1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-112007 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2007. About the rapture of the church. Now, I want to remind you for a moment of Matthew chapter 28 verses 19 and 20.

There in Matthew chapter 28, Jesus is preparing to ascend to the father. He's leaving the disciples to accomplish the work that he has called them to do here on this earth to turn the world right side up and share with them the gospel message and teach them the truth of Jesus Christ and of relationship with God.

As he's preparing them, as he's preparing now to ascend, he tells the disciples in Matthew 28 verses 19 and 20, he says, go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. The

The commission that Jesus gave to his disciples, the command, the task that was ahead of them was to go into all the world and make disciples. It was a task they fulfilled by the power of the Holy Spirit. They went forth and the world was changed and transformed. In fact, you and I have heard the gospel message today because of the ministry of those 12 or 11 apostles, disciples, as well as Paul being a 12th one.

That we today are a fruit of that because they went forth and made disciples of all nations. And I think as we would study this portion of scripture that we would all agree that this command includes us. It wasn't just to those men who were there on the Mount of Olives watching Jesus ascend. But it is a command to you and I as believers in Jesus Christ that we are called, this is our commission, this is our task, to make disciples.

to teach people about Jesus, to teach people to walk with Jesus, to teach people how to have a relationship with Jesus. We have spoken about this many, many times, and so I won't continue on in that. But just settle it in your heart to know that we are all called to make disciples.

And so knowing that and considering that, since we are called to make disciples, I would encourage you to meditate on this thought for a few moments. What do you consider important to teach to new believers? Since you're called to make disciples, since you're called to teach people how to walk with Jesus and how to have relationship with Jesus.

What is it that's important for you to pass on, to train them in, to disciple them in? What doctrines are very important for a person to know in order to have relationship with God? What doctrines do you think that you would teach to those who God has placed in your care to minister to and share with as you are called to do? What lessons would you think that they would need to learn?

What would you teach if your task was to make disciples and you only had three weeks to spend with a person? What would you teach them? What lessons would you give them? What doctrines would you make sure that they had a solid grasp of? How about if you were only able to meet with a person three times? What would you teach them? What doctrines would you share with them?

What scriptures would you share? How would you encourage them? Of course, we could talk about perhaps the deity of Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts covering the crucifixion, the burial and resurrection. There's lots of things that we could cover, but.

The reason why I bring it up is, would you teach a new believer? Do you consider it important? Is this an important part of the Christian walk, the rapture of the church? If you only had three times to meet with someone, three weeks to spend with someone, would you share about the rapture? Would you give them a solid grasp on the rapture of the church?

I think it's very important for us to have the same attitude as Paul did towards the rapture of the church and the importance of sharing it with others. As we've discussed in our overview of Thessalonians, Paul, when he went through Thessalonica, he only spent three weeks with them.

Where specifically the scripture says three Sabbaths, three Saturdays, he was with them. Yet he was able to say in verse two, for you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. Why was he able to say that they knew perfectly? Because it was something he had already taught them. See, here's the point. These are things that are not new to.

To the Thessalonians, as we talked about the rapture of the church last week and as we continue on this week, they didn't go, wow, we've never heard this before. Paul was clarifying some issues as far as those who were believers in Jesus and died and how we meet them and what happens to them. But but the rapture that he's talking about here, it wasn't new information for them.

They didn't sit back and say, wow, being caught up together with the clouds and to be with Jesus, we don't know what this guy is talking about. This is all confusing. No, he had already shared with them. He was only with them for three weeks. And yet he considered this doctrine, this teaching, this subject so important. And he shared it with them. He didn't know he would only be there for three weeks. He was run out of town when there was a riot.

And so we know for the Apostle Paul, this was something high on his priority list. When I share with people, when I'm making disciples, when I'm encouraging people, this is one of the first things that I'm going to cover, Paul says. He says, you know perfectly well. I was only with you three weeks, but I shared with you this. You know that Jesus is coming back for his church. You know that we will be caught up together with him in the clouds.

And I would challenge you, since you are called to make disciples, since you are called to teach others about Jesus Christ and a walk with him and relationship with him, then you are also called to teach others about the rapture of the church. And of course, to do that, you need to know it well yourself. Last week in verse 13, we saw that Paul said, I do not want you to be ignorant there in 1 Thessalonians 4.13.

Paul says in this subject, in this matter, I don't want you to be misinformed or uninformed. I want you to know these things and have a solid grasp on them. And so again, like I encouraged you last week, I encourage you this week, take good notes.

Write down the scriptures that we look at and I refer to. Spend some time later on reading them and meditating on them. Make sure that you have a solid grasp on this event that is called the rapture of the church. Make sure that you understand it well, because as you're called to make disciples, you're called to share with others these things. What is the rapture?

Just a quick, simple definition. The rapture is a future event where the church is caught up to meet Jesus in the air. Let me remind you of some of the things we learned last week about the rapture. Number one, we learned that those who died will come with Jesus. We will get to see them again. They're with him now.

