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Herausgeber: WS
Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
Serie: Systematic Theology Series
Sprache: Englisch

Beschreibung

The author of this book is Pastor Z. A, Ogunsanya, the General Overseer of Bible Pattern Church, End of Adewale Adegun Avenue, Karaole Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.

The Bible as it were, has not left anyone in doubt about what the future portends for man. This is the reason why the book of Revelation was written in the first instance,

As happenings in the world now are indicative of what the Bible had predicted, it follows therefore that all other predictions of the Bible will also be fulfilled chronologically.

We need therefore to study about the future occurrences because future prediction about them is written in the Bible to remind us of when they occur.

The book takes one through studies such as follows:

1). The rapture; the judgment of the living nations; the marriage and the marriage feast of the Lamb; the Great Tribulation; the second coming of Christ; the War of Armageddon; the judgment of the living nations; the millennium kingdom; the war of Gog and Magog; the white throne judgment; the destruction of the world; and the eternity.

2). So that we are not ignorant of them and be taken unawares is the reason for their revelations in the Bible.

3). So that deceivers will not be able to hoodwink us with their heresies and for us to know how to get ourselves ready for the future events are the reasons we must take the bull by the horn

The book has 165 pages and 13 chapters: the chapters are treated as follows:

Chapter (1) The rapture (2) The judgment of the believers’ work (3) The marriage and the marriage feast of the Lamb. (4) The Great Tribulation. (5) The reign of the Anti-Christ. (6) The second coming of Christ. (7) The restoration of Israel. (8) The judgment of the living nation. (9) The millennium kingdom. (10) The white throne judgment. (11) Hell- the eternal home of sinners. (12) The new heaven and the new earth. (13) The eternity!

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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

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Leseprobe

A Textbook On

THE

FUTURE EVENTS

(INTERDENOMINATIONAL WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY FOR CHURCH LEADERS EDITION)

Z. A. Ogunsanya

The Future Events

First Published in 1993 by Holgos Publications.

Second Edition in 2021by Holgos Publications.

Bible Pattern Church Headquarters,

End of Adewale Adegun Avenue,

Karaole Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, Nigeria.

P. O. BOX 10955, IKEJA, LAGOS.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronics, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author. Short extracts may be used for review purposes. Bible quotations are generally from the Authorized King James Version.

ISBN 978-978-56213-6-5

Holgos Publications,

Bible Pattern Church Headquarters,

End of Adewale Adegun Avenue,

Karaole Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, Nigeria.

