A Call to Readiness and Righteousness

Actually, there’s somebody else I I want you to stand for. Last Sunday celebrates 56 years since Word of Life stopped being Word of Life Bible class and started being Word of Life Fellowship Church. Yeah. And I want to see Stan the people who were there. Come on. Come on. Come on, Kim. Yeah. Yeah. I think your mom was pregnant with you, right? And Rick Yarro, you’re on screen. Yeah. Um, and I want to thank the Lord for this place. And for a church that after 56 years is still committed to, addicted to being a

01:14:31 frontline church. We love the foundations and the traditions, but we love what God is doing on the front lines of this warfare to take the earth back from the great thief of all times, the devil, because he is establishing an overcoming church. I want you also to stand for the third generation pastors of this frontline church. Come on, John and Shell. Thank [Music] you. They are doing such an amazing job. And I I personally want to thank them. I’ve wanted to for many years to say thank you to my

01:15:26 pastors. I love that. Then I had a 20-year reprieve from that and I missed it. And I just am honored to call these two my pastors because I don’t care what position you hold, what gift you carry, we got to have pastors. We got to have people that we report to are accountable to. And I’m accountable to my son-in-law, my daughter. Yes. You may pray for me. We we will we we will be passing the plate shortly for me to have counseling. Uh no, we are so proud of these two and what they are doing. Uh so proud of of

01:16:15 Word of Life Fellowship for 56 years. So many generations here with us. Yesterday we had a a a baby shower and we stood there and just looked at the generations that are represented at a church like this. And I I am just personally want to thank each of you who have said, “I want to be a part of a frontline church that’s pursuing the truth based on the truth. We’re not looking for new weird things. We’re willing to embrace new weird things as long as they’re based on old foundational ancient truths from the

01:16:49 Bible.” And uh and I just wanna I want to thank you all. I want to thank our new members, too. I want to thank our commuting members from Reno. Yeah, the Mcatees are with us. Yeah, it’s amazing. For what, 18 years now, you guys come every chance you get. It’s amazing. And I I want to wish a happy birthday to my new friend Wesley Longden. He’s here. Yeah. Come on, Wes. Stand up. Come on. Yeah. Wesley and his lovely wife is significantly better half Lesie. Uh they are the remnant that has stayed here

01:17:30 from the uh from last weekend’s pastor’s retreat. Pastor Amanda brought their leadership team to Word of Life Fellowship. I mean people from California go to England to vacation, but they came here for their retreat to get poured into and we’re honored for that that opportunity. But I want to thank you and I want to thank my my daughter for giving me the opportunity in the assignment. She she and John select the message series. How many been enjoying this series on the overcoming church? Yeah. Um, I’m not sure there’s anything more

01:18:06 appropriate or timely or useful for today than a message on being and functioning as a part of the overcoming church. And I want to make it clear, Word of Life is not the overcoming church. Word of Life is just a frontline church that is dedicated to being part of the overcoming church that God is raising up. This is not an elitist message. It is a message of the remnant, but it is not an elitist message because everybody has the opportunity to say yes to be a part of the overcoming church. I don’t care what

01:18:50 your gift is or isn’t. I don’t care how old you are or aren’t. I don’t care what gender you are. I don’t care what race you are. You have been invited to become a part of the overcoming church. And today, well, we would be simply irresponsible to have a series of this nature and not teach on what we’re going to teach today. So, put your seatelts on. They pulled Apostle Pat in to teach us one, but I’m grateful because, man, this is my wheelhouse. So, seat belts on. If you’re notetakers, get it out. If

01:19:25 you’re slow at taking notes, it’s okay. Email me and I’ll give you my sermon notes because I want you to get this. I question whether we’re going to be functionally the overcoming church if we don’t get this and walk in this. Ready? You sure? Do you need to stand up and stretch again? No. All right. All right. Second Timothy chapter 3 verse 1. You should know this Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will be lovers only of themselves and their money. Does that

01:20:15 sound familiar today? They’ll be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful. They’ll be they will consider nothing sacred. They’ll be unloving, unforgiving. They’ll slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends. They’ll be reckless, puffed up, puffed up with pride, love, pleasure rather than God. They’ll act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that.

