Module 7 Lesson 3 - The Judgment Seat of Christ

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

Note: Text in grey are transcribed and not part of the notes given.

Today I want to lay some ground work. The second coming is the blessed hope. As a Christian we step over after our three score and ten years it is up into glory. We call this hope beyond the grave. This is what the unbelievers will not have. You can ask those who are not religious and they will not have this hope. They will have uncertainty and fear of the unknown. They may say die die la, but at the last moment, they will be in fear. They have no hope.

When we deal with the judgment seat of Christ, it is beyond hope. How do we feel coming to the judgment seat? I'll put it this way. He who embraces death will truly be able to embrace life.

Embraces death does not mean we wish to die. There is a time God appoints for everyone and we embrace that.

We are all born sinners. And in order to be saved we have to confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour. That part of the gospel and no churches have problems with it. So where is the problem?

So the person who is saved ask what's next? Here lies the problem. Some say, once you become a Christian…

1. You have to follow the law
2. You are blessed with wealth and health
3. You have faith (positive thinking)
4. No more problems
5. Heavenly perspective
6. You are to pursue holiness

You find all of the above has problems. As far as the tenets of the gospel are concerned we have no problems there. It is the what's next that's a big question mark.

Our life will be based on how we define what's next. It will define how we relate to people. There are those who think that if you fall sick you may have some unconfessed sins. I always tell them I fall sick because I don't have a glorified body yet.

HIM

HOLINESS

HAPPINESS

As children of God we can all experience the presence of God. But if you cannot experience his presence it is because you missed out because you did not pursue HIM. We have to put in the effort.

But God is pursued in HOLINESS. When you are in an atmosphere of sin, you will not find him. A holy God is found only in a holy environment. When you keep rubbish in the house the flies will always come and live there.

HAPPINESS is the by-product of holiness. We should be a people who are defined by the presence of God and the peace of God. And people will be able to sense it because we carry the presence of God.

We want to connect heaven and earth. On earth is what I call the temporal blessing. But beyond the temporal is spiritual blessing which is eternal. That we will carry to heaven.

Death. What is so bad about death? The greatest negative element about death is uncertainty. And uncertainty breeds fear. Psychologists say every person at one time or another fear death. Paul writes: for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul had a balanced view of earth and heaven.

Paul's controversial statement is that it is far better to die. But Paul says it in a very positive way. Like Martin Luther King. He broke the threshold of segregation. Before he was assassinated he said the phrase. "He has gone to the mountain top and he has seen what was beyond." He sees the beyond as far better than what is before us.

Philippians 1:21-23

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

2 Timothy 1:12

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

The day when Christ come, when he will be raptured and the day when he will stand before the judgment seat.

When he stands before Christ what did he expect?

2 Timothy 4:8

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

The crown of righteousness is just a description of the reward that awaits him. He is receiving what his whole life he's been struggling for. The far better he is talking about the presence of God. Where we see him face to face.

When we have that is mind then our life will be a purpose driven life. That judgment seat becomes our goal.

The question is are we ready to stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Salvation is totally by grace. But at the judgment seat of Christ let's look at 2 Cor 5.

2 Corinthians 5:10-11

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

We cannot hide behind these two words, God's will and grace. Here Paul is not talking about salvation. He is talking about rewards. So why did Paul use the word fear of the Lord or terror of the Lord?

The judgment seat of Christ is not about heaven and earth. It is more about the fear of the Lord which points to whether we feel shame before the Lord. As much as it is reward there may be this element of loss or shame. Glorification is by grace. Behind the gain or reward, there will be a certain seriousness of the reward by embarrassment or shame.

Are you living with the expectancy of the Judgment Seat of Christ? It will depend on how you have lived your life.

When you stand before a judge, it is based on the law of the land. Not about emotion. And when we stand before Christ it will be about good or bad.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Apostles of Christ

​1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

The keyword in verse 3 is faithfulness. He is more concerned with how God judge him. Verse 5 is to judge the heart. Faithfulness and heart.

Faithfulness refers to the faithfulness of your calling. About the ministry and your work. All Christians have a calling. You cannot say you don't have a calling. There is no high or low calling. Only big or small calling. We are judged according to our calling. Each according to his calling.