P. O. BOX 10955, IKEJA, LAGOS.

Table of Contents

BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHORVi

INTRODUCTION1

Chapter One

The Rapture5

1. The events of the rapture6

2.The purpose of the rapture8

3. How it will happen11

4. Those who will take part12

Chapter Two

The judgement of believers’ works18

1. Some facts about the judgement19

2. Some of the works that will attract reward that time21

3. Some of the rewards that will be received that time22

Chapter Three

The marriage and the marriage feast of the lamb26

1. The location of the maariage26

2. The bridegroom of the marriage27

3. The bride of the marriage28

4. The guest at the marriage28

5. The parable about the marriage31

6. Personal preparation for the marriage32

Chapter Four

The Great Tribulation35

1. The problems of the great tribulation38

2. The purpose of the great tribulation48

3. The partakers of the great tribulation50

Chapter Five

The reign of the anti-christ55

1. Some facts about the antichrist59

2. Suffering under the antichrist63

3. The end of antichrist66

Chapter Six

The Second Coming Of Christ72

1. The Fact of the Second Coming73

2. The Signs of the Second Coming73

3. The Purpose of the Second Coming75

4. The Two Major Parts of the Second Coming77

5. Genuine Preparation for His Coming81

Chapter Seven

The restoration of israel85

1. The Beginning Of Israel86

2. The Fall And The Rise Of Israel94

3. The Problems Still Awaiting Israel97

4. The Final Restoration Of Israel100

Chapter Eight

The Judgement Of The Living Nations107

1. The Objects of this Judgement108

2. The time and the place of the judgement109

3. The basis for the judgement111

4. The result of the judgement115

Chapter Nine

The Millennium Kingdom120

1. The Conditions Of The Kingdom122

2. The war of gog and magog130

Chapter Ten

The great White Throne Judgement133

Chapter Eleven

Hell - The eternal home of sinners140

1. The description of hell141

2. The citizens of hell142

3. The sinners in hell143

4. The way of escape145

Chapter Twelve

The new heaven and the new earth148

1. The description of the place149

2. The inhabitants of the place151

Chapter Thirteen

The Eternity155

1. Eternity156

2. The removal of the present world156

Study Hymn

1. When the trumpet sounds, we shall fly to the Lord3

2. Count me worthy Lord, to be who I ought to be16

3. Let us continue to endure25

4. Father do not let me fail34

5. There are so many antichrists in the world today53

6. My only hope is Jesus Christ71

7. What a great God You are oh my God83

8. On the narrow way, is the goodness of God106

9. You are the true help of man dear Lord Jesus119

10. The judgement will soon start in the house of God132

11. Repentance, is a great demand of God139

12. Count me worthy in Your presence oh Lord147

13. King of glory we worship You153

Available Messages On Cassette161

BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR

1. The Sure Christian Foundation Vol. 1 (Salvation and The Christian Living).

2. The Sure Christian Foundation Vol. 2 (Entire Sanctification).

3. The Sure Christian Foundation Vol. 3 (Believers and the Holy Spirit).

4. Salvation and its Companions.

5. Believer’s Life.

6. New Beginning with God.

7. Alone With God.

8. The Church As a Factory.

9. Soul Winning Made Easy.

10.The Call Of a Minister.

11.Marriage According to the Bible.

12.The Last Days.

Booklets:

(1) When Life Is Unfair.

(2) Financial Miracles.

(3) Spiritual Coldness (causes and cure).

(5) How the End Will Come.

13.The Future Events.

14.The Seven Churches in Asia.

15.The Life and the Works of Jesus.

16. Major Incidents of the Bible Volume 1 (Genesis - Deuteronomy).

17. Major Incidents of the Bible Volume 2 (Joshua - Revelation)

18. Satan and His Works.

19. Prayer According to the Bible.

20. The Prosperity of the Righteous.

21. The Principal Problem-Areas in the Family.

22. Responsibilities in the Christian Family.

23. Bible Holiness and the Use of jewellery.

Booklets:

(1) The true holiness.

(2) Is the use of jewellery sinful?

(3) The biblicality of the use of jewellery.

(4) Jewellery and the requirements of God.

24. The Ability of God.

25. The Pastor And the Pastoral Assistants.

26. The Place Of Money In The Worship Of God.

27. The Anointing The Anointer And The Anointed.

28. Evangelism Everywhere.

29. The False Prophets And Their Customers.

30. Pauline Ministerial Pattern.

31. Peter’s Principle Of Pastoral Success.

32. The Need And The How To Prepare For Old Age.

33. Sicknesses, Diseases And Divine Healing.

34.Ecclesiology (Study About the Church of Jesus Christ)

35. The Life And The Ministry Of The Early Church.

36. How To Become A Preacher Like Paul.

37. The Man Of God: His Life, His Ministry and His Members.

38.From Eternity Past to the Eternity Future

39.Charismatology (Study About the Gifts of the Holy Spirit)

40.The Business of Soul Caring

41.Eschatology (Study About the Future Events)

42.Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Power From on High

43.The Lie Called Evolution

44. Deliverance According to the Bible

45. The Miracles of Jesus

46. The Miracles of Satan

47. The Miracles of God

48. The Miracle of Divine Revelation

49. The Miracle of Childbearing

50. The Miracle of Divine Promotion

51.The Miracles of Divine Provision

52.Expository Study of the Book of Jonah

Small Booklets:

(1) The business of going to the kingdom of God.

(2) The business of leading people to the kingdom of God.

(3) The perils of wrong choice in marriage.

(4) The glory of a Christian marriage.

Yoruba Books:

1. Nitori Emi Re.

2. Ona Abayo..

3. Ibere Titun Pelu Olorun.

4. Igbala ati awon Alabarin re.

5. Igbe-Aye Onigbagbo.

6. Didawa Pelu Olorun.

7. Ise Onigbagbo.

8. Ijere Okan Dero.

9. Igbeyawo Lona ti Bibeli.

These books may be purchased from,

BIBLE PATTERN CHURCH,

END OF ADEWALE ADEGUN AVENUE,

KARAOLE ESTATE,

IFAKO, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

OR THROUGH

P. O. BOX 10955,

IKEJA, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

[email protected]

You may also send your questions to or contact the author through the above addresses:

You can also visit the website of Bible Pattern Church at, www.biblepattern.org

You can also contact us through any of the following phone numbers:

08038185167

08063672557

08028538982

08038185169

08038244099

08099332858

Through any of the branches of Bible Pattern Church

INTRODUCTION

Rev. 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. [2] And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

The Bible does not put us in darkness about the Future Events. This is one of the reasons the Book of Revelations was written.

