The Coming Rapture

[Episkopos]

The rapture (snatching away to heaven) is coming. Who will be ready? In a time when the whole world (including Christendom) is deceived by the Devil, will we seek the Lord and wash our robes in the Blood of the Lamb now, by choice; or will we delay this until the Great Tribulation compels us to, if at all?

 

[Galgal]

There is no rapture of the Church. What is called "rapture" is not a departure to heaven, but on the contrary, an aliyah to the Lord in Israel of the "five wise virgins".

Because we are now ALREADY living in heaven, if we are in Christ:

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)

First the Lord must come down from heaven to earth:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

The Lord will come down from heaven to the land of Israel and remain here forever. The moment of His Second Coming is described in the Bible:

Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. (Ezekiel 44:2)

The "glory of the Lord," the "chosen from the four winds," aka the "Philadelphian Church" of Revelation, "the full number of the Gentiles," will enter the eastern gate of the Temple. They will enter the gate until the day of Yom Kippur. When the eastern gate closes, it will be that very "twinkling of an eye" when the status of the people who entered these gates will change: they will become the incarnation of Jesus Christ at the Second Coming.

After this, we must wait for the "resurrection of the dead", the Jewish people must come to life, returning to faith in God. When the Israelites receive the saints who entered the eastern gate, as they were supposed to receive Jesus at the First Coming, this will open the way for the aliyah to Israel of the remaining 5 churches of Revelation, but not all believers, but only the "wise virgins". This will be the "rapture of the Church".

"Clouds" means "multitude of people," as in Hebrews 12:1. "Air" means the socio-political atmosphere of this world, as in Ephesians 2:2. Everything will happen in this world, before everyone's eyes. The result of aliyah will be the emergence of the city of Yahweh Shammah in Israel, where the resurrected tribes of Israel will work. The emergence of this city, where they do not work for money, and not under the supervision of rabbis or bishops, where they will work voluntarily for the glory of God, will change the atmosphere of this world. The 7th bowl of wrath, poured "upon the air," will change the socio-political atmosphere of this world. Instead of the prince of the power of the air, the spirit of Christ will rule in this world.

 

[Keraz]

Our Hope and our Destiny:

The Prophetic Word tells us how the Lord will save and protect His people during His terrible Day of wrath, the soon to happen Sixth Seal punishment of the ungodly peoples and the reset of our civilization.
Then those who kept strong in their faith will be gathered and will migrate into all of the holy Land. Psalms 107, Ezekiel 34:11-16 and Isaiah 66:18b-21, Isaiah 35:1-10, Romans 9:24-26, are some of the best prophesies about this.

We Christians are the Lord's people, His chosen; John 15:18, 1 Peter 2:8-10, and we are the people; nation, who bear the proper fruit. Matthew 21:43.

We will, in the holy Land be His witnesses, Isaiah 43:10, John 15:27 and His Light to the nations. Isaiah 49:8, Acts 13:47, Ezekiel 39:27
Basically there is no need for anyone, other than the 2 Witnesses to go to heaven, Revelation 11:12, and they do not stay there, as Jesus Returns just then and they are resurrected along with all the rest of the GT martyrs. Revelation 20:4

The whole idea of a rapture removal of Christians to heaven, is not part of God's plan for His people. We are made to live on earth, God has angels in heaven.

Therefore, a body change is not necessary or logical, before the final wrap up after the Millennium and only then will all those whose names are written in the Book of Life, receive immortality and be with God for Eternity, when God and therefore heaven will be on earth. Revelation 21:1-4

 

[Davy]

Don't tell me you've also fallen into the trap of man's false pre-trib rapture theory, and also attempting to make money with it, like another Tim LaHaye or Hal Lindsay? It will not be well with those who do that when Jesus does come to gather His 'faithful' Church after... the "great tribulation" like He revealed.

 

[ScottA]

Sorry @Episkopos but the idea and belief that there would be a rapturous mass future only event coming at the end of the age...is the biblical "lie" spoken of by Paul. Such belief and delusion was allowed by God for unbelief in what Jesus actually said of His return, as what "must shortly come to pass." He said it, but almost no one has believed it. Why? Because they did not see what He referred to as "not observable' to this world, because what is spirit is "like the wind" and not to be seen.

Believing such an erroneous lie has made for many victims who are not to be condemned...because it was and is also the means by which the times are fulfilled in slumber. Even so, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. But--if one prefers the lie...that is a problem of great consequence, also foretold.

Which means, we all just go ahead as Israel did, thinking they were on the right track...only to blindly fail in their understanding, so as to reject what was actually true, the result of which was they crucified their Messiah, sent to them. Or...we can recognize the handwriting on the wall and heed the warnings and prophecies foretelling a final revelation to only be revealed just before the sounding of the seventh angel.

This is that time. And the foretold "finish of the mystery of God" is the correction to remove the veil of restraint during these great and horrible days.

