25.820 --> 00:48:26.320
to come.

00:48:27.560 --> 00:48:28.560
We saw this

00:48:28.560 --> 00:48:29.240
last time

00:48:29.240 --> 00:48:29.959
in Luke 21.

00:48:30.180 --> 00:48:30.620
Jesus says

00:48:30.620 --> 00:48:31.819
watch you therefore

00:48:31.819 --> 00:48:33.459
and pray always

00:48:33.459 --> 00:48:34.319
that you may be

00:48:34.319 --> 00:48:35.620
accounted worthy

00:48:35.620 --> 00:48:36.520
to escape

00:48:36.520 --> 00:48:37.359
all these things

00:48:37.359 --> 00:48:38.379
that shall come to pass

00:48:38.379 --> 00:48:39.580
and to stand before

00:48:39.580 --> 00:48:40.299
the son of man.

00:48:40.379 --> 00:48:40.899
What things?

00:48:41.560 --> 00:48:42.299
Well all nations

00:48:42.299 --> 00:48:43.060
being in distress.

00:48:43.740 --> 00:48:44.799
Global turmoil

00:48:44.799 --> 00:48:45.439
and ultimately

00:48:45.439 --> 00:48:46.399
the day of the law

00:48:46.399 --> 00:48:47.200
the tribulation.

00:48:47.899 --> 00:48:48.660
Jesus himself

00:48:48.660 --> 00:48:49.399
said there is a way

00:48:49.399 --> 00:48:50.600
of escaping these things.

00:48:52.680 --> 00:48:53.680
And we've seen already

00:48:53.680 --> 00:48:55.879
promises in Thessalonians

00:48:55.879 --> 00:48:56.640
but this is another one

00:48:56.640 --> 00:48:57.500
in chapter 5.

00:48:57.500 --> 00:48:59.640
But let us

00:48:59.640 --> 00:49:00.400
who are of the day

00:49:00.400 --> 00:49:00.960
be sober

00:49:00.960 --> 00:49:03.040
putting on the breastplate

00:49:03.040 --> 00:49:04.340
of faith and love

00:49:04.340 --> 00:49:05.560
and for a helmet

00:49:05.560 --> 00:49:06.580
the hope of salvation

00:49:06.580 --> 00:49:07.800
for God

00:49:07.800 --> 00:49:08.760
has not

00:49:08.760 --> 00:49:10.000
appointed us

00:49:10.000 --> 00:49:10.660
to wrath

00:49:10.660 --> 00:49:12.840
but to obtain salvation

00:49:12.840 --> 00:49:14.160
by our Lord

00:49:14.160 --> 00:49:14.820
Jesus Christ.

00:49:14.900 --> 00:49:15.740
Paul has just spoken

00:49:15.740 --> 00:49:16.900
of the rapture.

00:49:16.980 --> 00:49:17.520
He's just spoken

00:49:17.520 --> 00:49:18.120
of the harpazo

00:49:18.120 --> 00:49:19.020
of being called up

00:49:19.020 --> 00:49:20.140
to meet the Lord in the air.

00:49:20.520 --> 00:49:20.780
Why?

00:49:21.060 --> 00:49:21.580
And he says

00:49:21.580 --> 00:49:22.300
because God's not

00:49:22.300 --> 00:49:23.220
appointed us to wrath.

00:49:23.960 --> 00:49:25.000
It's almost in the same breath

00:49:25.000 --> 00:49:25.740
he's saying it.

00:49:25.740 --> 00:49:28.020
Wrath, as I said earlier

00:49:28.020 --> 00:49:28.819
is not persecution.

00:49:29.000 --> 00:49:29.859
Don't confuse the two.