Rev. 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

If we patiently study the Bible, we will have a good understanding of the major future events. The happenings in the world now are the fulfilment of what the Bible prophesied about the last days. All other prophecies of the Bible about the future will also be fulfilled.

Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Ezekiel 12:25 For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God. ??

Luke 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

We need to study about the future events,

Because predictions about it are contained in the Bible -the word of God, and therefore, our study of the Bible will be incomplete without studying about it.

So that we will not be ignorant of what is ahead of us and also the world we are living in.

So that the deceivers will not be able to deceive us with their heresies.

So that we will be able to help the deceived and bring them out of the captivity of false-hood.

So that we will be able to know how to get ourselves ready for the future.

We shall study among other things,

The Rapture

The judgement of believers’ works

The marriage and the marriage feast of the lamb

The Great Tribulation

The Second Coming Of Christ

The War Of Armageddon

The Judgement Of The Living Nations

The Millennium Kingdom

The War Of Gog and Magog

The White Throne Judgement

The Destruction Of The World

The Eternity.

Z. A. OGUNSANYA.

Study Hymn 1

WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUNDS WE SHALL FLY TO THE LORD

Composed by Z. A. Ogunsanya, 19/4/2016

1. When the trumpet sounds, we shall fly to the Lord

With all other saints, from across the whole world

We shall leave behind, all pains and all troubles

The beginning, of everlasting joy.

Chorus: Oh my brother, what you have to do

So as not to, miss the glorious rapture

Delay it no more, get up and do it now

A short while from now, It may become too late.

2. In the world today, we are full of problems

It will not be long, when these shall be over

And there with Jesus, we will always rejoice

No more sorrow, nor fear forevermore.

3. We will be a part, of marriage of the lamb

Also the rewards, of all our labours

The Lord Himself shall, wipe away our tears

We shall receive, many glorious crowns.

4. But back in the world, Satan will take control

He and his agents, will ruin the lives of men

Those who missed rapture, will be in agony

The beginning, of everlasting pains.

5. And therefore my friend, repent from all your sins

And give your whole life, to Jesus the Saviour

Join His church and do, every true will of God

This will prepare, you to go with the Lord.

6. This rapture will take, place in any moment

It may be tonight, or early tomorrow

Whenever it is, make sure you are ready

Only true saints, will be able to fly.

7. I have decided, to go with the first flight

I'm not going to wait, for any second chance

Whatever it takes, I am fully ready

Heavenly home, is my destination.

8. But the fools may say, no rapture is coming

But can they deny, reality of death

If it is rapture, or death that first to come

Make sure you are, candidate of heaven.

Chapter One

THE RAPTURE

The rapture is the catching up of all the true believers in Christ, to meet the Lord in the sky. It is the next event in God’s programme for the future. Though the noun “rapture” is not found in the Bible, the following scripture used the verb form (caught up: Greek, Harpazo), to talk about the same event: -

1 Thes. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Here is what Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible says about the Greek word “harpazo”:

“[caught up] Greek: harpazo (G726), to carry off; grasp hastily; snatch up; to seize and overpower; to plunder (note, Jn. 10:28). From this we get our word rapture, meaning the act of transporting, as harpazo is used in Mt. 13:19; Acts 8:39; 2Cor. 12:2,4; 1Th. 4:17; Rev. 12:5.”

It is the same event (rapture) the next scripture is talking about:

1 Cor. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

All the events that ought to precede it have already taken place, and therefore, it can happen anytime from now:

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

There is nothing predicted here, that has not taken place.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. [45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? [46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. [47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. [48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; [49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; [50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, [51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We must all make ourselves ready to go with the Lord, so as not to put ourselves in a terrible, and fearful position.

