How Will The Media and Governments of the world explain The Rapture?

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association et al. ^ | June 19, 2017 | RightTackle 44

[righttackle44]

If and when the Rapture of the Church occurs and Christians are spirited off the face of the earth to Heaven, how will the secular governments and media explain the phenomenon? Millions of people will suddenly be gone from the societies and populations of the earth. Many who thought or said that they were Christians, will still be here.

No born-again Christians will be here.

The Billy Graham article is cited to provide information.

[EliRoom8]

Rev. 20: Most important -- these are UNBELIEVERS who are judged for their works at the Great White Throne judgement. Believers are judged at the Bema Seat . From Spirit and Truth via PreceptAustin concerning REVELATION 20: according to their works, by the things which were written in the books The things written is τῶν γεγραμμένων [tōn gegrammenōn] , perfect tense passive participle: the things having been written. The contents of the books were written in the past. This is the record of all their good and bad deeds prior to death. They will be judged both by their deeds and by their knowledge: There is a principle in Scripture that does teach degrees of punishment based upon degrees of sinfulness and upon greater or lesser light or knowledge and the response or lack of it to that light [Mat. 11:20-24; Luke 12:47-48; John 19:11].93 When we speak to people who reject the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and ask them by what means they hope to enter heaven, they almost universally reply with the notion that they are basically good and that by their deeds they will find entry. They are convinced: (1) that their good deeds will outweigh the bad, (2) so long as they are better than some other person then they are acceptable to God—that God grades their sin on a scale relative to other people. The truth is, from God’s perspective their bad deeds universally outweigh the good. Moreover, God does not grade on a relative scale to other people, but relative to the perfection of God Himself. This is an absolute scale. Blind to these realities, they are convinced they will gain “heaven” by their works. And so God has promised to judge them by their works: Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve. (Ps. 28:4) If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? (Pr. 24:12) For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecc. 12:14) I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. (Jer. 17:10 cf. Jer. 32:19) ***The unbelieving dead will get what they desire: they will be judged by their works. But their works will be found to be imperfect. Not only in application, but in motivation because it is impossible for those who lack faith to please God (Heb. 11:6). Even their altruistic works are flawed by selfish and deceptive motivations.*** The unregenerate man can, through common grace, love his family and he may be a good citizen. He may give a million dollars to build a hospital. . . If a drunkard, he may abstain from drink for utilitarian purposes, but he cannot do it out of love for God. All of his common virtues or good works have a fatal defect in that his motives which prompt them are not to glorify God,— a defect so vital that it throws any element of goodness as to man wholly into the shade.95 The books will be opened and sin will be found. Lacking a covering for sin and unable to produce perfection, they will be unable to be in God’s presence and are destined for the Lake of Fire. Being a righteous and just God, the degree of their sin will determine their relative degree of torment. But all torment is torment. It should be noted that while there are varying degrees of punishment in hell, everyone there will suffer intolerable, indescribable misery and torment. All sinners in hell will be utterly separated from God and all that comes from His goodness. Thus, they will be miserable, but not equally miserable. Bible.org has more to say on this topic -- 22:12 Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. While salvation is a gift, there are rewards given for faithfulness in the Christian life and loss of rewards for unfaithfulness. Rewards become one of the great motives of the Christian’s life or should. But we need to understand the nature of these rewards to understand the nature of the motivation. Some people are troubled by the doctrine of rewards because this seems to suggest “merit” instead of “grace,” and because, it is pointed out, we should only serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory.

[EliRoom8]

>Salvation only happens at the last trump.<<

Exposition by Marvel Comics?

Forgive me. I shouldn’t even be corresponding with you. Actually, salvation occurs in the 3rd inning of the second game of the World Series.

[VaeVictis]

“I didn’t mean to declare you a preterist.”

No worries, I just wanted to make sure that was clarified in case that is what you thought.

“The Day of Trumpets is not a ‘Rapture,’”

Yes, this is what I’ve been leaning towards after a few weeks of research - that there is not two returns of Christ, once in air (rapture) and once as king (his day). My Baptist upbringing always taught it but I am not seeing very good evidence of it now. These sound like the same, single event instead of two: Titus 2:13, 1 Cor. 14:51-52, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, Rev. 19:11, Matthew 24:29-31

Anyways, I was asked by a youth pastor to help research revelation/prophecy to ensure he is teaching the kids the right thing. I’ve not heard of Tishri 1 before, so I’ll certainly look that over.