01:21:22 Whoa. Pastor Jesus, he wouldn’t say that. Pastor Jesus loves everybody. He wants to include everybody. I like the way Max Lucu said, he said, “God loves you so much, he’ll take you just the way you are. But he loves you so much, he won’t let you stay that way.” And I’ll add a McDonaldism, a a mecho into this. He loves you so much, he’ll tell you to stay away from those who don’t. Is that what you just read? Second Peter chapter 3 verse three and four. First, okay, that means it’s important. First, I want to remind you

01:22:05 that in the last days, there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth, mocking the truth, and do everything they desire. This will be their argument. Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he? Well, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created. Romans chapter 8, starting with verse 18. What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Verse 19, for all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when

01:23:00 God will reveal who his children are, who his children really are against its will. Speaking about creation, that’s right. Creation has a will. Hm. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. Why? Because man was given creation to care for and steward. And man screwed up and subjected it to God’s curse. But with eager hope, creation has hope. With eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when God will join God’s children. When it will, excuse me, when it will join God’s children in

01:23:58 glorious freedom from death and decay. Freedom from death and decay. Any anybody think that’s a good idea? We older folk think it’s a really good idea. Verse 22. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 2025. And we believers also groan even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory. For we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering, from death and decay, from sin and suffering. We too wait with eager hope for the day

01:24:56 when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children including new bodies. That he has promised us. Father, in the name of Jesus today, help me speak your words. Help me make it clear. Help us to learn and understand so that we can fulfill your promises on this earth. Thank you for your spirit that directs. Thank you for your spirit and his power so that we can do all that you’ve called us to do. And everybody who wants to be free from death and decay says, “Amen.” Amen. Today we’re going to talk about

01:25:47 the end times. We’re going to talk about the last days, the end of the world. And these are topics that have raged in controversy for a few weeks, huh? How about a few centuries? including in this controversy are discussions about the return of the Lord, end times, rapture. Yes, end times will be difficult. But as we dive into this, I want you to focus on the way Paul said it. Yeah, he he said as we just read that it’s going to be difficult times, but he also said that these times will be the times of great glory. Amen. Not

01:26:41 just a time of great glory or one of the times of great glory. This is going to be the culmination of God’s promise to the planet, to the human race. Since Genesis 3, when we took the wrong turn, he promised what we’re talking about today. Paul said the same thing that Isaiah said 3 700 years earlier, chapter 60 verse one, he says, “Arise, O Jerusalem, and let your light so shine for all to see.” But notice he not only promises light, but he’s he’s giving you a clear description of the context in which the

01:27:23 light will shine. It’s called gross darkness. Everybody wants to talk about just the light and ignore the darkness or they want to talk about the darkness and skip the light. But this is going to be the time when God’s people, God’s sons and daughters begin to shine as lights in the middle Yes. of the darkness. He goes on, “Arise and shine. Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul makes an addition not just on you, but in you and

01:28:05 through you. On you, in you, and through you is the whole issue of light to you as a son and daughter of God. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you, in you, through you. Yes, darkness is black as night covers all the nations of the earth. All the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears on you. It is in these end times that the Lord has predicted to return and cause these lights to shine. You can focus on the suffering and the struggle which is going to happen or you

01:28:52 can focus on the glory that God has promised you. Then you’re going to have the strength, the courage, the motivation to keep going through the struggle and through the suffering. It is during these end times that history will witness the fulfillment of God’s promise to his people. The promise of God’s elect coming to maturity to completeness to fully furnishing of all of God’s life gifts promise. Another nasty P word for that is perfection. That’s what he’s promised you and you and you. And history is going to witness

01:29:39 it in these end times. If we will follow the advice of Jesus, watch for and see these signs and be ready and prepare oursel. Did you hear those two words? Ready and prepare. If we will take his advice, watch and see, be ready and prepare ourselves, we may go through some struggle and tribulation, but we will share in his glory. These are hugely debated topics, controversial branches of of theology and esquetology. And there’s a great deal, now listen carefully, there’s a great deal we do not know. We We don’t know everything. Whoa.

