The Why and the What “Hallelujah: Praise The Lord” Revelation 19:1-10 FBC Canton, Sunday AM, August 29, 2021 – Bro. Mike Roberson

Introduction: The book of Revelation teaches us there will be a time after these things. Romans 8:18 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: Meta tauta: (4X) 4:1, 7:1, 18:1; 19:1. “After the Church things...” We will be a part of the multitude of voices heard from Heaven in 19:1.

We joyfully praise the Lord that there will be a time after all these things we groan under today. Today, I want us to learn how to praise the Lord! In Chapter 19, Jesus returns.

7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls have all been completed. The great harlot Babylon…its rule of the world, like an evil 007 movie, is over…and now…who we have longed for is going to show up in person again.

Alleluia is the Greek form of the Hebrew Hallelujah: (4X) only occurrences in NT are here in Revelation = “Praise Yahweh.” It occurs 24X in Psalms (Ps 146-150). First use: 1 Chr 16:4 (Hebrew) to celebrate the ark of God in the midst of Zion. Sung for three reasons: God has judged His enemies (19:1-4); God is reigning (19:5-6); The Bride is ready (19:7-10). Romans 8:18-23!

We have to learn how to praise the Lord as a Christian. Learning always begins with transforming the mind. Romans 12:1-2

This passage gives us 3 reasons to praise the Lord! Let’s stand and read and pray for us to learn how to praise the Lord.

I. The Lord has judged those who reject Him. v. 1-4 a. Ecclesiastical Babylon. v. 2, Ch. 17

i. Who corrupted the earth with her fornication. This is spiritual adultery. b. Economic and governmental Babylon. v. 2, Ch. 18

i. God has avenged on her the blood of His servants. v. 2 c. All those who reject His attributes. They all belong to Him.

i. Salvation. ii. Glory. iii. Honor. iv. Power. v. True and righteous judgments.

1. They are perfect because they are timed correctly. 2. They are perfect because they match the sin. 3. They are perfect because they are perpetual. v. 3

d. What is done in Heaven then, should be done on earth now. v. 4 i. 24 elders and the 4 living creatures fell down and worshipped

God….saying Amen! And Hallelujah! II. The Lord is Lord of all, or not Lord at all. v. 5-6. A voice comes from the

throne….saying…Praise our God! a. All servants praise the Lord. b. All who fear Him praise the Lord.

i. All who are small and all who are great. 1. Praise our God! v. 5

c. If creation praises Him, will you? v. 6 i. Sound of many waters. ii. Sound of mighty thunderings. iii. Voice of a great multitude:

1. Hallelujah…for the Lord God omnipotent reigns! III. The Lord has prepared His bride. v. 7-10

a. The bride is the Church, not Israel.

i. She is ready. Because God gave her the apparel of purity. Ephesians 5:22-33

ii. She is full of righteousness. b. The bride will feast with the groom and all the guests.

i. Write; blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the lamb.

1. These are the true sayings of God!

slides from Chuck Missler, Revelation

Conclusion: There is only one who deserves our worship today. Hebrews 12:28-29 Not anyone of us. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire. John, in verse 10, falls at his feet to worship the angel…and is rebuked because there is only one who deserves us to fall at his feet…God! Angels are fellow servants with us.

Angels have the testimony of Jesus like all the brothers and sisters of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus…all that he said and did…is the spirit of all prophecy… His life was and is a prophetic picture of all things that are to come! How do we praise the Lord? Psalm 150 150:1 Let All Things Praise the LORD Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!

4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD . Praise the LORD! In song.

Hebrews 13:15-1615 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

In expression with our lives…it is a reasonable act of worship. lifted hands, the Hebrews danced, musical instruments, prayers, corporate worship, private worship, in giving.

In study of Scripture. In your home, on the walls, on the lips of your children, memorized and lived out.