In this study we want to look at:-

The events of the rapture

The purpose of the rapture

How the rapture will happen

Those who will take part of the rapture

1. THE EVENTS OF THE RAPTURE

These are some of the things that will happen during the time of the Rapture:

The dead in Christ shall resurrect

The Christians still alive shall be transformed

Both the resurrected saints and the transformed Christians shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air

The Lord will take the raptured saints to heaven

There in heaven, we shall receive the reward of all the works we did for God while in the world

We shall celebrate and eat with our Lord Jesus, at the marriage feast of the Lamb

We shall be with Jesus there for 7 years - the beginning of staying with Him in all eternity

a. The dead in Christ shall resurrect

1 Thes. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

This is the first face of the first resurrections to everlasting life. Some of those who will be killed during the great tribulation will still resurrect in faces later, to join us in heaven. And their resurrections will still be part of the first resurrection. The second resurrection is the resurrection to damnation, as it can be understood from the next scripture:

Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Did you take note that, the resurrections of those who will be beheaded during the great tribulation, are called first resurrection here? The only way these could be rightly called first resurrection, is because, there are more than one phase of the first resurrection. Otherwise, if the resurrections of those who will be beheaded during the great tribulation are the only first resurrection, will it then be right, to call the resurrection that will be connected to the rapture, and will precede them “Second resurrection?”No. The second resurrection is that of the ungodly dead, that will take place after the millennium kingdom:

Rev. 4:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Here is more of the stories of those who will still resurrect as part of the first resurrection after the rapture:

Rev. 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Rev. 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Rev. 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

b. The Christians still alive shall be transformed

Here is what Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible says about the “five raptures in the Resurrection”:

Christ and the many saints that were resurrected after His resurrection (1Cor. 15:20,23; Mt. 27:52-53 Eph. 4:8-10).

"Afterward they that are Christ's at His coming" (1Cor. 15:23,51-54 Jn. 14:1-3 Lk. 21:34-36 2Cor. 5:1-8 Eph. 5:27; Php. 3:11,20-21 1Th. 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:9,23; 2Th. 2:1,7, note; Col. 3:4; Jas. 5:7-8 1Jn. 2:28; 3:2; 1Pet. 5:4).

Everyone in Christ, dead or alive, will be translated at this time. Not one person will be left on earth who is in Christ (1Th. 4:16-17).

The 144,000 Jews saved in the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week (Rev. 7:1-8).

They will be caught up as the manchild in the middle of this week or 3 1/2 years before the second coming (Rev. 12:5; 14:1-5 Isa. 66:7-8 Dan. 12:1).”

c. Both the resurrected saints and the transformed Christians, shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air

d. The Lord will take the raptured saints to heaven

There are those who claim that believers will not go to heaven immediately after the rapture, that they will remain in the air, until they will return with the Lord to the world, for the beginning of the millennium kingdom. One of the scriptures they do not fully understand is the following: -

Rev. 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Nobody needs to be told, that the occurrence here will happen after the rapture, and before the millennium kingdom, that is spoken about in the next chapter (Revelation chapter 20). Now, in verse one of this chapter, we are directly told, that the occurrence here will be in heaven and not in the air. Nothing is clearer than the fact that, the raptured saints will go with Jesus to heaven after the rapture, before returning with Him back to the world, for the millennium kingdom.

e. We shall receive the reward of all the works we did for God

2 Cor. 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1 Cor. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

f. We shall celebrate and eat with our Lord Jesus: at the marriage feast of the Lamb

Rev. 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. [6] And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. [7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. [8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. [9] And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. [10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

f. We shall be with Jesus there for 7 years - the beginning of staying with Him in all eternity

1 Thes. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

While we are there in heaven, the great tribulation will be going on in the world.

2. THE PURPOSE OF THE RAPTURE

The rapture will take place so as,

To fulfill the promise of Christ about it

To save the people of God from the great tribulation that is coming upon the world

a. To fulfill the promise of Christ

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In 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. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

b. To save the people of God from the great tribulation that is coming upon the world

Rev. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

What is called hour of temptation here, is the great tribulation that Jesus spoke about in the next scripture:

Mat. 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

The great tribulation is going to be a 7 year period of unprecedented calamities in the world, in which divine judgment, satanic wickedness and the inhumanity of human beings, will make life very unbearable for everyone living in the world.

Though we are still going to study the great tribulation separately in chapter four of this book, we will have a little picture of what the period will look like, in the next scripture:

Rev. 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. [2] And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. [3] And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. [4] And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. [5] And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. [6] For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. [7] And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. [8] And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. [9] And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. [10] And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, [11] And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. [12] And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. [13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [14] For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. [15] Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. [16] And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. [17] And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. [18] And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. [19] And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. [20] And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. [21] And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

What Jesus said in the next scripture, shows that there is a way one can position himself today, to be able to escape the great tribulation:

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. [35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

We will know more about the purpose of the rapture, by looking at the following, taken from Dake’s Annotated Bible:

“Ten Purposes of the Rapture:

