As In The Days Of Noah

INTRO: Every year I seek to do at least one message on the soon return of Christ. And since before New Year's day this year I had felt I should speak about Matthew 24:36-39. Here in four brief verses, the Lord's return is likened to the days of Noah and the flood (read). And by way of introduction, I want to address two matters.

First, let me share with you how I view the second coming of Christ. As I view the second coming of Christ, it happens in two phases. Sometimes the return of Christ in Scripture refers to the first phase and sometimes to the second. The first phase is what we know as the rapture and which the Scripture refers to as 'the catching up'. Christ comes down into the air. Believers are caught up to Him, and together they ascend to heaven. Take a look at this in 1 Thessalonians 4 (read 13-18). Verse 17 says that we, that is believers, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. That is the first phase. The second phase is when Christ comes down to earth and sets up His millennial kingdom. I have spoken to you about that and given you passages where there is clear indication that these two events seemingly cannot refer to the same time. To see this event, look at Matthew 25 (read 31-33). Christ does not come into the air, He comes down to earth and judges the world. This morning I am speaking about the first phase, when He comes for believers and takes them to heaven.