The other is the heart. This is about the minister. See question 1.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

Example, a person is called to be a pastor. He goes into the seminary to be trained. When he comes out he preaches the gospel. He may be a pastor that preaches positive thinking and he may have a big congregation of thousands. But the Bible says the foundation of our ministry is Jesus Christ. Finally it becomes a positive thinking faith. Here it says your works will be judged. He did not work according to his calling. His work may be burned. Paul is being gracious here. Not him but his work will be burned. The focus of your ministry will be judged. The foundation of the ministry must be Christ.

The First Coming (Calvary) is the centre of the Christian faith

The Second Coming is the peak of the Christian faith

The Second Coming is the background of all NT ideas

By this positioning you will know what's temporal and what's coming and define what you do now because it will have a bearing at the judgment seat of Christ.

Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What does treasures in heaven means? It's not dollars and cents. Heaven has no currency. Ringgit value drop also never mind. He's talking about those that have eternal value.

Heaven talks about crowns. Like the crown of righteousness or the crown of life, crown of glory. All spiritual words.

Matthew 13:43

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

The crowns are a depiction of your rewards. There will be degrees of glory. These treasures goes beyond dollars and cents.

Philippians 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

The Rapture and the First Resurrection is an event that gathers the church, both the living and dead believers together into the presence of Christ. As believers are with Christ, they await the day when they will come down together with Christ in His Second Coming as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. In the intervening period is when the judgment of believers occurs.

It is Christ who stands as judge (2 Tim 4:8) and all believers (2 Cor 5:10), without exception, are being judged. At the judgment seat of Christ the judgment does not concern our salvation for that status is already affirmed in our being raptured and resurrected. The matter to be judged concerns our faithfulness and our gain of rewards from our good deeds and our reaping of our bad deeds. There is a general understanding that since we are already saved, the judgment seat of Christ is merely a matter of obtaining rewards or loss of rewards. However, the force of Scripture gives a seriousness and severity to the judgment seat of Christ that is often overlooked. Scripture mentions the "terror of the Lord" on that day (2 Cor 5:10,11) and of being ashamed at His appearing (1 John 2:28).

The standard by which we will be judged is our faithfulness (1 Cor 4:1-5). We will be called upon to account not only for our works but also for our walk. The motivations of our heart as much as our deeds will be part of the reference for the judgment. Practical holiness of life and faithful self-sacrificing service will both be taken into account in the verdict of judgment.

The results of the judgment will vary from person to person. Some will be commended and receive rewards commensurate to their life's work while others will have their life's work burned (1 Cor 3:12-15). Salvation depends upon faith while rewards depend upon faithfulness. Finally, all will shine albeit with different degrees of glory and splendor. Scripture mentions five different crowns that will be bestowed on the faithful: the crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8), the crown of glory (1 Pet 5:3,4), the crown of life (Rev 2:10), the imperishable crown (1 Cor 9:25-27) and the crown of rejoicing (1 Thess 2:19).

Finally, those of us who have been found worthy of the prize will be made judges of the world (Rev 20:4, Dan 7:18,22). They will rule and reign, together with Christ, in the eternal kingdom of heaven (Rev 22:5). This ruling privilege is accorded not to the individual per se but to the community of believers. The individual, as he is conferred that right, exercises it for the community. Christ rules with His saints. It is Christ, together with His church that reigns.

2 Cor 5:10,11

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the

things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. "Knowing,

therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also

trust are well known in your consciences.

Questions

1. Evaluate 1 Cor 3:12-15, giving an example to show the meaning of this passage of Scripture.

2. Evaluate the statement ''Practical holiness of life and faithful self-sacrificing service will both be taken into account in the verdict of judgment'

Faithful self-sacrificing service applies to all of us. Nothing that you do in the name of the Lord is in vain. And practical holiness covers this. The heart of the minister. You may be the best worship leader but glory to yourself, or you give to be in the board is a matter of the heart. Your heart is related to your spiritual character which is defined by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Which is practical holiness.

That's why God says he will find a man after his own heart. David. You look at the Psalms he wrote. He is a man with a heart for God. God spoke to Samuel, man looks at the outwards but God looks at a man's heart.