They're going to come with him. And then the second thing we learned is that we're going to meet them in the air. They're going to be coming down with him. We're going to be caught up and we're going to meet together. It's going to be a glorious reunion as we meet Jesus in the air.

Also, we learned that at the rapture, we will receive new bodies, resurrected bodies, the perfected bodies that God has for us. We also learned and discussed that it's going to happen in an instant. It's instantaneous. It's something that takes place in a moment, in the twinkle of an eye.

The blink of an eye or a hundredth of a second or a thousandth of a second, depending on which definition you use. But either way, it's really quick. It's going to happen in just a flash, in just a moment.

As we continue on this week, there's four more things that we learn about the rapture of the church. Again, four more important things for you and I to understand that we may, as we make disciples, share and train others in this subject that they would be looking forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. Number one, we'll see that the rapture will take place without warning.

It'll take place without warning. Number two, we'll learn that Christians should not be surprised. Number three, we will learn that we need to be ready. And then number four, we'll learn that the rapture of the church is an escape from wrath. It's without warning. We should not be surprised. We should be ready to escape from wrath. We see the first point, the rapture of the church, first.

is without warning in verses 1 through 3. It says this,

Paul starts out sharing with us that the rapture of the church is without warning. There's not going to be preceding notification. You're not going to get a page or a text message. There's not going to be a billboard or a public announcement. It's without warning.

Whenever we talk about the rapture, whenever we study the rapture, there's one thing I think in all of our hearts that we want to know. When is it going to happen? When is it going to take place? But Paul says, there's no need for me to write to you about that because, you know, perfectly, he says.

You know perfectly well that I don't know when the rapture of the church is going to take place. Nobody knows the day or the hour, the time of the rapture. Nobody knows when it's going to happen. Nobody will know when it's going to happen. In fact, the only time that people will know when the rapture of the church has taken place is afterwards. That's the only time they will know the time of the event.

After it's done, you'll be able to look back or they will be able to look back and say, well, that's what happened. That's when it took place. But before it occurs, nobody, nowhere will be able to say it will take place at such and such a time. They may say it, they may claim it, but it will not be true. There have been many attempts throughout the years to set dates, to set times. Let no one deceive you. No one knows.

The day or the hour. The rapture of the church will take place without warning. Paul uses two examples to illustrate this. He uses a thief in the night and he uses the labor pains that come upon a pregnant woman. The thief in the night. Now, I don't know if you've ever had anything stolen, but usually the thief does not share in advance his plans to come and steal.

You know you don't come home from the store and have a post-it note on your door. Just wanted to let you know I'm going to be by here tomorrow at about 6 o'clock. And I'm going to take away as much of your stuff as I can. So just be warned. No, thieves don't do that. It would be nice if they did. We could be much more prepared. But they don't. It's not something that has...

Prior notification. There's no warning. There's no signs. There's nothing that you can acknowledge. Okay, it's going to happen at this time, at this moment. I need to be prepared right at this particular time. Now, the same is true with labor pains. Nobody knows when a woman will go into labor. Of course, if we knew, it would make things a whole lot easier. But we don't. It's sudden. It's sudden.

It's without warning. It could happen in the middle of the night. It could happen at the mall. It could happen at church. It could happen in traffic. Did you hear that story last week about the woman in Florida? She experienced some labor pains. And so she gets in the van with her mom and a nurse. And they start heading to the hospital. But they get stuck in traffic on the way. So here they are at a traffic jam.

And the baby doesn't wait. The baby is delivered there on the corner of Central and Hillsboro as they're exiting the freeway.

Now, if she had known, if she had some prior warning, hey, you know, tomorrow you're going to have labor, you're going to go into labor tomorrow. So make sure you leave extra early. There might be traffic. You want to get to the hospital on time. I mean, it would have been much easier, much more convenient for her if she knew ahead of time. But the fact is, we don't know when labor is going to take place, when those pains will come upon a pregnant woman.

Paul is saying the rapture is going to take place just like that. There's not going to be any warning. Like a thief in the night, there's not going to be a note. Like a woman in labor, there's not going to be the prior notification. It's going to take place and you won't know what happened until after the fact. Paul even makes the point the world's going to be saying peace and safety.

Not only will there not be warning, but everything will point to the contrary. The world will be focusing on, hey, peace. And that word safety is stability. You know, things are stable. We got good economy. Things are going well. And we're working towards peace or we have peace. We're calling out for peace. And as the world is focused on looking at those things and chasing after those things and looking to establish peace and stability in the world.

That's when the rapture will take place without warning. Turn with me, please, to Matthew chapter 24. I want to have you turn to a few portions of Scripture this morning. So maybe stick something in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 so you can refer back to it quickly. But here in Matthew chapter 24, actually chapters 24 and 25,

Include what is called the Olivet Discourse. That is Jesus on the Mount of Olives sharing with his disciples. It's something that's recorded in the book of Matthew as well as Mark and Luke.

