RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUAL
LESSON FORTY-EIGHT
SUNDAY 29TH JULY 2018

TOPIC:  RAPTURE: PURPOSE AND QUALIFICATIONS


MEMORY VERSE: "In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” – John 14:2-3

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1Corinthians 15:50-53

1 Corinthians:15.50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians:15.51
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed --
1 Corinthians:15.52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians:15.53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

INTRODUCTION: 
Our last lesson revealed the meaning of the word, rapture. We also discovered events surrounding the rapture as regards timing and other issues. Today’s lesson will show us the reasons, the qualification as well as fallacies surrounding the rapture. May the good Lord teach our hearts and bless our lives with His truth by His Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Why will the rapture take place?
2. Who will be raptured?

WHY WILL THE RAPTURE TAKE PLACE?
The rapture will take place:
1. To resurrect the just of all ages from among the dead (1Thessalonians 4:13-17, Psalm 50:1-6).
2. To take the saints out of the world before the tribulation (Luke 21:34-36; 2Thessalonians 2:7-8; 1Thessalonians 1:10).
3. That Jesus Christ might present to Himself a Church without spots or wrinkles (Ephesians 5:27; John 14:1-3).
4. To transform or change the bodies of all faithful saints from mortality to immortality (Philippians 3:20-21; 1Corinthians 15:21-23, 42-44, 51-58).
5. To assemble the saints at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelations 19:1-10).
6. To allow the revelation of the anti-Christ (2Thessalonians 2:1-8 ).
7. To present saints to God the Father (1Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 24).
8. To make the saints whole in body, soul and spirit (1John 3:2-3; Romans 8:22-23).

WHO WILL BE RAPTURED?
The following set of people shall be raptured:
1. Those who are in Christ at His coming (John 1:12; 2Corinthians 5:17).
2. Those who earnestly desire His appearance (Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20).
3. Those who love the Lord supremely (Philippians 3:7-10; John 21:15-17; John 14:15; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 19:12-13).
4. Those whose citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20-21; Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 11:10, 16).
5. Those who will live holy even as He is holy (1Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14; 1John 3:1-3).

CONCLUSION
Let us be sober in watchfulness (1Thessalonians 5:6), always fellowshipping together (Hebrews 10:25) and keeping the unity of the faith in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

QUESTIONS:
1. State six reasons the rapture should take place.
2. Mention the categories of people that would be raptured.