How will we be judged at the judgment seat of Christ?

We will be judged in works according to our faithfulness. We will be judged as a worker in terms of our holiness. Everything we do here on earth has continuity in the future.

Conclusion

Judgement Seat of God - What God values

Faithfulness

Service

Presence of God  

Judgement Seat of Men - What man values

Finance

Status

Pleasure

We need to have a sense of what is actually important. Pursuit of holiness is both a duty and a joy.

Our Struggle with Evil

Rev Gideon Lee

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We are not struggling with flesh and blood but in the spiritual realm with evil forces.

2 Kings 6:8-23

Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans

8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”

9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

12 “None of us, my lord the king ,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike these people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.

20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”

22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

As I mentioned earlier on, we are at a very crucial time in our country. It has gone through many unprecedented events. We lost an aeroplane. We lost another which was shot down and all on that plane died.  So many planes flew past that place but ours was shot down. Then another from Indonesia, Air Asia that went down. There were many Christians on that plane. This has never happened to any country before. Unprecedented.

Then we had the worst flood in Kelantan. Even those that knew floods were not prepared. They were lost for words. It was terrible.

We even experienced earthquakes in Malaysia. In my 45 years I have never heard of Malaysia having earthquakes. Even until today they are still getting tremors. They say Malaysia is not in the fault lines but I am not sure.

We also had mini tornadoes, twisters. I've never heard of Malaysia having that.

And to compound to that our country is also not doing well economically. Our ringgit has fallen way below the 3.8 when we were having recession. Even in Thailand they won't take Malaysian ringgit. The Thai baht is stronger than our Ringgit.

Our national debt is at its highest. We're also not doing well politically.

It seems as if our country is going through so much that we can easily get discouraged. That's why I title today's message our Struggle with Evil.

What you're seeing happening to the country or politically is just a manifestation of what's happening in the spiritual realm.

I want to challenge all of us. Know that whatever you are facing, see it as something spiritual that we need to counter.

Our battle is not physical and our greatest battle is prayer. That’s why as we enter this 40 days prayer and fasting we are going to see things turn. I believe that.

The king of Aram was against Israel. Because of Elisha, the king could escape all the plans of the enemy. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. The king of Aram was so frustrated that he called a meeting thinking there must be a spy in his midst. One officer stood up and said no traitor. It is Elisha, the prophet of God.

The Bible said he sent a huge army by night and surrounded the whole city. And Elisha's servant was afraid when he saw the army. Elisha told his servant don't be afraid.

So no matter what you are going through, the word is "do not be afraid". He saw with his spiritual eyes. He says the host of heaven are ready to get into battle. That's why he can tell his servants not to be afraid.

Lift up your eyes and see that God is on your side and that there is more on your side than the other side. And Elisha prayed for the servants eyes to be opened and he saw spiritually. There's more on their side than the other side.

The enemy came and what did Elisha do? He prayed. Simple thing only. What did he pray? Lord, make them blind. And the Bible say God did exactly what Elisha asked for.

Whatever your situation is, get on your knees and pray.

The entire blind army led by Elisha was led to Samaria. The king thought the solution was to kill them. They were Blinded and delivered to the doorstep.

But Elisha said these are prisoners of war so he cannot kill them. Elisha prayed to God to let them see again. Elisha said don't touch them but feed them. Prepare a feast.

They achieve peace without shedding a drop of blood. The king would have killed them all but is a dealt it God's way. It is spiritual. Open your eyes. It was a spiritual battle.

Open our eyes that God's help is on the way. When we learn how to pray and fast. It's a spiritual weapon that God has given to the church. We are not praying enough. Take up that challenge to fast and pray and let's see how God move and intervene.

God says to consider our ways. So this morning what we see what is happening in our country try, see nit with our physical eyes but with our spiritual eyes.

When the servant saw that heavenly host before him, his faith increased. Then we are not afraid. The church needs to learn how to use prayer.

Pray and God will know what to do. He is fighting on our behalf.

Module 7 Lesson 2 - The Rapture and First Resurrection

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

Note: Text in grey are transcribed and not part of the notes given.

