Pastor/Teacher - Jim Rickard Tuesday, December 1, 2009 Grace Fellowship Church

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.— Amen.

Memory Verse Duet 6:4, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” Mark 12:29

EKSOUSATE, “you heard,” Aorist, Active, Indicative. The perception of Bible doctrine through the ear gate under the Grace Apparatus for Perception (GAP).

HUPAGO, Present, Active, Indicative. A reference to the ascension of Christ to glorification at the right hand of the Father.

ERCHOMAI Present, Middle Deponent, Indicative. “I will come again myself”. Speaking of Christ’s Second Coming including the Rapture of the Church.

Principles of the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture of the Church

Two phases to the Second Coming of Christ. 1. The Rapture of the Church, Resurrection. Phil 3:11

Phil 3:11, “If by any means I might arrive at the exit resurrection (Rapture), the one from the dead.”

2. The Second Advent, when Christ physically steps on to planet earth again. Zech 14:4; Rev 19

Rapture - all believers who physically die between the day of Pentecost and the Rapture, receive their resurrection bodies and meet Jesus in the clouds of the air. 1 Thes 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:51-58

Then, all believers who are alive on that day are transformed in body to a resurrection body and also meet Christ in the clouds. 1 Cor 6:14; 1 Thes 4:15, 17; 1 John 3:2-3; w/ Phil 3:21; 1 Thes 5:23

1 Cor 6:14, “Now God has not only resurrected the Lord, but he will raise us up through His power.”

At that time the bride (Church Age believers, dead or alive) receives a body like Christ's. Phil 3:21; 1 Thes 5:23

Anticipation of the Rapture must not overwhelm us.

Anticipation of the Rapture must not overwhelm us. a) It does not mean that you sell everything and sit around waiting for Him.

b) It should not be used as escapism from the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

c) We should be waiting imminently for His return, which means living every day unto Christ; serving and witnessing more diligently each day.

d) We need patience as the Lord prepares us for the event. James 5:7 ‑ 8

Titus 2:13, “Waiting with keen anticipation for that blessed hope (Rapture), even the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

Between the first and second phase of His coming is a time period of 7 years called the Tribulation, Daniel's 70th Week. Dan 9:27; 12:1; Joel 2:2; Mat 24:21

Church AgeTribulationMillennium 2,000 yrs7 yrs1,000 yrs Pre-Millennialism Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church New Heavens New Earth Second Advent Second Coming

Mat 24:21, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”

Grace Fellowship Church Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, December 1, 2009 Tape # Rapture and the 2nd Advent of Christ, Pt 1 Upper Room Discourse, Part 315 John 14:28; 1Cor 15:51-58; 1Thes 4:13-18; James 5:7-8 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2009