00:49:30.299 --> 00:49:30.939
Wrath, we're speaking

00:49:30.939 --> 00:49:32.040
of the day of the Lord

00:49:32.040 --> 00:49:32.799
and as we've said already

00:49:32.799 --> 00:49:33.299
from Isaiah

00:49:33.299 --> 00:49:34.240
many scriptures

00:49:34.240 --> 00:49:34.919
I'm not going to read these

00:49:34.919 --> 00:49:35.399
we've gone through

00:49:35.399 --> 00:49:36.120
a number of these already.

00:49:36.640 --> 00:49:38.120
This time of judgment

00:49:38.120 --> 00:49:39.740
is from the Almighty.

00:49:40.660 --> 00:49:41.339
This isn't something

00:49:41.339 --> 00:49:42.020
Satan does

00:49:42.020 --> 00:49:42.620
or the world does.

00:49:42.680 --> 00:49:43.779
This is God's wrath

00:49:43.779 --> 00:49:44.839
being poured out

00:49:44.839 --> 00:49:46.140
on the people of the earth.

00:49:46.939 --> 00:49:47.520
And we're told that

00:49:47.520 --> 00:49:48.959
the purpose is to destroy

00:49:48.959 --> 00:49:49.640
the sinners

00:49:49.640 --> 00:49:50.500
out of it

00:49:50.500 --> 00:49:51.080
out of the world

00:49:51.080 --> 00:49:52.439
out of the world

00:49:52.439 --> 00:49:53.080
that have just

00:49:53.080 --> 00:49:54.759
committed so much iniquity

00:49:54.759 --> 00:49:55.379
and so on

00:49:55.379 --> 00:49:55.560
and

00:49:55.560 --> 00:49:55.720
and

00:49:55.720 --> 00:49:56.279
there'll be signs

00:49:56.279 --> 00:49:56.839
in the stars

00:49:56.839 --> 00:49:57.379
and in the heavens

00:49:57.379 --> 00:49:57.819
and so on

00:49:57.819 --> 00:49:58.379
and God says

00:49:58.379 --> 00:49:59.540
I will punish the world

00:49:59.540 --> 00:50:00.459
for their evil

00:50:00.459 --> 00:50:01.339
and finally

00:50:01.339 --> 00:50:01.939
in the wrath

00:50:01.939 --> 00:50:02.740
of the Lord of hosts

00:50:02.740 --> 00:50:03.339
in the day

00:50:03.339 --> 00:50:04.240
of his fierce anger

00:50:04.240 --> 00:50:05.220
it's very clear

00:50:05.220 --> 00:50:05.980
what is coming

00:50:05.980 --> 00:50:06.700
on the earth.

00:50:07.379 --> 00:50:08.080
So God is going to

00:50:08.080 --> 00:50:09.720
remove his people.

00:50:10.459 --> 00:50:11.700
It's a specific time

00:50:11.700 --> 00:50:12.560
of judgment

00:50:12.560 --> 00:50:13.160
on the wicked

00:50:13.160 --> 00:50:14.359
unbelieving Christ

00:50:14.359 --> 00:50:15.459
rejecting world

00:50:15.459 --> 00:50:17.060
and God cannot

00:50:17.060 --> 00:50:18.339
and will not

00:50:18.339 --> 00:50:19.359
subject

00:50:19.359 --> 00:50:21.379
the blood-bought church

00:50:21.379 --> 00:50:22.879
to that time of wrath.

00:50:23.500 --> 00:50:24.980
Consistent with God's dealings

00:50:24.980 --> 00:50:25.540
as we've seen

00:50:25.540 --> 00:50:26.100
this morning

00:50:26.100 --> 00:50:27.600
throughout scripture

00:50:27.600 --> 00:50:29.740
the church will be removed

00:50:29.740 --> 00:50:30.660
before

00:50:30.660 --> 00:50:32.640
the tribulation begins

00:50:32.640 --> 00:50:33.580
because the whole

00:50:33.580 --> 00:50:34.620
period of tribulation

00:50:34.620 --> 00:50:35.880
is a time of wrath.

