PRO:The resurrection of the Church  by Pastor Don Chapman 3/82

   1) Jesus Christ was the first person to be resurrected from the
dead. No one else will be resurrected until the Rapture occurs. The
Rapture will be the resurrection of the Church (both living and dead
believers). I Cor.15:23; I Thess.3:13; 4:13-18

   2) The Rapture will be the way God protects the Church from the
tribulation. I Thess. 1:10 w/2:19; 3:13

   3) Believers should strive to keep their mind on spiritual things
for Phase 2 Sanctification, so that they will not be ashamed when they
meet the Lord in the Rapture. I Thess.5:23; I John 2:28

   4) Believers who do not understand this doctrine will never become
spiritually mature. II Thess.2:1-3

   5) Having the heart stabilized with this doctrine is the only way a
believer can patiently wait for the Rapture when he is under pressure.
James 5:7-8

   6) In the last days of the Church Age, people will laugh at this
doctrine. II Peter 3:4

   7) The Rapture is not the same event as the Second Advent of Christ.
The following is a comparison of the two:

   A) The doctrine about the Rapture was a mystery in the Old
Testament; whereas the Second Advent of the Messiah was clearly taught.
Zech.12; I Cor.15:51-53

   B) At the Rapture, Christ will meet the Church in the air; BUT at
the Second Advent, He will descend upon the Mount of Olives. I
Thess.4:13-18; Zech.14:4

   C) The rapture will take place BEFORE the tribulation; whereas the
Second Advent will occur AFTER the tribulation. I Thess.1:10 II
Thess.2:1-3; Mt.24:29-31; Rev.19

   D) The Church will be given its rewards AFTER the Rapture; but it
will have already been rewarded BEFORE the Second Advent. Rev.19:7-9

   E) At the Rapture, only the BELIEVER will be taken from the earth;
BUT at the Second Advent only the UNBELIEVER will be Rapture removed.
Mt.25:31-46; I Thess.4:13-18

   F) The Rapture will be private; however, everyone will see Jesus
Christ at the Second Advent. I Cor.15:51-52; Rev.1:7

   G) After the Rapture, the Holy Spirit will no longer restrain
Satan's attempts to promote the Antichrist; whereas after the Second
Advent Satan will be imprisoned for 1, 000 years, and the Antichrist
will be put into the Lake of Fire. II Thess.2:6-12; Rev.19:19-20;
Revelation 20:1-3

   H) The Rapture could occur at any time; BUT the Second Advent cannot
occur until after the tribulation. II Thess.2:1-5; Rev.6-20

   I) At the Rapture, the Church will be resurrected and escorted to
heaven; BUT at the Second Advent, the Church will return with Christ to
the earth. I Thess.4:13-18; Rev.19:6-14; Jude 14