We find it here in Matthew in chapters 24 and 25. And again, I would encourage you to write these down and spend some time in them later. We also find it in the book of Mark, chapter 13, and then the book of Luke, chapter 21. They all record, just a little bit differently, this same discourse, this same address that Jesus is sharing with his disciples. And what we find in all of that discourse is

Is Jesus predicting the destruction of the temple? It's his last week on the earth. He's about to be crucified. And as he is about to be crucified, he's in Jerusalem and he's walking away and his disciples are admiring the beautiful temple and how magnificent it is and the huge stones that were used to build it.

And Jesus said, you know, see those things, those stones? Not one will be left upon another. They're going to be destroyed. It's going to be wiped out. And it prompts the disciples to ask a question. And you can see that in Matthew as well as Mark as well as Luke. The question is, hey, Lord, when is that going to happen? But also, when is the end times? How do we know when you are coming again? How do we know when you are going to establish your kingdom? What are the signs of those times?

And so Jesus, in answer to their question, tells them about the signs preceding his coming, the second coming, the signs of the tribulation period and the things to look out for, the things that will occur. And he describes briefly his second coming. Now, remember, the second coming is separate and distinct from the rapture of the church.

The second coming is something that takes place after the rapture of the church. And so as Jesus is telling them about the tribulation and the second coming, then he goes on to tell them in each gospel, Matthew, Mark and Luke, we find this as well, that he tells them or gives them the illustration of a fig tree.

And we'll look at that in just a moment, the illustration of the fig tree and what that means. And then after he tells them the story or the parable of the fig tree, he tells them, he kind of changes his tune. He's telling them, matter of factly, this is what's going to happen. This is going to be a sign. This is going to take place. This is going to take place. Look at the fig tree. Learn from the fig tree. And then afterwards, in every gospel, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he says, but no one knows the day or the hour.

No one knows the day or the hour. And he goes on to warn them to be ready because nobody knows. Here, look at Matthew chapter 24, starting in verse 36. Jesus says, but of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the son of man be.

Verse 1.

Then two men will be in the field. One will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill. One will be taken, the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Here, Jesus is sharing with his disciples. Now, there's discussion that we could have regarding this portion of scripture. Is this referring to the second coming? Is it referring to the rapture of the church? I honestly believe that this is not about the second coming. Jesus was talking about the second coming, but then he shares that the turning point is the parable of the fig tree. And again, we'll get into that in just a moment, but just stay with me for a second.

He tells them about this fig tree and then he goes on to say no one knows the date or the hour. He explains and he gives a couple examples just like Paul did. He says it's kind of like Noah. You know, when the days were before the flood, the days of Noah, the world was continuing life as usual.

Business as usual. They were marrying. They were giving in marriage. They were eating and drinking. They were having a great time. And it says in verse 39, they did not know until the flood came and took them all away. They didn't know it was going to take place. They didn't know that it took place until it actually happened. And that's what Jesus is saying. Nobody will know. This is how it's going to be. Just like it was for Noah. It's going to be like this day.

For the world, nobody will know until it's already occurred, until it already takes place. And then two men will be walking and one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding, one will be taken and one will be left. They won't know. It won't be apparent until afterwards. It's without warning is the point that Jesus is making. Again, in verse 43, he also uses the illustration, the example of the thief.

And he said, look, if he had known what time the thief was going to come, if he did leave a note on the door, he would have been prepared. But nobody knows. What event is it that nobody knows when it will occur? The rapture of the church. Once the rapture takes place, once the tribulation period starts, the second coming of Jesus Christ begins.

It can be known to the very day when Jesus will come back. The Bible is very clear. Spells it out in years, spells it out in months, and spells it out in days just to make sure that you understand this is a very specific amount of time and it's going to take place literally just like all the other prophecies that are found in the Scripture have been taking place literally. The only event that we don't know when it will take place is the rapture of the church.

Jesus, after he shares about the fig tree, shares, look, those are the signs of the second coming. Those are the signs of my return. But that's not what you need to be ready for, because no one knows the day or the hour that I will come back. No one knows. Just like Noah, it's going to happen and nobody will know until afterwards. And so in verse 42 of Matthew 24, he says, watch, therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

You don't know when it will be without warning. God is not going to announce it first. He's not going to hire a jet to ride it in the sky. It's going to take place without warning. No five minute heads up. He's not going to count 100 and then say, ready or not, here I come. He will come suddenly, unexpectedly and without warning. Let's go back to First Thessalonians chapter five.

The first point we learn about the rapture of the church this morning is that it will be without warning. The second point, as we look at verses four and five, the second point is that Christians should not be surprised. Look at verse four. It says, but you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this day should overtake you as a thief.

Verse five, you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. This is interesting. Even though the rapture will take place without warning, Paul says, but you shouldn't be surprised when it happens. Now, that's an interesting thing to think about. How can you not be surprised at something which happens without warning?

I don't. But if I did have a water balloon here and I just tossed it at you, how could you be ready for that if I didn't warn you ahead of time? I thought about doing it, but I thought better of it. At least a squirt gun would have been fun. But if there's no warning, how do you be prepared? How do you not be surprised? And of course, the answer is by expecting it. You know, whenever I am preparing for a message, usually I'm

Just before the service, I'll be in my office and putting the final touches on my outline. And it's so funny. A lot of the kids have learned that I'm always in my office. And so I'll be studying and out of the corner of my eye, I'll see kind of a face speak around the door and flashback real quick.