In living a Christ focused life. Praise and worship music. Prayer with and for our families. The Book of Revelation Chuck Missler Session 22: Return of the King Revelation Chapter 19 The Restrainer The Restrainer may be “restraining” far more than we have any idea! There will be strange things unleashed—some may already have begun, but are restrained until the Body of Christ has been removed from the scene... Synopsis of Final Section Chapter 17 Mystery Babylon Chapter 18 Mystery Babylon Chapter 19 The Return of the King Chapter 20 The Millennium Chapter 21 Eternity Chapter 22 Conclusion Revelation 19: The Return of the King And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father

David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:31-33 Do we take this promise seriously? The throne of David did not exist then. And it hasn’t since. Has this promise been fulfilled yet? Will it be fulfilled in the future? What does it really mean? God’s Promise • The Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7:11-16). • God promised David a royal dynasty (Isa 7:13). • An eternal throne (2 Sam 7:13, 16, 19; 1 Chr 17:12; 22:10; Isa 55:3; Ezek 37:25). • A political kingdom (Gen 17:2-8). • It was even confirmed by oath (Ps 132:11; 89:3, 4, 34). • This cannot be applied to the Church (Ezek 37:21-28). • It was this future throne that was recognized by the First Church Council in Acts 15 (Acts 15:16-18, quoting Amos 9:11-12. Cf. Jer 30:7, 11, 18). And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude 1:14,15 The oldest prophecy uttered by a prophet: before the Flood of Noah! 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: Meta tauta: (4X) 4:1, 7:1, 18:1; 19:1. “After the Church things...” Alleluia is the Greek form of the Hebrew Hallelujah: (4X) only occurrences in NT are here in Revelation = “Praise Yahweh.” It occurs 24X in Psalms (Ps 146-150). First use: 1 Chr 16:4 (Hebrew) to celebrate the ark of God in the midst of Zion. Sung for three reasons: God has judged His enemies (19:1-4); God is reigning (19:5-6); The Bride is ready (19:7-10). Rom 8:18-23! 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. The Dragon Lady again. “Rejoice over her” was commanded when she fell (18:20). This section is a response to that command. [Believers are forbidden to avenge themselves (Rom 12:19).] 3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. “...for ever and ever”: That’s a long time. God’s throne and altar are related to His judgments; cf. v.3 with Rev 14:10-11; v.4 with Rev 5:6-10. 4] And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

This is the last appearance of the 24 elders. They apparently become the Bride. The unique “Amen” speaks volumes: “verily, verily...” 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. Revelation, indeed, is the book of the throne (Psalm 110:1). 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. Granted, not earned (cf. Ps 45). 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. Fourth of seven “beatitudes.” The Bride? Is it Israel? “Wife of Yahweh” (Isa 54:1,4); Harlot (Ezek 16:35). Hosea’s Object Lessons (Hos 2:14-23): Wife from whoredoms; gifts to lovers to prevent want; bought at slave market: Hosea was to love her anyway. Israel: Idolatrous Wife Hosea’s three children: Jezreel (cast away; sowed for later harvest); Lo- Ruhamah (unpitied; without mercy, cf. Hos 1:6) and Lo-Ammi (not my people vs. Rom 11:1). But not permanently cast away: Hos 1:11,2:23; Rom 9,10,11; Zech 12:10; Isa 62:5. But the names of the children were changed (Hos 2:1, 14,15). Israel will not be cast away forever (Rom 11:1). Paul, in his definitive statement of doctrine called the Epistle to the Romans, spends three chapters hammering away on the theme that Israel is not cast away forever, but will be the path of blessing (Rom 11:11,12,15). Israel appears 73 times in the New Testament—each time referring to national Israel. Strange Contrast • Mystery Babylon: “She saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” (Rev 18:7) • Israel: “Divorced” (Isa 54:4-9; Jer 3:8,14; Hos 2:14-19) and “Widowed” (Lam 1:1; Isa 54:4). The High Priest is forbidden to marry a divorced or widowed woman! (Lev 21:10,13,14). The Bride • The Church 2 Cor 11:2 – Chaste virgin Eph 5:22-3 • Jesus is the Bridegroom John 3:22 The Church is described as the virgin waiting for her bridegroom’s coming (2 Cor 11:2; also, Eph 5:22-23). The Church is “engaged” to Him

