{"id":2016,"date":"2018-10-08T12:20:40","date_gmt":"2018-10-08T16:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2016"},"modified":"2018-10-08T12:20:40","modified_gmt":"2018-10-08T16:20:40","slug":"preparing-for-his-coming-part-3-consequences-of-missing-the-rapture-october-7th-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2016","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for His Coming, Part 3 Consequences of Missing the Rapture, October 7th, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"rapture\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Central Thought: Every believer should be ready for the rapture.<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hymn: \u201cWhen the Trumpet of the Lord Shall Sound\u201d<\/p>\n

Text: Matthew 24:21-24; Romans 11:25-31<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The coming of the LORD is a biblical fact. The rapture, which will occur first, is a coming in the air; when the saints meet the Lord in the air, takes them back to heaven with Him, present them to the Father where they remain during the time the tribulation is running its course on the earth, 1 Thessalonians 3:13; John 14:1-3.\u00a0 The marriage super and the judgement of the saints take place in heaven.\u00a0 The rapture is different from the second advent of the LORD.\u00a0 At the second advent, after the tribulation, the LORD and the saints leave heaven together to come down to the earth, 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19.\u00a0 Therefore, the rapture is the time the LORD comes for the saints to take them to heaven while the second advent is the time He comes from heaven with the saints to the earth to live here and fulfil a mission.<\/p>\n

After the rapture while the saints will be with the LORD in heaven, there will be untold woes going on in the earth for unbelievers and \u201cbelievers\u201d that missed the rapture. The consequences of missing the rapture will be grave.<\/p>\n

The purpose of this lesson is not to prepare us, believers, for the events on earth after the rapture but rather to warn us of the terrible times that will be on earth after the rapture and to encourage us to take our faith more seriously. The great tribulation, an event after the rapture, will be so terrible that the LORD Himself described it as, \u201c\u2026a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again\u201d, Matthew 24:21.<\/p>\n

Dear believer, this is not the time to play church or be half-heartedly committed to the LORD; the times we live in call for a total consecration, commitment and a whole hearted practice of our faith.<\/p>\n

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Lesson Objectives:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. To understand the consequences of missing the rapture.<\/li>\n
  2. To know what the great tribulation is and what characterized it.<\/li>\n
  3. To know how some events of the present day world compare with event of the great tribulation.<\/li>\n
  4. To understand how to live in view of the soon return of the LORD.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n
      What are some of the consequences of missing the rapture?<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The rapture is an event which every believer should look forward to with great expectation. The rapture can occur any moment and this should make the believer be in a state of preparedness always.\u00a0 However, and unfortunately, some persons who call themselves believers may miss the rapture.\u00a0 The consequences of missing the rapture are grave.<\/p>\n

      A major consequence of missing the rapture is having to experience or pass through the period of the great tribulation. The great tribulation is a time of great horror upon the earth.\u00a0 It will be a horrifying experience for anyone to be on the earth during the time of the great tribulation.<\/p>\n

      Also, there will be great apostasy after the rapture, obviously arising from the trials and persecutions of th great tribulation. At the rapture of all dead and living in CHRIST in a moment, 1 Corinthians 15, 23, 57-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, not one soul will be left on earth who is a steadfast Christian or in Christ.\u00a0 Multitudes will soon be saved afterward through an awakening, Revelation 6:9-11, 7:1-17, 12:17.\u00a0 The rest will become so hardened as to seek to destroy those being saved in those days, Revelation 9:20-21, 16:2, 9:11.\u00a0 The great whore of Revelation 17 will destroy multitudes of Christians during the first 3.5 years of Daniel\u2019s 70th<\/sup> week while the antichrist is coming to power.\u00a0 When he comes to power fully, he (the antichrist) will destroy the great whore, establish the beast worship and kill multitudes that will not worship him and his image or take his brands, Revelation 7:7-17, 13:1-18, 14:9-13, 15:2-4, 16:6-11, 17:2-4, 16:17.\u00a0 Many of the Christians at the time who cannot endure will certainly fall away.\u00a0 This is the great apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3.<\/p>\n

      The ultimate consequence of missing the rapture is the risk of not making it to heaven. The events of the great tribulations will be so terrible that many may give up their faith and ultimately miss heaven.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n
        What do you understand by \u201cthe great tribulation\u201d? Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Tribulation ordinarily refers to trouble or suffering. It includes distresses, hardship, problems, persecutions etc.\u00a0 The believer while living on earth goes through some of these experiences. The LORD made it abundantly clear to His disciples that persecution is part of our Christian experience in the daily walk with God.\u00a0 He declared plainly in Mark 10:29-30, \u201cand JESUS answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife or children, or lands for my sake, and the Gospel\u2019s but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children and lands with persecutions; and in world to come eternal life\u201d.<\/p>\n

        However, the great tribulation refers to a period of mass troubles, distress, persecution, hardship on earth after the rapture but specifically targeted at Christians who will be on earth during that period. The antichrist will emerge as the ruler of the world during that period.\u00a0 With cooperation and support from his lieutenants, the antichrist will establish the beast worship and persecute and kill multitudes who will not worship him and his image.\u00a0 This will be an event that will occur at a scale never experienced before by mankind.<\/p>\n

