The Rapture - Theril Woods - Sunday Service Notes - 5-9-21

Death is a reality that all living creatures face. The death of a Mother, father, or any one that we love is one of the hardest events that mankind faces. Christians do not have to fear death because It is a mere transition from a physical presence to a spiritual entity that goes to reside with our Lord. Paul in the flowing passage spells out in details what happens to both the living and dead when the Father says its time and the trumpet blows signaling Jesus return to earth.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord hivmself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ...

What a glorious day this will be when the lord “ will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31, God says “ In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, “for the trumpet shall sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed, 1-Corinthians 15:52. How wonderful these words of assurance are. Our disease ridden bodies will be changed to a glorified body free of diseases and cleansed of evil.



The rapture is one of the most discussed subjects in the bible. Learned men educated in the leading seminaries spend a large portion of their time espousing their views and opinion on this subject. Great debates have taken place with one group arguing that rapture will take place before the tribulation the other group taking the position that the rapture will happen during the tribulation. In reality these theological discussions are a waste of time and do nothing to further the kingdom of God. The bible is clear “concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24:36

These learned men that are focused on theological debates rather than spreading the good news that Jesus Christ came an died on the cross so that a loss word would be saved will received their reward on earth with the praise of men; however, when they stand before the throne they will have to answer for the failure to carry out the mission that Jesus assigned us and that is to “ “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

The focus of ever Christen should be on making sure that they are prepared for the day the trumpet shall sound not on theological discussion designed to stroke the ego of man by showing the world how learned they are.

The rapture is real and it is personal. To bring the reality of this event to life, Close your eyes and put yourself at the scene when the trumpet has sounded. You are lying in the bed and you are wakening to the sound of Choas. Antitheft alarms on cars and homes are blaring, Dogs are barking at a fever pitch. You turned to your partner and find that he or she is not there only empty bed clothes. Dis-orientated you stumble through your house shouting for your wife, your children, In the children room they are gone and the only reminder of them is a pile of clothes and trinkets such as useless cell phones.

As you ascend to be with the father is that person you are leaving behind, your husband, your wife, your father, mother, brother, sister. Are they precious to you? At this point, it is too late for you to tell them about Christ.

They are no longer part of your memory. They will remember you for eternity. They will shout, over and over, why you did not warm them of this place called hell.

Today is the hour, the time to live a life and be a witness for Jesus Christ so as your love one will be on the trumpet express with you- not standing in an empty house. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Do not let men confuse you about the rapture because it is defined by Paul, The dead in Christ will arise first followed by the living. We will be changed to a glorified body and we will ascend to heaven to be with our Lord forever. He explained it in simple and plain language. The time of the rapture is known only to the father.