What will happen at the Rapture? Matthew 24:36-51

If the most-wanted electronic game this Christmas is the new Nintendo Wii, the video game taking America by storm just in time for Christmas arms young people to kill those who resist conversion to Christianity The creator of the game, Left Behind: Eternal Forces, anticipate a ready market among those who bought 63 million Left Behind novels. Left Behind: Eternal Forces is set in New York City. You might think New York is a rather unusual setting for the battle against the Anti-Christ. It’s not mentioned in the Bible. So, why are we training teenagers to do battle in New York?" Because New York is the location of United Nations headquarters - not a popular organisation among many conservative evangelicals in the USA. The enemy in Left Behind is the Global Community Peacekeepers led by the Anti-Christ. The UN forces scour Manhattan, in an effort to wipe out the Bible-believing remnant. They have been left behind when Christians are beamed up to meet Jesus in the sky in a secret rapture. The new believers form an army of sorts -- the Tribulation Force.

A review on Focus on the Family's website suggests the game is an evangelism tool for teenagers - "the kind of game that Mom and Dad can actually play with Junior—and use to raise some interesting questions along the way."  Apparently "There's no gore…But there is killing. But its OK because its “faith-based killing.”  Players pray for their adversaries "and try to do good spiritual things for them,"

But…at a certain point, "it becomes acceptable to kill them. The implication is that the killing is justified because the player is making eternal decisions."  The producers acknowledge its violent content. According to the Left Behind Games website:

 “In Left Behind: Eternal Forces, the players' objective is to find ‘tribulation clues', which include Bible mysteries, codes and fascinating and eternally relevant information. … physical warfare results when the player is required to defend against the physical forces of evil; led by the Global Community Peacekeepers.”

They promise violence in a posting enticing gamers:

·         Conduct physical & spiritual warfare : using the power of prayer to strengthen your troops in combat and wield modern military weaponry throughout the game world.

·         Recover ancient scriptures and witness spectacular Angelic and Demonic activity as a direct consequence of your choices.

·         Command your forces through intense battles across a breathtaking, authentic depiction of New York City.

·         Control more than 30 units types - from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces and Battle Tanks!

·         Enjoy a robust single player experience across dozens of New York City maps – fighting in China Town, SoHo, Uptown and more!

Focus on the Family concedes:

“Yes, you're offered sniper rifles, gun turrets, even tanks and helicopters. And there are points at which a gun battle is necessary to avoid a massacre. (When this happens, there's no gore.

Units fall to the ground and fade away.) But if you go in guns blazing, nine times out of 10 you fail.

It quickly becomes clear that the strongest weapons in your arsenal are your top-level missionaries and worship leaders. It's easier to convert a group of enemies than it is to shoot them.”

Will Christians really be called to militarize, then? Tim LaHaye, co-author of the best-selling Left Behind book series on which the game is based, says that this fictionalized depiction is a representation "of the self preservation instinct of the much-persecuted saints during the Tribulation."

The goals of the game are simple: Spread the gospel, and stay alive. But staying alive may sometimes lead to the taking of life -- "fighting hellfire with hellfire”.  And that raises a knotty moral conundrum for any game designer who worships Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

What is the idea behind the “Rapture”?  
The novel but popular belief that Jesus will return secretly to take out of the world true believers. In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the world disappear. Then life continues on earth for between three and a half years and seven years in a period of great suffering on earth known as the Tribulation.
 
According to the website Rapture Ready, “Right after the rapture, millions of people will find "religion," repenting of every sin they have committed--and of some they haven't. The prophecy section in all Christian bookstores will be cleaned out, and you may need reservations to attend Sunday church services. Well, maybe not at all churches.

The world will be in a state of supreme chaos, and out of this mess will arise the man who will have an answer to every question. This man, the Antichrist, will be the greatest salesman in history because he will sell the people the biggest lie ever. Satan will be so impressed with him that he will give this man his full power. At the end of this Tribulation there will be a great war known as Armageddon and Jesus will return visibly, defeat the Anti-Christ and reign on earth for a thousand years.”  

Now the idea of the Rapture is just one of several views of the End Times, held by Bible believing Christians.

Let me summarise the way Christians view the future on the PowerPoint.  Although now a dominant view in America, the idea of the Rapture only came into Christian theology at the beginning of the 19th Century but has spawned a multi-million dollar industry in books, DVD’s, computer games and car bumper stickers.  Here are a selection:

· In case of rapture, this car will be unoccupied.
· In case of rapture, someone please take the wheel.
· In case of rapture, give my car to my brother-in-law.

I’m glad that “end time” speculation has created a sense of urgency about getting right with God. But there is much that worries me as well. The idea of the secret rapture has generated a lot of bad theology. This happens when ever people major on minors and dogmatise on obscure verses. We must base our beliefs on the central truths of God’s word.

