Posted on 05/05/2015 6:10:22 PM PDT by EveningStar
Question: A friend of mine has been reading the Left Behind books that have all of this stuff about the “Rapture” in them. Is there really going to be a “Rapture” like these books talk about?
Answer: No.The “Rapture” refers to a passage in First Thessalonians 4, where Christians are “caught up” in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Many Christians believe, and the Left Behind books promote, that this being “caught up” to meet the Lord will occur before the Great Tribulation sometime in the near future. Christians will simply vanish, meet Jesus somewhere in the air, and then return with Him to Heaven to await the end of time.
(Excerpt) Read more at aleteia.org ...
‘Blessed men go through those vallies. Pax vobiscum
I learned something this evening that I was not aware of: the Jewish rabbinical colleges do not allow their students to read Daniel. Perhaps in the seventieth week these students will get ahold of a Christian Bible and read it and say ‘Hey! That means He is returning to Mt of Olives in ___ days! Better get folks alerted.’
Daniel is in the books of the Jewish prophets.
Yes, but the students are forbidden to read it or discuss it.
Dan 2:44; Dan 7:9; Dan 12:1; Mat 24 Zec 14 Jhn 14:1-3 1Cr 15:51-58 1Th 3:11-13; 1Th4:13-18; 1Th 5:1-13 Tts 2:11-15; 2pe 3:11-14; 2Pe 1:4-15 Rev 1:7; Rev 3:10; Rev 5 all point to a rapture.
Did you ever get the thermostat in this hot tub fixed?
It seems mighty warm in here to me...
Unless your name is Mary; of course...
The resurrection from the dead will be what most believers experience. A small number in comparison will not die but will be changed as was the case with the Old Testament characters Enoch and Elijah. This event is known as the “rapture” or “translation” of the church.
The Transfiguration was the glorification of the human body of Jesus. On this occasion His body underwent a change in form, a metamorphosis, so that it shone as brightly as the sun. At the time of the Transfiguration, Jesus’ earthly ministry was coming to a close. He had acknowledged that He was the Messiah and predicted His death and resurrection. Now He was to reveal, to a select few, His divine glory.
The Bible gives this account:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother brought them up on a high mountain by themselves, and was transfigured before them. his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him . . . A bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear him!’ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.’ And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only (Matthew 17:1-3,5-8).
Jesus told Peter, James, and John not to tell anyone about this until after He had risen from the dead.
Years Later Peter Recalled The Event
Some years later Simon Peter would write of this event:
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to him from the excellent glory: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain (2 Peter 1:16-18).
Jesus Is The Son Of God
The Transfiguration provides further evidence that Jesus was the divine Son of God. It is not coincidental that this happened soon after Jesus had acknowledged Himself to be the Christ, the one who left heaven’s glory to come to earth. Now three of His disciples were to get a glimpse of that glory.
The appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus is highly significant. The name Moses was equated with the Old Testament law that God had given to the people. Jesus came and fulfilled the commandments of the law and did the things the law could not do, that is, to provide an answer for the problem of sin. The law pointed out the problem; Jesus gave the solution.
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
Elijah was an outstanding figure in the Old Testament. He was a great prophet and his appearance with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration testified that Jesus fulfilled the prophets, as well as the law.
The voice of God the Father gave further confirmation of the calling and Sonship of Jesus. He acknowledged that Jesus had pleased Him in the things He had said and done.
It Represented His Coming Kingdom
The Transfiguration scene of Jesus is a representation of His coming kingdom in its fullness. Jesus Himself said to His disciples.
I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom (Matthew 16:28).
The Transfiguration occurred with Jesus and three of His disciples - Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah miraculously appeared with Jesus. At the foot of the mountain were the remainder of Jesus’ disciples and the multitudes.
When one considers the various individuals and groups involved, it paints a marvelous picture of Jesus’ coming kingdom.
Jesus Himself
First, there is the Lord Jesus in His glorified body.
There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2)
He will rule in His coming kingdom in His glorified body.
Moses
Moses, in his glorified body, represented the saved that will enter God’s kingdom through death.
Elijah
Elijah never died. He represents those believers who enter the kingdom of God by the translation or the rapture of the church.
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).
Jesus’ Disciples
Peter, James, and John in their natural bodies depict those Jewish believers who will enter the coming kingdom.
The Various Nations That Will Make Up The Kingdom
The multitude of people, left at the base of the mountain, represent the various nations who will enter the kingdom of God in their natural or non-glorified bodies.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth (Isaiah 11:10-12).
The Transfiguration is significant because it was the glorification of the body of Jesus. Those with Him saw Jesus in His glory. The appearance of Moses and Elijah testified that Jesus was the one of whom the law and prophets spoke. The approving testimony of God the Father further confirmed the identity of Jesus.