The First Coming - Grace to Save

The Second Coming - Glory to Reign

The First Resurrection refers to our new body

The Rapture refers to us being caught up.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Coming of the Lord

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Paul was addressing something in the Thessalonian church. That the dead will not be raised. Paul is saying that the dead will also be raised like those who are alive. The Rapture is when Jesus comes, the dead will rise first and those who are alive will be caught up together with them. All will be with Jesus in the clouds. And always with him.

The way Paul writes it he believes that Jesus would come in his lifetime.

The position that we are taking as we look into the scriptures is that we look at the book of Revelations but Paul predates Revelations so he don't have the scriptures that we have. We have the benefit of Revelations. Paul had not. Paul used the word the imminence of the coming of Christ. The church is called to live as if Jesus is coming tomorrow. All great preachers that comes after Paul believes the same, that Jesus would come in their generation and this is what God wants the church to be ready for. God wants us to understand the imminence of his coming because of our nature. It is one way to encourage us to be diligent in our faith.

I want to look at two verses that talks about the imminence of his coming.

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Here it sets a pattern of his second coming. It is always seen in the context of the pursuit of the person of Christ. Many may look at his second coming with different motive.

1. Unfinished business here on earth
2. For argumentative reasons
3. They are just curious

Don't waste your time on these three. The second coming is always associated with the word readiness, with the exaltation to live holy life.

Most of us have a general picture of the Rapture  but not the details of its event.

2 Timothy 3:1-4

Godlessness in the Last Days

​1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–

Does this describe the world we live in? Think about it. When Paul write this last epistle, Paul sees the gospel bearing a power that goes against forces of evil. Paul says perilous times. He was facing his execution when he wrote this epistle and Jewish persecution was shifting to Roman persecution so it was difficult times for the church. That is why he yearns for the coming of Christ.

Our life consists of two perspective. One is the immediate, what we do every day and our family. Another goes beyond this, like what's going on in the country, beyond our family.

When things are not well and you struggle in this world, there is such a difference in the splendour of Christ coming. The early church was a church yearning for the coming of Christ. They were a church looking to Christ the blessed hope.

Let's look at the Rapture.

When Jesus come, all theologians agree the first  event is the Rapture. Rapture (harpazo) is being caught violently. But Paul uses another Greek word caught away (rhuo).

Let's look at what it means to be Caught Away.

We are not perfect Christians. Some of you have been longer than me. But as I grow in Christ I have now learn to be "slow to sin" and "quick to repent". Let's nit be "quick to sin" but "slow to repent". There is that yearning for glory (perfectly holy in Christ). We are caught away from something, like all the injustice in the world.

Happiness is a by-product of holiness. We pursue it but often we cannot lay hold of it. I've shifted that thought about happiness being the by-product of holiness. Holiness is often misunderstood. It is about grace. Having no bitterness or unforgiveness.

One may say "I can forgive everyone except him". Or another who says he lay it all down and forgive all. Who is happier? Holiness is having an intimate relationship with God. He has found a rest for his soul.

The other meaning is we are Caught Up.

When we are caught up there will be a multitude. A history of the church from the day of Pentecost where everyone of the church will be together as a multitude. A body united to the head who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:2

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

This is the realm of the devil. Here the church is caught up into the realm of the enemy where we declare the triumph of Christ and his church and we are transfigured. 

1 Corinthians 15:42-58

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being” ; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed– 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

This is the Transfiguration. In the twinkling of an eye we will be changed. Look at question 1.

The church now exists in the period between the Resurrection of Christ and the First

Resurrection of believers. This period is a time of spiritual resurrection (Col 3:1) when the

church is called to the work of missions and evangelism. It is indeed the time known as the "day of salvation". (2 Cor 6:2)

At the end of this period of world evangelization, the church looks forward to the First

Resurrection; the resurrection of believers. This is a resurrection unto eternal life, a

resurrection accompanied by the judgment of the righteous (John 5:28, 29) (2 Cor 5:10). This

resurrection occurs in the event known as the Rapture of the church.