01:30:41 It’s about time the churches begin instead of telling you how much they know to tell them how much you don’t know. We don’t know everything, but what he shows us, we stick with. Once again, we must be careful not to fill in gaps, not to connect dots that don’t exist. The source of our teaching and beliefs has to be and remain strictly the Bible. But as we teach this, we stay focused on the glory and not the suffering. All right? So, what does the Bible say about the return of the Lord, the the end times, and the rapture?

01:31:31 Let’s talk about the return of the Lord. I there’s a you talk to talk to Pastor David. He’s a highly studied man. How many different theories are there about the return of the Lord? Let’s start with the basics. Does the Bible teach that Jesus is coming back again? Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. That’s the answer. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming back. Acts 1:11. The same Jesus, not another one, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven

01:32:19 physically into the clouds and beyond. Marks 13:26, then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with great power and glory. Amen. 2 Timothy 4 verse one. I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his kingdom. These are just three of however many dozens. What does the Bible say will happen when he returns? So, okay, he’s coming back. What’s he what’s going to happen? Number one, he is coming back like he left

01:33:08 physically from heaven to earth in the clouds, not metaphorically, not spiritually. He’s going to actually come physically. Number two, he he’s coming back not secretly. He’s not coming back as a baby in a manger either. He’s going to come back openly with the ultimate and consumate power and glory of God the Father. He’s coming back to judge all people and to reward in the first judgment to believers only, not to unbelievers. Those of you who are advanced students in the uh doctrines, the principles of

01:33:51 the doctrine of Christ and eternal judgment know that there’s two judgments. One for the believer and one for the unbeliever. One for the believer. He’s coming back not to judge sin. He already did that for you. He’s coming back to reward you for the things you’ve done. He’s coming back to set up his kingdom on the earth. He’s coming back to take his bride unto himself after she has been transformed from mortality to immortality. These are what the Bible says about his coming. All right. So, when is Jesus

01:34:33 coming back? Is he come? No, it’s not today. No, it’s probably not next week either. I might note he’s coming back in the last days. In the end times. Let’s talk about the end times. Are we in the last days? Are we in the end times? Will Jesus return in our lifetime? Will we witness all these events? Oh, good. Oh, good. You didn’t just say yes. What’s my answer? It appears to be so, but I’m not certain. That’s what you sounded like just a minute ago. But that well but the Bible says I can’t be certain.

01:35:31 I’m not I’m not trying to be vague. I’m just trying to be obedient to the to the Bible. You see, Jesus told us that we couldn’t be certain. He said he didn’t know the hour, the day, the week. If Jesus didn’t know, when I say I know, you can know that I don’t know. Did I make that clear? Okay. Matthew 24:36. Of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven. Act 17. It’s not for you to know the times or the seasons which the father has put into his authority. We don’t know. Like I said,

01:36:16 if you say you know, you know, I don’t know. Okay? You see, it’s it’s been almost 2 well, it’s been over 2,000 years since Jesus ascended, leaving us a promise of his second coming. And history shows that almost every generation since then, what is that 60, 63 generations? Almost every generation since his ascension has had some group, some some church group, some denomination, many of them very legitimate church groups claim that they are the generation of the time of his return. Now, if you’ve gone through my

01:36:56 foundations class, I gave about 15 or 20 historical examples of these. I’ll just give you a few highlights here. uh 1792 the Shakers. Anybody know who the Shakers were? A very short-lived American denomination. They believed in celibacy. That’ll that has a tendency to shortlive things. You know, 1792 was the year that Jesus is coming back. I think they missed it. 1843. March 21st, 1843. William Miller, founder of the Millerites, predicted that date, that year. Failure of Jesus to appear on that