00:50:37.620 --> 00:50:39.040
There's a lovely picture

00:50:39.040 --> 00:50:40.700
that we see

00:50:40.700 --> 00:50:41.300
with Noah.

00:50:41.560 --> 00:50:42.380
Jesus himself said

00:50:42.380 --> 00:50:42.860
as it was

00:50:42.860 --> 00:50:43.980
in the days of Noah

00:50:43.980 --> 00:50:45.180
so shall it be also

00:50:45.180 --> 00:50:46.820
in the days of the son of man.

00:50:47.700 --> 00:50:48.400
In the days of Noah

00:50:48.400 --> 00:50:49.600
there were three groups of people.

00:50:50.420 --> 00:50:51.200
There were those who

00:50:51.200 --> 00:50:52.279
perished in the flood.

00:50:53.040 --> 00:50:53.820
That's the wicked.

00:50:54.360 --> 00:50:55.160
It speaks of the world.

00:50:55.259 --> 00:50:55.360
It speaks of the people

00:50:55.360 --> 00:50:55.820
It speaks of those

00:50:55.820 --> 00:50:56.520
who will go through

00:50:56.520 --> 00:50:57.560
that time of tribulation.

00:50:58.500 --> 00:50:59.240
There were those

00:50:59.240 --> 00:51:00.000
who were preserved

00:51:00.000 --> 00:51:02.300
through this time.

00:51:02.880 --> 00:51:03.400
Now ultimately

00:51:03.400 --> 00:51:04.880
it will be the Jews

00:51:04.880 --> 00:51:06.200
and specifically

00:51:06.200 --> 00:51:08.440
we know there's 144,000 Jews

00:51:08.440 --> 00:51:08.920
that are sealed

00:51:08.920 --> 00:51:10.080
but the nation of Israel

00:51:10.080 --> 00:51:12.180
is preserved through that time.

00:51:13.840 --> 00:51:15.000
But there's another group.

00:51:16.500 --> 00:51:17.720
Those that were removed

00:51:17.720 --> 00:51:19.660
prior to the flood.

00:51:20.400 --> 00:51:21.480
In this case Enoch

00:51:21.480 --> 00:51:22.980
who was raptured.

00:51:23.760 --> 00:51:24.320
And you might say

00:51:24.320 --> 00:51:25.060
well Enoch was just

00:51:25.060 --> 00:51:25.340
one person.

00:51:25.360 --> 00:51:26.980
Well yeah so is the body of Christ.

00:51:28.100 --> 00:51:28.920
We're one in him.

00:51:29.420 --> 00:51:30.300
It's a lovely picture

00:51:30.300 --> 00:51:31.780
of what God has done

00:51:31.780 --> 00:51:33.020
and what he's going to do again.

00:51:33.260 --> 00:51:34.080
So what's our response

00:51:34.080 --> 00:51:34.980
to all of these things?

00:51:36.420 --> 00:51:37.340
In 2 Timothy 4.8

00:51:37.340 --> 00:51:37.880
we read this.

00:51:38.000 --> 00:51:39.200
Henceforth there is laid up for me

00:51:39.200 --> 00:51:40.420
the crown of righteousness

00:51:40.420 --> 00:51:41.700
which the Lord

00:51:41.700 --> 00:51:42.800
the righteous judge

00:51:42.800 --> 00:51:43.920
shall give me at that day

00:51:43.920 --> 00:51:45.360
and not to me only

00:51:45.360 --> 00:51:47.540
but unto all them also

00:51:47.540 --> 00:51:49.980
that love his appearing.

00:51:50.480 --> 00:51:51.420
This is one of the crowns.

00:51:52.020 --> 00:51:52.940
One of those five crowns

00:51:52.940 --> 00:51:54.020
specifically that I mentioned earlier.

00:51:54.700 --> 00:51:55.340
This crown is one of those crowns

00:51:55.360 --> 00:51:56.960
that is promised to those

00:51:56.960 --> 00:51:58.820
that have loved his appearing.