even though we have not seen Him (1 Pet 1:8). One day He will return to take His bride to heaven (Jn 14:1-6; 1 Thess 4:13-18). The Jewish Wedding • The Ketubah, Betrothal: • Betrothal (shiddukhin): the prospective groom’s traveling from his father’s house to the home of the prospective bride, paying the purchase price, and thus establishing the marriage covenant (ketubah). Usually arranged by the parents. Binding and could only be broken by a form of divorce. Any unfaithfulness during the engagement was considered adultery. • Bridegroom departs to Father’s House: The groom returns to his father’s house and remained separate from his bride, during which father’s house; the groom comes for his bride at a time not known exactly to her; she lived in expectation until he surprises her on his return. • Surprise gathering: His return with her to the groom’s father’s house for the huppah (wedding ceremony), to consummate the marriage and to celebrate the wedding feast for the next seven days (during which the bride remained closeted in her bridal chamber). The Marriage Fulfilled • Covenant established: 1 Cor 11:25 • Purchase price: 1 Cor 6:19-20 • Bride set apart: Eph 5:25-27; 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Heb 10:10; 13:12 • Reminded of the covenant: 1 Cor 11:25-26 • Bridegroom left for the Father’s house… • Escort to accompany Him upon His return to gather His Bride: 1 Thess 4:16-17 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. Luke 22:15-18; Cf. Mk 14:25; Mt 26:29 • Bridegroom: Mt 9:15; 22:1-13; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:23-32 • John the Baptist (Friend of Bridegroom, not the Bride): Jn 3:29; Lk 16:16; Mt 11:11-13 • Banquet: Isa 25:6-10; 26:1-4,19; cf. Lk 22:15,16; Mt 26:39 • Bride enjoys a unique relationship: cf. Jn 17:23-26 [Virgins of Mt 25:1-13 are not the bride.] Many scholars suggest that the Old Testament saints apparently are not in view. [Some see this differently: they see Israel and the Church combined here. Israel is also figured in Hos 2:14-23; Isa 62:5. There are some outstanding scholars (Barnhouse, et al.) who suggest that both are in view. They certainly appear to be

combined ultimately in the New Jerusalem in Chapters 21 and 22.] 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 “Hora me”: two staccato words in the Greek. This angel was not about to be ensnared as was Lucifer in Isa 14. Worshipping angels was wrong (Col 2:18) and John knew this. The angel was only a servant of God (Heb 1:14) and we do not worship servants (Acts 10:25-26). John was overwhelmed; and he even repeats this later (22:8-9)! Jesus permits worship: Simon Peter (Lk 5:8); Thomas (Jn 20:28); and Joshua (Josh 5:13-15), etc. “The volume of the book is written of me.” Psalm 40:7. David Guzik

JESUS RETURNS AS CONQUERING LORD A. Praise in heaven.

1. (Rev 19:1-5) Praise for the judgment of Babylon. After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

a. A great multitude in heaven: Back in Revelation 7:9-14, we saw a great multitude saved out of the Great Tribulation, ready for the end of the world system and the Antichrist’s reign on earth. Here, this great multitude, the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures all join in celebrating the fall of the Antichrist and the world system that supported him.

i. A part of this great multitude – those martyred saints who fell at the hand of Antichrist during the Great Tribulation – cried out for God’s righteous judgment in Revelation 6:10. Here, finally, their prayer is answered.

b. Alleluia... Alleluia... Alleluia: This wonderful word, borrowed from Hebrew, occurs four times in Revelation 19, but nowhere else in the New Testament. It belongs here – because God’s people rejoice without restraint at His victory over Babylon.

i. Alleluia is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord,” saying it in the imperative sense. It is an encouragement and an exhortation to Praise the Lord! ii. Some seem afraid of saying Alleluia, but we’ll all be saying it in heaven. It’s such a wonderful word that we should never use it without thinking. iii. “Anselm of Canterbury, considers it an angelic word, which cannot be fully reproduced in any language of man, and concurs with Augustine that the feeling and saying of it embodies all the blessedness of heaven.” (Seiss)

c. For true and righteous are His judgments: This section is really the climax of Revelation 18. In Revelation 18, Babylon’s friends mourned her fall; but here, God’s people celebrate it. d. He has judged the great harlot... He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her: Here, the focus of worship is on the great works of God, specifically, His work of righteous judgment. e. Then a voice came from the throne: This voice from the throne of God might be Jesus, but more likely it is the voice of one of the angels that serve at the throne of God.

