We'll go ahead and get started on our study here. So brother Ramsey you can start the live stream for the church feed That's how that was supposed to go. Did you already start it? All right. Just remember that just on the church feed only. Don't worry about it right now, but only. Oh, there you go. On the church feed only. It delays getting started until now. How many of y'all watch our live feed sometimes? All right. For those of you that watch our live feed, how many of you watch it from my Facebook? Oh, okay. YouTube, YouTube. The Glory Baptist one? Okay. Okay. All right. Who? What? YouTube? Okay. I usually watch it on YouTube as well. Everybody else that I know of that watches it, they watch it on my personal Facebook, mainly because Facebook does this weird thing. If it comes from somebody's account, if you're subscribed or if you're like friends with them, it will automatically alert you that that person is live streaming. If you're following a page, it does not alert you. You have to go check. That's why I like Brother Holderman. You're like, yeah, you're not live on Facebook. It's because the church page doesn't alert you. You have to actually go to it and find it. So are you all aware that during every service we are? We are streaming on and I'm going to miss one. You're going to have to tell me what it is. You scroll through them. We're streaming on Facebook, my personal Facebook page. And what is that one twitch. Twitch, yeah, so. Not Twitter, because there's some, and the radio, and Glory Baptist Radio, but they have weird rules, you can't, you have to qualify to, what's that? Sermon Audio, I mentioned that one, so. Twitch is like gamers live stream on it, and you say, why you do that? Well, because we can, why not? You know, I mean, it's an option, so we live stream on it. Every there's like 30 different options But of those 30 different options not all of them are options for us because we're live-streaming more than five minutes So a lot of them like LinkedIn you can only stream for like 10 minutes unless you have a professional account Twitter or X, you know, I think it's like 10 minute something like that. But anyhow, I We are in our study tonight. We're going to continue Landmarks of Baptist Doctrine, and this is the doctrine of last things or the big 50 cent word. You know, we used to say we used to say 50 cent words, but I think now it's like $5 word because I know it's not Eskenazi. That's the hospital. It is eschatology. Eschatology. So here's how you do it. You say es, es, cat. Like a cat, you know, meow, meow, right? Eschatology. It is, it is, but eschatology or eschatology. Yeah, actually it is, it is, let me see how it's, it is E-S-E, ah, E-S-C-H, say that again, E-S-C-H who? See, I can't spell either. Mickey Mouse, what? E-S-C, E-S-C-H-A-T, that A-T, so that's, that's S-Cat-ology, all right? S-Cat-ology, that's how you remember it, all right? There you go. So, and I know you could probably pronounce that eschatology, like the A could be a uh instead of a ah, but whatever. It's easier to remember if you throw a cat in the middle of it, yes. All right, now, what's it mean? I already told you. Yeah, the study of last things. Yeah. All right. Ology is study and then eschat has to do with the things of the end or end times. All right. Real quick, real quick. Catch you up kind of thing. OK, we're on the 7th message in this lecture. The lecture is the course of this age, and so we've looked at the characteristics of the last days. We looked at how there's going to be false Christianity. There's mean national international conflict, national disaster, natural disasters, religious persecution, abounding sin, extensive gospel preaching. And then we looked at how the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is there's a fact there is the fact of it there is the assurance of it there's the nature of it looking at all those things and now we're still looking at the nature of his return in that we looked at a personal return a bodily return a visible return a sudden return an imminent return a pre-millennial return. That's what we looked at last week. If you missed it, you can go back and watch the video. It's online there somewhere. Brother Bella can give you information about that. We covered all of page 796 last week, alright? And the top of page 797. So we are on page 797 on point number 7, alright? And that's point number seven of what? Those of you paying attention. The nature of Christ's return the nature of Christ's return. So point number seven is that the nature of Christ's return is a two stage return to two stage return. This is something I've been talking about all along the way because a lot of people get confused about this particular issue. They look at the two state or they look at the return of Christ and they think about only the rapture or they think about only the revelation. or they get confused because the Bible refers to both of them separately and refers to both of them generally. All right. So from a