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Author Topic: THE RAPTURE
WildB
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That Blessed Hope

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit.2: 13,14).


A rich harvest of blessing was reaped for the Church in those years before and after the turn of the century when the great truth of the Lord’s coming to catch away His own was recovered by men of God and the expectancy of His appearing became once more “that blessed hope” to multitudes of believers.

Now some are pointing to such passages as Matthew 24:6-9 and 29, 30 to prove that the Church will go through the tribulation. Others have adopted a “mid-tribulation” view, holding that the Church will go through only the first half of the tribulation period, and will be caught away before the fearful outpouring of God’s wrath in the “great tribulation.” Still others hold the so-called “partial rapture” view on the basis of our Lord’s exhortation to His disciples in Luke 21:36. Ac-cording to this view only those “counted worthy” will be caught up at the rapture.

And thus the glorious prospect that Paul, by inspiration, holds out to the members of Christ’s body as “that blessed hope,” is again being lost to growing numbers of sincere believers, simply because they fail to recognized it as a distinctly Pauline revelation.

It is a significant fact that in the very first epistle from Paul’s pen he already refers to a prior hope for the members of the Body of Christ, the hope of a coming of Christ which precedes His return to earth to reign. In I Thessalonians 1:9,10 he recalls:

“…how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

“AND TO WAIT FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN….”

And in I Thessalonians 4:16-18 he explains:

“…We which are alive and remain…shall be CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”


To those who remain blind to this important fact such passages as Matthew 24 must qualify, if not contradict, I Thessalonians 4, and any attempt to harmonize the Gospel records as to Christ’s return with Paul’s special revelation as to His coming for His own, must end in the most bewildering confusion.

But we who do recognize the distinctive character of Paul’s apostleship and revelation have no such problem to vex us. To us “that blessed hope” glows — surely should glow — brighter as the days grow darker.

[rapture]

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That is all.....

Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
WildB
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The word "rapture" does not appear in the King James Version of the Bible. However, it is a word that symbolizes such biblical terms as the translation, caught up, our gathering together unto Him, and some other terms which are used in God’s Word. The words, "translate" or "translation" mean to carry away, remove, transport, change sides, transferral; thus, translation or rapture.

It is a term used to describe the removal from the earth of all living people that have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The Scriptures show us that in the twinkling of an eye, all over the earth, all people whom Jesus "knows" will be removed from the earth to be with Him.
It will be as in the days of Noah, when all those that trusted in God were removed before the flood came. The raptured people will never know death (or sleep). In the twinkling of an eye, they will be changed and will be with Jesus in a new incorruptible body.

SOUND BIBLICAL REASONS SHOWING THE RAPTURE


IS PRIOR TO THE TRIBULATION
1. The saints are commanded to watch. They are not commanded to watch for the Tribulation, but for the blessed hope, which is the Rapture. Scriptures proving this have already been covered in the previous text. If the saints were to go through the Tribulation, it would contradict and nullify God’s Word.

2. Of the saints that get saved during the Tribulation, most will be greatly persecuted and killed. The few that survive will go into the Millennium to repopulate the earth. If the Rapture came after the Tribulation, there would be no saints to go into the Millennium. This would make the fulfillment of God’s Word on this subject, impossible.

3. The judgment of the nations, mentioned in Matthew chapter twenty-five, is held immediately after the Tribulation and Armageddon. If the Rapture had just happened, there would be no "sheep" at this judgment. As it is written, AND HE SHALL SET THE SHEEP ON HIS RIGHT HAND, BUT THE GOATS ON THE LEFT-Mt 25:33. The sheep are those that are saved. The goats are the unsaved. Again, God’s Word could not be fulfilled, if the Rapture came after the Tribulation.

4. If the church were to go through the Tribulation, it would contradict many verses in the Bible. Most of the saints will be beheaded. The Bible clearly shows, the Antichrist will prevail against the saints. Anyone that claims the church will go through the Tribulation does not appear to understand what the Tribulation will really be like. Very few people will be left alive afterward. If Jesus did not come back exactly when He does, there should no flesh be left alive. The Scriptures on this were covered in the preceding text.