And I'll know something's up. They're wanting to do something. And sometimes I'll just come in and say hi. But when I see that flash, I know that something's about to happen. I know they're thinking, I'm going to get them good. I'm going to scare them. Oh, yeah, he's there. Okay. And they crawl down. You know, you hear the shuffle on the ground. The chairs are turning. And then they jump up from under the desk. Now, am I scared? No. I know to expect it.

I'm expecting them to jump up. I'm expecting it to take place. If I didn't have the expectation, if I didn't know they were coming, there was one time, Charles came here early, and I was studying, and I had the music on quite loud, and I was just kind of meditating and studying, and bobbing my head at my desk, and all of a sudden, he smacks the broom on the desk. And man, I jumped out of my skin. I thought the rapture happened. I didn't know. I was very surprised.

See, if you're expecting it, you won't be surprised. If you're not expecting it, it's going to come without warning. It's going to be a surprise. While you're saying peace and safety, then it will already take place and you won't know until afterwards. I don't know where I am in my notes. Okay, the emphasis is we're not in darkness. We're not of the night. It's not supposed to surprise us. Christians are not in the dark concerning the coming of the Lord. We know he's coming back.

It's in contrast with the rest of the world that says peace and safety. They're not looking for Jesus. They're not concerned about his coming back. They're not concerned that he's coming to catch the church up together with him. They're in darkness. When the world thinks everything is OK, when the world is calling for peace and stability, when the world least expects it, the rapture will take place. But Christians are not supposed to be that way. We're not to be deceived by talk of peace. We're not to be forgetful of the return of Jesus Christ.

Paul says we're not in darkness. We're sons of light and we're sons of the day. So the Christian should not be surprised when the rapture takes place. Now, I think, again, the pregnant woman is a good example of this, because if labor pains come, it is without warning. But it's not really a surprise when labor pains come. Right. Because there's a lot of preparation that goes ahead of time.

There's, well, pretty much everybody around them knows, hey, those are coming. The labor pains, they're coming. Closer and closer it gets. I mean, we really know that they're coming really soon. It just, I mean, you're going to pop. You know, it's got to happen very quickly. It's not a surprise when it takes place, even though it takes place without warning, because it's expected. It's anticipated. She's waiting any moment, any day. This could be the day.

This could be the day. And that is the attitude that we are to have towards the return of Jesus Christ. Turn with me now to the book of John. John chapter 14. John chapter 14. Again, the point is Christians should not be surprised because Jesus told us he would come back. In John chapter 14, verses 1 through 3 says,

Jesus, again, talking to his disciples as well as you and I, he says, let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me and my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there, you may be also.

Jesus says, I'm leaving, but don't let that trouble you. I'm going to prepare a place. And if I go to prepare a place for you, hey, I'm going to come again and receive you. Let me rephrase that. Catch you up with me so that we can be together always. That where I am there, you may be also. Jesus said, I'm coming back. You believe God. That's good. Believe me when I tell you I'm coming back.

Believe Jesus. He is coming back for his church. It is going to take place. It's going to happen. Since he told us that he would come back, you and I are to expect his return. We're to be anticipating his return, looking and knowing it's going to take place. It's going to happen so that we're not surprised when it does happen. We're to always be looking for his return.

Philippians chapter 3 verse 20, Paul tells us our citizenship is in heaven from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We eagerly wait for the Savior, Paul says. See, our attitude should not be, well, you know, if he comes in my life, that's cool. If he doesn't, you know, I got some good plans already anyway. So either way, I'm all right with that.

No, we're supposed to be eagerly waiting, excited, anticipating, expecting, looking forward to Jesus. Come quickly. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Like John said at the end of Revelation, looking for and hastening the day of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1, verse 7, Paul tells the Corinthians, hey, you come short in no gift. You have all the spiritual gifts. You have everything you need, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He tells the church there, listen, if you will eagerly wait, if you'll be excited about the coming of Jesus, if you'll be fired up that he's coming again, you're not going to lack anything that you need. You'll have every gift that you need to accomplish the work of the Lord as you're eagerly waiting, as you're excited, as you're anticipating. Titus chapter 2 verse 13, Paul tells Titus, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We're to be looking, waiting, eagerly, expecting, anticipating, excited about the coming back of Jesus Christ. To be caught up in the air with him, to always be with him. It's something that we are to be expecting. And that is why Jesus gave the illustration of the fig tree. Jump back again to Matthew chapter 24 if you can. Matthew 24 verses 32 and 33. He gives us the illustration of the fig tree.

Matthew chapter 24, verse 32 says, You guys are still turning there, so I'll wait just a second. Matthew 24, verse 32 says,

Jesus says, now learn this parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all of these things, know that it is near at the doors. Here's what Jesus is saying. Leading up to this, he's been sharing with them the indications of the second coming.

