LEGACY OF FAITH: THE COMEBACK (RAPTURE) | PASTOR GODMAN AKINLABI | APRIL 2024 | THE ELEVATION CHURCH

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Legacy Of Faith: The Comeback | 2nd Service | Sunday, 28th April 2024 | The Elevation Church

SERIES: LEGACY OF FAITH: ENGAGING THE MOVE OF THE SPIRIT
TOPIC: THE COMEBACK
TEACHER: PASTOR GODMAN AKINLABI
TEXT: ACTS 1: 10 – 11 (NKJV), 1 CORINTHIANS 15: 51 – 54 (NKJV).
DATE: SUNDAY, 28th APRIL 2024

The fact that Christ will come again is a significant part of the faith that has been bequeathed to us.

What the Bible says about the comeback:

1. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14: 3).
2. Jesus will return the way we saw Him depart.
3. His appearance will be sudden, like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10).
4. Those dead in Christ will rise first, and then those alive will be caught up to meet Him in the air (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).

The comeback of Jesus Christ is the completion of a cycle that was prophesied even before Christ was born: from the "Virgin Birth" to the "Crucifixion," to the "Burial," to the "Resurrection," to the "Ascension," and finally, the "Return.”

What are the signs of the end of times? (Matthew 24: 3-8)

1. War
2. Famine/Recession
3. Earthquakes
4. Pestilence
5. False Prophets
6. Lawlessness will abound (II Timothy 3:3)

God's calendar is not like ours. Using the frequency of a woman's contraction when she is in labour as an illustration, we see the contractions start hours apart at the beginning. Then, the same contractions begin to happen more frequently. Remain watchful about the signs. The rapture will occur in the ordinary course of life.

3 Ways to prepare for the comeback:

1. Be excited and joyful about the second coming of Christ (I Thessalonians 4:13). Check your emotions; you must have the right emotions toward the comeback.

How should we feel about the pending coming of Christ:
- Reassurance- things will get better
- Comfort- reunion with God and loved ones who have passed on
- Excitement - A more glorious phase of life and the enthusiasm of payday.
- Joy and Strength from the knowledge of His second coming.

2. Choose holiness and practice righteousness (1 John 3:2-3). No one prepares for a wedding with dirty clothes (I Timothy 2:19). Jesus’ coming should inspire us to choose holiness and walk in righteousness. The Holy Spirit is the Chief Preparer, readily available to us all.

3. Invest in things that have eternal value (Revelations 3: 15-17, Revelations 22: 12). The second coming will bring the judgement day when we have to give account.

It is important to remember that death and rapture are exits to eternity, so either way, it is inevitable for us to give account.

Things that have eternal value (Matthew 6:20).

1. Serving in God's house with your time, talents and treasure.
2. Preaching the gospel
3. Living a purposeful life.

In conclusion, regarding how you live your life right now, are you ready to see Jesus?