 

[Truth7t7]

The rapture (snatching away to heaven) is coming. Who will be ready? In a time when the whole world (including Christendom) is deceived by the Devil, will we seek the Lord and wash our robes in the Blood of the Lamb now, by choice; or will we delay this until the Great Tribulation compels us to, if at all?

No such thing as a pre-trib rapture found in scripture, it's the invention of John N. Darby 1830's and was promoted by the 1909 C.I. Scofield reference Bible with Darby's teachings in the margin's

(Pre-Trib Rapture = The Invention Of Man)

 

[ewq1938]

The rapture (snatching away to heaven) is coming.

Not To the heaven where God is. The bible states the raptures takes ppl to the clouds of the Earth also known as the first heaven. They aren't raptured any further than there.

 

[ewq1938]

No such thing as a pre-trib rapture found in scripture, it's the invention of John N. Darby 1830's and was promoted by the 1909 C.I. Scofield reference Bible with Darby's teachings in the margin's

John Gill (1748)

Dr. John Gill was one of the most brilliant scholars of his day. This Calvinist Baptist theologian wrote a full commentary set on the Bible in 1748. In this commentary he made a statement in his notes on 1 Thessalonians 4 that supported a time difference between the rapture of the saints and the coming of Christ to earth. He said:

....here Christ will stop and will be visible to all, and as easily discerned by all, good and bad, as the body of the sun at noon-day; as yet He will not descend on earth, because it is not fit to receive Him; but when that and its works are burnt up, and it is purged and purified by fire, and become a new earth, He'll descend upon it, and dwell with his saints in it: and this suggests another reason why He'll stay in the air, and His saints shall meet Him there, and whom He'll take up with Him into the third heaven, till the general conflagration and burning of the world is over, and to preserve them from it....

 

[Keraz]

John Gill (1748)

John Gill was a wise and learned man. Matthew 11:25-36 applies to him.
Also the fact of end times Prophecy not being able to be understood until near the end times. Daniel 12:10

Not To the heaven where God is. The bible states the raptures takes ppl to the clouds of the Earth also known as the first heaven. They aren't raptured any further than there.

This is scripturally correct. The faithful peoples gathered by the angels, Matthew 24:31, will go with Jesus to Jerusalem, into the Millennium.

 

[Truth7t7]

This is scripturally correct. The faithful peoples gathered by the angels, Matthew 24:31, will go with Jesus to Jerusalem, into the Millennium.

Jesus returns and the resurrection takes place as mortal turns into immortal (Then Cometh The End) no millennial kingdom on this earth takes place after, its (The End)

1 Corinthians 15:21-24KJV
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

 

[covenantee]

Rapture Wimpism

Any student of Scripture with even a cursory knowledge of the NT Church knows that tribulation in the form of persecution, suffering, and death has been the lot of the Church ever since its birth. From its persecution at the hands of the Jews, to that under the Roman emperors and empires, to that today under Islam and other ideologies; the Church's experience with tribulation has been unrelenting, and its death toll over the millennia is counted in the tens of millions.

In the NT, we see in the book of Acts a complete account of how the disciples and Christ's followers were hated and persecuted as Jesus had predicted (Matthew 24:9). In Acts 4: "And they laid hands on them [Peter and John], and put them in prison" (verse 3). In Acts 5, they were "beaten" (verse 40). As they departed from the "council", they rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name"(verse 41). In Acts 7, Stephen was killed for his stand (verses 54-60). In Acts 8:1 "There was a great persecution against the church." In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were beaten and cast into prison. In Acts 21, persecution resulted in Paul being beaten, and brought before rulers, before whom he testified (Acts 22). In Acts 22:19 we read that Paul confessed that prior to his conversion, he had "imprisoned and beaten in every synagogue" those who believed in Christ.

There was, and is, no lack of tribulation for the NT Church.

But deplorably, we see today a generation of what can best be described as “rapture wimps.” This generation of North American believers, the most “molycoddled and milquetoast” in the history of the Christian Church, seems in large part to believe that it is also entitled to escape the trials and privations which have beset the historic Church, and to be “...carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease” as the beloved hymn “Am I a Soldier of the Cross” describes.

The following partial enumeration of NT tribulation references...:

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

1 Thessalonians 3:4
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

...makes it clear that there is no room for rapture wimps in the Christian Church. In solidarity with other believers in parts of the world who suffer tribulation even as we read this, we must be prepared to, as did and do these, “fight to win the prize and sail through bloody seas”, as we see the hymnwriter further pen.


God has promised...:

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

...that we can be triumphant in Him even in the midst of tribulation. He promises us all of His grace and resources to make this a reality.

But the promise is only for those who refuse to be rapture wimps.

