The Prepared Church and the Lord's Return
This study explores what the scriptures reveal about the church's readiness for the Lord's coming, addressing the notion that some might misinterpret scripture to suggest the church is not expected to be caught up. It emphasizes the divine call to a life of holiness and expectation.
1. The Certainty and Manner of the Lord's Coming
1.1 The Promise of His Return
Verses: Acts 1:11: "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."; John 14:3: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
- The return of the Lord Jesus is a foundational promise of scripture, affirmed by angels and by Jesus Himself.
- His coming is not a mere possibility but a definite event that believers are to anticipate.
- This promise provides hope and motivation for living a life pleasing to Him.
1.2 The Suddenness of His Coming
Verses: Matthew 24:36-39: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
- The exact timing of the Lord's return is unknown, emphasizing the need for constant readiness.
- His coming will be unexpected by the unprepared world, likened to a thief or the flood in Noah's day.
- This suddenness underscores the urgency for the church to remain watchful and prepared at all times.
1.3 The Purpose of His Return
Verses: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "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."; Revelation 20:4-6: "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."
- The primary purpose of the Lord's return for the church is to gather His elect unto Himself.
- He will resurrect the righteous dead and transform living believers, taking them to be with Him forever.
- His return also initiates a period of judgment and the establishment of His righteous reign on earth.
2. The Foundation of the Church's Preparation
2.1 Defining the Church: His Body
Verses: Ephesians 1:22-23: "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."; Colossians 1:18: "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."
- The church is not merely a building or an organization, but the living body of which Jesus Christ is the head.
- As His body, the church is called to reflect His nature and fulfill His purpose on earth.
- Being part of His body implies a vital connection and submission to His authority and will.
2.2 The New Birth Experience: Repentance, Water Baptism, and Spirit Baptism
Verses: Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."; 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."; Acts 19:5-6: "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
- The scriptures clearly outline the essential steps for entering into the kingdom of God and becoming part of His church.
- This includes turning from sin (repentance), being immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and receiving the indwelling Spirit of God.
- The presence of the Holy Spirit, often evidenced by speaking in other tongues, is a vital part of the new birth and empowers believers for a life of holiness and readiness.
2.3 Living a Sanctified Life: Holiness and Separation
Verses: Hebrews 12:14: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."; 1 Peter 1:15-16: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."; 2 Corinthians 7:1: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
- Holiness is not an option but a divine command and a necessary condition for seeing the Lord.
- Sanctification is a process of being set apart from sin and unto God, both in spirit and in conduct.
- A prepared church is one that actively pursues purity and lives a life separated from the defilements of the world.
2.4 The Indwelling Spirit as a Seal and Guide
Verses: Ephesians 4:30: "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."; 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."; John 16:13: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
- The Holy Spirit dwelling within believers is a seal, guaranteeing their redemption and future glorification.
- His presence empowers believers, quickens their mortal bodies, and serves as a down payment of their inheritance.
- The Spirit guides the church into all truth, enabling them to understand and live according to God's will, thus preparing them for His return.
3. Warnings Against Deception and Unreadiness
3.1 Warnings Against False Teachings
Verses: Matthew 24:4-5: "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."; 2 Timothy 4:3-4: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
- The Lord Himself warned His disciples about the prevalence of deception in the last days.
- False teachings can lead believers astray from the truth and hinder their preparation for His coming.
- The church must remain grounded in sound doctrine and discern spirits to avoid being deceived.
3.2 The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Verses: Matthew 25:1-13: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and for you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
- This parable illustrates the critical difference between outward profession and true inner readiness.
- The 'oil' represents the Holy Spirit, which is essential for spiritual light and sustained readiness.
- Those who are not filled with the Spirit and prepared will be shut out when the Lord returns, regardless of their initial expectation.
3.3 The Importance of Watchfulness and Prayer
Verses: Luke 21:34-36: "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."; Mark 13:33-37: "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
- Believers are commanded to be watchful and prayerful, guarding against spiritual complacency and worldly distractions.
- A lack of watchfulness can lead to being caught unprepared, like a snare, when the Lord returns.
- Consistent prayer and vigilance help the church to remain spiritually alert and worthy to stand before Him.
3.4 Enduring to the End
Verses: Matthew 24:13: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."; Hebrews 3:14: "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;"
- Salvation and readiness for the Lord's return require not just a beginning, but steadfast endurance in faith and obedience.
- The church is called to persevere through trials, temptations, and the challenges of the last days.
- Only those who remain faithful and endure to the very end will ultimately be saved and caught up with Him.
4. The Assurance of the Catching Away
4.1 The Resurrection and Transformation of Believers
Verses: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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."; Philippians 3:20-21: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
- At the Lord's coming, there will be a miraculous resurrection of those who have died in Him.
- Living believers will also undergo an instantaneous transformation, receiving glorified bodies.
- This change will make them perfectly suited to be with the Lord and to reign with Him.
4.2 The Lord's Faithfulness to His Promises
Verses: 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."; Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"
- The Lord is absolutely faithful to every promise He has made, including His promise to return for His church.
- Any perceived delay is due to His longsuffering, desiring that more would come to repentance and be saved.
- Believers can have full confidence that what He has promised, He will surely perform.
4.3 Our Blessed Hope
Verses: Titus 2:13: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"; 1 John 3:2-3: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
- The return of the Lord Jesus is the 'blessed hope' of the church, a glorious expectation that transcends earthly concerns.
- This hope inspires believers to live a life of purity and holiness, striving to be like Him.
- The church is not left without hope or a future, but awaits the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.