Jr. Tree of Life
10/04/2020

The Rapture Part 2
Meeting Jesus in the Clouds

Eternity Past, Age of Gentiles, Age of Israel, Hypostatic Union, Church Age, Tribulation, Millennium, Eternal future

Before you begin this Bible study, If you have never believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior, John 3:16 tells us: “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.’ Simply have faith that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and you will have eternal life and be saved. If you have believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior; then 1 John 1:9 tells us; “If you confess your sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Simply privately tell God the Father your sins to be filled with God the Holy Spirit and He will teach you Bible truth. (Rebound)

Promise Memory Verse

“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Some people don’t believe in the rapture because our memory verse doesn’t use the word Rapture in it; but the Bible describes it perfectly. Rapture means to be taken up. This will happen in the future on the last day of the Church Age which is the period of time that we live in right now. The Rapture is only for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. None of us knows when it will happen, but we should always be ready.
Can you imagine going up to Heaven without dying first? This has happened only two other times in human history. During the Age of the Gentiles, Enoch got to skip dying and was taken up. Elijah also got to skip dying in the Age of Israel and was taken up. Here is the verses to find out these truths in the bible:

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience
death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5

“As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.” 2 Kings 10:11
Think of the crazy, exciting rides at a theme park; there are slippery water rides, spinning Ferris wheels and roller coasters with their sharp curves and sudden drops. While on them, you may feel as if you are flying to the top of the world, while at the same time thinking you will fall to your death.
Meeting Jesus in the clouds during the Rapture will be one of the most astounding rides that you and the rest of the Church Age believers will ever take! It will go way beyond any amusement park ride because your old body will instantly change into a special resurrection body. You will then go to Heaven without dying first.
Every believer in a twinkling of an eye will hear Jesus calling, a trumpet
blowing and the archangel even if they are wearing noise cancelling headphones or are looking at all of the tropical fish while scuba diving. Your grandpa will even be able to hear without his hearing aids in.
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” I Corinthians 15:52
Some people won’t hear anything….it will be all of the unbelievers from the Church Age who will be left behind. Unbelievers are those people who haven’t believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior. They don’t believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins. What will happen to them and what will happen to you next? We will find out next week.