22.37 The Coming of the Lord (Part 3)

In this final episode of the Smith's series titled, The Coming of the Lord, Pastor Smith concludes his message that helps listeners understand what the Bible has to say about last day living in light of the imminent return of Jesus Christ as he raptures his Church away, saving them all from the wrath to come.  Understanding the "pre-millennial, pre-tribulation rapture of the Church," makes sense of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians where he says in chapter 4, verses 16-18,  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. 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. Therefore encourage one another with these words (NIV).  If, as some believe, we are to experience the Great Tribulation before Christ's second coming, why would Paul say in verse 18, therefore encourage one another with these words?  That's not a very encouraging outlook for the believer, to go through tribulation as never seen before on planet earth!  We were saved from God's wrath, not saved to experience God's wrath in the most unprecedented way.  No, my friend, we believe we will be saved from that earthly wrath as well as an eternal wrath in hell, apart from God for eternity!  That's the salvation plan of the Lord!  So be encouraged by this final episode in this series as Craig Smith finishes his message on The Coming of the Lord!  Be blessed, dear listener!