What does the Bible say about the return of Jesus?
Over the past few weeks we have been exploring Matthew 23-24. Tonight we come to the concluding verses of Matthew 24. I want to draw out three principles from our passage.

1. Jesus will return to an unsuspecting world (Matt 24:36-41)

2. Jesus will reward his diligent servants (Matt 24:42-47)

3. Jesus will rebuke unfaithful hypocrites (Matt 24:48-51)


1. Jesus will return to an unsuspecting world

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” (Matthew 24:36-41)

 

Let us make some observations:

1.1 No one knows when Jesus will return (24:36)

Anyone who claims to know is a liar or a fool.

1.2 Most people don’t care that Jesus will return (24:37-39)

It will be business as usual until the day Jesus returns.

When Jesus returns, for many, it will be very inconvenient.


1.3 Everyone will know when Jesus returns (24:40-41)

Let us deal with the idea of the “secret” rapture. There is no secret rapture in Scripture. Jesus tells us plainly,

 

“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)

 

So how are we to understand the illustration of one person taken and one left behind? You have a choice. If Jesus has in mind the link with the story of Noah, then it was the family of Noah who were taken into the ark and unbelievers who were left behind. However, it possible Jesus has in mind the imagery of the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares. When the servants ask, “Do you want us to go and pull the weeds up?” the master replies,

 

“Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.” (Matthew 13:30).

 

It shows that in some matters of detail we cannot dogmatise. What matters is that we major on the big picture and leave the details of the operation to the angels. The point is - there will be no secret two-stage rapture. A secret appearing for his saints and then a visible appearing with his saints. The return of Jesus will be one event, visible, universal and cataclysmic. This is what the rest of Scripture has to say about the Rapture.

But like a thief in the night, Jesus will return to an unsuspecting world.

2. Jesus will reward his diligent servants

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” (Matthew 24:42-47)

 

This is the primary reason Jesus is returning. To reward his diligent servants with greater responsibility. Three things we are told to do between now and then:


2.1 Be Watchful (24:42)
This means being vigilant. Being thoughtful. Constantly aware that Jesus may return at any moment. Reviewing our priorities, our choices, our actions in the light of Jesus’ imminent return. Be watchful.


2.2 Be Faithful (24:45)

You know Jesus never commands us to be fruitful. He does command faithfulness. Faithfulness leads to fruitfulness. Faithful to what we already know of God’s will for our lives.

Faithful to the one who has called us, who saved us and who gifted us. Be watchful and faithful.

2.3 Be Serving (24:46)

We are told to be watchful and faithful as servants of God. Wisdom comes from knowing our purpose and fulfilling our mission. What is our mission? To win, build and send. These are the three things Jesus has commanded us to do. Watchful, faithful and serving. Why? Because Jesus has entrusted his mission to us. There are by implication three things he has not commanded us to do.

Procrastinate “he’s not coming” - instead be watchful.

Speculate “he’s coming tomorrow” - instead be faithful.

Coordinate “we can help his coming” - instead be serving.

 

“It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” (Matthew 24:46-47)

 

Because, Jesus will return to an unsuspecting world.

Because, Jesus will reward his diligent servants. And because thirdly,


3. Jesus will rebuke unfaithful hypocrites

“But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:48-51)

 

The return of Jesus is intended to be a day of great joy and celebration and it will be for his diligent servants. But it will also be a day of great sadness to those who have ignored or rejected Jesus. Now bear in mind that Jesus is using a parable or story here to illustrate what will happen on his return. So we must be careful not to read into the detail too much.

But one legitimate observation I think we can make is this. Jesus regards everyone as a servant of God. Yes - the criteria will be has a person received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. But here the evidence of that belief is demonstrated in behaviour. Are people living out their professed faith in lives of diligent service? Both believers and unbelievers are called to be servants. We are created in the image of God. We are accountable to God for our lives and the investment he has made in us. He is our Master whether we recognise him as such or not. Jesus here distinguishes between faithful and unfaithful the basis of their behaviour.


The unfaithful are associated with hypocrites. Those who say one thing and do another. The fate of those who have rejected Jesus is bleak. The expression Jesus uses here “cut him to pieces” is the same expression used in Exodus 29:17 to describe the way a sacrifice is cut up as an offering to God. So even in judgment God will be glorified. If people refuse to accept Jesus death in their place, they must pay themselves. How tragic that, in the words of John,


“Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. All those who do evil hate the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But those who live by the truth come into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (John 3:19-21)

 

What will happen at the rapture?

Jesus will return to an unsuspecting world.

Jesus will reward his diligent servants.

Jesus will rebuke unfaithful hypocrites.


While we have time, let us use every opportunity God gives us to tell others how much God loves them. How he wants them to know him through Jesus. Lets use this Christmas and our services as an opportunity to introduce our family, our friends and neighbours to Jesus. For you never know - it may be the last Christmas we celebrate. In the words of Jesus “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17). Lets pray.