March 22-28, 2008

THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING

In this lesson you will learn the answer to three questions that the disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24:3 about the end time - when will these things be, what will be the sign of Your coming, and what will be the sign of the end of the age.

I. Answers to these three questions – Luke 21:5-38.

A. Verse 6 – The destruction of Jerusalem is one of the signs.

B. Verse 8 – Deceivers will be multiplied in the last days.

C. Verses 9-11 – Wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and signs from heaven.

D. Verses 12-18 – Persecuted, betrayed, hated for My name’s sake (vs. 15).

E. Verses 19 – “By your patience possess your souls” – steadfast and faithful.

F. Verses 20-24 – “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near… Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” In 70 AD many of the Christians got out of Jerusalem before the Romans conquered it. May 1948 – Israel became a nation, but non-Jews ruled the city of Jerusalem. June 1967 – After the Six-Day War, Israel defeated the Arab armies and took back Jerusalem.

G. Verses 25-28 – The Son of Man is coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

H. Verses 29-33 – The fig tree will bud – the fig tree represents Israel.

I. Verses 34-38 – As you wait for the end time don’t be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of the world (busyness).

II. Scriptures on the rapture.

A. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep” (vs. 13). You must believe Jesus died and rose again (vs. 14). “…The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God…Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (vv. 16, 17)

B. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (unexpectedly). You are not of the night nor of darkness; you are sons of light. Do not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober (vs. 6). “…God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…comfort each other and edify one another” (vv. 9, 11).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• What are some signs of the end time that you have noticed?
• How are you keeping yourself from the cares of the world (busyness)?
• Are you waiting with expectation for the return of the Lord or are you fearful?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

The teaching of the rapture and the second coming are not to frighten you but to motivate you to be a witness for the Lord.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: 1 Thessalonians 4:17 – “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”