THE RAPTURE: IN BRIEF BY SCRIPTURE (aka; the translation)

2-THE RAPTURE: IN BRIEF BY SCRIPTURE BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT. FOR SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH, BY MAN CAME ALSO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE. BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING-1 Cor 15:20-23. So the saints are to be LOOKING (or watching) FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST-Titus 2:13. They are to look, in other words, for the Rapture. In looking for the blessed hope, the saints are to COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS-1 Thes 4:18.

And the saints are to be patient, as it is written, BE PATIENT THEREFORE, BRETHREN, UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD. BEHOLD, THE HUSBANDMAN (which is Jesus) WAITETH FOR THE PRECIOUS FRUIT OF THE EARTH (which is the saints), AND HATH LONG PATIENCE FOR IT, UNTIL HE RECEIVE THE EARLY AND LATTER (or autumn and spring) RAIN. BE YE ALSO PATIENT; STABLISH YOUR HEARTS (stand firm): FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH (or is near)-Ja 5:7,8.

The saints are to WATCH...AND PRAY ALWAYS, THAT YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS (the things of the Tribulation)-Lk 21:36. (The saints are not to) SLEEP, AS DO OTHERS; BUT LET US WATCH-1 Thes 5:6. The Bible warns, IF...THOU SHALT NOT WATCH, I WILL COME ON THEE AS A THIEF, AND THOU SHALT NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR I WILL COME UPON THEE-Rev 3:3. But BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING-Lk 12:37; because UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME-Heb 9:28. For the saints are to BE...READY-Lk 12:40.

And when certain signs and prophecies BEGIN TO COME TO PASS, the saints are to LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION (or your being caught up) DRAWETH NIGH-Lk 21:28. And when the Lord does come to take His people, BLESSED IS THAT SERVANT, WHOM HIS LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND SO DOING (which is denoting working for or serving God)-Lk 12:43. For there is a day coming when NO MAN CAN WORK-Jn 9:4. For those saints that have kept God’s Word, the Lord promises, 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-Rev 3:10. For God cannot allow the Tribulation to come forth until He removes "His" people. As it is written, HASTE THEE, ESCAPE THITHER; FOR I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL THOU BE COME THITHER-Gen 19:22.

(For) BEHOLD, I SHOW YOU A MYSTERY-1 Cor 15:51. AT MIDNIGHT-Mt 25:6; IN THE DAY OF CHRIST-Phili 1:10, 2:16; 2 Thes 2:2; IN THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST-Phili 1:6; IN THE DAY OF THE LORD JESUS-1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; IN THE DAY OF REDEMPTION-Eph 4:30; THERE WAS A CRY MADE-Mt 25:6; (There was) A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL-1 Thes 4:16; BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH; GO (come) YE OUT TO MEET HIM-Mt 25:6. THEN ALL THOSE VIRGINS AROSE (or woke up), AND TRIMMED (or prepared) THEIR LAMPS. AND THE FOOLISH SAID UNTO THE WISE, GIVE US (some) OF YOUR OIL; FOR OUR LAMPS ARE GONE OUT. BUT THE WISE ANSWERED, SAYING, NOT SO (no); LEST THERE BE NOT ENOUGH FOR (both) US AND YOU: BUT GO YE RATHER TO THEM THAT SELL (the dealers), AND BUY (some) FOR YOURSELVES. AND WHILE THEY WENT (on their way) TO BUY (to make the purchase), THE BRIDEGROOM CAME (or arrived)-Mt 25:7-10. FOR THIS WE SAY UNTO YOU...THAT WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD SHALL NOT PREVENT THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP-1 Thes 4:15.

(Listen), WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP (or die)-ref 1 Cor 15:51; FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH...THE TRUMP OF GOD-1 Thes 4:16; (and) IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP-1 Cor 15:52; (ref Num 10); FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND-1 Cor 15:52; and THE LORD…WILL…RAISE UP US BY HIS OWN POWER-1 Cor 6:14; God SHALL RAISE UP US ALSO BY JESUS-2 Cor 4:14. AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST-1 Thes 4:16; AND THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE-1 Cor 15:52; (for) GOD WILL REDEEM MY SOUL FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE ME-Ps 49:15. VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU (the truth), THE HOUR IS COMING, AND NOW IS, WHEN THE DEAD SHALL HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SON OF GOD: AND THEY THAT HEAR SHALL LIVE. MARVEL NOT (or do not be amazed) AT THIS: FOR THE HOUR IS COMING, IN THE WHICH ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES SHALL HEAR HIS VOICE, AND SHALL COME FORTH (or come out); THEY THAT HAVE DONE GOOD, UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE (or will rise to live)-Jn 5:25,28,29. As it is written, THY DEAD MEN SHALL LIVE...THEY ARISE...THE EARTH SHALL CAST OUT THE DEAD-Isa 26:19; and WE SHALL…LIVE WITH HIM-2 Tim 2:11. NOW THAT THE DEAD ARE RAISED, EVEN MOSES SHEWED AT THE BUSH, WHEN HE CALLETH THE LORD THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB-Lk 20:37. COME, MY PEOPLE...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-Isa 26:20,21.

