1. Igreja dos Cristãos Resgatados de Deus em Angola RCCG – City Church Luanda Sul www.citychurchluanda.org

2. Sunday School

4. Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:51 “Behold I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,” BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 INTRODUCTION: The second coming of Christ prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 7:13 is a sound biblical fact. This return shall be in two stages. The first, “being like a thief in the night” to receive unto Himself His Church. This is popularly known as the rapture. May the Holy Spirit Himself guide us into all truth, in Jesus’ name.

5. Outlines: 1.WHAT IS THE RAPTURE? 2.WHEN IS THE RAPTURE? 3.WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE RAPTURE? 4.HOW WILL IT HAPPEN?

6. Outline 1: WHAT IS THE RAPTURE? The word rapture, is not found anywhere in the Bible although it is used to describe this great upcoming and memorable event. The rapture is the sudden catching up or sudden disappearance of holy and faithful saints from the earth to meet with our Lord and Saviour in the air. It is also referred to as the translation or translocation of believers – 1 Thessalonian 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. Examples of such translation in the Old Testament are: Enoch – Genesis 5:22-24, Hebrews 11:5 and Elijah – 2 Kings 2:11. It shall be as sudden as the twinkling of an eye – 1 Corinthians 15:52.

7. Outline 2: WHEN IS THE RAPTURE? The exact timing of the occurrence of the rapture is not known – Matthew 24:42-44, Matthew 25:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:6. We however, know that it shall precede the tribulation - 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:12.

8. Outline 3: WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE RAPTURE? The following are to be expected at the rapture: I.The trumpet of God shall sound – 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16. II.The dead in Christ shall rise first – John 5:25, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:23. III.Saints which are alive shall be “caught up” to meet our Lord in the air - 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 15:51.

9. Outline 3: WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE RAPTURE? IV. The dead in Christ and saints who are left shall have glorified or immortal bodies and live forever – 1 Corinthians 15:52-54, Phil 3:20-21, Colossians 3:4, 1 John 3:2. V. There shall be extraordinary chaos on the earth - 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Matthew 24:40-41.

10. Outline 4: HOW WILL IT HAPPEN? I.It shall happen suddenly – 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Matthew 24:36-41. II.The power of God shall make all saints’ bodies immortal – Philippians 3:21. III.The sudden “vacancies” produced by such disappearance shall give birth to the chaos

11. CONCLUSION The greatest calamity that could befall anyone who claims to be a believer is to be on earth a second after the rapture. The one who is coming back for His own “suddenly” warned us to be prepared, at least, six times in different parables. Are you alert and ready? Mark 13:32-37.