Why the Rapture Brings Hope and Holiness

Pastor Greg Laurie provides his biblical perspective on Israel and the end times in today's message.

Notes:

Focus verses - Romans 11, 1 Thessalonians 4
 
God keeps every one of his promises to us.
 
#1 God says we will never be alone in life.
Isaiah 41
 
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
For Jesus Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
 
#2 God promises to get us through whatever we’re facing.
Isaiah 43:2
 
Psalm 119:50 (ESV)
This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
 
#3 Jesus promised that He would come again.
John 14:1–3
 
We know God’s future promises are true because He has kept His former promises.
 
Genesis 12:2–3
 
#1 Because God kept His promises to Israel, we know He will keep His promises to us!
Romans 11:17
  
#2 God uses us to bless the people who have blessed us.
Romans 11:14
 
#3 Israel plays a key role in the last days.
Romans 11:25–26
 
Romans 11:2 (ESV)
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.
 
A sign of the times of the last days is the regathering of the nation Israel to their land.
 
A modern-day miracle occurred when the Jews formed a nation on May 14th, 1948.
 
The Jews are the indigenous people that God himself gave that land to.
 
A checklist of things the Bible predicted about Israel:
Israel will be scattered.
Israel will be regathered.
Israel will regain Jerusalem.
Israel will be isolated.
Israel will be attacked.
 
God will intervene on behalf of Israel.
Ezekiel 38:18
 
God promises to pour His spirit out on Israel.
Ezekiel 39:29
 
Romans 11:25
 
Every soul matters to God.
 
When the rapture happens, we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
 
#4 What is the rapture?
 
1 Thessalonians 4:16–18
 
Jesus spoke of the rapture.
John 14:3
 
Believing in and teaching about the rapture brings much needed hope.
 
1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who have died, so that you will not grieve as those who have no hope.
 
Revelation promises a blessing too.
 
Believing in and teaching about the rapture motivates godliness.
1 John 3:3
  
One of the signs of the last days will be a renewed interest in bible prophecy.
 
Daniel 12:4 (NLT)
But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."
 
The rapture must take place first before the Antichrist will be revealed.
2 Thessalonians 2:7–8
 
If antichrist is close, then the coming of Jesus Christ is even closer!
 
#5 When is the Rapture?
Matthew 24:36
 
1 Corinthians 15:51–52
 
When Christ returns for us in the rapture, first up is the resurrection of the dead.
Then we who are alive will meet them in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 –17
 
THE RAPTURE WILL BE A STEALTH EVENT.
THE SECOND COMING WILL BE A VERY PUBLIC ONE.
 
IN THE RAPTURE, JESUS COMES IN THE AIR.​​​​
IN THE SECOND COMING, HE COMES TO THE EARTH.
 
DURING THE RAPTURE, CHRIST COMES FOR HIS BRIDE.
DURING THE SECOND COMING, HE COMES WITH HIS BRIDE.
 
IN THE RAPTURE, CHRIST COMES LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.​
IN THE SECOND COMING, THE WHOLE EARTH SEES HIM.
​
IN THE RAPTURE, JESUS COMES BEFORE JUDGMENT.
IN THE SECOND COMING, JESUS COMES WITH JUDGMENT. 
 
If we are a believer, we should be awake and spiritually alert.
Romans 13:11
 
#2 if you are not yet a Christian, you should get right with God.

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