5. It is written, WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS-1 Thes 4:18. If we were watching for the horrible Tribulation period, we would not be comforted. We would be terrified. This Scripture could not be fulfilled, if the saints were to go into the Tribulation period.

20. FOR THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY (or secret power of lawlessness) DOTH ALREADY WORK (or is already at work): ONLY HE WHO NOW LETTETH (or is restraining) WILL LET, UNTIL HE BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY (the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way-NIV). AND THEN SHALL THAT WICKED (or lawless one) BE REVEALED-2 Thes 2:7,8.
FOR THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY (or secret power of lawlessness) DOTH ALREADY WORK (or is already at work). The mysterious, hidden power that is behind wickedness or sin, and the planned coming forth of the Antichrist is already working to accomplish its purpose. Satan and his kingdom are already at work.
ONLY "HE" WHO NOW LETTETH (or is restraining) WILL LET (or will continue to do so-NIV), UNTIL "HE" BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY.
To paraphrase this verse, it is saying that someone ("he") is holding back, or restraining the Antichrist from being revealed, or from being let loose, or coming forth until that someone ("he") is taken out of the way or is removed.
The "he" in this verse is much debated among Bible scholars. God’s Word has shown the Rapture of the saints must occur and then the Antichrist can be let loose or come forth and be revealed. Some may say the "he" represents the church. Others may say the "he" represents the Holy Spirit. Others may say the "he" represents the restraining power of the Holy Spirit that is in the believers. There are other opinions as well.
There is no question that the Holy Spirit will not leave the earth, because people cannot be saved apart from the Holy Spirit. Multitudes of people will be saved during the Tribulation, which follows the Antichrist coming forth. So it would appear that the "he" would represent the restraining power of the Holy Spirit that is in the believers. The Holy Spirit does appear to be holding back the Antichrist from being revealed; however, there is a day coming when it appears that He will let the Antichrist come forth. "He will be taken out of the way," perhaps, means that His restraining power will be taken out of the way. Thus, the Scriptures can be fulfilled.
As a result, when the church is raptured, immediately the Antichrist should come forth and be revealed, in order to initiate his plan to dominate the world. AND THEN, once the saints have been raptured, SHALL THAT WICKED (or lawless one), which is the Antichrist, BE REVEALED. The Antichrist will be allowed to come forth, be revealed, and confirm a covenant with Israel which begins the Tribulation-2 Thes 2:7,8; ref Dan 9:27.
Again, the Scriptures are showing us clearly, the Rapture comes before the Antichrist is revealed and before the Tribulation.


16


21. As we have noted, the dead in Christ rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall join them in the air. Since the Scriptures show us that the resurrection happens prior to the Tribulation, then we have absolute proof that the Rapture, which immediately follows, also has to happen before the Tribulation.
Isa 26:19-21 shows very clearly, the dead (in Christ) shall live "before" the Lord comes to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, which is the Tribulation. It is written, THY DEAD MEN SHALL LIVE, TOGETHER WITH MY DEAD BODY SHALL THEY ARISE. AWAKE AND SING, YE THAT DWELL IN DUST: FOR THY DEW IS AS THE DEW OF HERBS, AND THE EARTH SHALL CAST OUT THE DEAD. COME, MY PEOPLE, ENTER THOU INTO THY CHAMBERS, AND SHUT THY DOORS ABOUT THEE: HIDE THYSELF AS IT WERE FOR A LITTLE MOMENT, UNTIL THE INDIGNATION (which is the Tribulation) BE OVERPAST. FOR, BEHOLD, THE LORD COMETH OUT OF HIS PLACE TO PUNISH THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH FOR THEIR INIQUITY.
Twenty-one reasons have come forth that scripturally show the Rapture will come prior to the Tribulation. Some of these have also shown that the Rapture must come before the Antichrist can be revealed.

