The Thursday Update

NOVEMBER 20, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

Last Sunday’s message concluded our series on “Heaven, Hell and Everything In Between” with an outline of God’s plan for the future. There was a lot of material shared, especially for those who are either new to Christianity or have not spent much time understanding biblical prophecy. In fact, even for people who have been Christians for many years this subject is one that few churches teach about. That’s unfortunate.

Below, I have provided a copy of the chart we displayed last Sunday during my message to help you have a tool to grasp God’s timeline for the future. If you missed this important message (or need to hear it again at your own pace), you can watch it here.

The purpose of God giving us such detailed information on His plan for the end times is to encourage Christians as the end of life on earth as we know it arrives. Consider this:

1. After describing the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, the Apostle Paul ends the passage with these words in verse 18: "Therefore encourage one another with these words.” God provides prophecy to encourage those of us who are Christians with the truth that there is something amazing that awaits us when this life is over. Jesus will come to the clouds to take us to be with Him forever (verse 17b). What an incredible thought. So, if you’re like me and find that sometimes life can get you down, look up and see the clouds and remember that Jesus will one day call you up to them, and be encouraged!

2. In the next chapter, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, the Apostle Paul describes “The Day Of The Lord”, a period of time which starts with the seven-year tribulation where all hell will break out on earth. The wrath and judgments of God during these terrifying seven years are described in Revelation 6-19 and Matthew 24. They will bring sudden destruction on the world, right when they think that world peace and safety have been achieved (1 Thessalonians 5:3). But Paul goes on to say that we should not be surprised by this “Day” (verse 4) and that we should be spiritually awake (verse 7) because of our faith in Jesus. He even goes on to say that God has not appointed us to suffer His wrath in the seven-year tribulation (verse 9) and He does this by taking us up in the rapture before the seven-year tribulation begins (Revelation 3:10). Paul ended that passage with these words in verse 11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” God reminds us that every Christian will avoid this terrible time because we have been forgiven of every sin the moment we have trusted Christ as our Lord and Savior. God wants us to encourage each other in tough times with this truth. That’s why we come to church, so that we will encourage each other with these words.

3. In Titus 2:11-13, the Apostle Paul wrote these words, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Our great hope is the Rapture of the church, our deliverance from the wrath to come when we will be with Jesus forever! Nothing in this life can ever bring us this kind of true, lasting hope. So when life discourages you, be encouraged by our one true hope, the Rapture of the church.

I hope that you will let the truth of the Rapture and Christ’s return to earth encourage you.

God wants to use this truth to prepare you and not to scare you (assuming you are a Christian by trusting in Jesus alone for your salvation).

He wants us to not fear life but to fear Him since He is over all life.

He wants us to look up, when life tries to keep us down.

He wants us to be ready and live steady so that when He returns He will find us faithful.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20b).

Vince
Senior Pastor