In 1 Thess 4:17 the Greek word 'harpazo' that Paul uses denotes to seize hastily, to draw to

oneself by swift, sudden movement. In 1 Thes 1:10, Paul uses a Greek word 'rhuo' which means a 'rescue with power* to describe rapture as a deliverance from the coming wrath. The rapture is therefore an event that describes the church being caught away, being removed from persecution and suffering, from the distress of the soul and body (Phil 3:21), from the entire sphere of sin (Rom 6:6). It is both an act of divine grace (1 Pet 1:13) and divine mercy (Jude 21).

Divine grace frees us from all sin and divine mercy that frees us from all misery. Rapture is also at the same time a catching up. The members of the body are now being united with the Head, for the Lord Himself will descend and we shall be with Him forever (1 Thess 4:17). For the first time, the church of all times and from all nations will exist together as the living and the dead are caught up at the same time. Thus, the completed church will exist for the first time, but not on earth but in the air. The rapture is also a transfiguration, a changing of the body of humiliation into a body of glory, the corruptible being transformed into the incorruptible (1 Cor 15:51.53). The rapture is also a declaration of triumph. As the church gathers in the air, the area of activity of the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph 2:2), the triumph cannot be greater. Death indeed has been completely conquered (1 Cor 15:54). Christ has conquered completely. His church has overcome absolutely. The rapture manifest the blessed hope (Titus 2:13) of the church. In the rapture, all that believers have longed for will come true. Faith will meet hope in the realized promise of the blessed hope. There is no other more dramatic way to meet our Lord. Indeed in the Resurrection of Christ He is the first fruits of those who will be resurrected at His Coming (1 Cor 15:23).

1Thess 4:16-17

For the Lord Himself will descend from heavon with a shout, with the voice of an archangel,

and with the trumpet of God. And the dead In Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive

and remain shall be caught up together with them In the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Questions

1. What are the characteristics of the resurrection body?

What is the constitution of man. We are spirit, soul and body. The other interpretation is that we have a spiritual soul and a body. Both are correct interpretation.

What is death? If you are an unbeliever, you will not be sure. Die mean die. Or you could be here or there. They see death as the end. Not a transition. There is a big question mark. For us we understand differently. Death is the separation of the soul from the body. We are embodied souls. The Greeks believed this. God made the body first. Then only a living soul when God breath into us. We become complete at the Rapture when the Transfiguration occurs.

What the Bible says about this transfigured body.

1 Corinthians 15:42

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

This body of ours will decay but the new body will be incorruptible. No sickness no decay.

1 Corinthians 15:43

it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;

It is a body that exhibits the glory of God. It is glorified and has power.

1 Corinthians 15:44-46

44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being” ; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.

There is a spirituality to the body. Now we have a soulish as well as a spiritual. It will now be spiritual.

1 Corinthians 15:54

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

It is an immortal body. No more death.

Luke 24:39-40

39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

It is a real physical body with flesh and bones.

Some questions will be, will we eat?

1 John 3:2

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

The best evidence is that of Jesus' body. And Jesus ate with them. But Jesus is now in heaven and I think he need not eat.

Also Jesus had a physical body that can transcend space. It's an upgrade. The disciples also know who Jesus is so he can be recognised. God glorified our body so we can be recognised.

The body we have is a seed. It will flower which is our resurrection body. There will be a semblance.

1 Corinthians 15:49

And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

We will be Christ-like and will be conformed to Him.

2. Will the Rapture of the church occur before the tribulation period or after the tribulation period?

This sounds one a simple question but it has been much debated. The question is, is it pre-trip or post-trip. It has been debated for more than 100 years.

I cannot go through exactly what is this about and each of the verses. But after much reading, at the end of the day, we are not sure. The church does not have a definite answer.

But to the best of my understanding, I look at it this way. I get most of my books from Evangel. Even if it is not conclusive, when asked I always must have an answer. I may not know the exact answer but I will always take a position and tell them this is what I think. If we want to take a position we have to know why.

First is the historical perspective. From the first century until now much of the church is post-trip position until the 19th century. What changed is that there was a fresh theological under on the salvation history, pre-trip came into the theological picture. Today pre-trip together with post-trip have had much more understanding. The AOG's position is pre-trip.