01:37:41 date after his followers sold all their possessions was referred to as the great disappointment. Can anybody say amen? Right. Fast forward to 1988 was the publication of 88 reasons why the rapture is in 1988 written by Edgar C. Weant. However, in 1989 he published another book called The Final Shout Rapture Report 1989. Who would buy a second book from that guy? And he went on to write three or four more books. Man, can humans be stupid. 1993, 7 years before the year 2000. Y 2K. They said that it would have to be

01:38:43 1993 because there needs to be seven years of tribulation before 2000. And of course, we got to be raptured out before the tribulation. A lot of people predicted 1993, 1994. There were several significant ministries, not just fringe groups that predicted 1994. Uh, Pastor John Hinkle of Church, Christ Church in Los Angeles, predicted June 9, 1994. Radio evangelist from Oakland. Harold Camping, anybody remember Harold Camping? Yeah. predicted September 27th, 1994. He continued to broadcast for another 10

01:39:26 years. Y2K year 2000. Boy, a lot of people bought into that one. How about this one? 2006. Many predictions were for June the 6th, 2006, cuz it’s 0660, right? in September of 2007. Many people that believed that was going to be because due to the completion of a 40-year cycle, a generation from Jerusalem’s recapture during the six- day war in ‘ 67 in Jerusalem. Not yet a failed prediction is Sir Isaac Newton undogmatically proposed that based on his calculations using figures from the book of Daniel that the rapture could

01:40:15 not happen earlier than60. So you got time to buy that vacation condo good to go. He was right with gravity. You know, all joking aside, for 2,000 years, we have a lot of history of people being wrong to say that they know. I don’t want my name added to the list. But I can’t ignore the signs we see. And we’re challenged by Jesus himself to watch and see and prepare and be ready. So why does appear why does it we’ll get to that in a minute a little further about that in a minute. But why does it appear that we are in the end

01:41:06 times in so many people are so wrong. I mean why do we why do we keep going there? Basically because we see the fulfillment of biblical prophecies. If you’re a student of the Bible at all, you can see so many prophecies having been fulfilled. It’s an estimate, it’s an estimation that of the 2500 prophecies of the end times in the Bible that over 2,000 have already been fulfilled. There’s a lot less runway ahead of us than behind us. Many of those prophecies that are left to be fulfilled could happen in almost

01:41:48 any generation. But a few of those have occurred fairly recently that really appear to be unique to our time. The most predominant to me is the return of Israel to the land of Israel. For 2,000 years, they were dispersed. They were the diaspora all over the world. Never before has a nation who’s been dispersed like that ever come together again. But in 1948, in May of 1948, they returned to the land miraculously. And if you look at the size of the people, the size of the real estate compared to what’s around them,

01:42:25 it’s a miracle they’re still there today. I mean, that’s that is really hard just to look at the data and ignore or deny. Many of the prophecies raise technology issues. They’re prior to 30 years ago, 50 years ago, 75 years ago. People just scratch their head. Well, how how in the world could that happen? But things like the entire world being able to simultaneously witness an event that was I mean this was written 2,000 years ago. And yet all of a sudden 50 years ago, you know, the onset of television, now you can broadcast

01:43:07 something and the whole world can see it real time. Now, no big deal. We can watch it on our watch. No big deal, right? But ours is the first generation that that is even possible. There’s a a bunch of other scriptures that a little too graphic for Sunday morning, I might note. But things like the global control of money, global control of power, these things are not possible until only recently. We need to be aware of what we see and not deny it and do what Jesus said, watch, be aware, and be prepare. Prepare yourself

01:43:54 and be ready. We need to be less engaged in trying to prove some esqueological point and more engaged with following what Jesus said and be ready and prepared for his returning. It’s more important to be ready than right. So, are we in the end times? It appears to be so, but it’s hard to be certain. That’s a safe place to go. But watch and be prepared. Though we know that no one knows the exact time of his return, we’re not going to be foolish and ignore what we see. God gave us the Bible as a playbook to give us general information