Then, of the saints which are alive, it is written, AND THE FIRST VOICE WHICH I HEARD WAS AS IT WERE OF A TRUMPET TALKING WITH ME; WHICH SAID, COME UP HITHER-Rev 4:1. THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP-1 Thes 4:17; (then we shall be caught up) TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR-1 Thes 4:17; (we shall be gathered) TOGETHER UNTO HIM-2 Thes 2:1; the saints will be raised up AT THE LAST DAY-Jn 6:40; ref 6:39,44,54. And the Lord will receive the saints, so that WHERE Jesus is, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO-Jn 14:3; AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD-1 Thes 4:17; (and) I LOOKED, AND, BEHOLD, A DOOR WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN-Rev 4:1. (And this know, that they which) WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM TO THE MARRIAGE (or wedding, or wedding banquet, or feast): AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT-Mt 25:10. THEN SHALL TWO BE IN THE FIELD; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT. TWO WOMEN SHALL BE GRINDING AT THE MILL; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT-Mt 24:40,41. 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. TWO WOMEN SHALL BE GRINDING TOGETHER; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT. TWO MEN SHALL BE IN THE FIELD; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT-Lk 17:34-36. THEY ASKED HIM, "WHERE, LORD?" HE ANSWERED, "WHEREVER THERE'S A DEAD BODY, THAT'S WHERE THE VULTURES GATHER."-Lk 17:37 JNT.31

BELOVED, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, AND IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE-1 Jn 3:2. At the time of the Rapture (in the twinkling of an eye), 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 groan) AS WITH THE PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH...TO HAVE OUR WHOLE BODIES REDEEMED AND SET FREE-Ro 8:22,23 JNT.32 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. FOR IN THIS WE GROAN, EARNESTLY DESIRING TO BE CLOTHED UPON WITH OUR HOUSE WHICH IS FROM HEAVEN-2 Cor 5:1,2. For THERE IS ONE GLORY OF THE SUN, AND ANOTHER GLORY OF THE MOON, AND ANOTHER GLORY OF THE STARS: FOR ONE STAR DIFFERETH FROM ANOTHER STAR IN GLORY. SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. IT IS SOWN IN CORRUPTION; IT IS RAISED IN INCORRUPTION: IT IS SOWN IN DISHONOUR; IT IS RAISED IN GLORY: IT IS SOWN IN WEAKNESS; IT IS RAISED IN POWER: IT IS SOWN A NATURAL BODY; IT IS RAISED A SPIRITUAL BODY. THERE IS A NATURAL BODY, AND THERE IS A SPIRITUAL BODY. AND SO IT IS WRITTEN, THE FIRST MAN ADAM WAS MADE A LIVING SOUL; THE LAST ADAM WAS MADE A QUICKENING SPIRIT. THE SPIRITUAL DID NOT COME FIRST, BUT THE NATURAL, AND AFTER THAT THE SPIRITUAL-NIV. THE FIRST MAN IS OF THE EARTH, EARTHY: THE SECOND MAN IS THE LORD FROM HEAVEN. AS IS THE EARTHY, SUCH ARE THEY ALSO THAT ARE EARTHY: AND AS IS THE HEAVENLY, SUCH ARE THEY ALSO THAT ARE HEAVENLY. AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY, WE SHALL ALSO BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY-1 Cor 15:41-49. (And) WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS-1 Jn 3:2.

For those left back on the earth that were not taken in the Rapture, WOE UNTO THEM...IN THOSE DAYS! FOR THERE SHALL BE GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND-Lk 21:23. For they were left behind, because they would not repent. It is written, BEHOLD, I WILL CAST HER...AND THEM...INTO GREAT TRIBULATION, EXCEPT THEY REPENT-Rev 2:22. The saints that were watching and trusting in Jesus were raptured. It is written, EVEN JESUS, WHICH DELIVERED US FROM THE WRATH TO COME (or the Tribulation)-1 Thes 1:10; AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD-1 Thes 4:17.

4-THE RAPTURE 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.

5-HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RAPTURE BEFORE? The answer is yes. It is written, AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD: AND HE WAS NOT; FOR GOD TOOK HIM-Gen 5:24. It is also written, BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH-Heb 11:5. The Bible also tells us in 2 Ki 2:1-12, how Elijah was translated. We also see John in the Spirit on the Lord’s day-ref Rev 4:1. Jesus was taken up-ref Acts 1:9.

