From Now to Eternity

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Revelation 22:12-13  -  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Revelation 22:20 -  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

A.   INTRODUCTION:

Surely no one alive is unaware of the apocalyptic character of the times in which we live. Everywhere there is a sense of impending disaster. The voices of the secular media, various Christian proclamations, all are united in saying that something serious is ahead for humanity

Besides this our world seems to be growing more evil day by day.

We are living in a day where people are feeling an uncertainty about our world.  They see and hear of wars and chaos, famines, pestilence all over our planet and people are really wondering, "is the world really coming to an end"

• The Christian world has taught of Armageddon, the Antichrist & 666, and the False Prophet coming during the tribulation period and the time is near

• Islamic leaders are saying that their 12 Imam is ready to come on the scene he is believed to be their Muslim Messiah

The Bible prophesies that Jesus Christ is coming again to this world, though not to be taken and slain, like He was at His first coming, but He is coming as King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

Last time He came riding on a donkey (peace). This time He will be riding on a horse (war) for He is coming to do battle against the kingdoms of this world.

I know that the thought of this strikes fear in the lives of so many living today and I guess if they don’t have the Lord in their lives, they do have much to fear.

But for the Christian, who is truly born again and living a godly life, we should not fear but we should be awaiting His coming back to the earth to take us to our heavenly home.

1.   The most thrilling event for all Christians - the “catching away” or the “rapture” of the church.  This is the next major event to in the scripture.

• The rapture will reverse in us the changes that were brought about by sin

• When God created man, He created us in His image and He intended for us to live forever.  It was not His intention for us to ever die - death was brought about by sin. 

• We do not know how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden before the fall - it may have been a great length of time

• When mankind sinned, that innocent human body that God created became a mortal, dying, decaying body.  The aging and death process was part of God’s curse upon disobedient mankind

Gen  3:19  -  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.     

Romans 5:12  -  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:   

2.   Satan was victorious in the Garden in stealing our rightful heritage - everlasting life with God  

• But Jesus came to give us back all that Satan stole from us.

• By His death on Calvary, He paid the penalty for our sins (death)

• By His resurrection He became the first fruits of them that die in Christ -  

What do we mean by first fruits?  He was the first to rise victoriously from the dead and now, since that time, all those who die in Christ (having the HG) have the assurance that, even though our mortal bodies may perish, we will one day rise from our graves victorious over death!!!

So because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, He restores our spiritual relationship with Him, but He also will give us an immortal body that will live forever, at our resurrection.

AND THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

 B.   THE RAPTURE

1 Thess 4:13-18 -   “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 prevent 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.   We call this event the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH!

The word, “rapture” does not occur in the Bible - it is a modern phrase for the “catching away” or “being caught up with the Lord in the air”

Paul said to comfort one another with these words:  How can this comfort us?

• The Thess church was experiencing persecution and Paul was extending comfort to them who 

• were mourning by reminding them of the 2nd Coming of Christ.

• We don't know what persecution or trouble may await us in these last days but have hope in Christ - we do not sorrow as those who have no hope (world without God)

• The dead in Christ shall rise first -  all those that have gone before us will be raised

• Then something will happen to those remaining on the earth who are full of the Spirit of Jesus and continuing faithful in His work.

1 Corinthians 15:50  -  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

That’s why we need to be born again!!! Paul is telling us that our mortal bodies cannot enter heaven in their present state.  Why? Because this flesh is sinful, mortal, corrupted human flesh.

John 3:5 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:51 - Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Some of us may die, some may not, but whether we die or are alive at the moment of the rapture something great will happen.   

1 Corinthians 15:52 - 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.  

Something has to happen to our mortal bodies and Paul tells us what that is:

• It will happen when the last trumpet sounds -  possibly the 7th trumpet of Rev

• It will happen in an instant - in the twinkling of an eye - as fast as you can blink your eye

1 Corinthians 15:53-55  -  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?”  

In a moment, our bodies are going to be changed to be like Jesus - just like when He rose from the dead

• This corrupted, mortal flesh will be instantly changed into something incorruptible, 

Immortal.  This mortal will put on immortality.  

