who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NIV).
2. Share "Assurance," page 15, also emphasizing 1 John 5:13.
3. Encourage the inquirer to get into Bible reading and study and to become involved with a Bible-teaching church where he or she can learn about "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Suggest purchasing good books about the Christian life and witnessing, as well as Bible studies on prophecy.
For the Christian Concerned About His or Her Standing Before God:
1. Ask questions concerning where he or she went astray.
2. Invite him or her back to Calvary for confession and forgiveness on the basis of 1 John 1:9 and 2:1. Share "Restoration," page 17.
3. Encourage taking a firm stand for the Lord by:
• Getting involved in Bible reading and study
• Seeking fellowship in a Bible-teaching church
• Actively witnessing both by word and by example
Taking these steps should give the insecure Christian a greater assurance in Christ and a better understanding of God's will for his or her life.
Scripture The First Stage of His Coming, The Rapture:
"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17, NIV).
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not
yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure" (1 John 3:2, NIV).
The Second Stage of His Coming, The Day of the Lord:
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13–14, NIV).
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. . . . But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Peter 3:10, 13, NIV).
The Attitude of the Believer in Light of His Coming:
"Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:2–5, NIV).
"These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. . . . Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:7, 13, NIV).
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers
over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:7–8, NIV).