01:44:49 and knowledge so that we can be ready. We’re we aren’t going to predict the hour, the date. We’re not even going to bother with the year. We’re going to be aware. We’re going to watch the signs, praying, seeking to live in his will and be be prepared for his coming. to be the overcoming church. All right, let’s dive into the rapture. How we doing on time? Okay, I think we got some time. What is the rapture definition? American Heritage Dictionary. The transporting of a person from one place to another. Sounds like something from Star

01:45:39 Trek, doesn’t it? Beam me aboard, Scotty. It comes from the Latin word raptius. See, the Greek word harpazio or harpazo. Hey Liz, can you help me with this? How that that word is found in first Thessalonians 4:17. We’ll read it in a minute. And it’s translated in modern English as caught up or taken away. But a guy named Jerome in 400 AD, the first one to translate original language into Latin, the Bible that’s been used by the Catholics since then. He translated it into the Latin word raptius. And this is

01:46:25 the term that’s been used during later translations and writings from Catholic writers, hence rapture. So let’s read that set of scriptures in 1 Thessalonians 4 starting with verse 14. God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. Jesus God is going to bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. I can tell you this directly from the Lord. We who are still living, that means there’s a group of people are going to still be alive. Tribulation is going to be tough, but

01:47:04 it’s not going to wipe out everybody. We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in the graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from the graves. Boy, that’s going to be a trip to be amongst those who are alive and remain and watch people starting come out of the grave with their glorified bodies. Like to see the instant replay

01:47:46 on that. Then together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. Woo! I love that. So, I want to make it really clear today that I, Pat McDonald, former pastor of Word of Life Fellowship, I am a rapturist. I believe in the rapture that Paul taught. But you see, it’s not an issue of whether we’re going to be raptured. The issue is when and where. When does this happen? And where do we go once we’re caught

01:48:37 up? I believe I’m going to get caught up. I’m pushing to be am amongst those who are alive and remain. That’s what I’m counting on. But when does that occur? There are three main schools of thought and a lot of sub subchools, departments in the schools. Before the tribulation, a pre-trib rapture, during the tribulation, or a midtrim midtrib rapture. Spit that out 10 times fast, bet. Yeah. or posttrib rapture. Okay. 1 2 3. But what does the Bible say? Matthew 24 29. Immediately after the tribulation. Can anybody say after?

01:49:28 After. After what? After the tribulation. Immediately after the tribulation. I probably don’t need to read the rest of it with that out, but I’m gonna read it. It’s good. Good stuff. after the tribulation of those days. So, we’re not talking about the great holocaust during World War II. We’re not talking about the great golic disaster under Julius Caesar in 60 BC. We’re not talking about some of the other great times of tribulation. After the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened. The moon

01:50:07 will not give its light. The stars will fall from heaven and the powers of heavens will be shaken. Then know what’s of then? It’s after the tribulation, right? Then the son of man will appear in heaven. And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn. And then they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and glory. And then he will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet. And then they will gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. So

01:50:51 when is the rapture? I don’t know. I don’t think you need a degree in divinity for that. Now we have someone with a recent degree of divin in divinity today with us. Philip Benjamin. Good to see you. He’s with us for the summer. Yeah. And he’s going on he’s got he’s been accepted at OU to uh for a two or threeear program for his masters in divinity. But I think he even he’ll agree that it’s after the tribulation. But why is that so important? Why are you camping on that Pat? How about this? It’s about being

01:51:32 ready. You see, there are important preparations that are to be done, essential, not optional, for living through the tribulation. We must be prepared. And I’m not just talking about storing food and water. I’m sure that’s a good idea. I mean, even the San Jose phone book recommends you do that because we live in earthquake country, right? But preparation Jesus is talking about is spiritual spiritual and mentally mental toughness. Something the church in America doesn’t have a lot of understanding of the church of

01:52:14 toughness. Right? Matthew 24:44 says you must be ready. Why do we need to know when? So you can be ready. You see, ungodly people will perish on the day of judgment. That’s 2 Peter 3:7. Ungodly people. Does anybody know any ungodly Christians? Yeah. Ungodly people will perish on the day of judgment. Righteousness delivers from death. There’s our preparation. Living soberly, righteously, godly in this present world. In the way of righteousness, there is life. Along that path is immortality. These are the points of