The signs that will take place before he comes again. He shares with them some details about the tribulation period. And then he shares with them about his glorious appearing when he comes in the clouds with great glory. And then he shares his parable. When you see leaves on a fig tree, then you know that summer is near. Now, you may not know that about fig trees. It's not something I'm really familiar with. I don't have fig trees.

But in that culture, in that day, it was something that was common to them. They knew as they're walking down, hey, look at the fig trees sprouting leaves. Summer is near. It's about that time, just like we know when the trees start to change colors. Oh, it's fall. Winter's coming.

The same thing is true with the fig tree. As it sprouts leaves, Jesus said, you know that summer is near. And he relates that. So, hey, since you can look at the fig tree and see the leaves and know that summer is near, in the same way, when you see the signs that I've been describing, when you see the beginning of these signs, you know that the second coming is, you know that I'm coming again soon.

You know that I'm coming to establish my kingdom soon. You know that the tribulation is going to take place soon because you see those signs. You see those things taking place.

But here's the exciting thing. Jesus is giving the signs not to the rapture, but to the second coming. And the second coming takes place after the rapture of the church. And so if you see the signs to the second coming, you know that the rapture of the church is really close because that has to take place before Jesus comes to set up his kingdom on this earth. Here's an example that is shared a lot recently.

When you see Christmas decorations begin to go up, you know that Thanksgiving is near, right? It used to be after Thanksgiving that all the decorations would go up, but no longer. Now, when you see Christmas decorations, you know, man, Thanksgiving's like two weeks away. It's really close.

So if Christmas is the second coming and Thanksgiving is the rapture of the church, you understand the picture. You see the signs to the second coming, but the rapture happens before. So when you see those signs, Jesus says, look, you know it's coming really close. It's at the door. And that is why Christians should not be surprised because Jesus said he would come back.

He gave us the signs that would take place before the second coming that we might know as we see those signs, we know, oh, it's really close. He's coming again soon. He's coming quickly. And again, like John in the book of Revelation, yes, Lord, even so come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen. Let's turn back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. So number one, it will take place without warning.

But number two, Christians should not be surprised. And if we're not surprised, then number three, we need to be ready. We need to be ready. We find this point in verses six through eight here in First Thessalonians, chapter five.

Verse 6 says, Here Paul says, it's going to come without warning. You're not going to know it hits till afterwards. Yet,

You as a Christian are not to be surprised. How do you do that? Very simply, you need to be ready. So don't sleep, he says. Don't be drunk. Don't be occupied with other things. Be alert. Be on the watch. Be sober so that you're ready and prepared.

When Jesus comes and you're caught up together with him, let's be ready and prepared. He said, let's watch and be sober. Let's have our bags packed at all times. Lord, I'm ready to go right now. I'm ready to meet with you because Paul says those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. What he's saying again, contrasting it with the world. The world is asleep.

Now, he's not talking about literal sleep, and he's not saying Christians should not sleep. No, get your rest. That's important. What he's saying is, and he relates it to the word darkness. Darkness.

They're in darkness. They don't understand the times. They don't know where they're going. They don't know what's going on. They're stumbling around in the darkness. They don't know that Jesus is coming back. And so they're not prepared. They're sleeping. They're drunk. They're chasing after pleasures. They're filled with all these intoxicating things. They're enjoying the party. Their spiritual senses are dulled. They're oblivious to reality. But Paul says, Christian, you should not be that way. You need to watch.

You need to be sober. We should not be asleep like the world, unaware of spiritual things, oblivious to the reality while we chase our dreams. You should not be drunk like the world, having your senses dulled, enjoying the parties, just enjoying life without regard to the things of God. Paul says, don't sleep. Instead, watch.

It means to be awake, to be alert, to stand guard, to be on the lookout for the coming of the Lord. That's what you're called to do. You're called to stand guard, be looking out like a century would guarding the city, looking forward. Is anybody coming? Is anything taking place? We're to be looking for Jesus actively, aggressively. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Looking forward to his return. Looking for the signs. Looking for the indications of the second coming that we might know that the rapture of the church is soon to take place. He says, don't sleep. Instead, watch. Don't be drunk. Instead, be sober. It means to be clear, to be calm, to be collected, to have your senses together. To understand what's going on. Be sober. Understand the word of God. Don't sleep.

Watch. Don't be drunk. Instead, be sober. This is exactly what Jesus told us to do. And again, I turn you to the Olivet Discourse, this time in the book of Mark. Would you turn there with me? Mark chapter 13. And Mark chapter 13, again, it's the same discussion recorded by a different author. Jesus is answering the question,

When is the end of all things going to take place? When are you going to establish your kingdom? He's giving the signs. He's talking about the tribulation. He gives the illustration of the fig tree. And then in Mark chapter 13, verses 32 through 37, Jesus says this. But of that day and hour, no one knows. Not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Take heed, watch and pray for you do not know when the time is.

It is like a man going to a far country who left his house and gave authority to his servants and to each his work and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. It's a command for you and I. Verse 35. Watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster or in the morning. Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all people.