 

[covenantee]

John Gill (1748)

Dr. John Gill was one of the most brilliant scholars of his day. This Calvinist Baptist theologian wrote a full commentary set on the Bible in 1748. In this commentary he made a statement in his notes on 1 Thessalonians 4 that supported a time difference between the rapture of the saints and the coming of Christ to earth. He said:

....here Christ will stop and will be visible to all, and as easily discerned by all, good and bad, as the body of the sun at noon-day; as yet He will not descend on earth, because it is not fit to receive Him; but when that and its works are burnt up, and it is purged and purified by fire, and become a new earth, He'll descend upon it, and dwell with his saints in it: and this suggests another reason why He'll stay in the air, and His saints shall meet Him there, and whom He'll take up with Him into the third heaven, till the general conflagration and burning of the world is over, and to preserve them from it....

Dr. Gill was a Reformation historicist who recognized the prevailing antichrist of that era to be the apostate Roman papacy.

He also recognized that the Church had not been raptured.

No pretrib dispensational futurist, he.

 

[Keraz]

Jesus returns and the resurrection takes place as mortal turns into immortal (Then Cometh The End) no millennial kingdom on this earth takes place after, its (The End)

1 Corinthians 15:21-24KJV
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

There is a gap of a thousand years between verses 23 and 24.
Proved by - Jesus having just Returned, has not yet taken up the Rulership of the Kingdom, to be able to hand it back to God.

Anyway, the rejection of the plainly stated period of a thousand years n Revelation 20, is enough to make AMill a false teaching.

 

[Truth7t7]

There is a gap of a thousand years between verses 23 and 24.

Your claim is 100% false, no gap of 1,000 years is seen between verses 23-24 below, you "ADD" to scripture to suit your false doctrine, if the scripture exposes your doctrine to be false "Change It" (Scary)!

1 Corinthians 15:21-24KJV
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

 (Keras Falsely Inserts A 1,000 Year Kingdom Here Adding To Scripture)

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

 

[Keraz]

(Keras Falsely Inserts A 1,000 Year Kingdom Here Adding To Scripture)

T7T falsely removes the 'thousand years'; mentioned six times in Rev 20.

Jesus is in heaven now, waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. THEN He will Return and reign over the world, for the next thousand years.
All as Prophesied, the logical progression of Gods Plan for the redemption of mankind.

 

[ewq1938]

Jesus returns and the resurrection takes place as mortal turns into immortal (Then Cometh The End) no millennial kingdom on this earth takes place after, its (The End)

1 Corinthians 15:21-24KJV
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Rev 2 has Jesus telling us what happens after the end, such as a rule over the nations. There are many ends to various time periods but there is no "end" since Rev 21 on is the eternity, no end ever happens to that time period.

Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

That is the second coming. Everything we read of next comes after the second coming:

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

After "the end" comes, there is given power over the nations to those that are overcomers. They will be given power over the mortal unsaved nations after Christ has returned not before it.

 

[Truth7t7]

T7T falsely removes the 'thousand years'; mentioned six times in Rev 20.

Revelation 20:1-6 Isnt A Millennial Kingdom On This Earth, Dont Be Deceived​

Can you find the things claimed by those teaching a Literal 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom On This Earth in Revelation 20:1-6 below?

1.) Physical Earthly Kingdom?
2.) Physical Earthly Throne?
3.) Physical Mortal Humans?

The Above Claims (Don't Exist)

Revelation 20:1-6 Is 100% In The Lords (Spiritual) Angel, Heaven, Devil, Satan, The Souls, The Dead, God, Christ

100% Spiritual Realm, No "Literal" Time

2 Peter 3:8KJV
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Revelation 20:1-6KJV
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 

[Truth7t7]

They will be given power over the mortal unsaved nations after Christ has returned not before it.

There Will Be No 1,000 Year Millennial Kingdom Upon This Earth, Jesus Christ Returns In Fire And Final Judgement, Dissolving This Existing Earth By Fire, Immediately After The Tribulation

This Existing Heaven And Earth Will Be (Replaced) By The New Heaven, Earth, Jerusalem, A New Creation, At The Return Of Jesus Christ

(Behold, I Make All Things New)

2 Peter 3:10-13KJV
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21:1-5KJV
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Matthew 24:29-30KJV
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

1 Corinthians 3:13KJV
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Luke 17:29-30KJV
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9KJV
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Malachi 3:2KJV
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Psalm 46:6KJV
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Psalm 50:3KJV
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Psalm 97:5KJV
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Isaiah 66:15KJV
15 For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

Zechariah 14:12KJV
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

Nahum 1:5-6KJV
5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

Revelation 20:9KJV
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

 

[Truth7t7]

They will be given power over the mortal unsaved nations after Christ has returned not before it.

The mortal unsaved nations will be "Destroyed" by the Lord's fire in judgement at his revealing, read it again, and again, and again.

"Destroyed Them All"!

Luke 17:29-30KJV
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

 

[ewq1938]

The mortal unsaved nations will be "Destroyed" by the Lord's fire in judgement at his revealing, read it again, and again, and again.

This does not appear in the bible. The bible says some are killed, while the rest are ruled over by Christ, Rev 2, 19-20. Even the verses you quote prove a limited killing as happened in the time of fire upon Sodom. Why cite something that proves you wrong? You don't understand scripture.