00:51:59.140 --> 00:52:00.180
That are looking forward

00:52:00.180 --> 00:52:01.220
to the coming of the Lord.

00:52:01.500 --> 00:52:02.840
They're excited about it.

00:52:03.620 --> 00:52:04.640
That's how we should be.

00:52:07.380 --> 00:52:08.500
My girls have been away

00:52:08.500 --> 00:52:10.020
for the best part of this week.

00:52:10.280 --> 00:52:10.980
I'm looking forward

00:52:10.980 --> 00:52:11.780
to them coming home today.

00:52:12.560 --> 00:52:13.000
I'm looking forward

00:52:13.000 --> 00:52:13.720
to seeing them again.

00:52:14.240 --> 00:52:14.700
I'll be honest

00:52:14.700 --> 00:52:15.600
it's been quite quiet at home

00:52:15.600 --> 00:52:16.300
and that's been quite nice

00:52:16.300 --> 00:52:16.560
but

00:52:16.560 --> 00:52:19.140
it would be lovely

00:52:19.140 --> 00:52:19.820
to see them again.

00:52:20.620 --> 00:52:21.100
I used to remember

00:52:21.100 --> 00:52:21.860
when my parents

00:52:21.860 --> 00:52:22.520
when I was a bit older

00:52:22.520 --> 00:52:23.440
and I would stay at home

00:52:23.440 --> 00:52:24.040
and they would go away

00:52:24.040 --> 00:52:25.120
and I used to look forward

00:52:25.120 --> 00:52:26.120
so much to them coming back.

00:52:28.080 --> 00:52:28.700
I'm sure

00:52:28.700 --> 00:52:29.180
Wilfred

00:52:29.180 --> 00:52:30.180
last week or two

00:52:30.180 --> 00:52:31.339
you've been so looking forward

00:52:31.339 --> 00:52:32.839
to your lovely wife coming home.

00:52:33.940 --> 00:52:35.060
You know when people go away

00:52:35.060 --> 00:52:36.839
we long to see them come back.

00:52:38.339 --> 00:52:38.940
Well Christ

00:52:38.940 --> 00:52:40.060
has gone

00:52:40.060 --> 00:52:40.960
to heaven

00:52:40.960 --> 00:52:42.120
to prepare a place for us

00:52:42.120 --> 00:52:43.359
but he's going to come again

00:52:43.359 --> 00:52:43.980
to receive us.

00:52:44.060 --> 00:52:44.900
We should be excited.

00:52:45.040 --> 00:52:46.060
We should be longing

00:52:46.060 --> 00:52:46.920
and looking forward

00:52:46.920 --> 00:52:47.940
to seeing him.

00:52:48.640 --> 00:52:49.600
In Titus we read this

00:52:49.600 --> 00:52:50.759
for the grace of God

00:52:50.759 --> 00:52:52.020
that brings salvation

00:52:52.020 --> 00:52:52.960
has appeared to all men

00:52:52.960 --> 00:52:54.259
teaching us that

00:52:54.259 --> 00:52:55.020
denying ungodliness

00:52:55.120 --> 00:52:56.420
and worldly lusts

00:52:56.420 --> 00:52:57.440
we should live soberly

00:52:57.440 --> 00:52:58.319
righteously and godly

00:52:58.319 --> 00:52:58.920
in the present world

00:52:58.920 --> 00:52:59.600
and here we are

00:52:59.600 --> 00:53:01.020
looking for that

00:53:01.020 --> 00:53:02.180
blessed hope

00:53:02.180 --> 00:53:04.620
and the glorious appearing

00:53:04.620 --> 00:53:05.740
of our great God

00:53:05.740 --> 00:53:06.980
and Saviour Jesus Christ.

00:53:07.240 --> 00:53:08.540
When is it that we get to see him

00:53:08.540 --> 00:53:09.520
at the time of the rapture?