2. (Rev 19:6-9) Praise for the marriage of the Lamb. And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

a. The voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings: The height of praise on earth is only a dim shadow of what these verses describe. At this point, Revelation approaches the consummation of God’s plan for all history, so we also come to a summit of praise.

i. This is obviously loud, enthusiastic praise. While it is certainly possible to make praise and worship a self-indulgent focus on our feelings or a disorderly expression of the flesh, there is nothing wrong with loud, enthusiastic praise. And while there is something precious and irreplaceable about quiet times alone with God, there is also something absolutely thrilling about a large number of Christians worshipping God with sincere enthusiasm. ii. “We ought not to worship God in a half-hearted sort of way; as if it were now our duty to bless God, but we felt it to be a weary business, and we would get it through as quickly as we could, and have done with it; and the sooner the better. No, no; ‘All that is within me, bless his holy name.’ Come, my heart, wake up, and summon all the powers

which wait upon thee! Mechanical worship is easy, but worthless. Come rouse yourself, my brother! Rouse thyself, O my own soul!” (Spurgeon)

iii. “All Christian duties should be done joyfully; but especially the work of praising the Lord. I have been in congregations where the tune was dolorous to the very last degree; where the time was so dreadfully slow that one wondered whether they would ever be able to sing through the 119 Psalm; whether, to use Watt’s expression, eternity would not be too short from them to get through it; and altogether, the spirit of the people has seemed to be so damp, so heavy, so dead, that we might have supposed that they were met to prepare their minds for a hanging rather than for blessing the ever-gracious God.” (Spurgeon) iv. “Heaven is always heaven, and unspeakably full of blessedness; but even heaven has its holidays, even bliss has its overflowings; and on that day when the springtide of the infinite ocean of joy shall have come, what a measureless flood of delight shall overflow the souls of all glorified spirits... We do not know yet, beloved, of what happiness we are capable.” (Spurgeon)

b. The marriage of the Lamb has come: One reason this great multitude is so filled with praise is because the time has come for the Lamb of God to be joined unto His people, in a union so close it can only be compared to the marriage of a man and a woman.

i. The marriage of the Lamb, who is the Messiah, is a picture used frequently throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, Israel is presented as God’s wife, who is often unfaithful (Hosea 2:19-20, Isaiah 54:5, Ezekiel 16). In the New Testament, the church is presented as the fiancé of Jesus, waiting for this day of marriage (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-32). ii. “In Biblical times a marriage involved two major events, the betrothal and the wedding. These were normally separated by a period of time during which the two individuals were considered husband and wife and as such were under the obligations of faithfulness. The wedding began with a procession to the bride’s house, which was followed by a return to the house of the groom for the marriage feast. By analogy, the church, espoused to Christ by faith, now awaits the parousia when the heavenly groom will come for his bride and return to heaven for the marriage feast which lasts throughout eternity.” (Mounce)

c. And His wife has made herself ready: What do we do to make ourselves ready for this wedding? There is much for us to do, but it is ultimately a work God does in us (Ephesians 5:25-27). This point is emphasized when John notes, to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright.

i. In this perfect union with Jesus, His people will be clean and bright before Him. “Clean (katharos) reflects purity, loyalty and faithfulness, the character of the New Jerusalem... Bright (lampros) is the color of radiant whiteness that depicts glorification.” (Johnson) ii. For the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints: Believers are created for divinely prepared good works. These “righteousnesses” (righteous acts) are what fill the “hope chest” of the bride of Jesus. iii. Paul spoke of his desire that Christians would be presented before the Lord pure: For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2) This should be the desire of every Christian worker.

d. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Blessed indeed; Jesus Himself eagerly anticipated this marriage supper. He spoke longingly of the day when He will drink of the fruit of the vine again, with His disciples in the kingdom (Matthew 26:29).