What does it say? Watch. We're to be watching, Jesus said. He says it over and over again. Watch and pray. Like a man who is going away, he said his servants about their business and he told them, hey, watch, I'm coming again. So Jesus says, watch, therefore. You don't know when he's coming. Suddenly he finds you sleeping.

Paul says, we're not of the darkness. We're not of the night. Those who sleep, sleep at night. Christians are not to be sleeping. Again, physically get your rest. But spiritually, don't be asleep. Don't be chasing your dreams.

Be looking for the return. Watch for his return. Watch for the coming of Jesus Christ. You don't know when he's coming back. Jesus says, what I say to you, I say to all. It's not limited to the disciples there. It's for you and I today. He says, watch because you don't know when I'm coming back. When do we watch right now?

Always looking forward, always expecting, always anticipating so that we're ready, that we're clear minded, doing the work of the Lord, aware of what's going on spiritually, not asleep, but awake, watching, waiting. It's what God has called us to do. He says, be ready. Are you ready? Are your bags packed? Are you watching?

Are you taking heed like Jesus said? To be sober. To be aware of what's going on. To be trained up in the word of God. To disciple others. Are you watching? Are you waiting? Are you expecting the return of Jesus Christ?

How do we do that? How do we watch? How do we make sure that we're ready? That's a question often asked, you know. How do I make sure that I'm included, that I'm not left behind when the rapture takes place? Paul tells us, back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, he tells us in verse 8 how to prepare ourselves, how to be ready for the rapture of the church. He says in verse 8 of 1 Thessalonians 5, but let us who are of the day be sober.

Putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. Here's how to be sober, Paul says. Here's how to watch. You want to make sure you're not left behind? Here's what you do. Put on... What is it? It's nothing new for us. It's what we've been studying all throughout the book of 1 Thessalonians. He says put on faith, love, and hope. You want to make sure that you're included in the rapture of the church. You want to make sure that you go to meet the Lord in the air.

Here's what you need to put on. Faith, love, and hope. Faith. Obedience to God and His Word. That's what you need to put on. You want to be ready for the coming of the Lord? You want to watch? You want to be awake? You want to be sober? Then be obedient to God at His Word. As He speaks to you through the Word of God. As He speaks to you through Bible studies. As He speaks to you through the people around you that love you enough to tell you the truth of God's Word. Be obedient.

You can be sure if you're disobedient to the word of God, you're not ready for the rapture. You're not watching. You're not sober. Anytime we're disobedient to the Lord, we disregard his word. We're fools. We've gone back into darkness. We're not looking for his return. You want to be ready? Put on faith. Be obedient to the Lord at his word. Put on love, Paul says.

We talked about love throughout this book as an overwhelming concern for and desire to serve others. You want to be ready? You want to be watching? You want to be sober? Take your eyes off of yourself. Die to yourself and live to love and serve the people around you. Live to love and serve the Lord first and foremost. Your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your shopping partners.

Your co-laborers in the body of Christ. Live to love others. Have an overwhelming concern for and a desire to serve others. Be focused on, consumed by others. Come not to be served, but to serve. And we could go on and on. You want to be ready? You want to be awake? You want to be alert? You want to watch and be sober? What you need to do is you need to put on love.

And I can tell you, you can be assured if you are focused on yourself, consumed with yourself, not loving others, you're not ready for the rapture of the church. You're not ready to meet with Christ, to be caught up together in the air with him because you're consumed with yourself in darkness again. Hope. Put on hope, Paul says. The confident focus on eternity. Always be looking to you. Always be setting your eyes on God.

I like how he relates it. It's the helmet, the hope of salvation. Where's your mind always supposed to be? The hope of salvation. The confident focus on eternity. Keep your mind not on this life. As we learned from Paul in Colossians chapter 3, set your mind on the things above, not on the things of this earth. You want to be ready? You want to watch? You want to be alert? You want to be sober, ready, and prepared for the rapture of the church? Put on hope.

Keep your mind focused continually, constantly on eternity and not this life. Don't be caught up and consumed in the things of this life. And I can tell you, you can rest assured if you are caught up and consumed with the things of this life and this earth, you are not ready for Jesus to come back. You're not ready to be caught up together with him. You're focused on yourself. You're focused on this life.

oblivious to the reality that jesus is coming back soon he's coming back soon and it's without warning so be ready paul says put on faith love and hope and finally number four we find in verses nine and ten point number four the rapture is an escape from wrath

An escape from wrath. Verse 9 says, The rapture of the church is an escape from wrath. Paul says God didn't appoint us to wrath. That's the purpose. He appointed us instead to obtain salvation.

he's not willing that any should perish or experience his wrath no he died for us that whether we wake or sleep we can live together with him how important is it for you as a christian to be ready for the rapture paul says be ready we're not of darkness don't sleep like the world

Be ready. And then notice the word for in verse 9. He says for. Why be ready? Because God did not appoint us to wrath. Be ready. Why? Because God didn't appoint us to wrath. Hey, why should I be ready? Because God didn't appoint us to wrath. This is one of the important truths that we believe. Or this is one of the important truths that that's why we believe that the rapture will take place before the seven year tribulation.

