Text – 1 Corinthians 15:52 (read vv.50-54)
“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed; 52 IN A FLASH, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15: 50-54 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
It is a terrible feeling to just about catch that cab, Uber, or bus, just to see it pull off before you can catch it. I realize that there are a number of reasons why we miss our transportation connections; it might be anything from oversleeping to an on foreseen incident or emergency. When this happens, some of us say that we just missed the bus. But for the person who was on their way to a job interview and that was the last bus they could catch without being late, they may see it as just missing their opportunity to getting a new job. The person who was on their way to a Doctor’s appointment may see it as just missing their chance of getting cured or healed. The person who was on their way to meet someone before they left for another destination may see it as just missing their potential mate. There are a myriad of things people miss out on because they just miss their transportation connection.
I wonder what the people who attended Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, or even went to a Bible-Believing Fellowship are going to say when they “just miss” Jesus’ return for His followers? I personally like the fact that I am seeing a lot of information about “The Rapture” of the church on Facebook. I also understand that because of Facebook’s rules, there may be some information that many contributors are NOT saying for fear of being completely censored; they may feel that some information is better no information.
Believers on the Lord Jesus Christ are looking forward to the Rapture of the church; but what about those who not Believers yet and they are sincerely looking for answers about the Rapture? And what about those who are “babies” in the Lord and are still enjoying the “milk” of the word (expound)?
People need to understand that there is one important prerequisite for being a part of the church . . . Jesus said you MUST be born again:
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (KJV)
All people need to understand that when it comes to the issue of the church being “Raptured,” for those who care to debate about this event, they need to understand that if they haven’t completed the prerequisite, the issue of the Rapture is a moot point (expound). 1 Thessalonians 4, and 1 Corinthians 15 are very important books and chapters to look at when talking about the Rapture of the church. Today we are going to be looking at 1 Corinthians 15: 50-54 as we talk to you around the subject:
“JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO LATE! (The Rapture Part One)”
POINTS –
- “brothers and sisters” (v.50) – Take note that the writer is addressing fellow BELIEVERS of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (v.50) – Again, the writer is making it clear that if a person has not been born again they cannot become part of the “Kingdom of God.”
- “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed” (v.51) – All believers will not die. Just as sure as there will be some Believers who will have already died, ALL Believers (this includes those who will be alive at the time), will be changed.
- “IN A FLASH, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMPET.” (v.52) – As we focus on our text for today, take note that this “Change” that the writer mentioned is what he proceeds to describe. It appears that what he is describing is going to take place “In a flash . . .”
- “the trumpet will sound” (v.52) – There will be a trumpet blown from heaven.
- “the dead will be raised imperishable” (v.52) – Those who have already died will be caught up.
- “we will be changed” (v.52) – The writer is once again reminding us that those who are alive at the time will be changed along with those who have already died.
- “the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable” (v.53) –
- “mortal with immortality” (v.53) –
CONCLUSION –
Beloved, need I remind you that there are going to those who will remember their old Vacation Bible School lessons. There are going to be those who will remember their old Sunday school lessons. There are going to be those who will remember their Bible study lessons. There will be those who will remember the Sunday morning messages about the Rapture. But there will be just one problem; it’s going to be
JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO LATE!
My sisters and my brothers, when that trumpet sounds, there will not be time to run and catch your transportation. When that trumpet sounds there will be no time to tell your loved one to come on. When that trumpet sounds there will not be any time to tell the Lord “I’m just about ready!” When that trumpet sounds, everything that the writer says will happen, will happen in the twinkling of an eye!