Introduction:

Some people might be tempted to think, "Why spend time on subjects like the rapture and other prophecies, when we need something more practical." If you have spent much time in the Word of God you have discovered that practical information is always connected with passages about the coming of Christ. Look at some of the things that can be gained by studying Christ coming.

[1]. Comfort - I Thess. 4:18; 5:10,11
[2]. Moderation - Phil. 4:5
[3]. Purification - I John 3:1-3
[4]. Godly living - Titus 2:11-13
[5]. Patience - James 5:7-9

I. The Leaving -

At the rapture there are two groups of people that are leaving:

[1]. Dead in Christ

1 Thess. 4:14
1 Cor. 15:22
John 11:23-25

[2]. Alive and in Christ

1 Thess. 4:15
1 Cor. 15:53
John 11 :26

(NO CLODS, JUST CLOUDS)

II. The Listening -

Those who are saved are listening for a sound.

[1]. The Shout - great events have always been accompanied with shouting.

Josh. 6:5,10,16
1 Sam. 4: 5-7
Ezra 3:10-13
Ps. 47:5

[2]. The Voice of the Archangel - The archangel is Michael (Dan. 12:1; Jude 9). Michael is always connected with Israel, therefore his voice signals God resuming His program with Israel.
[3]. The Trump of God -

"trump" - the noise that the trumpet makes.

The trump is the voice of God - (Rev. 4:1 1:10,11; 1 Cor. 15:51,52)

The voice will sound like thunder (Jn. 12:27-29).

The thunder and voice are connected with a "going up" several times (Job 37:1-5; Song Sol. 2:8-13; Ps. 50:3-5; Isa. 26:19-21).

 

III. The Looking -

Its often been said we are not looking for a sign but listening for a sound, but at the same time God gives us some advance warnings.

[1]. Times and Seasons -

(a). 2 Tim. 3:1-5 - ungodliness
(b). 1 Thess. 5:3 - false peace & security

[2]. Darkness prevails -

Because we are in the last watch of the night, we live in an age of sleepy Christians (Mark 13:35; Matt. 14:25).

We know this is the last watch because of (2 Peter 3:8 & Hos. 6:1-2).

When darkness abounds so does artificial light: make sure you are looking at the right light.