Firstly, what is the rapture? I am going to define it here as when Jesus returns and Christians are changed “in the twinkling of an eye” and we are with Him forever. I know is not a complete or totally accurate description but let’s leave it as that for now. The reality of this will be explained in full later.
If this is the rapture then the important things to consider are: When will it happen and exactly what will happen leading up to this event. I will start with the when. Bible verses are in Red and comments are in Black.
1 Corinthians 15:
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
By the way, this is also when we will meet Jesus in the air.
Flesh and Blood cannot enter Heaven; we can only enter there in our Spiritual Bodies. When will it happen? At the LAST trump. Satan will be cast onto the earth BEFORE Christ returns.
What happens at the seventh (last) trump? Revelation 11:
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
The Seventh Angel has sounded. Now we go to Revelation 12:
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Satan and his followers are cast out of Heaven. Jesus is yet to return for His Bride.
Has anyone been taken off the earth at this time? I know many will say yes because of some verses as in Luke 17:
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Many read these verses and point out this is an example of the rapture thinking the ones taken are taken by Jesus before the tribulations. What does Jesus say about this? The definite and uncompromising answer is in the next verse.
37And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
The apostles ask Jesus where these people are taken. They are taken by death which is another name for Satan, they are dead to God. These people followed the anti Christ. The eagles here are vultures. This does not sound like rapture to me.
What proof is there that Christians are still on the earth? Let’s pick up again in Revelation 12:
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Note: verse 10 says the accuser of our brethren is cast down. This refers to Christians and Christians are the subject of verse 11, ergo; THEY (Christians) over came him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb. Christians are still on the earth.
I know everyone needs more proof that these are not people who became Christians during the tribulations; proof is on the way in part 2.
Do you really desire the truth or would you rather cling to the traditions of man? Read on and prove me wrong. If I am wrong I truly desire the truth. I am not perfect and if I am wrong I would love to be corrected.
May God bless every reader.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Truth About The Rapture Part 2
THE TRUTH
About the Rapture Part 2
As we begin part 2 of this study I need to refer to some chapters and verses in the Bible that some believe show that Christians will not be exposed to the tribulations. In order to do this we need to separate what constitutes the hour of temptation, the tribulations and what is the wrath of God.
Firstly, the hour of temptation is when Christians are delivered up before the anti-Christ to testify for Christ Jesus, this does not refer to the tribulations. This is the time for a Christian to decide to stand up for Jesus or fear death (of the flesh body) at the hands of Satan and deny Christ. This is why it is called temptation. Remember the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by Satan.
Secondly, the wrath of God is NOT directed toward Christians but only toward unbelievers or those that follow Satan. When the children of Israel were in bondage to Egypt and God’s wrath came upon Egypt in the form of plagues and the angel of death the children of Israel were not affected by this. They were “protected from the wrath of God” but NOT removed from Egypt DURING the plagues (tribulations). This same theme is described in many books of the Bible.
Thirdly, the tribulations are a mixture of God’s wrath on the un-Godly and Satan’s attempts to deceive and seduce God’s children. The only tribulation a true Christian may suffer would be death to the flesh body or failing God by not standing firm for Christ. Jesus gave His life for mine so my life is His to take; therefore I hope I am worthy enough and strong enough to take that stand.
In Part one of this study I offered more proofs that the Christians spoken of were not people who became Christians during the tribulations. Now I will continue with that subject.
Matthew 24:
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
This is the subject matter of this Chapter. Christ is about to explain occurrences that lead up to the Millennial Reign, ergo His return.
Matthew 24 continued: 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Beginning of sorrows is the beginning of tribulations. To shorten this study it is necessary to skip some verses but please read the entire chapter with an open mind. I’m just setting up the time frame and the FACT that Jesus is speaking to the apostles about the tribulations, the end times.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Notice you and ye in this verse, Christians will suffer this in the tribulations.
Remember Jesus is talking to His apostles (Christians) about the end times, this is important. Who shall do the evil Jesus is talking about? In this verse it is the non-believers. Christians are alive and on the earth. No rapture has happened.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Jesus still talking to Christians, this time about what Christians will do to one another.
Many Christians will be offended and betray one another. Why would this happen? This would happen because Christians have been taught they will escape the tribulations by the rapture. With this belief in their minds and the power of Satan to seduce and confuse people Christians will argue and even betray other Christians to the anti-Christ because the anti-Christ will convince MANY that he is truly Christ. Family members will hope that (anti) “Christ” will help save a loved one.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
There are many false prophets (teachers) today. Whether these teachers have been fooled and are teaching falsely because of ignorance or they are following Satan does not matter. We are talking about life and death here, this is serious business. These are teachers and preachers who teach that Christians will escape the tribulations.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Satan will cause many to follow him. This brings on iniquity.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Endure to the end. This means the end of your physical life or the return of Jesus. To endure is to refuse to follow Satan or believe Satan is Christ.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The abomination of desolation, what does this mean? Satan is the desolator and the abomination is Satan standing in the temple proclaiming to be Christ Jesus. Christ is still speaking to Christians. How can Christians SEE this take place if the rapture has occurred?