22. The following Scriptures portray the raptured saints before the throne of God prior to the first seal of the Revelation being opened. This, again, clearly shows the Rapture comes before the Tribulation. It is written, AND THEY SUNG A NEW SONG, SAYING, THOU ART WORTHY TO TAKE THE BOOK (or scroll), AND TO OPEN (or break) THE SEALS THEREOF: FOR THOU WAST SLAIN (or slaughtered), AND HAST REDEEMED (or ransomed, or purchased) US TO (or for) GOD BY THY BLOOD OUT OF EVERY KINDRED (or tribe), AND TONGUE (or language), AND PEOPLE, AND NATION; AND HAST MADE US UNTO OUR GOD KINGS (or a kingdom) AND PRIESTS (to serve our God): AND WE SHALL REIGN ON (or rule over) THE EARTH. AND I BEHELD, AND I HEARD THE VOICE OF MANY ANGELS ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE (or they encircled the throne) AND THE BEASTS (or living beings) AND THE ELDERS: AND THE NUMBER OF THEM WAS TEN THOUSAND TIMES TEN THOUSAND, AND THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS-Rev 5:9-11.
AND THEY SUNG A NEW SONG. The four living beings and the elders appear to be singing. SAYING, THOU ART WORTHY TO TAKE THE BOOK (or scroll), AND TO OPEN (or break) THE SEALS THEREOF. In this passage, taking the scroll and breaking the seals is mentioned. Opening the scroll is not mentioned at this point. FOR THOU WAST SLAIN (or slaughtered). Jesus was worthy, because He was slain and has redeemed (or purchased, or ransomed) us (the saints). As it is written, AND HAST REDEEMED (or ransomed, or purchased) US. Here are the saints (US) pictured before the throne of God BEFORE the first seal is ever opened. Here are the saints that have just been raptured (US). We are redeemed TO (or for) GOD BY THY BLOOD. Angels are not ransomed by the blood of the Lamb. We (the saints) are. Where do we (the saints) come from? We come OUT OF EVERY KINDRED (or tribe), AND TONGUE (or language), AND PEOPLE, AND NATION. It is impossible for these to be angels, as the angels do not come from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. John heard the voice, COME UP HITHER-Rev 4:1, which is symbolic of the Rapture. The church age is over. Now, John is relating what he is seeing. John sees "us." As it is written,
Rev 5:10-AND HAST MADE US. Here is the second time this word is used. That word means exactly what it says, "US."
Now combine this with the words of Rev 3:10-BECAUSE THOU HAST KEPT THE WORD OF MY PATIENCE, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION (which is the Tribulation), WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH. Here is clear, unmistakable proof that the saints will not go into the Tribulation. They shall be raptured and shall be before the throne of God prior to the first seal being opened. Thus, it is written, and thus, it shall be. The question is, how many are really ready? If Jesus came today, would "you" be taken?
The verse continues, and has made US UNTO OUR GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS (to serve our God). We are a kingdom unto God and shall be kings and priests AND WE SHALL REIGN ON (or rule over) THE EARTH. There are those that may say, this verse does not mean exactly what it says. The singing in the verse now turns to the future and shows that we (the saints) shall reign on the earth. This is describing the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, as we shall reign and rule with Jesus for one thousand years. Here the word "we" is used as referring to the "saints." Here again, "we" (the saints) are pictured before the throne of God prior to the first seal ever being opened.
Rev 5:11-AND I BEHELD, AND I HEARD THE VOICE OF MANY ANGELS. The voices now include the angels, which were ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE (they encircled the throne) AND THE BEASTS (or living beings) AND THE ELDERS.
The question arises, are these angels, or are they the saints that are now called angels? The singing that has just been going on used such words as, "redeemed us, made us, and we shall." If these words were correctly translated by the direction of the Holy Spirit, then the angels before the throne appear to be the saints. Consider the following: I JOHN...FELL DOWN TO WORSHIP BEFORE THE FEET OF THE ANGEL WHICH SHEWED ME THESE THINGS. THEN SAITH HE UNTO ME, SEE THOU DO IT NOT: FOR I AM THY FELLOWSERVANT, AND OF THY BRETHREN THE PROPHETS-Rev 22:8,9. This same John, that used the word "angels" in Rev 5:11, thought this person was also an angel, yet he was not. He was a saint that had been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. We might ask, how can this be? Note the words of Jesus. FOR IN THE RESURRECTION THEY NEITHER MARRY, NOR ARE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE, BUT ARE AS THE ANGELS OF GOD IN HEAVEN-Mt 22:30. The saints become as the angels.
John FELL AT HIS FEET TO WORSHIP what seemingly appeared to be an angel. AND HE SAID UNTO ME, SEE THOU DO IT NOT: I AM THY FELLOWSERVANT, AND OF THY BRETHREN THAT HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS-Rev 19:10. Again, we note that once we are in heaven, Jesus said we are AS THE ANGELS OF GOD. However, the true angels of God are not redeemed.
Considering the Scriptures and what was being said, it appears the multitude of angels before the throne are the saints that were redeemed.
AND THE NUMBER OF THEM WAS TEN THOUSAND TIMES TEN THOUSAND, AND THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS. This totals to one hundred million, and thousands of thousands. While this seems like a very large number, "if" this represents the resurrected and raptured saints for all times, then the percentage of people that are redeemed, throughout all of history, is extremely small. Jesus did say, FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT-Mt 7:14. Some might say that this number simply represents an infinite number which no man can know. Nevertheless, if the number is taken as it is written in the KJV, then it appears to be as previously stated.