• The physical effects of sinful nature will be eradicated

• No death, no pain, traveling and appearing instantaneously at will - abilities that will supersede human abilities

And it will be at that time that we will rise to meet Jesus in the clouds according to 1 Thess 4

• no scripture teaches that we will “disappear” in the twinkling of an eye”

• It is very possible that our ascension will follow the pattern of the ascension of Jesus

Acts 1:9  -  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 

  2.  We know that this will happen acc to scripture but what will cause this to happen?

• Scripture tells us that it is the Spirit of God in us that will change us in an instant.

Romans 8:11  -  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  

• Sometimes people ask, ‘Is it really necessary to receive the Holy Spirit?’

3.  WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE TAKE PLACE?

• Briefly explain the theory of the 3 possiblilities:  

   Pre Tribulation

   Mid Tribulation

  Post Tribulation

C. After the Rapture we are going to a Great Feast  -  The Marriage Supper 

Rev. 19:7-9  -  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.  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.  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 

1.   Jesus will be the groom and the Church will be the bride

• It appears that this will be a time of celebration and rejoicing – just as a natural wedding reception would be

           AND WE ARE ALL INVITED  -  IN FACT WE ARE THE BRIDE

• How long will this last  -   Some say 7 years

• The raptured saints will then be given rewards of service: 

Rev. 22:12  -  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be  

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

D.    The Battle of Armageddon

While we are enjoying our wedding banquet with Jesus something very horrible is happening on earth.

The 19th Chapter of Rev tells us about a great battle that is getting ready to be fought - The Battle of Armageddon - It will in effect be a Battle for Jerusalem

Why Jerusalem?  Ever wonder why there is so much turmoil over that little piece of land in the Middle East?

1 Kings 11:36  - And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

Because God had decided to put His name there, the devil is contesting His claim and that's the reason for all the trouble that has gone on in that area.   It is the classic battle of good versus evil

Why would Jesus come back for the people that rejected and crucified Him?  

God placed His people, Israel, in that land - gave it to them for a possession - promise to Abraham.

Genesis 17:7-8   -  And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Psalms 105:9-10  -   Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

• God never cancelled or nullified this covenant.  It passed from Abraham to Issac to Jacob and it involved their descendents and the land of Israel.

• Because of this everlasting covenant, God promised that He would one day restore the nation of Israel and bring the people back into the land. 

Leviticus 26:44  -  And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God.

• Modern day Israel exists today because of this everlasting covenant and is a testimony to the accuracy, validity and the faithfulness of our great God

• And we have witnessed, in these last days, this re-birth of Israel, this absolute incredible fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

1.   Armageddon will be fought over ownership-control of Jerusalem.

• This battle is already in its initial stages - everyday we hear of the conflict of who will control Israel and especially Jerusalem

• World leaders have been trying to get the Jews and the Arabs to come to some kind of peaceful agreement over the final status of Jerusalem.  

• So far their efforts have failed!

Those on the earth will be going through a time of Great Tribulation -  This tribulation will be for a period of 3 1/2 years

During this time the Antichrist and False Prophet will be reigning over a one world government.  This will be the time that the mark of the beast will be employed

Towards the end of this Great Tribulation, Antichrist will lead the armies of the world against Israel. This tiny country will be surrounded by the world's armies and it will seem like Israel will finally be annihilated.

It may seem like the Antichrist is in control - but make no mistake about it - God is in control!!!

Zechariah 14:2  -  For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Notice that in Zech's prophecy it seems like Israel and Jerusalem will be destroyed.   Many of the Jews of Israel will have been killed and half of the city of Jerusalem will have been taken

BUT THEN, SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!

2.   Zechariah describes this event   (Zech. 14:3-4)

Zech. 14:3-4  -  Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives,  which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”  

It will appear that Israel and the city of Jerusalem will be almost annihilated  -  and then Jesus 

will come and stand on the mount of Olives

According to Rev ch 19, Someone is coming back and He will be clothed with a garment dipped in blood and His name is called the Word of God!