Because a time of trial, a time of tribulation is going to come upon the whole world. The tribulation period will last seven years and it will be a time of God pouring out his wrath upon the earth.

You don't have to turn there, but let me read to you Revelation chapter 6, verse 15. It says, You get the picture. And who is able to stand?

The tribulation period, the seven years that are yet promised to come, are a time of God pouring out his wrath upon every person. Rich men, poor men, free men, slave men, commanders, mighty men, kings, everybody's included. They will experience the wrath of God. They will try to hide themselves. They will run. They will flee. The great day of his wrath has come. But we...

are not appointed to wrath. Paul says in verse 9, he will keep the church from the day of wrath because it's not what we were appointed to. And he will keep us from that day of wrath by the rapture of the church. Because God has appointed us, he's appointed you to obtain salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

That whether you live or die, you'll be together with him, not experiencing his wrath, but experiencing his presence. And so again, I ask, how important is it for you as a Christian to be ready for the rapture? Paul says, be ready because God did not appoint us to wrath. Now I ask you, is there an implication here?

Why be ready? Because God didn't appoint us to wrath. So are you saying then that if I'm not ready, that I will experience the wrath, that I'll go through the tribulation, that I'll be left behind? Well, it seems to be the implication, doesn't it? Now, I'm not the judge. I can't tell you if you will be left behind or not. What I can tell you is if you put on faith, love, and hope, you'll be ready. If you don't, well, I wouldn't encourage that. Paul says, be ready.

Because you weren't appointed to wrath. Is he saying that if you're not ready, you will not be raptured? Is he saying that if you're not watching, you will not be raptured? Is he saying that if you're not sober, you will not be raptured? Turn with me now to Revelation chapter 3. Revelation chapter 3. In Revelation chapter 3, we find Jesus writing to three different churches.

It's the last three of seven churches that he's been writing to in chapters two and three. And as he's writing to these three churches, I find some very interesting elements as we're dealing with this subject of the rapture of the church. The first church that he writes to in Revelation chapter three is the church of Sardis. It's also known as the dead church.

Look at verse 1. It says,

This church of Sardis is a dead church. They have a name that they're alive. Everybody thinks they're doing well. Everybody thinks that they're fine. Everybody thinks it's alive and active, a really great church. But the reality is, God says, I see behind the front, behind the facade. I know that you are dead. And so verse two, he says, be watchful.

Isn't that what we just were encouraged to do? Watch and be strengthened, he said, or strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Then look at verse 3. Remember, therefore, how you have received and heard. Hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, isn't that what we were encouraged to do? To watch? He says, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Same example.

Paul said, you're not of the night that this day should overtake you as a thief. Jesus said, if you will not watch, I'm going to come upon you as a thief. Does this church describe you? The name that you're alive, reputation that you're alive, people think you're alive. But are you dead? This type of person, Jesus said, I'm going to come upon you as a thief. Paul says, we're not of the night that this day should overtake you as a thief.

We're the sons of the day. The next church that Jesus writes to is the church of Philadelphia, also known as the faithful church. Verse seven says,

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, right? These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he was the key of David. He opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens. Verse eight. I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it. But notice this for you have a little strength, have kept my word and have not denied my name. Then verse nine. Indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Indeed, I will make them come and worship before you at your feet.

And know that I have loved you. But notice verse 10. Because you have kept my command to persevere or to watch. I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. He tells the church of Philadelphia. Hey, I know you too and I know your works. You don't have much strength but you're obedient. You put into practice the things that I've commanded. You haven't denied my name.

You're ready. And since you're ready, since you've kept my command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial. What's the hour of trial? The seven-year tribulation. The time where God is pouring out His wrath upon the earth. He says, I'll keep you from it. How's He going to keep them from it? He's going to rapture them. He's going to take them out of the way. They're going to be caught up together in the air to meet the Lord in the clouds, to be with Him always and forever. And finally, the church of Laodicea.

First of all, Philadelphia, does that describe you? Are you the faithful church? Obedient to the word of God? Do you keep his word? Are you persevering? Are you watching? Are you waiting? Are you sober? He'll keep you from the hour of trial. Then Laodicea, verse 15, he says, I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Does that sound like a church that's raptured?

Jesus is making it clear. There's lots of people who have the name to be alive, but they're dead. There's some, they're very honest about it, perhaps, but they're just lukewarm. I'm going to vomit them out of my mouth. But to the faithful, to the obedient, to the word, those who are watching and waiting, I will save you. I will keep you. You will escape from the wrath, from the hour of trial. Which one describes you? Dead, lukewarm, or faithful?

You don't have to turn there, but I'd like to read to you from Luke chapter 21. Again, the same portion, the Olivet Discourse. Jesus shares about the second coming, the signs, the tribulation, shares about the fig tree, tells him to take heed, to watch.

