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The Rapture of the Church: Our Blessed Hope in Jesus Christ



Whether you have studied much or little about the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, I want you to be confident that this belief is well-supported by scripture.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

While we are watching the signs of rumors of wars, third Temple progress, attitudes in society and in the church, among others, the BIG EVENT - the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the transformation of living saints into resurrection bodies - is almost upon us. After the transformation from temporal to eternal, a literal “catching away” of those who believe in Jesus will occur. This is commonly known as the rapture, from the Latin translation of “caught up” – rapiemur (from rapio). The Greek word is harpazo (Strong's 726). Both mean “we are caught up” or “we are taken away”, and suggest suddenness and aggressiveness. HELPS Word-studies defines harpazo as "seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively – like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly)." (Source)

The rapture isn't going to be a secret, but it will be sudden!  Let's examine the scriptures pertaining to this glorious event!


First, passages that promise to spare the saints from wrath:


Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)

“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:9) 

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) 


We are not destined for wrath!  God has never poured out His wrath upon His righteous ones in the past, and He won’t do so in the future either. How is God going to spare us from wrath? It’s all a part of the gift of transformation from temporal to eternal.


Second, passages talking about our transformation from temporal to eternal:


Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed [allasso], in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: 

Death has been swallowed up in victory. 
Death, where is your victory? 
Death, where is your sting? 
(1 Corinthians 15:51-55) 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20-21) 

For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14)


I would suggest that these two passages have a near and a far fulfillment, which is common in prophecy:

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29) 

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  (Daniel 12:2)

This transformation, or changing, occurs in the twinkling of an eye – instantaneously. The dead in Christ will be transformed – rise from the grave and be united with a resurrection body. Then, we who are alive and remain, will be transformed into our eternal bodies. Together we will all be caught up to be with the Lord. The dead who are not in Christ will be resurrected in the second resurrection - the one to judgment at the Great White Throne.

Because a lot of people have confusion over the resurrection events I will summarize:



First Resurrection


    1. Jesus and the Many Saints - approx. 32-33 AD - 1 Corinthians 15:20, Matthew 27:52-53 (note: the FIRST harvest of the Feasts of God - Unleavened Bread)


    2. Main Resurrection / Rapture event - hopefully this year :) - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  (note: will this be on the SECOND harvest of the Feast of God - Pentecost?)


    3. Tribulation Martyrs - between second coming and millennial kingdom - Revelation 20:4,6  (note: the THIRD harvest of the Feasts of God - Tabernacles)

Some believe that the Old Testament saints will be resurrected from the dead along with the church pre-tribulation, and some believe that they will be resurrected from the dead along with the tribulation martyrs post-tribulation.  From our perspective as the alive body of Christ (the church), I would suggest this isn't an issue to raise any ruckus about; what is clear is that they will be raised at some point and rule with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom.


Second Resurrection 


Occurs after the millennial kingdom, in 1007+ years - Revelation 20:5,11-15, John 5:29b.  Includes all unbelievers from the beginning of time.  It would also seem to include any believers who may have passed away during the Millennial Kingdom.


Third, passages predicting the “harpazo” of the saints: 


Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.  (Hebrews 9:28) 

“She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne”  (Revelation 12:5) 

“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”  (John 14:1-3)  

Note how Jesus said He will receive [Strong's 3880] us unto Himself as you read the next passage:

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken [received, Strong's 3880] and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken [received, Strong's 3880] and the other left. (Matthew 24:40-41)

Interestingly, Strong's Concordance states the word used, paralambanetai, #3880, has the common usage as "I take from, receive from, or: I take to, receive; I take with me".  HELPS Word-studies further adds that this taking is "aggressive; to take (receive) by showing strong personal initiative". (Source)  The ones aggressively taken, harpazo'd, will be received unto the Lamb.  There are those who disagree with this interpretation, but this is not a salvation issue so we can "agree to disagree".


Fourth, passages containing the transformation, catching up, and sparing from wrath:


We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

This is such an encouraging passage of scripture!   The trumpet in the Old Testament (shofar) was used to summon for worship or to summon to battle. To believers, this trumpet blast will mean – Come Up Here!  To angels, this trumpet blast will mean Prepare For Battle!