I will look at pre-trip and take this position.

What does pre-trip and post-trip mean?

The First Coming -> 7 Years Tribulation -> Second Coming (Armageddon) -> Millennium Kingdom (1000 years) - note not all agree to this -> Eternal State

The question is when is the Rapture (Jesus taking us)? Before the tribulation is pre-trip or after the tribulation is post-trip. There is now a minority that even look at a mid-trip or even partial Rapture. But we're not looking at the minority's position.

What makes us think it's a pre-trip?

Let's look at the structure of the book of Revelations.

Roughly it goes by chapter. Chapter 1 is the introduction and covers the risen Christ.

Revelation 1:19

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

The which are, the present. The things which will take place, the future. This is the chronological structure of the book of Revelations. Chapters 2 to 3 is the present. Letters to the 7 churches. 7 churches in those region. But like all biblical prophetic book, it also points to what's to happen in the future, how the church history worked out. This we have studied about 2 years ago at cell.

Revelation 3:10

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

This is a key word. The hour of trial is the tribulation. John's command to persevere is talking about us, the church. And keep us from tribulation (hour of trial).

Chapters 4 and 5, John is taken to heaven in his vision. It talks about the Throne Room of Christ. A vision of heaven.

Chapters 6 to 18 will actually be the tribulation period. The seals, trumpet and bows.

Chapters 19 to 22, Age to come beginning with the second coming.

From the tribulation period onwards (chapters 6-18) the church is no longer mentioned. This is circumstantial evidence that the church is no longer present. We the church have been taken away.

It has something to do with a third thing.

The relationship of the church with Israel. Is Israel no more or is the church the new Israel?

The Roman Catholic Church had a man called Martin Luther who protested against their theology so the protestant movement of which we are part of came about. Then came John Calvin, from who came the Covenant Theology.  Which sees Israel in the OT as a people.of God. And the church in the NT is the people of God.

Then came the Dispensationalism. 

Acts 1:6

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

The disciples who were all Jews asked Jesus. This was an important question. Jesus is a Jew descendant from David. When they ask about Israel, they were looking at Israel as a nation. They didn't see Christ as the savior of the world and not just the Jews. This Kingdom that they asked about is the Davidic Kingdom.

The answer that Jesus gave was this.

Acts 1:7

And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

Jesus gave a vague answer. But when Jesus said it is not for you to know the time, it is implied that it will happen.

Salvation is only and only for the Jews that accepted Jesus as Saviour. They cannot be saved based on the mosaic law. The Jews have to become a Christian to be saved.

So the church is both Jews and Gentiles. Israelites who are saved will receive the promise of the Dravidic Kingdom. They will be part of the Millennium Kingdom.

The question asked is why the Millennium Kingdom? Covenant Theology do not have a 1948 forming of the nation of Israel. That was a miracle. Nobody thought it could happen. The Jews were already scattered all over the world. With the birth of Israel, it brought us back to the Dravidic Kingdom. One of the sign is the temple of Jerusalem will be rebuilt. We don't know how but it will be built. With this event Israel came back into the picture.

Dispensationalism gave a place for Israel.

As far as the Bible is concerned, it's a Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

The second coming and the Rapture are separate events or the same thing? The post-trip believe that between the Rapture and Second Coming is 7 years.

Revelation 19:11-16

Christ on a White Horse

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

In the pre-trip, the Rapture and the second coming is the same event before the tribulation.

At the Rapture (Jesus comes for the Saints). Second coming (Jesus comes down with his Saints). The church is in heaven in between this period.

After the Rapture, the anti-christ is revealed. Only the unbelievers are on earth. Events on earth no longer concerns the Christians.

If it is post-trip, then it's very different. The Saints will be in the 7 years tribulation.

Another reason I believe it's the pre-trip is this. Every time the second coming is mentioned, the church was waiting in anticipation. This is circumstantial. But if the second coming is post-trip, and the tribulation is going to be before the Rapture, the church would not be so excited about the second coming, the blessed hope. That's why the church looks forward to the second coming.

In conclusion we end on a good note. In the first coming we got saved. Now we look forward to the blessed hope because it will be the fulfilment of his promise.