Hold on, more truth is about to be revealed. Part 3 is next.
About the Rapture Part 2
As we begin part 2 of this study I need to refer to some chapters and verses in the Bible that some believe show that Christians will not be exposed to the tribulations. In order to do this we need to separate what constitutes the hour of temptation, the tribulations and what is the wrath of God.
Firstly, the hour of temptation is when Christians are delivered up before the anti-Christ to testify for Christ Jesus, this does not refer to the tribulations. This is the time for a Christian to decide to stand up for Jesus or fear death (of the flesh body) at the hands of Satan and deny Christ. This is why it is called temptation. Remember the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by Satan.
Secondly, the wrath of God is NOT directed toward Christians but only toward unbelievers or those that follow Satan. When the children of Israel were in bondage to Egypt and God’s wrath came upon Egypt in the form of plagues and the angel of death the children of Israel were not affected by this. They were “protected from the wrath of God” but NOT removed from Egypt DURING the plagues (tribulations). This same theme is described in many books of the Bible.
Thirdly, the tribulations are a mixture of God’s wrath on the un-Godly and Satan’s attempts to deceive and seduce God’s children. The only tribulation a true Christian may suffer would be death to the flesh body or failing God by not standing firm for Christ. Jesus gave His life for mine so my life is His to take; therefore I hope I am worthy enough and strong enough to take that stand.
In Part one of this study I offered more proofs that the Christians spoken of were not people who became Christians during the tribulations. Now I will continue with that subject.
Matthew 24:
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
This is the subject matter of this Chapter. Christ is about to explain occurrences that lead up to the Millennial Reign, ergo His return.
Matthew 24 continued: 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Beginning of sorrows is the beginning of tribulations. To shorten this study it is necessary to skip some verses but please read the entire chapter with an open mind. I’m just setting up the time frame and the FACT that Jesus is speaking to the apostles about the tribulations, the end times.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Notice you and ye in this verse, Christians will suffer this in the tribulations.
Remember Jesus is talking to His apostles (Christians) about the end times, this is important. Who shall do the evil Jesus is talking about? In this verse it is the non-believers. Christians are alive and on the earth. No rapture has happened.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Jesus still talking to Christians, this time about what Christians will do to one another.
Many Christians will be offended and betray one another. Why would this happen? This would happen because Christians have been taught they will escape the tribulations by the rapture. With this belief in their minds and the power of Satan to seduce and confuse people Christians will argue and even betray other Christians to the anti-Christ because the anti-Christ will convince MANY that he is truly Christ. Family members will hope that (anti) “Christ” will help save a loved one.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
There are many false prophets (teachers) today. Whether these teachers have been fooled and are teaching falsely because of ignorance or they are following Satan does not matter. We are talking about life and death here, this is serious business. These are teachers and preachers who teach that Christians will escape the tribulations.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Satan will cause many to follow him. This brings on iniquity.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Endure to the end. This means the end of your physical life or the return of Jesus. To endure is to refuse to follow Satan or believe Satan is Christ.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The abomination of desolation, what does this mean? Satan is the desolator and the abomination is Satan standing in the temple proclaiming to be Christ Jesus. Christ is still speaking to Christians. How can Christians SEE this take place if the rapture has occurred?
Hold on, more truth is about to be revealed. Part 3 is next.
The Truth About the Rapture Part 3
In Matthew 24 we have come to the great tribulation and Jesus is still talking to Christians about what they WILL face. How do I know they are Christians who were Christians before tribulations? That is answered in Matthew 24 verse 22. Who are the elect? The elect are those that God has chosen, they are those that God knows He can count on. God will not call someone elect unless He knows they will stand for Him. Since this is true why were the elect NOT taken off the earth before the tribulations? Because God wants us to stand firm for Him and prove we are willing to give up our flesh life so that we can live forever with Him.
Matthew 24:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
The great tribulation was to be three and a half years but God is going to shorten that time. The elect will be here and so will Christians. If the elect can be fooled so can everyone else.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Verse 26 is very important to this study. Jesus is telling the apostles that when He returns there will not be enough time to even mention that Christ has returned. Why? The reason for this is so that when the anti-Christ arrives everyone will KNOW he is not Christ if he or she understands this verse. God knows all and He knew that a pre tribulation rapture theory would be taught by false teachers and that Christians would see the anti-Christ. As in Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. It will be a sudden and final appearance.
Jesus will not become known to the world slowly as the false Christ probably will. Jesus will arrive and when He does NO ONE will doubt it is Christ.
