Harold Camping is a Bay Area radio Bible teacher that has twice failed in his predictions regarding the return of Jesus Christ. Once in 1992, and then again in 2011.
- Because of him, & countless others, Biblical prophecy is considered foolishness by many.
- Whenever someone foolishly predicts the return of Jesus, they set themselves up to be the object of mocking and ridicule, and they ultimately make Jesus and Christians look foolish.
Similarly, Bible teachers have misused and mis-taught the rapture in order to provoke people to a fear leading to a supposed holiness and of lack of sinning.
Some have taught that if you are sinning when the rapture occurs, that you will be left behind, etc.
This has left many frustrated, feeling defeated, and eventually not caring about this teaching.
Followers of Jesus should not avoid the topic of prophecy, and in particular, the return of Jesus, because they are afraid of being considered a nut case, or because of bad experiences.
Jesus spoke of His return, and of a future time of great judgment upon the Earth.
We find the teaching of end times running throughout the Bible from genesis to Revelation.
Jesus told His disciples to understand the book of Daniel re. prophecy. (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14)
I. The Day Of The Lord Includes Two Separate Events Vs. 1, 2
A. The Rapture Of The Church V. 1
1. There are two events that are going to take place in the future.
2. V. 1– First, the Rapture of the church.
a. “…the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
b. “…our gathering together to Him…”
c. The word “Rapture” not found in English Bibles. Latin Bible: rapturos
i. It means a sudden snatching away, a violent or sudden removal.
ii. When God suddenly removes all true Christians from the Earth before He begins to judge those who have rejected Him.
iii. This time period is called The Great Tribulation, & last 7 years.
iv. People can become Christians during this time, but it will be a time of extreme religious persecution, & worldwide calamity.
v. Paul had taught the Thessalonians that they (we) were not appointed to the wrath of God, because of their (our) faith in Jesus, who died for our sins.
vi. See 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9
d. The Rapture is spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
i. At some undetermined time in the future, the Rapture will happen
ii. The Rapture is the first event which starts “The Day of Christ”.
iii. Dead Christians will rise from their graves and be glorified.
iv. Christians that were alive would be translated into heaven, also being immediately glorified and given bodies suited for heaven.
v. The Church (all Christians) will forever be with the Lord.
vi. That was what they looked forward to and were comforted by.
B. The Day Of Christ V. 2
1. Also called “The Great Tribulation”, or “The Day Of The Lord”.
2. Paul taught them that the Rapture precedes The Day of Christ. It starts it.
3. Great Tribulation is a time of worldwide calamity, the judgment of God, the rise of the Anti Christ, & his persecution against all religions, especially the Jews.
C. The Misunderstanding That Caused Concern V. 2
1. Apparently, someone had written or told the Thessalonians that they were experiencing the Day of Christ, the Day of the Lord, the Great Tribulation.
2. They were a persecuted church, and someone erroneous explained it as such.
3. Paul is correcting this misunderstanding that is causing them dismay.
a. Shaken in mind- Like suddenly being shaken. Sudden and violent.
b. Troubled- a continued unsettledness and concern.
c. Why would this have affected them so?
4. They’d been taught that the rapture precedes the G.T. They expected to avoid it.
5. They expected to be gone. They were looking for the Rapture, not the G.T.
6. If Paul taught a post-trib Rapture, they would have eagerly welcomed the G.T.
7. They would have anticipated only having to wait 7 years to see Jesus.
8. This is strong evidence for the teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and the imminent return of Jesus for His church.
II. Things That Precede The Great Tribulation Vs. 3-5
A. The Falling Away V. 3a
1. Literally- a departure. Used as a negative departure in the scriptures.
2. This points to a departure from the faith by nominal Christians; or a greater departure from morality worldwide. The Bible points to both truths.
3. Some suggest that departure points to the departure of the church: The Rapture.
B. The Man Of Sin Is Revealed
1. Also called the Antichrist, which means substitute, or false Christ.
a. Called “The son of perdition”, which means destruction, loss.
b. He will eventually be possessed by Satan and given miraculous power.
2. He will be revealed. Probably in increments, he will rise to influence & power.
3. V. 4- He opposes & exalts himself over everything called God or worshipped
4. V. 4- He will sit in the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, declaring himself to be God.
5. Currently, many efforts are being made by Orthodox Jews to prepare for Temple worship in the future. Clothing, articles for the Temple, etc. are being made.
C. Paul Had Previously Taught Them These Things V. 5
1. He had been with them only three weeks but had taught them much.
2. Perhaps the persecution had caused them to be confused, along w/false teachers
3. God intends that Christians receive comfort from the teaching of the Rapture, and that Christians will be delivered from the Great Tribulation.