May 6, 2018 ()

Bible Text: Revelation 3:10-11, I Thessalonians 4:14-17 |

 Apocalypse                           May 6, 2018

To most this word strikes fear in their hearts – they think of Armageddon, it’s the end. But for us who believe it’s the opposite – It’s the beginning of the most special thing that will always be.

Apocalypse means the lifting of the veil. This makes you think of a wedding.

Perfect love casts out all fear. The apocalypse is about a wedding, the presentation of the bride to the Bridegroom. The ancient Hebrew marriage follows exactly the courtship the Lord has with us. The father went to the village to announce his son would have a wife. Then one comes forward and says, “I do” (I will go). Then the marriage contract is signed. God is seeking a bride for His Son out of the saved ones. Those that say I will go are to hold fast their crown, and occupy as a readied wife now. Ephesus left (divorced) their first love. Stay in love by hearing the word of the Lord. After the contract was signed, the husband went away to prepare a place. Then he returned and removed the veil from her face (known as the apocalypse). Then the husband and wife see each other face to face.

To the church of Philadelphia:

Revelation 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The hour of temptation = the tribulation. She is waiting patiently on the words, “I love you”. We are standing on the edge of the opening of heaven and the meeting of the bride and Bridegroom. By grace we have waited in this message, and He will keep us from the tribulation.

Revelation 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

The crown is the wedding ring. This church abides in love. You’ve got to know the love of Christ and Paul’s gospel. This company will rule and reign jointly with Christ and be glorified together.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  15.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive andremain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  16.  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:  17.  Then we which are alive andremain 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.

It’s both, alive and remain.Alive = abounding in hope and love. Happy is the man that trusts in the Lord! Caught up = rapture. The first trump rapture will be when the wife meets Jesus in the air. It’s the moment of the apocalypse when He lifts the veil from her face.

Rapture = seizing by violence, transported to ecstasy, violence of a pleasing passion, extreme joy or pleasure. Do you see how madly He is in love with you?! We are for the good pleasure of His will. The apocalypse could happen at any moment. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

 

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