For an example of God not wanting Christians to desire escape from the tribulations let’s look at:
EZE 13:
4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
Foxes are cunning and sneaky, are these lying or false prophets? Yes!
5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. The day of the Lord is the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ.
Verse 5: “not gone up into the gaps” and “made up the hedge” indicates not protecting a place from attack or battle. This shows a desire to escape the hardships of the tribulations. A military man would call these people deserters in the face of the enemy, an offense worthy of death. The false prophets are teaching that Christians will not be on earth to stand against the son of perdition, the dragon. They are teaching escape. Would you really want to escape the chance to stand firm for the Lord Jesus?
If we expect to escape the tribulations then we will not be prepared to do battle when we are delivered up to the antichrist. We would think this is the true Christ we are facing. This is what Satan would want to happen, thus Christians betraying Christians. If we are not expecting to do battle then we could be seduced into thinking that what we face when we are delivered up to the antichrist is the real Christ and for that reason we may not allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us. The antichrist will probably claim he is holding back the rapture until more people can be saved. If there is a chance Satan can fool the very elect he can fool YOU.
For a final few verses from the Bible proving Christians will remain on the earth and the wicked removed from the earth read the truth for yourself.
John 17:15 (JESUS praying to The Father) "I pray NOT that thou shouldest TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD, but that thou should keep them from evil."
Verse 20 - Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. (True Christians.)
Proverbs 2:21, 22 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect (Christians) shall REMAIN in it, but THE WICKED shall be cut off (taken/destroyed) from the earth and the transgressors shall be rooted OUT of it.
Proverbs 10:30 The righteous (Christians) shall NEVER be REMOVED; but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Psalm 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land (earth) and dwell therein FOREVER.
Psalm 37:9 For evildoers (WICKED) shall be cut off (destroyed); but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth.
It is our destiny, our honor and our duty to stand against the false Christ and stand for the glory of the true Christ Jesus who gave His life so that we could have everlasting life.
Not convinced yet, please let me know. There is MUCH more.
May God bless the reader with understanding, knowledge and Truth of his Word. Amen
Matthew 24:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
The great tribulation was to be three and a half years but God is going to shorten that time. The elect will be here and so will Christians. If the elect can be fooled so can everyone else.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Verse 26 is very important to this study. Jesus is telling the apostles that when He returns there will not be enough time to even mention that Christ has returned. Why? The reason for this is so that when the anti-Christ arrives everyone will KNOW he is not Christ if he or she understands this verse. God knows all and He knew that a pre tribulation rapture theory would be taught by false teachers and that Christians would see the anti-Christ. As in Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. It will be a sudden and final appearance.
Jesus will not become known to the world slowly as the false Christ probably will. Jesus will arrive and when He does NO ONE will doubt it is Christ.
For an example of God not wanting Christians to desire escape from the tribulations let’s look at:
EZE 13:
4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
Foxes are cunning and sneaky, are these lying or false prophets? Yes!
5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. The day of the Lord is the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ.
Verse 5: “not gone up into the gaps” and “made up the hedge” indicates not protecting a place from attack or battle. This shows a desire to escape the hardships of the tribulations. A military man would call these people deserters in the face of the enemy, an offense worthy of death. The false prophets are teaching that Christians will not be on earth to stand against the son of perdition, the dragon. They are teaching escape. Would you really want to escape the chance to stand firm for the Lord Jesus?
If we expect to escape the tribulations then we will not be prepared to do battle when we are delivered up to the antichrist. We would think this is the true Christ we are facing. This is what Satan would want to happen, thus Christians betraying Christians. If we are not expecting to do battle then we could be seduced into thinking that what we face when we are delivered up to the antichrist is the real Christ and for that reason we may not allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us. The antichrist will probably claim he is holding back the rapture until more people can be saved. If there is a chance Satan can fool the very elect he can fool YOU.
For a final few verses from the Bible proving Christians will remain on the earth and the wicked removed from the earth read the truth for yourself.
John 17:15 (JESUS praying to The Father) "I pray NOT that thou shouldest TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD, but that thou should keep them from evil."
Verse 20 - Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. (True Christians.)
Proverbs 2:21, 22 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect (Christians) shall REMAIN in it, but THE WICKED shall be cut off (taken/destroyed) from the earth and the transgressors shall be rooted OUT of it.
Proverbs 10:30 The righteous (Christians) shall NEVER be REMOVED; but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Psalm 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land (earth) and dwell therein FOREVER.
Psalm 37:9 For evildoers (WICKED) shall be cut off (destroyed); but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth.
It is our destiny, our honor and our duty to stand against the false Christ and stand for the glory of the true Christ Jesus who gave His life so that we could have everlasting life.
Not convinced yet, please let me know. There is MUCH more.
May God bless the reader with understanding, knowledge and Truth of his Word. Amen
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