And then in verse 36, he says something very interesting of Luke 21. Watch, therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man. Jesus tells the disciples, he tells you and I, look, watch.

And pray that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things. Escape the wrath. Pray that you may be counted worthy to be raptured with the church. Pray that you may be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man, to be caught up together with him in the air. Pray that you may be counted worthy to escape, Jesus says.

The reality is some will escape the wrath of God and some will not. Those who are in darkness will not escape the wrath of God. The rapture will happen suddenly, unexpectedly. They will not have time to repent. They won't have time to change their mind at that point. They will experience and endure the seven-year tribulation, the pouring out of God's wrath upon the earth. Some who are in the church will not escape the wrath of God because they're dead.

Because even though they're in the church, they're really not part of the church. They're not part of the body of Christ. They have the name and they carry the Bible and they attend on Sundays and perhaps on Wednesdays. But the reality is there's no spiritual life. There's no relationship with God. They're dead. They have a name that they're alive, but they are dead. And they, Jesus says, will come upon you as a thief.

Some who are in the church will not because they're lukewarm. One foot's in the church, one foot's in the world. I don't know which one I'm going to do. Well, on Mondays, I'm in the world. On Sundays, I'm in church. On Wednesdays, I'm in church. But back on Fridays, I'm partying all night. They're back and forth over and over. They're lukewarm. I don't know which one I want. I don't know if I want to serve God. I don't know if I want to just enjoy the world. They're kind of caught between two worlds. A little bit of hot, a little bit of cold. End up just lukewarm. God says, I'm going to vomit you out of my mouth.

Some will escape and some will not. Now, am I sharing this to try to scare you? No. Well, let me put it this way. I'm sharing the truth with you. What the Bible teaches. If you need to fear, then I hope you do.

I hope that you get right with God this morning if you need to. If you don't have that relationship, if you're lukewarm or if you're dead, I hope you get right with God. You can. He offers to you this relationship and forgiveness, fullness of life with him. For some, this is a message of fear. But for Christians, it should be a message of comfort. Turn back to 1 Thessalonians 5. Verse 11, Paul says, Therefore, since all these things are true...

Since this is how it's going to take place, therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. These are words that should excite us and comfort us and build us up and encourage us. Soon and very soon, we're going to see the King. We will be with Jesus. For the Christian, it's a message of comfort. For the lukewarm, for the dead, it should be a message of concern.

Are you ready right now? Are you watching and waiting? The rapture of the church will take place without warning. You're not going to have notice. The church is going to be evicted, but there won't be a 30-day notification. It's going to happen in an instant, in a moment, in the blink of an eye. Yet Christians should not be surprised.

We need to be expecting, looking forward to that glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. So we need to be ready, bags packed, watching, awake, sober, vigilant, doing our task, making disciples of all nations, praying that we may be counted worthy to escape from wrath. This morning, I would encourage you.

Hey, if you're walking right with the Lord, if you've got a relationship with the Lord, don't be shook up and concerned. I don't know. No, no, no. It's okay. If you have a relationship with God, you know if you're not right with God. You know if there's an emptiness. You know if you're dead, but have the name that you're alive. You know. And that's what happens oftentimes. You know, we share these kind of things and share the truth of the word and the people who shouldn't be dead.

freaked out about it they are and the people who should be freaked out about it they're you know good message jerry patch on the back i'll see you next week but this morning god is calling to you it could happen today i won't get the notification i won't get the warning i won't be able to warn you i don't know when it's going to happen are you ready to meet with jesus are you watching are you sober are you prepared to be with him if i can have the worship team come forward and

I just want to close in a brief song. And I want to encourage you. There's going to be people up here who love you, who would encourage you, who would love to pray with you. And if you have never made a commitment to Jesus Christ, if you don't have a relationship with God, if you haven't received His gift of forgiveness, as they're singing or after the song, come forward. You need to receive Jesus Christ. The day of wrath is coming. And Jesus Christ is coming back.

Today for you is the day of salvation. I would challenge you, encourage you. He didn't appoint you to wrath. That's not what God desires for you. Receive the forgiveness and the grace of Jesus Christ. He appointed you to salvation. That you may be with him whether you live or die. We'll be with him for eternity. Maybe you need to get right with the Lord this morning. Maybe you feel led to pray that you might be counted worthy to escape. That's what these guys are here for. And so during the song or afterwards,

As you're led, I encourage you to come forward. Receive Jesus Christ. Get right with the Lord. Pray that you may be counted worthy to escape. And afterwards, as they finish the song, before you leave, I would encourage you like we did last week. Take a moment before you leave this place with someone who's not related to you. Comfort them with these words. Comfort and edify one another with these words.

Poke each other in the ribs and say, hey, he's coming back soon. Let's get ready. Let's be watching. Let's be waiting. Let's be sober. Let's stir up one another towards love and good works. And ever so much the more as we see the day approaching. Amen? Let's worship the Lord.

We pray you have been blessed by this Bible teaching. The power of God to change a life is found in the daily reading of His Word. Visit ferventword.com to find more teachings and Bible study resources.