In the Transfiguration of Jesus we have the various elements of the coming kingdom represented. There is the glorified King, those who will come into the kingdom through death, those who will come into the kingdom through the transformation of their bodies at the rapture of the church, those Jewish believers who will enter into the millennial reign of Christ in their earthly bodies, as well as the people from the various nations who will also enter into the millennium in non-glorified bodies.
Since the fall of humanity, with Adam and Eve, the normal experience for each human has been death. The writer to the Hebrews stated.
And just as it is appointed for humans to die once, and after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
As we read through the pages of the Old Testament, we find this truth emphasized. There were, however, two exceptions to this rule - Enoch and Elijah. Neither of these men died. The Bible says of them.
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away (Genesis 5:24).
As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11).
A Mystery Revealed
Not only are Enoch and Elijah the exception to the rule about death, the New Testament reveals to us something that had not been foretold - there will be a generation of people who will never die.
Rapture Of The Church
Before Christ returns to earth there will be an event known as the “rapture,” or “translation” of the church. The Scripture explains it in the following manner.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord Himself, with a shout, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Another explanation is given in First Corinthians.
Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:51-58).
Observations
From these passages we can make the following observations.
1. Not Everyone Will Die
Although death has been the norm for humanity, the Old Testament recorded two prominent exceptions - Enoch and Elijah. The New Testament also says that a living generation of Christians will not experience death, but will be taken up to meet the Lord.
2. No Need Of Resurrection
Those believers who are living at the time of the rapture, or translation, of the church, will not have to be resurrected. They will be changed, while they are alive, from mortal to immortal, from corruptible to incorruptible.
3. Meet Christ
Those who are instantaneously changed at the time of the rapture of the church will be with Christ forever in their glorified body.
You have your god mixed up.
The Great Tribulation begins at the signing of a Covenant between the AntiChrist and Israel. It is a Divine Discipline upon Israel. The Church, His body, His bride, is removed out of the way prior to the Great Tribulation which is caused by God, not by Satan. Those undergoing the Great Tribulation, even as unbelievers, will know it is caused by God and will curse Him, even when they know He controls their future.
The millenial reign occurs after His Second Coming and there will be a thousand years of ‘cleaning-up’ the mess of sin in the world, even after it had been conquered. People will still sin in the Millinnium, but He will rule with a rod of iron.
Today we are in the Age of Grace.
Speaking of verses sayings things (Happy Mother's Day BTW) didja ever notice that Genesis 2:24 says:
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Didja ever wonder WHAT 'father and mother'??
A&E surely had none; so WHAT is this phase DOING there; in a CREATION story??
Like Tevya; I'll tell ya!
We find the verse referenced by Paul; in his letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5...
31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
God lays some foundation stones really early...
The Jews had Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them...
Luke 16:29
Ask a few questions.
God always provides a place for us to worship Him.
Where is that Temple today?
What will have to happen to change that location?
Why is the Mark of the Beast so forewarned a couple of millennia prior to the event?
What causes His return when even the Holocaust didn’t spark the second coming?
Sure they are!
And Native Americans (current PC usage) Are the descendants of the Lamanites of old; too!
But what is its motivation? What does it want? Are you able to construct a rudimentary lathe?
SELAH!
You took time to write a marvelous entry. Thank you for edifying us all.
BTW, your profile page is ... great! The one liners remind me of one of the greatest comediennes of our times, and he always delivers it with a straight face!
No, they are not.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Romans 3:29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
Trying to make the word "Gentiles" mean only the lost sheep of the house of Israel is totally counter to scripture. All Israelites were called Jews. Paul called himself a Jew.
Acts 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.
But was not of the tribe of Judah.
Philippians 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
The Hebrew roots cult gets hung up on the translation of the Hebrew goyim and the Greek éthnē into Gentile but scripture makes it clear when speaking of nations not descended from Jacob/Israel. Paul clearly is talking about non descendants of Jacob/Israel here.
Galatians 2:8 for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles (ethnos), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles (ethnos) and they to the circumcised.
Satan would love to keep salvation from the nations that are not descendants of Jacob/Israel. The Hebrew roots cult and men like Michael Rood work diligently to promote that lie.
Nonsense! The end times are all about the triumph of Jesus and Him alone.
Where is that Temple today? Paul says we believers are now the Temple, our bodies are the Temple for the Holy Spirit.
What will have to happen to change that location? Were these supposed to be hard questions? ['When the Restrainer is taken out of the way ...']
Why is the Mark of the Beast so forewarned a couple of millennia prior to the event? This one is not as obvious ... ANYONE found to have willingly taken that mark will be a goat for the fires. The technology necessary to amrk the mark a world-wide reality has only recently become possible.
What causes His return when even the Holocaust didn’t spark the second coming? Hmm, let me think ... I just can't figure out how to humanly know when the last member is added to the Body of Ch ... Oh yeah! No wonder we cannot possibly know the moment of the Rapture in advance!
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