To receive saints to Himself as promised (1Th. 4:17; Jn. 14:1-3 Eph. 5:27)

To resurrect the dead in Christ from among the wicked dead (1Th. 4:14,16-17 note, Php. 3:11; Rev. 20:4-6)

To take saints to heaven to live in the New Jerusalem and receive rewards (1Th. 4:17; 3:13; Jn. 14:1-3 2Cor. 5:10; Heb. 12:22-23 Rev. 19:1-10; 21:9-10)

To change bodies of saints to immortality (1Th. 4:16-17 1Cor. 15:35-58 Php. 3:21)

To present saints before God (1Th. 4:17; 3:13; Jn. 14:1-3 Jude 1:24; Rev. 19:1-10)

To make saints whole in body, soul, and spirit (1Th. 4:16-17; 5:23; Php. 3:21)

To receive the fruit of the early and latter rain (Jas. 5:7; Jn. 14:1-3)

To cause the saints to escape the tribulation of Rev. 6:1--Rev. 19:21 (1Th. 4:16-17; 5:9; Lk. 21:36; Rev. 4:1, note)

To remove the hinderer of lawlessness (2Th. 2:7, note; Rev. 4:1, note)

To permit the revelation of the Antichrist (2Th. 2:7, note; Rev. 4:1)”

3. HOW IT WILL HAPPEN.

Jesus will leave heaven and come to the sky

He will command the archangel to blow the trumpet of God

The dead in Christ will hear the sound of the trumpet and they will resurrect

The people of God in the world will be transformed and both the dead and the living will fly to meet the Lord in the sky

The hypocrites and the backsliders in the church will know what has happened, but they will not be able to fly

The world will not really understand what has happened, for everything will happen “in the twinkling of an eye”

Let us read some of the scriptures that talk abut this:

a. Jesus will leave heaven and come to the sky

b. He will command the archangel to blow the trumpet of God

1 Thes. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

c. The dead in Christ will hear the sound of the trumpet and they will resurrect

d. The people of God in the world will be transformed and both the dead and the living will fly to meet the Lord in the sky

Philip. 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

e. The hypocrites and the backsliders in the church will know what has happened, but they will not be able to fly

Though the following is talking primarily about the re-gathering of the children of Israel after the great tribulation, at the second advent of Christ, from it we can have an idea of what will happen ay the rapture:

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. [36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. [37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. [41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. [42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

f. The world will not really understand what has happened, for everything will happen “in the twinkling of an eye”

1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

4. THOSE WHO WILL TAKE PART

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Not everyone who bears a Christian name or attends church programmes will take part, but only,

Those who have truly entered into Christ

Those who are without blemish

a. Those who have truly entered into Christ

1 Cor. 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

b. Those who are without blemish

Ephes. 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Those who miss the rapture will surely take part in the great tribulation, that will start in the world; immediately after the rapture.

You can now ask yourself. “Will I be able to go that day?”

Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. [11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, [24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [25] When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: [26] Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. [27] But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. [28] There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. [29] And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. [30] And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, [26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. [27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. [28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? [29] Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, [30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. [31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. [33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. [34] Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? [35] It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Remember that prayer alone will not be enough; you must also take the right steps.

Before moving to the next chapter, the following also supplied by Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible about 1 Thess. 4:17, will be of help to us here:

“[and so shall we ever be with the Lord] Saints will be with Christ in heaven during the tribulation (2Th. 2:7, note; Rev. 4:1, note); will accompany Christ to earth at Armageddon (Zech. 14:1-5 Mt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46 Jude 1:14; Rev. 19:11-21); will live in the new Jerusalem in heaven but reign on earth with Christ during the Millennium (Rev. 20:4-10; 21:9-10 Heb. 12:22-23); will move with their residence, the New Jerusalem, to the earth to live on the New Earth forever (Rev. 21 and Rev. 22).”

Study Hymn 2

COUNT ME WORTHY LORD TO BE WHO I OUGHT TO BE

Composed by Z. A. Ogunsanya 8/4/2017. In my bathroom on Sunday morning.

Tune Source: https://wp.me/a2OjNg-lOh

1. Count me worthy Lord, to be who I ought to be

Count me worthy Lord, to serve You faithfully

Count me worthy Lord, to do Your will all my days

Count me worthy Lord /2ice.

I will serve You Lord, count me worthy Lord.

2. Count me worthy Lord, to read my Bible always

Count me worthy Lord, to pray always to You

Count me worthy Lord, to fellowship in Your house