prophetic standpoint from a prophetic standpoint the first coming of Christ involved two distinct stages. That is the cradle and the cross. Now, I know that a lot of people these days, especially this season, want to emphasize that Jesus did not come to be a baby in a manger. But the fact of the matter is. It was prophesied. His birth was a big deal, his birth is a big deal, and celebrating his birth, I think, is totally fine. You say, well, where's that in the Bible? Where are we commanded to celebrate His resurrection? We just see believers doing it. Right? Do we see believers? Celebrating his birth. We do see it in history. We don't see it recorded in the pages of Scripture, but. We do see it as early as the 1st century. With the Donatus, who were originally ancient Baptist people, they were. They believed Baptist principles, so the Donatus, by the way, just a little piece of trivia for you. They celebrated Jesus birth on December 25th. as early as 100 AD. So just. In case you needed to know, and by the way, they didn't get that from the pagans. So anyhow. Moving on. His but his first coming was two phase two distinct stages or phases. You had the cradle and the cross. Now in that particular case, we have the cradle and the cross. How much time is in between those two? How much time? about like 33 33 and a half years something like that right yeah what time oh yeah half however you say that yeah so 33 and a half so you've got a long you got three three decades yes sir yes yes so they believed that he was crucified on the same day that he was conceived. That's that's their traditional belief. He was crucified the same day he was conceived. That would have been now and we know when he was crucified. It would have been March 25th of like 30, you know, a 30 ish 80. And so if he was crucified on the day he was conceived, well, nine months from that is what December 25. So there's that there was Eastern folks who believed that they believed the same thing, but they believed it was on April 6, not March 25. And that put them to January 6th, so there you go with that one, but. But the fact is he came. The fact is his first advent or his. Or his coming. It had two major events. Now sure, we get to see what happened when he was 12 years old. Sure, we get to see his earthly ministry, but the two distinct and major events That are prophesied that get fulfilled the two primary events of his first coming. Or what? His birth. His death. those two things. Now there are other prophetic events during the during his earthly ministry. You have the the turning the tables as Pastor G put it in Sunday school. You have the entering into Jerusalem on a donkey. You know you have those different things right. You and you have other things that refer to things that he accomplishes during his earthly ministry. But, but the two primary stages of his advent, his first advent, is the cradle and the cross. In like fashion, the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ will occur in two phases. Two phases. Did any of y'all do advent calendars when you were younger? They had a little chocolate counting the little like you get 25 days. And yeah, my wife's like, yeah, me. Yeah. Yeah. According to my advent calendar, Christmas is in three days. I'm just kidding. It's a joke. Okay. It means I ate all the chocolates. You know that's not true, right? That would be contrary to pastors current dietary decisions. Alright, but but the second advent also will occur in two phases and we look at those here. We see first the rapture. The word rapture is not found in the Word of God, but since it means to be caught up. It is a fitting word to describe the events occurring at the first stage of Christ's return. The term rapture is used to mean the catching up of the saints into the air as Christ comes in the clouds as described for us in First Thessalonians 4 verses 16 and 17. We'll turn over there real quick. First Thessalonians. So question for you here. Do we use words to describe biblical things? That. Are not in the Bible. I mean, do we use words that are not in the Bible to describe biblical things? Do we? Well, rapture is what we're talking about, but do we use any other? Are there any other words that we use that are not Bible words, but they're biblical? Speak up back here. Demon, OK. OK, deluge for the describing the flood or antediluvian. It's a time frame. So, but let's let's say a word, a theological word that we use that's not in the Bible that we use that's biblical, it's correct biblically. That's actually, well, the other ones are in there, but the other omnis are in there, but. No, this is not related to what we're talking about tonight. The doctrinal thing that we're talking about. It's not going to be in your book. This is just to emphasize the fact that it's not wrong to use the word rapture. What other key cardinal doctrine of the Word of God do we refer to in talking about the very nature of God Himself? And it's not in the Bible. The Word's not in the Bible, but it's