        Biblical prophecy suggests that the period of the tribulation coincides with Daniel\u2019s 70th<\/sup> week in his 70 week vision.\u00a0 Generally, it is believed those seven years of this age, beginning after the rapture of the saints (the church) and ending with the second advent of the LORD JESUS. Amen.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n
          What will characterize the great tribulation? Matthew 24:21-22; Daniel 12:1<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          God\u2019s wrath will be poured out upon mankind for their wickedness and corruption. Such wickedness will exceed the wickedness of the days of Noah and Lot, Genesis 6; Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:22-37; 2 Timothy 3:1-12.\u00a0 Words cannot describe the utter rebellion and wickedness of men during this period.\u00a0 Men will reject the truth until GOD turns them over to the strong delusion of the antichrist who will cause them to believer a lie and be damned.<\/p>\n

          There will be great terror as the world will be governed with an \u201ciron-hand\u201d by the antichrist. The antichrist will stop the worship of GOD and establish beast worship.\u00a0 Furthermore, he will persecute the people of GOD.\u00a0 Living conditions will be dreadful for those who are not on his side.\u00a0 To buy and sell, the individual must have the mark of the beast.\u00a0 Anyone who does not receive the mark will not be able to engage in any form of merchandise.<\/p>\n

          Also specifically for Israel as a nation, the last 3 \u00bd years of the tribulation period will be more severe in persecution for them. This is because the antichrist who will protect Israel in the first 3 \u00bd years, will break his covenant with them (in the middle of Daniel\u2019s 70th<\/sup> week, Daniel 9) and become Israel\u2019s most bitter enemy.\u00a0 The antichrist will then try to destroy Israel; which act will call for the judgement of the seven vials of the last 3 \u00bd years.\u00a0 It is believed that this part of the tribulation calls for the fulfillment of Revelation 10:1-19, 21.\u00a0 The LORD Himself as prophets Daniel, Jeremiah and many others speak of this time of Israel\u2019s trouble and being worse than any other time that has ever been on earth or ever will be, Jeremiah 30:4-11; Revelation 11:1-2, 12:14-17; Revelation 13:5-7.<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \n
            Identify some events of the present day world that could compare with the great tribulation?<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            The world history is replete with the rise and fall of many evil rulers who unleashed terror in their realm of authority. Examples include Hitler, Straller, Idi Amin, Nero and Antihocus.\u00a0 Hitler had an unprecedented hatred for the Jews and persecuted and killed many of them.\u00a0 In the then Union of Soviet Socialists Republic (USSR, Soviet Union), Christians were persecuted and tortured for their faith.\u00a0 Churches and fellowships had to be held \u201cunderground\u201d, for fear of destruction and possible extermination by evil and wicked rulers.<\/p>\n

            The purpose of writing these here is not to reawaken emotions that people are putting behind them or to undermine the reconciliatory efforts going on in these parts of the world. The purpose is to emphasize the fact that in case people are having doubts of the possibility of an antichrist rising up and ruling the world with such wicked terror; then they should remember that similar incidents though in lesser degree have occurred before.\u00a0 With increased knowledge in computerization and technology, it will be much easier for the antichrist to unleash his terror on today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n

            Apart from these popular displays of evil, in local communities all over the world, believers today undergo one form of persecution or the other. In some villages with pagan\/idolatrous settings, they are denied several privileges, persecuted and tortured for their faith.<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

              \n
            1. \n
              How should the believer conduct himself in view of the events of the last days? Luke 21:34-36; 2 Peter 3:14<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              The believer should be conscious of the LORD\u2019s return. Every believer must place value on the kingdom of heaven and resolve that nothing will hinder them from entering the kingdom, Matthew 18:8-9.\u00a0 As stated earlier, the rapture is an event that could occur any moment.\u00a0 The believer therefore must be in a state of preparedness.\u00a0 Missing the rapture implies going through the period of great tribulation which will be a time of terror and hardship in the earth.<\/p>\n

              As Christians we must conduct ourselves in holiness and righteousness. We should believe GOD\u2019s word wholeheartedly and apply ourselves effectively to the practice of the word.\u00a0 We should not be swayed by \u201cmodern-day preachers\u201d, which appear to place less emphasis on personal conduct of holy living.\u00a0 Let us take to heart Peter\u2019s admonition \u2013 \u201cWherefore beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless\u201d, 2 Peter 3:14.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Daily Living Application:<\/h3>\n

              The imminence of the LORD\u2019s return is not in doubt. Prophecies concerning the end time events are being fulfilled.\u00a0 The believers should always be conscious of the LORD\u2019s return and be in a state of readiness.\u00a0 The Scripture heralds the beginning of the end time events.\u00a0 The believer should maintain a life of holiness and readiness so that at the rapture, they will not be left behind.\u00a0 Missing the rapture exposes one to the danger of passing through the great tribulation.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Memory Verse:<\/h3>\n

              Luke 21:36 \u2013 \u201cWatch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worth to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Central Thought: Every believer should be ready for the rapture.   Hymn: \u201cWhen the Trumpet of the Lord Shall Sound\u201d Text: Matthew 24:21-24; Romans 11:25-31     The coming of the LORD is a biblical fact. The rapture, which will occur first, is a coming in the air; when the saints meet the Lord in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/rapture.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2016"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2018,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016\/revisions\/2018"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}