Rapture, Tribulation, and Armageddon

Introduction:

Perhaps as many as 80% of all religious people believe in the rapture and millennial reign of Jesus Christ. These things have become known as premillennialism. Does this really matter? We know the Lord is going to return and in order to have the hope of heaven we need to be faithful. Why is premillennialism so dangerous?

I.  A brief summary of premillennial theory.

A.    Before the end of the world there will be a number of ominous signs:

B.    The rapture is the beginning of events leading to Armageddon.

C.   7 Years of Tribulation - great persecution of Christians

D.   War breaks out in the middle east – leading to the battle of Armageddon

E.     Return of Christ.

II. Will There Be a “Rapture?” 1 Thess. 4:13-18.

A.    4:16-18 is used to represent a silent, mysterious return of Jesus to “snatch away” those who are faithful to God.

B.    Do these verses describe a silent return of Jesus Christ?

1.     Shout; hear the voice of the archangel; the trumpet of God will sound.

C.   How many times will Jesus return?

1.     Premillennialists say Jesus will return at the Rapture

2.     And then again to bring destruction & punish evildoers at Armageddon 7 years after the rapture.

D.   How many resurrections will there be? Premillennialism says there will be 3.

1.     Compare that to John 5:28-29. Only ONE resurrection – at the end of time.

III. The Period of Tribulation

A.    After rapture, 7 year period of great tribulation will pursue.

1.     Mt. 24:5-14 is often used to prove what will happen during this time.

B.    Things in 24:5-14 did not signify the nearness of the end of the world, but the events preceding destruction of Jerusalem!

C.   Mt. 24:36 – absolutely no signs pointing to Jesus’ return – all going on as normal.

IV. The Battle of Armageddon

A.    Rev. 16:16; 19:14-21 – two passages referred to as proof for the last great battle.

B.    Where is Armageddon? Mount Megiddo is not a literal place.

1.     Mediggo was associated with a place of decisive battle; a place of victory for the Lord.

C.   Fit that into the overall message of Revelation.

D.   Biblical difficulties w/a physical battle of Armageddon.

1.     Revelation was written for people of John’s day. 1:1, 3, 22:10.

2.     Jesus & His saints do not wage physical battles for His kingdom.

a)     Mt. 5:38-39; 43-45; Mt. 26:52-53; John 18:36; Eph. 6:11

3.     Figurative symbols cannot be applied literally. Ezek. 39:1-9; Rev. 16:13-16

E.     What does Battle of Armageddon signify?

1.     The ultimate fight between good & evil, fought in context of 1st thru 3rd centuries.

Conclusion:

A. Mt. 24:36-38 – Jesus will return – no one knows when. Are you ready?