Thanks for the information Editor!

[TruthInThoughtWordAndDeed]

editor-survey,

Thank you for the information.

I do not follow Hal Lindsay.

I have heard of the barley harvest. Do you have Biblical references to support your statements? Now that you have brought this to my attention, I would like to study the matter.

Thank you.

Blessings to you and your loved ones.

Dan :-)

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

" “believing” is living exactly as he lived; doing exactly as he did. (Keeping Torah)"

Are you saying that I must "keep Torah" in order to be saved?

[Lil Flower]

Yes we are to encourage one another that those of us in Christ will one day all be with Him. Those dead/asleep in Christ will rise FIRST. Those who happen to still be alive when He returns will gather with those who have just risen and gather with Christ at His Second Coming. His ONLY return. There is no other return in secret called a Rapture. I know that they’re a lot of people wanting to leave this world without dying a natural death but as someone who has been with a lot of people when they passed, in my job and with family, the unknown can be frightening but if you’re ready & you trust in Christ your true Home awaits.

And like I said, most Christians in this world are suffering tribulation right now. American Christians biggest concern on Sunday morning is what to wear to Church. Again it’s so arrogant of us to think that we are somehow “special” and “better” than third world Christians when they face dying for their faith everyday.

We have a very rude and shocking awakening coming.

[editor-surveyor]

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That is what Yeshua and his apostles told all of his followers.

If you have a better way, go for it.

[georgiegirl]

I know that they’re a lot of people wanting to leave this world without dying a natural death

It's awesome that you and I share the same passion for the Blessed Hope and look to it everyday with anticipation. Like a Bride waiting for her Bridegroom, Who comes at an unexpected hour for His Beloved, like a "thief in the night". We have this great hope not because we are are avoiding death, but because He is coming in such a way that our finite minds can't grasp how absolutely explosive it will be!

[Lil Flower]

I agree. Hal Lindsey and some others made some money off of me in the early 90’s. Until I realized that he and others had to come out with new books to explain why what they wrote in previous books didn’t happen. If you’re objective and a thinker and investigate what you’re reading it doesn’t take long to figure out you’re a sucker.

[editor-surveyor]

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The commandment to keep the Aviv is found in Exodus 34:18

The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Aviv: for in the month Aviv thou camest out from Egypt.

Most of the credit for restoring the Biblical calendar has to go to the Karaite Nehemia Gordon.

Nehemia Gordon, You tube

Nehemia Gordon, Facebook

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[Ezekiel]

Hal Lindsey and some others made some money off of me in the early 90’s. Until I realized that he and others had to come out with new books to explain why what they wrote in previous books didn’t happen.

The irony of the title "Late Great Planet Earth" even extends to the subtitle/text:

The 'end times generation' IS the definition of 'thi$ generation', just not in the way it expect$.

Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Antecedents, they can have multiple options.

He paid the fare, to escape the presence of the Lord.

The End Times merchants really should be watching what's happening to the political Establishment. Actually they are, but it is to make more money and gain a reputation from their 'insight'. What can you do - there's not enough popcorn.

Establishments are falling, falling. King Arthur's knowledge and wisdom is vastly superior.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

I respectfully disagree with your statement that we must keep Torah in order to be saved.

While it is clear that the new believing communities sprouting up in Gentile nations were aware of the Jewish roots of the faith (1 Cor. 5:7), where does Paul or any other New Testament writer encourage Gentile believers to live as Jews or embrace a Hebraic lifestyle?

"Should Gentiles Keep Torah? It is most telling that in all the epistles to congregations there is not a single word commanding Gentiles to adopt the whole Torah, and no direct statement of hope that they will eventually adopt a fully Torah keeping life in the same way as the Jews. There is no word of such an exhortation or even mild encouragement throughout the whole book of Acts, which is written in part to show the relationship of Jewish-Gentile fellowship!" Quoted from Ron Cantor, who serves on the leadership team of a Hebrew-speaking, Spirit-filled congregation in Tel Aviv. (I have read some of his books)

[Lil Flower]

But what you and others are missing is most of us will not see that day. And thinking you are going to miss out on suffering, or that you are not “living right” as a Christian if you are suffering is preposterous. I’m not saying this directly at you, I’m speaking to all.