01:53:02 preparation. We’re not choosing these things and pursuing righteousness to get saved. We get to pursue these things because we are saved. Our salvation was a gift. So now we can pursue life. He who stands firm to the end will be saved. Ah, that’s the words of Jesus. I think he’s a qualified authority on the matter. What do you What do you think? He who overcomes will eat of the tree of life. That sounds like works to me. We can’t buy our salvation with works. But we manifest our sunship by the way we live by

01:53:50 overcoming perfecting holiness in the fear of God. I for those of you who’ve been working at this it’s it’s work. It’s it’s hard to to continue to perfect holiness. You know, God will perfect us, but we got to choose. He’ll empower us to go in these right directions, but we got to make the right choices. I’m not going to do this. I’m going to do that. And today hopefully I’m giving you some motivation to not do this anymore and start doing that because that’s how it goes to become part of the overcoming

01:54:25 church, part of the people who are going to be alive and remain through the tribulation. So why go through all of this stuff if we’re all going to be beamed aboard before the tribulation comes? I don’t I don’t know anybody who likes signs up for suffering, signs up for tribulation. Nobody wants that. It definitely sounds better to get beamed aboard before tribulation. I mean, I’m a I’m a rapturist. I’m a posttri rapturist, but man, if there’s one doctrine I hope I’m wrong with, I hope it’s this

01:55:03 one. Because being ready to go through the tribulation and being raptured beforehand, okay? You know, so if I’m wrong, I get raptured. But what happens to those people who live like hell counting on the grace and mercy? Grace which is supposed to be a safety net, they treat it like a trampoline. How’s it going to go for all those people who are counting on being beamed aboard before tribulation? Think about it. If we believe we will be raptured, then find ourselves waste deep in tribulation. You talk about the great

01:55:49 disappointment. It’s not a historic event. It’s going to be amongst the people we know and love. It says that they will betray their friends. They will be offended. Interesting note that word there in in Matthew also in in Mark it says that the love of many waxes cold because of this great tribulation. The word love there. Which love do you think that is in the Greek word? Which Greek word? It’s agape. In fact, I checked with one of my favorite Bible scholars this morning before preaching. Is there

01:56:25 anywhere in the Bible that says that non-Christians have agape love? Frank, what’s the answer? Frank, where’s Frank? Frank’s here. The answer is no. Right. The answer is no. Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Yeah. People who aren’t saved don’t don’t have the Holy Ghost spreading the Holy I mean spreading love of God. The point is that scripture is not talking about the world in general. Talking about Christians, probably Christians who have banked on preerttrib rapture. Now, think about this.

01:57:09 If with a single lie, Satan can deceive millions of Christians into believing in a preerttrib rapture and that refuse to pursue righteousness and holiness, banking on a preerttrib rapture. Isn’t that a most remarkable strategy of neutralizing literally millions of potential foes of spiritual battle? one lie and millions just take get taken out of the battle. So when is the rapture going to happen? We don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I mean it’s in the timeline. I I can’t give you a date. So you’re right.

01:57:55 The date I don’t know exactly. But when is it going to happen? Before the tribulation. after the tribulation. All right, let’s get in the next one. We got the when. How about the where? The second issue concerning conventional perspective of the rapture doctrine is where where are we going after we are caught up? The basic assumption from centuries of tradition is that believers are caught up and taken to heaven after this rapture occurs. The problem is that the scriptures simply don’t teach that.