And on His vesture and on His thigh a name will be written – King of Kings, Lord of Lords.  He is coming with a great army

Jesus is coming back on white horse and He is coming to make war against the kingdoms of men which are ruled by Satan.

3.   The Jews Rush the Mount of Olives To Meet Him

• The Jews will be overjoyed - Messiah has come - they will rush to the Mount of Olives to worship Him

• But as they worship Him, they will notice scars in His hands  -  They will ask the question:

What are these wounds in thine hands?

Zechariah 13:6  -  Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”  

The Jews will then realize who Jesus really is, that they crucified their Messiah some 2000 years ago and they will repent and as Paul writes in Romans 11:26  : "All Israel shall be saved "

But what ever happened to Antichrist and the False Prophet?

Revelation 19:20  -  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

• We took a look at the back of the book - and we know that we win!!!

Jesus Christ and His armies will utterly defeat the armies of the beast and the false prophet.

Jesus will finally do what the Jewish Zealots wanted Him to do 2000 years ago.  He will defeat the enemies of Israel - He will establish His everlasting Kingdom

E. Satan Bound for 1000 Years

After Jesus’ victory at Armageddon, Satan will be bound for 1000 years

Rev. 20:1-3  -  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season 

• You want to know why the devil gives the church such a hard time?

• The devil is on death row - his clock is ticking - and he’s mad

1.   1000 Years Of Peace Begins  -  The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ

The ultimate hope of all humanity has always  been that one day there would be no more disease, war, crime, violence, nor injustice in the world.

• Men have tried for years to bring about lasting peace in the world but all their efforts have failed

• Even the UN which was supposed to be a means to world peace has greatly failed in its efforts to bring it about

• the sculpture outside the United Nations portrays mankind beating his swords into plows

But there can be no peace while a devil roams the earth

• There can be no peace so long as evil and ruthless men and women govern the affairs on this earth.

• But now Satan will be bound for a thousand years 

• Jesus will be crowned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He will usher in 1000 years of peace!  Jesus will rule in righteousness

     1000 years - no war, no crime, no violence   -   This will be a time of true peace!

2.   After the 1000 years is complete, Satan will be loosed for his final rebellion against God

Revelation 20:7-9 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city:

Satan is loosed and he goes out to deceive the nations once again

He actually finds a great number of people who are willing to rebel with him against God, even after being under the reign of Jesus Christ for many years  (the number of whom is as the sand of the sea)

This gives us a good picture of how depraved our fallen human nature really is

But the scripture tells us that this rebellion is short lived for when they compass the camp of the saints, ….and come up against God's beloved city

Rev 20:9  -   fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Then Satan himself will finally meet his determined end

Rev 20:10 -   And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

This will be the well deserved punishment for the one who caused all the turmoil, suffering, pain, heartache, etc upon the earth.  He won’t be the leader there but he will suffer the worst suffering of anyone for all of eternity

So when the devil comes to you to remind you about your past, you just remind him about his future!!

3.  The White Throne Judgment  -  The Final Judgment

Rev 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

We've read the back of the book - If our name is written in the book of life then we will live forever with Jesus Christ!!!!

O.   JUST HOW GREAT WILL HEAVEN BE?

• There is a mansion prepared for us over there

• All the former things will be passed away  (Rev. 21:4)

• There will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain

• And God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes

• There will be a city, The New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven.

• It will have gates of pearl

• Streets of gold as it were transparent glass

• This city will never know night or darkness – For Jesus will be the light of that city.

• The tree of life will be in the midst of it

• And nothing that defiles, works abomination or makes a lie will enter therein

• We shall reign with Christ

• We shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ

• We shall receive rewards for the works done in this life.

• We shall cast our crowns at His feet

• We will have been raised incorruptible – our bodies glorified

• The curse will forever be gone

• Sin forever destroyed

• Death forever overcome

• Satan forever will be in the lake of fire

• The throne of God and the Lamb will be there

And they shall see his face;   and his name shall be in their foreheads. Rev. 22:4

and they shall reign for ever and ever. Rev. 22:5

Revelation 22:12-13  -  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Revelation 22:20 -  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.