There is no rapture. But there will be a Second Coming praise God. And we do have hope that when our time comes, those of us in Christ will see Him and be with Him forever. And we will see our loved ones who were in Christ again, and I have many I can’t wait to see.

[georgiegirl]

We as Christians “Look for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!” Amen sister!

[editor-surveyor]

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>> “It is most telling that in all the epistles to congregations there is not a single word commanding Gentiles to adopt the whole Torah” <<

That is absolute nonsense!

Just start with Matthew 5 which declares Torah to be forever.

Then Matthew 7:21-23, which sends the lawless to eternal darkness.

Then Acts 15 that calls on every new believer to hear Moses read in their synagogue every Sabbath day.

Romans 2:13 declares only doers of the law will be justified.

The entire epistle to the Colossians praises them for keeping the appointed times, and tells them to let no man judge them in their keeping of Torah but the Kehillah.

All the epistles speak of the keeping of the feasts, and Paul tells several congregations to withhold their tithes and gifts until the close of the Sabbath, and bring them in after sundown when the Sabbath has closed and the first day of the week has begun. (traveling with money is forbidden on the Sabbath)

The whole NT is about how to keep Torah.

Perhaps you should do your Bible reading when you are more awake.
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[editor-surveyor]

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>> “But what you and others are missing is most of us will not see that day.” <<

How old are you?

It appears that Satan’s tribulation will begin in the spring of 2021; will you still be here?

Yeshua will be here “in the spirit” to gather his bride on Tishri 1, the Day of Trumpets, in 2024, and you had better be sure that he gathers you, because that will also be the beginning of the 10 days of the bowl judgements, when no one in their right mind would want to be here on Earth.
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[editor-surveyor]

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Formatting would be nice.

Revelation 20 does not make it clear there that there is a distinction.

I trust that you read the KJV? (I mostly do)

It is loaded with misplaced modifiers and broken clauses in the last chapters, so there are many places that leave questions.

It does of course make it plain that those gathered at the last Trump are not subject to the second death, but I can find no assurance that anyone that rejects his Torah in any way will be a part of that event.

The “garment” of Torah righteousness is needed, and we all will need some grace to be seen as wearing that garment.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

Romans 2:13 that you quoted as proof that Gentiles are required to keep Torah is often used by people to say that we must keep the Law (along with faith in Jesus) to be saved, but this isn’t so. Paul was talking to the Jews (Romans 2:17) about their judging of the Gentiles, and then points them to their own Law (standard of judgment) and hypocrisy and tells them that the doers of the Law are just before God (v. 13). The

The standard they wanted to keep was the Law. Paul was telling them that they could be justified before God by keeping it. So, keep the Law. Keep all of it, but if you don’t, you’re in trouble. It is the doers of the Law who are justified before God. He tells them that the Gentiles who didn't have the Law according to the knowledge of the Jews were instinctively keeping the Law (v. 14) and will be judged accordingly. How much more the Jews?

Paul was showing the self-righteous Jews who judged the Gentiles that they were not able to keep a perfect standard. They were hypocrites. This is why Paul tells us in the very next chapter, in Romans 3:28, that we are justified by faith apart from the works of the Law--which includes the Law of loving God (Deut. 6:5), and loving your neighbor (Lev. 19:18). No one is able to keep the Law. If you fail even once, then you become guilty of it all.

James 2:10, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” Gal. 3:10, “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”

The Jews (and anyone else) can be justified before God by keeping the Law, but he or she has to be perfect. A person can’t fail even once--ever. But since all fail, that is why we have the gospel that tells us Jesus kept the Law perfectly (1 Pet. 2:22), and that we can be justified before God by faith in Him (Romans 4:3, 5; 5:1; John 1:12; 3:16).

[editor-surveyor]

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You can squirm all you want.

Torah has been the standard of righteousness from the beginning, and will remain so to the end.

There is not one word in all of the scriptures that says otherwise.

You appear to be a part of the confusion club that failed to grasp the difference between Torah’s love from Yehova, and the Takanot and Ma’assim of the Pharisees. (the “burden that could not be borne”)

A costly error, to be sure. Matthew 7 leaves no room for doubt. Neither does John’s first epistle. “Believing on Him” is living as he lived, and as he said.
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[Lil Flower]

FYI as soon as you gave a date I stopped reading right there.