01:58:38 Yes, he’ll be caught up in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air. But I’d like to point out some ge some geology that neither clouds or air are heaven. Clouds are part of the earth’s atmosphere. Get one of those pictures from from the moon of the earth, right? The earth rise. There’s a very thin skin around that blue globe. It’s called the atmosphere. It’s part of the earth. So, we’re not talking about going to heaven. See, both of those terms, clouds and air, are referring to things in the earth’s atmosphere. Why do we assume

01:59:23 heaven? Again, where does the Bible say? Where does the Bible say we’re going to go? Famous great scripture out of Job. I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end times he will stand upon heaven. It’s not what it says. Proverbs 2:21, “For the upright shall dwell in heaven, in the land, and the perfect shall remain in the land.” Psalm 37, “Evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit heaven.” Proverbs, the other Proverbs 37, the godly will inherit heaven and live there

02:00:16 forever. Let’s let’s move on into the New Testament. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit heaven. And that’s Jesus talking. Again, pretty good authority on the matter. Revelations 5:10. and you have caused them to become God’s kingdom and priests and they will reign on earth the earth. Are we getting this? Another one in Revelation. The whole world has now become the kingdom and he will reign forever and ever. Not the whole heaven, the whole world. So, where is Jesus coming to when he leaves

02:01:04 heaven? The earth. Yes, we’ll be caught up in the clouds. We’ll meet the Lord in the air. But where are we going? Coming back to earth. We’re going to rule and reign here. It’s okay. There’s going to create a brand new heaven and earth. We don’t have to do ecological cleanup for the next thousand years. Going to give us a brand new heaven and earth. But we’re not going to heaven. We’re going coming to earth. So how do we prepare? Second Peter 3 verse 11 and verse 14 says, “Since everything around

02:01:46 us is going to melt away, what holy godly lives should you be living?” Verse 14. So dear friends, while we are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life with all the information that Jesus has given us in these chapters of Matthew 24 and and Mark 13, Luke 17 and 21. The main council for us is not so much to study for debate to win the theological argument. The council is to watch, to learn, to be careful, to be ready, to not be deceived, to live a godly life so that

02:02:38 when he comes, he will find faith on the earth. The main council is to be and to function as the overcoming church. Summary, is Jesus coming back? Yes. Jesus will be raptured. Excuse me, Christians. Christians will be raptured, but not until after the tribulation. And we’re coming back to earth. So, we need to prepare spiritually, mentally, as well as physically. Summary: Jesus will set up his kingdom on earth where he will rule and reign in righteousness forever with his people. Summary, there will be a

02:03:28 people, his bride, a remnant who will be alive and remain when he comes back and will rule and reign with him. Challenge, will we prepare ourselves and be a part of that company? I plan to. And guess what? We win. Let me close with a couple of very key, I think, inspirational scriptures. John 1 John 3:2. We can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But when he returns, not in heaven, but when he returns, we do know that when he comes, we’ll be like him. For we will see him as he really is. And all who

02:04:22 believe for this will live like hell, treat grace like a trampoline, and count on the pre-trip rapture. All we who believe this will keep themselves pure just as Christ is pure. 1 Corinthians 15 starting with verse 51. Let me tell you a wonderful secret. It’s a secret that God has revealed to us and not just a word of life alone. As I travel, I’m finding many, many people beginning to recognize these very teachings and topics. And I’ll tell you honest truth, I’m not always coming to teach them. I’m I’m

02:05:05 seeing that they’ve that they’re there. They’ve already seen the very same thing. Let me tell you a wonderful secret that God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die. Anybody happy about that promise? We will all be transformed. It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when that last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. This is the same thing that Paul said in Thessalonians in the mouth of two or three separate locations, separate

02:05:47 churches. And when we who are living when we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. That’s right. There’s going to be a people who experienced death with Jesus on the cross and burial and resurrection with Jesus in the grave and our water baptism. And we will be alive and remain when he comes back and we don’t have to die again. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. Our perishable earth perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly

02:06:35 bodies that will never die. And when this happens, when our perishial bodies that will never die, then that last scripture will come true. Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where’s your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death. How we thank God who gives us the victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord. We win. We win. So, challenge to me, challenge to you today. And we’ve been receiving all sorts of remarkable training over these

02:07:24 last months. Be the overcoming church. It’s our turn. It’s our move. Let’s rise up and let’s do this. Do you agree? Amen.