right biblically. Yes, Trinity, is that what you just said back here? OK. Trinity, no. Yeah, Trinity, that's right, right? Don't we? We use the word Trinity all the time. Right now, ordination isn't just about Bible trivia, but we we use we use Trinity all the time. We talk about the triune nature of God, though that words not in the Bible. Does that mean it's wrong? No, it's right. The Bible. Clearly teaches it just doesn't use that word Right just the same the Bible clearly teaches the rapture. It just does not use the word rapture Okay, some people I've heard and I've seen on Facebook. I've seen People say it they say Rapture is not in the Bible You're right Trinity's not either There you go there there are other things there are other terms that are also not in the Bible but they're correct scripturally we're going to say. Yeah. First John five eight I think. Seven eight. Yep they leave that verse out sir. Yep. There are some people also that believe that since the word Trinity is not in the Bible, then it's not biblical. Incorrect. And there are certain Pentecostals that believe that there's no triune nature of God. You're talking about oneness Pentecostals. They believe that it's Jesus only. That's it. Yes, sir. The word immersion. Not in that way, no, but that's what baptized means. It means to dip or immerse. So. Anyhow, so the the the point that I'm bringing up here is that just because the term isn't used does not mean that the concepts not there. Look at 1st Thessalonians Chapter 4 and says in verse number 16 for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven. This by the way, this gives the perfect. Like. By the numbers, explanation, sorry, I don't know if you all know what I mean by by the numbers. By the number, it's a military term, by the numbers. By the numbers, it's like, so for example, let's see. Hey, my Sergeant Major wifey back here, what's, give me an example of something that you would do by the numbers. No. Hub. Gotta do the hard one, right? About face isn't as easy. We'll do, how about we just do right face, all right? So right face by the numbers. So the person calls out, you're standing at the position of attention and they say, right face. And when they say face, you do by the numbers. You lift your foot like this, that's one, two. It's a two point motion. And then left face, one, two. That's by the numbers, one, two. Now when you normally do it, They just say, left face, right face. And you just do it. You don't. It's kind of hard to do it on carpet with barefoot shoes on. Yes, sir. Oh. I haven't been an NCO for a very long time. I've been an officer for 10 years, for more than a decade. So I don't know anything about marching anymore. I was just giving an example as an officer. So I don't have to march anybody, but I'll be marching. So anyhow, so, and man, that term I haven't heard. Anyhow, long, long, long time. So by the numbers, what I mean by by the numbers is it's it's step by step, step by step description of how what's going to happen at the rapture. Yes, sir. Um, it wouldn't be like by the note, but the 10 commands are more their categorical commandments. God gives us 10 commandments as as the introduction to the rest of the law and their categorical. They're not meant to. It's not that they're not meant to mean something on their own, they are. But deeper than just the face value, they mean something alone, and then they also mean something categorically. So each other commandment throughout the other 613 commandments of the law fall under one of those ten commandments in category. But they wouldn't be like by the number necessarily. By the number is like step by step. Yes, you could go through sacrifices by the number all that, but here we have the rapture by the numbers or by step by step here. It says in verse number 16 for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven. With a shout with the voice of the archangel and with the Trump of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. That's a resurrection that takes place. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words." That's the rapture, okay? The rapture. Let me help you to understand this in the timeline. The rapture takes place, and I'm giving this. This isn't a full dissertation on the topic. We'll deal with it deeper as we go, but the rapture happens before the tribulation. It is the next major thing to happen on God's prophetic calendar for us. The rapture. When that takes place, all of our dearly departed believers. Every saved person who is in the grave is going to raise from the dead. And every saved person that is alive is going to meet them in the air. And we're going to meet Jesus in the air. And we're going to go into heaven. With a glorified body, we won't go there right now, but it's in your notes. First Corinthians 15. We will not. We should not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. Right, we're going to raise incorruptible and we're going to. Head off like astronauts into heaven. OK, and