00:53:11.560 --> 00:53:13.259
The rapture is our blessed hope

00:53:13.259 --> 00:53:14.620
is what we are looking forward to.

00:53:14.839 --> 00:53:15.660
It's the hope we have

00:53:15.660 --> 00:53:16.319
that we will be taken

00:53:16.319 --> 00:53:17.339
from this world

00:53:17.339 --> 00:53:18.240
to the place

00:53:18.240 --> 00:53:19.600
that he's gone to prepare for us

00:53:19.600 --> 00:53:21.100
who gave himself for us

00:53:21.100 --> 00:53:22.359
that he might redeem us

00:53:22.359 --> 00:53:23.299
from all iniquity

00:53:23.299 --> 00:53:24.880
and purify unto himself

00:53:24.880 --> 00:53:25.080
the world.

00:53:25.120 --> 00:53:26.140
A peculiar people

00:53:26.140 --> 00:53:27.359
zealous of good works.

00:53:27.460 --> 00:53:28.420
What a wonderful verse

00:53:28.420 --> 00:53:29.100
this is in Titus

00:53:29.100 --> 00:53:30.259
because it speaks of that

00:53:30.259 --> 00:53:31.620
the rewards

00:53:31.620 --> 00:53:32.940
the good works

00:53:32.940 --> 00:53:33.520
and so on

00:53:33.520 --> 00:53:35.339
a purified people

00:53:35.339 --> 00:53:36.120
the bride of Christ

00:53:36.120 --> 00:53:37.420
really everything's in this.

00:53:40.339 --> 00:53:42.359
There are a number of slides

00:53:42.359 --> 00:53:43.980
that will go up

00:53:43.980 --> 00:53:45.759
with this slide pack online

00:53:45.759 --> 00:53:47.620
and I give you

00:53:47.620 --> 00:53:48.580
other details

00:53:48.580 --> 00:53:49.380
other reasons

00:53:49.380 --> 00:53:50.960
why the timing

00:53:50.960 --> 00:53:51.920
of the rapture is such

00:53:51.920 --> 00:53:53.100
why it cannot be

00:53:53.100 --> 00:53:55.080
in the middle of the tribulation

00:53:55.120 --> 00:53:57.220
or the end of the tribulation

00:53:57.220 --> 00:53:58.100
and there's some clear

00:53:58.100 --> 00:53:59.580
biblical distinctives

00:53:59.580 --> 00:54:00.100
as to why

00:54:00.100 --> 00:54:01.380
and I'll leave those in there

00:54:01.380 --> 00:54:02.500
if you want to dig into that more

00:54:02.500 --> 00:54:03.680
those slides will be online

00:54:03.680 --> 00:54:05.359
but this is our hope

00:54:05.359 --> 00:54:07.380
this is what we should be

00:54:07.380 --> 00:54:08.400
so excited about

00:54:08.400 --> 00:54:10.160
but we need to be getting ready

00:54:10.160 --> 00:54:11.160
let's bow our hearts.