i. In Jewish culture, the marriage supper was the best banquet or party anyone knew; it always was an occasion of tremendous joy. According to Rabbinical teaching, obedience to the commandments was suspended during a wedding celebration if obeying a commandment might lessen the joy of the occasion. ii. On that day, everyone will see the church for what she really is: the precious bride of Jesus. “The Bride of Christ is a sort of Cinderella now, sitting among the ashes. She is like her Lord, ‘despised and rejected of men’; the watchmen smite her, and take away her veil from her; for they know her not, even as they knew not her Lord. But when he shall appear, then shall she appear also, and in his glorious manifestation she also shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father.” (Spurgeon)

e. These are the true sayings of God: This is a necessary note of assurance for us. This anticipated consummation will take place, and though it seems too good to be true, it will happen.

3. (Rev 19:10) John worships an angel, and is corrected. And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

a. I fell at his feet to worship him: Why would such a godly man like John make such a blunder as this? “John either felt that the angel represented God or he was beside himself with excitement over the glorious consummation.” (Robertson)

b. See that you do not do that! No created being should be worshipped. This is in contrast to Jesus, who receives the worship of angels (Hebrews 1:6) and of men (Matthew 8:2, Matthew 14:33, John 9:38). c. I am your fellow servant: There are important differences between humans and angels, but both are servants of the same Lord. d. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy: The true spirit of prophecy always shows itself in bearing witness to Jesus. “Any teaching of prophecy that takes our minds and hearts away from Him is not being properly communicated.” (Hocking)

i. “This means that prophecy at its very heart is designed to unfold the beauty and loveliness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Walvoord)

Our Blessed Hope Rapture Questions Continue by Chuck Missler • December 1, 2002

152 Print this article

We continue to receive many questions concerning the "Rapture" of the church and its apparent contrast with the "Second Coming" of Jesus Christ. Where does this strange view come from? Is the term "rapture" even in the Bible?

Clearly, the idea of the Rapture can be considered the most preposterous belief in Biblical Christianity. It reminds me of the famous quote by Dr. Richard Feynman, speaking of quantum physics:

I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics... in fact, it is often stated of all the theories proposed in this century, the silliest is quantum theory. Some say that the only thing that quantum theory has going for it, in fact, is that it is unquestionably correct.

The situation regarding the doctrine of the Rapture is painfully similar.

The Harpazo

The mysterious event known as the Rapture is most clearly presented in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, in which he encourages the grieving Christians that, at the "great snatch," they will be reunited with those who have died in Christ before them.

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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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 precede them which are asleep. 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. 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. -1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

In verse 17, the English phrase "caught up" translates the Greek word Harpazo, which means "to seize upon with force" or "to snatch up."

There are those who claim that the word "rapture" isn't in their Bible. That's because they aren't using the Latin translation:

...deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul rapiemur cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus.. -1 Thessalonians 4:17 (Latin Vulgate) 1

The Latin equivalent of the Greek Harpazo is the Latin verb rapio, "to take away by force." In the Latin Vulgate, one of the oldest Bibles in existence, the appropriate tense of rapio appears in verse 17. (Raptus is the past participle of rapio, and our English words "rapt" and "rapture" stem from this past participle.)

At the Rapture, living believers will be "caught up" in the air, translated into the clouds, in a moment in time, to join the Lord in the air.

The Promise

This will be the fulfillment of the promise which our Lord confirmed at the Last Supper:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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. -John 14:1-3

This thrilling promise wasn't given to everyone, only to His believers. (Judas had already left by then.)

This appears to parallel the promise of the bridegroom in the pattern of the ancient Jewish wedding, where, after the ketubah, the engagement, but before the huppah, the formal ceremony, the groom departed to prepare a new home for his bride, usually an addition to his father's house. The bride was kept in a state of expectancy pending his return-often in the middle of the night, as a surprise.

(The huppah, the wedding ceremony, was followed with a seven-day celebration, etc.)

The Process

The anticipation of a bodily resurrection after life on this earth pervades the entire Bible. In the oldest book of the Bible, Job declares:

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. -Job 19:25-27

Yet, when our Lord comes to gather His church, there will be a generation alive at that time. In his discussion of the Resurrection in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul again deals with this astonishing event:

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? -1 Corinthians 15:51-55

(From quantum physics considerations, I suspect that this transformation, "in the twinkling of an eye," will occur digitally in 10-43 of a second.) 2

The Imminent Gathering

Clearly, the Bible teaches us to expect Him at any moment. This is called the Doctrine of Imminency: it is next on the program and may take place very soon.