and when we get there. What we see taking place in Revelation Chapter 4 is where we pick up. Revelation Chapter 4, we're there. There's the judgment seat of Christ. We cast our crowns before him. Then we have, you know, the whole ordeal about the revelation, opening of the seals and the judgments and all of that, right? And then we have the seal judgment. Then what's happening in heaven and on earth is God is bringing about that seven years of what we call the tribulation. The last three and a half is the great tribulation. The first three and a half is the tribulation. It's considered Jacob's trouble or Daniel's 70th week. The rapture happens before that. Then we're in heaven with Jesus for that whole time. And then the revelation happens. We call it the revelation or the return in person on the earth happens at the end of the tribulation. That's seven years later. So let's let's look at our book here says Incidentally, the Bible does not give any sanction to use the phrase rapture of the church. OK, we often. We often hear people say that there's no place in the Bible that says that. Rather, scripturally accurate term or phrase would be the rapture of the saints. Alright? Because you do not have to be a member of a church to be raptured. You just have to be born again. That's it. Okay? So every saint is raptured. We good with that? We all get that? I don't want to go back into ecclesiology, okay? That's the point, though. Every saint, every believer is raptured. No believer is left behind. Every blood-washed, born-again saint of God is raptured. So, there you go. That makes a whole lot of sense to some people. To some people, they may be scratching their heads. To others, they have no idea what I'm talking about. But as you study more of the Word of God, it'll make sense. Yes, sir? The saints are not appointed to wrath. It's not the same thing. You must be a saint to be in a church legitimately. So yes, sir. Mm hmm. Called out assembly of baptized believers. Yep. Organized. So in a technical sense, in a technical sense, not a spiritual sense, but in a technical sense, everyone who joins the membership of a church is that church is is a member of that church is a part of that church. However, if someone joins the membership of a church illegitimately. They didn't get saved or whatever, but they joined and they pretended like they did right. Technically, they're a member of that church from an earthly perspective. If the church was raptured, they'd go with it, but that's not the case. The Saints are raptured. Since they're not a saint, they don't get raptured. That's just that you gotta be saved. It's not about your church membership. It's about your salvation and so. So, letter B, the revelation. So we looked at the rapture, now the revelation. And again, we're going to deal with these in a little more detail later. We're going to deal with them in a little more detail later tonight, maybe. But we're going to deal with them in a little more detail as we go through this study. Like the next, well, actually we're going to talk about tribulation after this. The word revelation means to reveal. And appears prophetically to the visible revealing or not appears but refers prophetically to the visible revealing. Of Jesus Christ to the world when he returns in power and glory. as taught in Revelation 19. Now, we've read Revelation 19 a lot. OK, that's our that's we've been in Revelation for a while, but Revelation 19. Describes when we come with him. So from our perspective. In Revelation. I'm sorry, from our perspective, the rapture and when is when Jesus comes for his saints. The revelation is when Jesus comes with His saints. Okay? No place in Revelation 19 do you see Him gathering His saints up from the earth. You see them coming with Him from heaven. Let's look at Revelation 19 just real quick here. He says in verse number... Well, I'm starting earlier so that I can put more context to it. What's that? So. Let's look at verse number six. Well verse number five and a voice came out of the throne saying praise our God all ye his servants and ye that fear him both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thundering saying Alleluia for the Lord God omnipotent. There you go. Well that was an omnipresent but omnipotent reigneth now. Now. Where are we here? What's what's what's the setting of Revelation 19 right now? Heaven, right? We're in heaven, right? So he says. Verse number seven, let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him. This is this is the the the heavenly host, as sister said here. Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him. for the marriage of the lamb is coming his wife hath made herself ready and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints and he said right unto me or I'm sorry then he said unto me right Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, and he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Verse number 10. And I fell down. We don't necessarily need to read that part. He messed up. All right. Verse number 11. And I saw heaven open. and behold a white horse and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true and in righteousness he doth judge and make war where's he coming from heaven right now let's read on his eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written which no man knew but he himself and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and his name is called the word of God and the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses clothed in what fine linen white and clean who who was clothed in fine linen white and clean the the armies which were in heaven. But earlier in the chapter they are referred to as what. Verse number eight. Saints. Saints. So where are the saints coming from in Revelation 19. Heaven. They're not coming from the grave. They're not being raptured. They're coming from heaven. All right. This is where, you know, people get confused. And I've heard people that are they believe in what they call the post-tribulational rapture. And they believe that the rapture happens at the end of the tribulation, that we meet him in the clouds and then we come back with him. Well, no, we meet him in the clouds and seven years later we come back with him. This is the account of coming back with Him. There's no account here of us coming from earth to heaven. It's all in heaven. We're already there. We're coming back with Him. All right? Yeah, we'll just stop there. That's fine. You can read on later. He comes back and you can also refer that to some other passages. And by the way, we're going to mention these other passages here that we've already gone to in our other studies. OK, so I'm I'm just going to give you the address. Make sure you look it up on your own later. That's part of your homework there. All right. So also in Luke chapter 21 verse 25 through 27 is going to give this matter of revelation, his return to earth. So the differences between the rapture and the revelation, the rapture, Christ in the clouds. We meet him in the clouds, right? The revelation, Christ on the earth, Zechariah 14 for he's going to touch down on the Mount of Olives and split it open, right? The rapture. It's a time of great joy. Right? 1st Thessalonians 418, but the revelation is a time of gloom. Right, Joel 2 too. They're going to wail because of him. You see that in various places. The rapture union with Christ. The revelation, judgment by Christ, that union with Christ again, 1 Thessalonians 4, 17. Judgment by Christ is Joel 3, verses 12 and 13. The rapture is always imminent. The revelation is preceded by signs. The revelation is preceded by signs. By the way, The revelation, though it's preceded by signs, it's still going to come upon them as a thief in the night. They're still not going to know what hit them. The rapture has a reference to the saints. The revelation is in reference to Israel, because He's coming back to rule from Jerusalem. All right? That make sense? All right. We're just going to cover similarities and we'll look at number 8 maybe next week here. So, similarities between the rapture and the revelation. Both are sudden and generally unexpected events, though you can look at the signs of the times, though you can look at things and say, hey, it's soon, it's soon, it's soon. It's still kind of unexpected. We don't when it happens, we're going to be like, I knew it was going to happen, but I didn't know it was going to happen right now. right when when the revelation happens it's going to be the same you know people on the earth well we'll be in heaven getting ready and be like yeah I know what's happening we're going let's go but the people on earth the leadership of the of the Antichrist's kingdom it's going to come on them like a thief in the night they're going to be like well we know he's coming but And if they paid attention in Sunday school, no, if they paid attention, they might know when he's coming to a certain degree. At least like, you know, they're planning to go. get Israel in the valley of Megiddo. I mean, they've got to expect it is written. In fact, I fully believe that the Antichrist and the devil know that they're going to be meeting Jesus when they come against Israel. They just don't know exactly the day or the hour. They don't know the day or the hour. They just know that it's going to happen. By the way, the devil is so proud he thinks that he's going to meet Jesus in the valley of Megiddo and win. And his followers think that that's going to happen too. Isn't that wild? Yeah. So, second thing, both involve the personal bodily return of Jesus. It's just one is in the clouds and one is on the earth, right? All the way to the earth. Number three, the rapture is Christ's coming, again, as I mentioned earlier, Christ's coming for His saints. The revelation is Christ's coming with His saints. Both of them, Christ's coming. Both of them involve His saints. One is for and one is with. And then you can also look at Matthew 24, 31 and Revelation 19, 14.