6-THE TWO QUESTIONS 1. At what point in the last generation does the Rapture come? 2. What happens to a person’s body when he is raptured?

7-QUESTION ONE: WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE COME IN RELATION TO THE OTHER EVENTS? (THE MOST RENOWNED SCHOLARS) Among the ten best known, born-again Bible prophecy scholars in the world, at the time this was written, beginning with Hal Lindsey, all without exception (to our knowledge) are convinced by God’s Word that the Rapture will come before the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins. Of the ten best known, born-again evangelists in the world, at this time, all without exception (to our knowledge) are convinced by God’s Word that the Rapture will come before the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins.

8-CONFUSION AND MAKING GOD’S WORD OF NO EFFECT Why then does there seem to be confusion among some people on this subject? The answer is clear. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION-1 Cor 14:33. Satan is the author of confusion. Some people hold the incorrect position that the Rapture will take place in the midst of the Tribulation. Some hold the misguided position that the Rapture will come at the end of the Tribulation. Others hold the mistaken position that the Rapture will come after the Tribulation, and there are others who hold yet a different position. There are some misguided people who do not believe there will be a Rapture. They do not believe that Jesus will actually return as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, as the Scriptures clearly point out. They do not believe there will be a period called the Tribulation. Others believe that Jesus returned about 1800 years ago, and still others about 100 years ago. No matter how famous a Bible teacher is, or how anointed he appears to be, or how much he proclaims the Gospel, when there is confusion on a major Bible subject, such as the Rapture, which is clearly and unmistakably stated in the Bible, something is wrong. A person that believes the Rapture will come during or after the Tribulation, also may not "even begin" to understand what the Tribulation will really be like. There has never been in the history of the earth a time, either before the flood or after, that will be as bad as what is soon to come. It is written, FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE. AND EXCEPT THOSE DAYS SHOULD BE SHORTENED, THERE SHOULD NO FLESH BE SAVED: BUT FOR THE ELECT’S SAKE THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED-Mt 24:21,22. These people usually do not understand the trumpet judgments and when they will occur. Some mistakenly try to associate the Rapture with the seventh trumpet of Rev 11:15. They may not consider the blowing of the trumpets in Numbers chapter ten. The words "trump" or "trumpet" or "trumpets" appear in the Bible app. 114 times. Several different Hebrew and Greek words are used. They may not understand the seven feasts of Israel and their significance. They may not understand the biblical reasons for the Rapture. They may not understand the Jewish marriage customs. Neither do they usually understand that there will be very few people left alive after the Battle of Armageddon. For some reason, many Scriptures are not understood correctly by these people. The Scriptures clearly show that the born-again saints are to understand the Bible regarding the times which would precede the Tribulation. Then, knowing and understanding the times, they are to watch and be ready for the Rapture. As it is written, LOOKING (which can also mean watching) FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST-Titus 2:13. Regarding the Rapture, it is written, WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS-1 Thes 4:18. We are not to watch for the Tribulation, but for the blessed hope. In watching for the blessed hope, we are comforted. God forbid, there would not be comfort, if we had to go into the Tribulation. By watching for the Tribulation, instead of the blessed hope, we nullify the Word of God. To watch for the Tribulation, is to watch for the most horrible time in the history of the world. To think that one would enter this utterly terrifying period, when many will be killed, would mean the Christian would live a life of fear. During the Tribulation, those who receive Jesus Christ will not have power to stand against the Antichrist. The saints will be given into the hand of the Antichrist. As it is written, I BEHELD, AND THE SAME HORN (the Antichrist) MADE WAR WITH THE SAINTS, AND PREVAILED AGAINST THEM-Dan 7:21. AND HE...SHALL WEAR OUT THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH...THEY SHALL BE GIVEN INTO HIS HAND UNTIL A TIME AND TIMES AND THE DIVIDING OF TIME-Dan 7:25. Most saints that get saved, during the Tribulation, can expect to be horribly persecuted, beaten, and then killed by being beheaded. Those that teach the Rapture will not come prior to the Tribulation, as already mentioned, are making certain Scriptures of no effect. They are not teaching the people to watch for the "blessed hope," that is, the return of Jesus to take "His" people. They are not teaching others to watch as God commands. Those that teach the Rapture will not come prior to the Tribulation are making God’s Word of no effect (null and void). This is exactly what Satan wants to do. The Scriptures show that we are to watch. Those who do not teach that the Rapture will soon come are, in effect, teaching a form of rebellion against God’s commands.

Geez Louise, I see nothing that is “secret” in this scenario of people vanishing in plain sight, with a terrible sight in the sky accompanying it.

