The world is ripe for the revelation of Antichrist.

1. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future

2. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
The church in Thessalonica had been deceived into thinking that they
were already living in the Tribulation Period.
This deception probably took the form:
First, of a "word of Prophecy" spoken by a member in one of their
services, and was
Then backed up by a letter that was falsely said to be written by
Apostle Paul.

3. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
I. THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
2:1; 6-7
“Now we beseech you, [we beg you]…..
That ye be not soon shaken…. or be
troubled."
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2

4. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
I. THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
2:1; 6-7
This troublesome deception has come from:
•Some spirit (not the Holy Spirit)
•Some word
•Some letter that was supposed to be but was not from Apostle Paul

5. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
I. THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
2:1; 6-7
Paul then gives two reasons not to be shaken and
troubled by all of this talk about having to suffer
through the Tribulation:
1. By the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. By our gathering together unto Him.

6. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
I. THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
2:1; 6-7
Understanding these two doctrinal truths will keep a Christian
from worrying that he is going to have to suffer the Tribulation
Period.
The word “gathering” is a significant one.
It means to be assembled together in one place.
It refers to the Rapture which (I hope to show you) will
happen before the Tribulation.
The coming of the Lord has two parts to it.
First, when He comes in the clouds for His saints
Second when He comes with the saints to destroy the
Antichrist.

7. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
I. THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
2:1; 6-7
Paul felt that these two doctrines would comfort the
Thessalonians
He taught them that the Tribulation could not begin until the
"man of sin" was revealed (vs 3) and
That could not happen until "He who know letteth" is taken
out of the way. (vs 7)

8. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
I. THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
2:1; 6-7
The word “letteth” means "to hold down."
Someone or something is "holding down" the “wicked one"
(the Antichrist) right now.
Before the Tribulation can begin, whatever that is has to be
taken out of the way.
And there are two basic theories about who He is,
•Some say it is the Holy Spirit, and
•Some say it is the Christian.
I think it may be a combination of both because when the
Christians are raptured, the Holy Spirit, who indwells us will
be lifted up too.

9. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
I. THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
2:1; 6-7
The Tribulation cannot begin until the Rapture
has occurred because the Christians, on this
earth, being indwelled by the Holy Spirit are
holding back the Anti Christ.
He simply is not able to have the free course
he needs to do his terrible work until we are
taken out of the way. (Raptured)

10. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
After (and only after) the Rapture has happened the next event on God's timetable:
II THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST.
2:3-5;8
The prefix "anti" has two meanings.
One is “against,” and
The other is "instead of"

11. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
After (and only after) the Rapture has happened the next event on God's timetable:
II THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST.
2:3-5;8
Antichrist will be a leader who is both against Christ, and puts
Himself up to be worshipped instead of Jesus Christ.
He is described in the Bible as both a political and religious world
leader.
The agenda of the Antichrist will be to bring the entire world
under his dominion through a one world religion and one
world government.

12. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
After (and only after) the Rapture has happened the next event on God's timetable:
II THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST.
2:3-5;8
Most Bible preachers of the fundamental
order believe that the signs are drawing close
to the end because we see the stage being
set for both.

13. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
After (and only after) the Rapture has happened the next event on God's timetable:
II THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST.
2:3-5;8
Most dangerous, I believe, is the movement among Bible Believing
Churches to drop denominational and doctrinal barriers in the spirit
of a universal church.
The doctrine of the universal invisible church teaches that it does
not matter what we believe, we are all believers and therefore we
ought to forget about the insignificant things the local church
stands for and unite together in a spirit of love and cooperation.
The invisible universal church doctrine is nothing more than the one
world religion already adhered to by millions, but not yet organized
in visible fashion.

14. The Rapture and the Return of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
God’s Timetable
An order for those things we are sure will take place in the future
After (and only after) the Rapture has happened the next event on God's timetable:
II THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST.
2:3-5;8
The world is ripe for the revelation of Antichrist.
The stage is set.
And nothing remains to be done except for the Christians to be
raptured away.