The Second Coming of Christ is a sound biblical fact prophesied by Daniel - Dan .7:13 - and foretold also by Paul - 1 Tim. 6:14 - and by the angels as well in Acts 1:10-11.

 Christ will definitely return in a public, personal revelation of Himself to the world. This return will be in four phases: the Rapture, Christ pouring down His wrath during the Great Tribulation, Christ fights the Anti-Christ at Armageddon and the Millennial Kingdom set by Christ Himself. May the Holy Spirit Himself guide us into all truth in Jesus' name. Amen.

Rapture simply means to seize or be caught up. It is a moment of time when true and faithful Christians, dead or alive will in the twinkling of an eye rise to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air - 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:23, 51, 58; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Jn. 3:1-3; Lk. 21:34-35. The rapture is also referred to as the translation of believers or transformation of believers - 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-58 - as in the case of Enoch - Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5 and Elijah in 2 Kgs. 2:11. The believer at rapture is changed from mortality to immortality, from natural body to spiritual body - 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:23, 51- 58; Phil. 3:20-21; Lk. 24:39. The rapture will precede the tribulation - 1 Thess. 1:10, 5:9; 2 Thess. 2:1-12.

WHY THE RAPTURE?

Some of the reasons for the rapture include the following:

(a) To resurrect the just of all ages from among the dead so that they may fulfil the purpose for which God has saved them - Ps. 50:1-6; 1 Thess. 4:13-17.

(b) To take the saints out of this world before the great tribulation - Lk. 21:34-36; 2 Thess. 2:7-8; 1 Thess. 1:10. 

(c) That Jesus might present to Himself a Church without spots or wrinkles - Eph. 5:27; Jn. 14:1-3.

(d) To change the bodies of all faithful saints from mortality to immortality -1 Cor. 15:21-23, 51-58.

(e) To assemble the saints at the marriage supper of the Lamb - Rev. 19:1-10.

(f) To allow the revelation of the Anti-Christ - 2 Thess. 2:1-8.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE RAPTURE?

Those who will qualify at rapture must be those who belong to Christ - Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:17 - and earnestly desiring His appearing - Tit. 2:13; Phil. 3:20. Those whose citizenship is in Heaven - Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:16. Those who will live holy even as He is holy - 1 Pet. 1:16 - because without holiness no man shall see God - Heb. 12:14; 1 Jn. 3:1-3.

CONCLUSION

The rapture, like all biblical prophecies, will be fulfilled. However, the Lord Jesus Christ is coming for a Church without spots or wrinkles, getting herself ready. The Lord's coming will be as a thief in the night. Are you ready? Pray to God today that you would be ready to meet with the Lord.

culled from RCCG Sunday School Manual

Tithing was first mentioned in the Bible in connection with Abraham in conquest of the seven kings – Gen.14:18-20. This is remarkable and instructive since we are Abraham’s seed and therefore are expected to walk in the faith and steps of Abraham – Gal.3:26-29; Rom.4:12. Jacob vowed to give God his tithes – Gen.28:16-22. All Israel were commanded by God to pay their tithes to the place of His choice – Lev.27:3-33; Num.18:21-24. When God-fearing kings ruled, Israel was kept in true worship of God which made it easy to obey God in tithing – 2 Chr.31:5-12; Neh.10:37, 13:44; Mal.3:12. In cases of disobedience, prophets were sent to rebuke, correct and instruct in absolute obedience. 

The Lord Jesus Christ condemned the Pharisees of hypocrisy – Mt.6:2, 5:16; Mt.23:13-15. Praying, fasting, giving of alms, witnessing, righteous living and even paying of tithes are normal Christian services which are not condemned by the Lord Jesus Christ. He compared tithing with mercy, faith and love of God – Mt.23:23; Lk.11:42.

When Christians obey, there is food in God’s house – Mal.3:10. God will also rebuke the devourer for their sakes – Mal.3:11 - and the nations around shall call them blessed – Mal.3:12.The “storehouse” is where you receive spiritual food and nourishment for yourself and others as well. It is where you get spiritual seed to plant in other’s hearts. Tithing is for support for the ministers of the gospel for them to continue in God’s work. 

This is a duty for all born again children of God. Obedience does not only nourish the body of Christ but it is also a means of extending the kingdom of God on earth. Get involved now.

culled from RCCG Sunday School Manual

First fruits are in various types. Our God asks us to give Him all and all we have to submit. In this lesson, we want to know what first fruits are, how to give it and benefits of giving first fruits.

First fruits are in three categories:

a.) The first fruit of increase – Pro.3:9-10. For example, increase in salary (the difference between the old and new salary.)

b.) The first fruit sacrifice – Genesis 22. God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. This means the entire January salary, for instance. The difference between the first fruit of increase and the first fruit sacrifice is in divine response. In the first fruit increase, God promised that your barn will burst while in the first fruit sacrifice, your blessing will become global, they will be irreversible and they will extend to your generations yet unborn - Gen.22:15-18.) 

c.) Redemption of the first male child - Ex.13:13; 34:20; Num.18:15-19. The first child belongs to God. You can redeem him with a price.

The first fruit is for the Chief Priest. Dedicating first fruits to God is a way of thanking Him for providing them. 

Our perfect example is Abraham – Gen.22:15-18. When he kept the commandment according to Proverbs 3:9, God lifted him. So He promised to lift as many as will keep or obey His voice on the matter of first fruits as on every other commandments. Abraham honoured God and he was mightily blessed – Gen.24:35-36. Hannah honoured God with Samuel and she had five more children – 1 Sam.2:21. Solomon honoured the Lord with a thousand burnt offerings at the beginning of his regime as the king of Israel. For this, God visited him and blessed him with what money cannot buy – 1 Kgs.3:3-14.

A first fruit of every type is what God asks from His children and this is a way of declaring our love for Him, and to thank Him for His blessings. To pay our first fruits is to be established more firmly in His covenants with us.

culled from RCCG Sunday School Manual