17-WHAT HAPPENS TO A PERSON’S BODY WHEN HE IS RAPTURED?


There is no Scripture that clearly tells us what will happen to the bodies of the raptured people. The Scriptures have shown us clearly that we will be changed. It is written, WE SHALL BE CHANGED. FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY-1 Cor 15:52,53; (because) FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; NEITHER DOTH CORRUPTION INHERIT INCORRUPTION-1 Cor 15:50. FOR WE KNOW THAT IF OUR EARTHLY HOUSE OF THIS TABERNACLE WERE DISSOLVED, WE HAVE A BUILDING OF GOD, AN HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS-2 Cor 5:1.
THERE IS A NATURAL BODY, AND THERE IS A SPIRITUAL BODY-1 Cor 15:44. The Scriptures show us that there are two bodies. Our earthly body is of flesh, blood, and bone. Our heavenly body is of flesh and bone-ref Lk 24:39. AND THAT WHICH THOU SOWEST, THOU SOWEST NOT THAT BODY THAT SHALL BE, BUT BARE GRAIN, IT MAY CHANCE OF WHEAT, OR OF SOME OTHER GRAIN: BUT GOD GIVETH IT A BODY AS IT HATH PLEASED HIM, AND TO EVERY SEED HIS OWN BODY-1 Cor 15:37,38. Again, two bodies are mentioned.
Most people and prophecy scholars alike believe that when the Rapture comes, our old body will simply be changed into our new body. Thus, there will be no bodies left. In other words, when the Rapture comes, the people that are raptured will simply disappear.
There is a second opinion also. The second idea is, when the Rapture comes our old body will be put off and we will put on our new heavenly body. Our old body will be left lying wherever we are when the Rapture comes, as if we had just died. It is written, TWO MEN SHALL BE IN THE FIELD; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT. AND THEY ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE, LORD? AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHERESOEVER THE BODY IS, THITHER WILL THE EAGLES (or vultures) BE GATHERED TOGETHER-Lk 17:36,37. The Lord seems to be showing that following the Rapture, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather" (NIV). There are also other opinions on the meaning of these verses.

From- http://www.indaweb.com/oil/oil.lamp/oil11.htm

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That is all.....

Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator


 
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