00:54:11.900 --> 00:54:12.940
Father we just thank you

00:54:12.940 --> 00:54:13.839
for this morning

00:54:13.839 --> 00:54:14.460
this opportunity

00:54:14.460 --> 00:54:15.640
to review these things

00:54:15.640 --> 00:54:17.120
to be reminded

00:54:17.120 --> 00:54:18.279
Lord of the promises

00:54:18.279 --> 00:54:19.460
the exceedingly great

00:54:19.460 --> 00:54:20.359
and precious promises

00:54:20.359 --> 00:54:21.060
that you have made

00:54:21.060 --> 00:54:21.700
to your church

00:54:21.700 --> 00:54:23.779
that you have gone before us

00:54:23.779 --> 00:54:24.920
you have gone to prepare

00:54:24.920 --> 00:54:26.060
a place for us

00:54:26.060 --> 00:54:27.620
and that you will come again

00:54:27.620 --> 00:54:28.500
and you will receive us

00:54:28.500 --> 00:54:28.900
to yourselves

00:54:28.900 --> 00:54:29.780
that we will be caught up

00:54:29.780 --> 00:54:30.420
in the air

00:54:30.420 --> 00:54:31.180
and that Lord

00:54:31.180 --> 00:54:31.860
as we've seen

00:54:31.860 --> 00:54:32.560
throughout scripture

00:54:32.560 --> 00:54:34.080
you will remove your people

00:54:34.080 --> 00:54:36.860
before the time of wrath begins

00:54:36.860 --> 00:54:38.300
and you will take us

00:54:38.300 --> 00:54:39.540
to that pavilion

00:54:39.540 --> 00:54:41.100
that place of safety

00:54:41.100 --> 00:54:41.960
that tabernacle

00:54:41.960 --> 00:54:43.620
where we can be with you

00:54:43.620 --> 00:54:44.620
we can worship you

00:54:44.620 --> 00:54:45.400
we can celebrate

00:54:45.400 --> 00:54:46.620
where we will drink

00:54:46.620 --> 00:54:47.440
anew with you

00:54:47.440 --> 00:54:47.980
that cup

00:54:47.980 --> 00:54:49.100
oh Lord

00:54:49.100 --> 00:54:49.820
how we look forward

00:54:49.820 --> 00:54:50.560
to these things

00:54:50.560 --> 00:54:50.780
Lord

00:54:50.780 --> 00:54:51.560
how it makes sense

00:54:51.560 --> 00:54:52.500
of so much scripture

00:54:52.500 --> 00:54:53.860
oh Lord

00:54:53.860 --> 00:54:54.600
stir our hearts

00:54:54.600 --> 00:54:54.900
we pray

00:54:54.920 --> 00:54:56.380
may we not be

00:54:56.380 --> 00:54:57.320
given over

00:54:57.320 --> 00:54:58.480
to the things of this world

00:54:58.480 --> 00:54:59.120
but may Lord

00:54:59.120 --> 00:55:01.360
we redeem the time

00:55:01.360 --> 00:55:03.000
recognizing Lord

00:55:03.000 --> 00:55:03.920
that the days are evil

00:55:03.920 --> 00:55:04.940
and Lord

00:55:04.940 --> 00:55:05.780
make every opportunity

00:55:05.780 --> 00:55:06.300
we can

00:55:06.300 --> 00:55:07.660
to share these wonderful truths

00:55:07.660 --> 00:55:08.600
with those around us

00:55:08.600 --> 00:55:10.240
that as many as possible

00:55:10.240 --> 00:55:11.740
can be spared

00:55:11.740 --> 00:55:12.480
from this time

00:55:12.480 --> 00:55:13.180
of coming judgment

00:55:13.180 --> 00:55:14.580
and can come to know

00:55:14.580 --> 00:55:15.680
the Savior for themselves

00:55:15.680 --> 00:55:15.940
Lord

00:55:15.940 --> 00:55:16.540
we just pray

00:55:16.540 --> 00:55:17.500
for revival

00:55:17.500 --> 00:55:18.540
we pray for work

00:55:18.540 --> 00:55:19.340
in this land

00:55:19.340 --> 00:55:20.260
we pray for work

00:55:20.260 --> 00:55:21.100
in our own lives

00:55:21.100 --> 00:55:22.360
we ask these things

00:55:22.360 --> 00:55:22.760
this morning

00:55:22.760 --> 00:55:23.680
in Jesus name

00:55:23.680 --> 00:55:24.440
Amen

00:55:24.920 --> 00:55:26.860
okay my God

00:55:26.860 --> 00:55:27.720
richly bless you

00:55:27.720 --> 00:55:28.320
let's spend some time

00:55:28.320 --> 00:55:28.960
fellowshipping over

00:55:28.960 --> 00:55:29.800
some teas and coffees