(The word "imminent" should not be confused with "immanent," which, in theological contexts, means that God is not only transcendent, or far above us, but that He is always with us and active on our behalf. Nor should it be confused with "eminent," which is a title of honor reserved for persons of outstanding distinction.)

Imminency expresses hope and a warm spirit of expectancy, 3 which should result in a victorious and purified life. 4 Believers are taught to expect the Savior from heaven at any moment. 5

Paul seemed to include himself among those who looked for Christ's return. 6 Timothy was admonished to "keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." 7 Jewish converts were reminded that "yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." 8

Some have concluded that the expectation of some were so strong they had stopped work and had to be exhorted to return to their jobs, 9 and have patience. 10

Two Events?

There are many that hold to the view that emerged in the Medieval church (Catholic and Protestant) that the "Second Coming" of Christ and the "Rapture" are somehow the same. Yet there seems to be a number of indications that these are distinct and separate.

In contrast to the imminent gathering of His church, there are numerous passages that deal with precedent events which must transpire prior to the "Second Coming" to establish His kingdom on the earth. Some of the passages referring to the Rapture and the Second Coming are summarized at the table below.

Rapture Second Coming John 14:1-3 Dan 2:44-45 Rom 8:19 Dan 7:9-14 1 Cor 1:7-8 Dan 12:1-3 1 Cor 15:1-53 Zech 14:1-15 1 Cor 16:22 Matt 13:41 Phil 3:20-21 Matt 24:15-31 Col 3:4 Matt 26:64 1 Thess 1:10 Mark 13:14-27 1 Thess 2:19 Mark 14:62 1 Thess 4:13-18 Luke 21:25-28 1 Thess 5:9 Acts 1:9-11 1 Thess 5:23 Acts 3:19-21 2 Thess 2:1 (3?) 1 Thess 3:13 1 Tim 6:14 2 Thess 1:6-10 2 Tim 4:1 2 Thess 2:8 Titus 2:13 2 Peter 3:1-14 Heb 9:28 Jude 14-15

James 5:7-9 Rev 1:7 1 Peter 1:7, 13 Rev 19:11-20:6 1 John 2:28-3:2 Rev 22:7, 12, 20 Jude 21 Rev 2:25 Rev 3:10

Why So Many Views?

There are, of course, many differing views, especially regarding matters of eschatology - the study of "last things." This diversity derives from several factors: the disciplines associated with hermeneutics - the theory of interpretation - as well as the need to integrate an understanding of the entirety of God's revealed plan of redemption: "the whole counsel of God."

The need to relate the various elements of end-time events, such as the Great Tribulation, the events surrounding the Seventieth Week of Daniel, the Millennium, and other related issues, requires precise definitions and diligent study. We will address many of these in our subsequent articles in the hopes that they will prove helpful in understanding these issues and assisting you in formulating your own views regarding these challenges. (We will discover that some of the principal controversies are more an issue of ecclesiology than eschatology! But more of this next time.)

These are not "peripheral" issues (as they may have seemed in the past). We believe we are being plunged into a period of time about which the Bible says more than it does about any other period of human history-including the time that Jesus walked the shore of the Sea of Galilee and climbed the mountains of Judea! It is the most exciting time to be alive! But if we are to be diligent stewards, we need to carefully revise our priorities to match His!

* * *

1. Bonifatius Fischer, Biblia Sacra: Iuxta Vulgatam Versionem, Ed. quartam emendatam., Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, 1969.

2. For a discussion of the physics of immortality, see our briefing package, From Here to Eternity. 3. 1 Thessalonians 1:10. 4. 1 John 3:2,3. 5. Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:18; 5:6; Revelation 22:20; et al. 6. 1 Thessalonians 4:15,17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1. 7. 1 Timothy 6:14. 8. Hebrews 10:37. 9. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. 10. James 5:8.