Yesterday we talked about our world and what the Bible tells us to expect.  We ended with those who believe in Jesus awaiting the rapture of the church and the Millennial kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 explains what will happen to us when Jesus comes.  We will be caught up together to meet him in the clouds.

It’s important to mention that the Old Testament does not teach us about the rapture of the church, but does teach us about the second coming of Jesus.  The Bible doesn’t even mention the rapture until after the book of Acts in the New Testament.

In 2 Thessalonians we find 2 verses that discusses two different appearances of Jesus:

1. 2 Thessalonians 2:1: Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him….  This verse is talking specifically about the rapture of the church.  At the rapture of the church, Jesus does not come to the earth.  He appears in the sky and believers will rise to meet Him in the air.
2. 2 Thessalonians 2:8: And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.  This verse refers to the second coming of Jesus to the earth to set up His millennial kingdom.  This event occurs after the Great Tribulation.

Notice that there is a coming in verse 1 and in verse 8.  Notice that the church gathers to him in verse 1.  In the coming of verse 8, Jesus comes to the earth to destroy the Antichrist. In verses 2 through 7, we have all of the events that will occur between the two comings (the tribulation).

What happens on the earth?  Take a moment to imagine millions of people disappearing from the earth.  Many believers will be asleep in their beds and many will be driving to work or school. What happens when a driver disappears from their car while driving 60 mph on a highway?  Cars will wreck, planes will crash, and the world as we know it will come to a screeching halt.  All that will be left behind of those who were raptured will be the clothing they were wearing and the mass chaos that surrounds millions of people disappearing at once.  Mothers will grieve the loss of their babies.  People will be so overcome with grief that they can’t go on.  Those left behind will look for someone to give them hope and give them answers.  In steps the Antichrist.

Tomorrow we will begin the rise of the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation.  Don’t miss it!!!

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