No, the secret aspect has always been that folks will have disappeared and no one left knows where they went, that is, that Christ returned so secretly that no one even knew what the cause (his return) was of the effect (people disappearing). By the way, the idea of people disappearing came largely from that song "I wish we'd all been ready." You remember, "Two people walking up the hill, one disappears and one's left standing still. I wish we'd all been ready." The scripture that is supposed to reference, though, is not referring to a believer being taken, the unbeliever left, but the unbeliever taken in judgment, the believer left (referring to Jesus's teaching that the good and the evil would grow up together until the harvest at the end of the age when the angels would take out the evildoers first, leaving the sons of the kingdom untouched).

The preacher in the church I presently go to never refers to that song, nor does it get sung in the church. Yet he affirms the obvious consequence of such an event: people will vanish from earth in plain sight, and many watching will know exactly why because they have heard or read sermons telling them so. The song stuff is a straw man.

“According to Matthew 24:34, Jesus told his disciples he'd be back before they all passed way.”

Ahhhhh that's not how I read it, or 98% of Christians. “This Generation” will not pass away is better interpreted in meaning the generation witnessing the end tome events. Jesus told the disciples they would be persecuted in his name, and he knew some would die as martyrs.

Have you considered that the Rapture may have ALREADY occurred? That we comprise the “Left Behind”? That so few were honestly qualified for Heaven that they just showed up in isolated missing person reports, and with no mass disappearance, no one really noticed the Event?

Rapture takes two

OTTAWA — The Rapture occurred March 31, 2005, at 9:43 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time and took both people on the planet whose theology was exactly correct.
Dan Wilson of Ottawa, Canada, was snatched away while sleeping.
"He spent years refining his eschatological scheme," says his wife. "Just last week he told me he had it all right, but I still disagreed with him on a minor point. I regret that now."
Rejna Thanawalla of New Delhi, India, also experienced the Rapture, say friends.
"She knew exactly what the books of Revelation and Daniel meant," they say. "Sadly, none of us listened to her."
In a surprise, Tim LaHaye says he was "slightly wrong on the subject of the Beast," and was left behind. Other prophecy experts say they, too, botched minor points in their end times charts.
"Looks like we'll have to stay and wait this out," said one disappointed pastor.
Related threads:
Rapture Safety cards prepare parishioners, airline-style
Evangelical scholars solve Book of Revelation's mysteries

"According to Matthew 24:34, Jesus told his disciples he'd be back before they all passed way. But false prophesy didn't deter believers then and it still does not."

Jesus words were:

Mt:24:34:" Amen I say to you that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done."

Christ cannot give false prophecy, Here are some logical explanations of the verse:

Ver. 34. This generation; i.e. the nation of the Jews shall not cease to exist, until all these things shall be accomplished: thus we see the nation of the Jews still continue, and will certainly continue to the end of the world. (Tirinus) --- Then the cross, which has been a scandal to the Jew, and a stumbling-block to the Gentile, shall appear in the heavens, for the consolation of the good Christian. Hoc signum crucis erit in cÅ“lo, cum Dominus ad judicandum venerit. --- If it be to be understood of the destruction of Jerusalem, the sense may be, this race of men now living; if of the last day of judgment, this generation of the faithful, saith Theophylactus,[4] shall be continued: i.e. the Church of Christ, to the end of the world. (Witham) --- This race, I tell you in very truth, shall not pass away till all this be finally accomplished in the ruin of Jerusalem, the most express figure of the destruction and end of the world. (Bible de Vence) --- By generation, our Saviour does not mean the people that were in existence at that time, but the faithful of his Church; thus says the psalmist: this is the generation of them that seek the Lord. (Psalm xxiii, ver. 6.) (St. Chrysostom, hom. lxxvii.) Source: Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition.

Yet he affirms the obvious consequence of such an event: people will vanish from earth in plain sight, and many watching will know exactly why because they have heard or read sermons telling them so. The song stuff is a straw man.

The point is that the verses the song refers to do not say anything about a rapture and do not say anything about anyone disappearing. Neither does any teaching by Jesus or by any other writer of scripture talk about any disappearing or vanishing from earth in plain sight.

>> Ahhhhh that’s not how I read it, or 98% of Christians. <<

Are you leaving Catholics out when you say “Christians”, or are you claiming knowledge about Catholic eschatology you don’t have?

While Catholics do not deny that the Apocalypses, Matthew’s or John’s, describe end-times events, they also find a fulfillment with the establishment of the Church, inasmuch as Christ is present within his church. Rome’s prosecution meant that most of the disciples (excluding John) were killed, and raised into Heaven. Also, by that time, the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed and a man nicknamed “the Beast,” and named Qsr Nrn in Hebrew (=666) rules over Rome while it was consumed in fire. The following year, Rome had fallen into four empires, divieded among generals Golbo, Otto, Vitellus and Vespasianus.

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