Resurrection of Christ, pointer to the imminent rapture.

Resurrection of Christ, a pointer to the imminent rapture.

2 Timothy  2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Our Lord’s resurrection is a pointer to the rapture of the Saints. 

During the imminent rapture the dead in Christ shall rise first.  This is what the resurrection of our Lord points to.

Also the living saints will join them in the air. 

The taken away of Enoch without seeing death and the catching away of Elijah in whirlwind to heaven pointed to the living saints.

1 Thessalonians  4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  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:  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.

Revelation  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.  20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  20:6 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.

The first resurrection is the rapture of the dead in Christ.

Surprisingly, Paul wanted to be part of the risen dead in Christ.

Philippians  3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Who are the people that will partake in the first resurrection, called the rapture or the resurrection of the dead.

1. Tribulation saints that refused to take the mark of the antichrist.

Revelation  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.

2. The glorious church of Christ.

Ephesians  5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  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.

Who are the members of His glorious church?

1. Believers that are living with eternity in view.

Colossians  3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Believers that are abiding in Christ through thick and thin.

1 John  2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Believers that are sons who are purifying themselves continually in His precious blood to remain pure 

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.  3:2 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.  3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Are you one of them? 

Are you living with eternity in view 

Are you abiding in Christ through thick and thin?

Are you still a son, purified continually with the precious blood of the Lamb?

Be sincerely to examine yourself and if you discover you are falling short.  The buck stops with you. Do the necessary corrections immediately, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Let us pray.

His grace will be sufficient for you