Part 3: the Immanency of the Rapture
Various Scriptures
Points of this passage
1. "Now" is evidence of a change of topic. (1)
2. "Day of the Lord" refers to judgment and wrath. (2-3)
3. The church does not belong to "that day." (4-5)
4. Christians live differently than non-Christians. (6-8)
5. It is not for Christians to experience wrath. (9-10)
6. Christians are to be encouraged. (11)
Three things will happen in the future.
1. The Rapture
2. The Tribulation
3. The Millennial Reign of Jesus
Ten reasons why you can believe in a pre-tribulation rapture
1. Jesus said that He would return and take us away. John 14:1-3, ESV.
2. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, justifying us once and for all in with God. 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:9, ESV.
3. It is clear that the Tribulation is a time allotted for Israel. Daniel 9:24, ESV
4. The Bible calls the church "the Bride of Christ." Ephesians 5:25b-27, ESV
5. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb happens before the 2nd Coming of Jesus. Revelation 19:6-9, ESV
6. Believers are given a "blessed hope." Titus 2:11-13, ESV.
7. The restrainer will be taken from the earth so the world can follow the lawless one. 2 Thess. 2:7, ESV
8. There is a precedent of deliverance and rapture events in the past.
9. Evangelism occurs in the Tribulation, but not from the church.
10. God made it abundantly clear how we should live in the vast majority of the New Testament, and then He is silent about how we should do so in the worst time of human existence.