7 September 2014 - Pastor Joseph Prince Sermon Notes - New Creation Church Sermon Notes - The Rapture And End-Time Tribulation Explained (Part 2)

7 September 2014 -  Pastor Joseph Prince Sermon Notes - New Creation Church Sermon Notes - The Rapture And End-Time Tribulation Explained (Part 2)

God expects us to study prophetic scriptures. 

Many people are confused between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. In the Rapture, Jesus is coming for His people, in His Second Coming, Jesus is coming with His people. 

Today, God has a righteous foundation to see us as righteous in His eyes because Christ paid the price for our sins. 

In 1870 - Romans conquered Jerusalem and razed the temple to the ground, fulfilling the prophecy that "not one stone will be left upon another". 

In Matthew 24-25, Jesus is talking about the End Times to the Jewish people, not about the Rapture. 

In heaven, John saw a multitude of people that no man can number. Many people will be saved! 

Because we are believers, there is a huge open door for God to bless and save our households as well! 

It is easier to be saved than to be lost. All it takes is to say "I believe in You." to Jesus to be saved. Some people are being saved because they were visited by Jesus in their dreams. 

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - We as believers are instructed take the position of awaiting the coming of Jesus from heaven - not of the tribulations, not of the anti-Christ. 

"For they themselves volunteer testimony concerning us, telling what an entrance we had among you, and how you turned to God from [your] idols to serve a God Who is alive and true and genuine, And [how you] look forward to and await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead–Jesus, Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] and draws us to Himself [investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah]." (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 AMP) 

The Rapture is imminent, but the Second Coming is still waiting for events to be fulfilled. 

After the Rapture, the Great Tribulation spoken of in the Book of Revelation will begin and last for 7 years. Great wickedness will reign on earth because the Holy Spirit leaves the earth with the all believers.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - Believers who pass away don't die, but fall asleep in Christ. There is no criteria to be enraptured except for believing in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. Those who have fallen asleep will be enraptured first, followed by the believers who are still alive on earth. 

"Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [in death], that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave]. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [in death]. For this we declare to you by the Lord's [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death]. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord! Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 AMP) 

Don't retire, re-fire! Be ablaze with love for Christ. Lead a life that glorifies The Lord. 

When people accuse or lash at you, don't whack back, just rise above it like a prince/princess. 

Ask yourself, "Is what i'm doing pleasing to The Lord?"

The Lord is never flattered into graciousness, or provoked into aggression. He is uninfluenced by us and cannot be manipulated into action. He is altogether lovely and perfect! 

1 Corinthians 15:51-54 - All believers will be enraptured. Every believer is saved totally by grace, by no merit of their own. 

"Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death). And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. [Isa. 25:8.]" (1 Corinthians 15:51-54 AMP) 

When the Rapture happens, the dead in Christ (believers who have passed on) will be raised and caught up first, followed by all believers who are alive on earth.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 - Wickedness is still restrained because of the Holy Spirit's presence on earth. Once the believers are enraptured, the Holy Spirit follows us, and there won't be any restraint on evil anymore on earth. 

"For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by His appearing at His coming. [Isa. 11:4.]" (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 AMP) 

Luke 1:21-22 - The gospel of Luke begins with Zechariah, a priest who was made dumb for his unbelief, who can't bless the people as he could not speak. 

"Now the people kept waiting for Zachariah, and they wondered at his delaying [so long] in the sanctuary.
But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them; and they [clearly] perceived that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; and he kept making signs to them, still he remained dumb." (Luke 1:21-22, AMP)

Luke 24:50-53 - In contrast to Luke 1:21-22, the gospel of Luke ends with Jesus, our perfect High Priest, blessing His people. Our God never fails.

"Then He conducted them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He invoked a blessing on them. And it occurred that while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was taken up into heaven. And they, worshiping Him, went back to Jerusalem with great joy; And they were continually in the temple celebrating with praises and blessing and extolling God. Amen (so be it)." (Luke 24:50-53, AMP)

Matthew 17:1-3 - In the context of the Rapture, Moses represents the saints who have died and will be raised, and Elijah represents those who are still alive on earth. Both groups of believers will be enraptured. 

"AND SIX days after this, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And His appearance underwent a change in their presence; and His face shone clear and bright like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, who kept talking with Him." (Matthew 17:1-3 AMP) 

2 Peter 1:16-19 - Jesus's glory on the Mount of Transfiguration is a only preview of Jesus's glory at His Second Coming. 

"For we were not following cleverly devised stories when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty (grandeur, authority of sovereign power). For when He was invested with honor and glory from God the Father and a voice was borne to Him by the [splendid] Majestic Glory [in the bright cloud that overshadowed Him, saying], This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased and delight, We [actually] heard this voice borne out of heaven, for we were together with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises (comes into being) in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:16-19 AMP) 

Genesis 5:21-24 - Enoch (who did not die but was brought home to be with the Lord without death) represents believers who are enraptured before the Great Tribulation, but Noah represents believers who are saved after the Rapture who have to go through the Great Tribulation. 

"When Enoch was 65 years old, Methuselah was born. Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him]. [Heb. 11:5.]" 

(Genesis 5:21-24 AMP) Genesis 5:27 - God is so patient. Methuselah is the longest living man on earth. After Methuselah died, the flood came. God prolongs the period of peace so that more people can be saved in Jesus Christ. 

"So Methuselah lived 969 years, and he died." (Genesis 5:27 AMP) 

Matthew 16:28 - 17:1-2 - Many are confused by Matthew 16:28. Jesus entered his kingdom six days later when His body was glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration. The disciples were still alive and saw Jesus enter His kingdom. 

"Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in (into) His kingdom. AND SIX days after this, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And His appearance underwent a change in their presence; and His face shone clear and bright like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light." (Matthew 16:28 - 17:1-2 AMP) 

Revelation 22:20-21 - This passage refers to Jesus coming for us in a swift manner, not that He is coming soon. 

"He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, Lord Jesus! The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with all the saints (God's holy people, those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!" (Revelation 22:20-21 AMP)

When the believers are enraptured, they will undergo a transformation. Their bodies will become a glorified body similar to that of the ascended Jesus's, and they will be young, healthy, and be imperishable, forever!

Want to receive Jesus into your life, be saved from your sins and inherit unmerited favor and eternal life as a child of God? Go this link and simply pray the salvation prayer aloud!

Welcome to God's big, happy family! :)

Be blessed and walk in divine favor,

Milton Goh
----------------------------------------------
Follow me on Instagram @miltongoh
Like my FaceBook page by clicking here. 
Watch my videos and subscribe to my YouTube channel here.