We see that the souls of those who have died in Christ are currently WITH GOD, and Jesus will bring them with Him when it is time for Him to call us home.  (This refutes the concept of "soul sleep").  We then see Jesus descending from heaven with a SHOUT (not a whisper, this isn't a secret!)!  The bodies of the dead in Christ are then resurrected and transformed into an eternal body like Christ's own.  These bodies join their waiting souls!  Then, all believers who are alive on earth will be transformed and caught up (harpazo) with them.  (This refutes any notion of a time gap between transformation and catching up).  These words are to be an encouragement!!!

As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pains, so we were before You, Lord. We became pregnant, we writhed in pain; we gave birth to wind. We have won no victories on earth, and the earth’s inhabitants have not fallen. Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For you will be covered with the morning dew, and the earth will bring out the departed spirits. Go, my people, enter your rooms and close your doors behind you. Hide for a little while until the wrath has passed. For look, the Lord is coming from His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal the blood shed on it and will no longer conceal her slain. (Isaiah 26:17-21)

Totally amazing Old Testament rapture passage.  Isaiah 26 clearly reveals that the dead will rise and enter their "rooms"  (where Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us), after which God will pour out His wrath on the inhabitants of the earth.  Before the mystery of the rapture was revealed through the apostle Paul, no one understood the meaning of such passages - however, they were clearly there, waiting to be understood at the proper time.  I personally believe that since Isaiah was writing to the Old Testament saints, this indicates that the they, too, will be resurrected PRIOR to Daniel's 70th week.


Fifth, Other Passages Where People are Harpazo’d:


And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried [harpazo] Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up [harpazo] to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up [harpazo] into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. (2 Cor 12:2-4)

 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force [harpazo] and bring him into the barracks. (Acts 23:10)

The teaching of a carrying, seizing, snatching, or catching up/away is found a number of times in scripture.  In each case it is a sudden event, not relying at all upon the person who is being carried away by the Spirit of God.  Of note, the word is also used to describe how no one else is able to snatch, seize, or carry away:

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch [harpazo] them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch [harpazo – pluck, seize] them out of the Father’s hand. (John 10:28-29)

God, in His omnipotence, is able to carry us away at His will.  Also in His omnipotence, He is able to prevent anyone else (human or spirit) from taking us away from Him.  How reassuring is that!  We are safe in His hand.


Sixth, Salvation Before the Day of the Lord:

Note that God’s WRATH begins at the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is not defined by “tribulation” or “great tribulation” or “greatest tribulation”, but by God’s wrath encompassed in the Trumpets and Bowls.  The “greatest tribulation” that Jesus mentions in Matthew 24 comes from the antichrist, who will be seated in the Temple proclaiming to be “god”. We will also be spared from this “greatest tribulation”, but that’s not why we are spared. We are spared from God’s wrath, which begins far earlier than the "greatest tribulation".  God's wrath would seem to begin once the Yom Kippur ceremony has been performed in heaven (at the end of Seal 7), but all the world recognizes that the time of His wrath has come at Seal 6.  I personally believe that all 7 seals open at the moment of the rapture, and their effects are felt throughout the entire 70th week of Daniel.

Consider all the below occurring within milliseconds:

  • the resurrection of the dead in Christ, their transformation, and uniting of their bodies and souls


  • the transformation of the living in Christ, and their catching up to be with Jesus


  • the removal of the "Restrainer" from the earth (the indwelling Holy Spirit in the body of Christ)


  • Apocalyptic Horses 1-4 released from restraint and lunge forward to begin their tasks


  • The entire world recognizes that the wrath of the Lamb and God (one on the throne) has come

"When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throneand from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? (Revelation 6:12-17)

Who can stand?  Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord can stand.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10)

This is also shown in Acts 2, when Peter quotes Joel 2:

"And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’"

Note that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved – when?  BEFORE the day of the Lord begins.

[I understand that many within the pre-tribulation rapture watching community will disagree with the timing of these passages and that is ok.  This is not a salvation issue.  It isn't even a rapture timing issue (we all agree in a pre-tribulation rapture, where no believer will face the wrath of God).  I want you to understand that it's okay to consider different possibilities for how exactly Revelation chapters 4-6 play out in a pre-tribulation way.  NONE of us have it figured out 100% correctly!  So please don't throw out the rest of this article because you believe the rapture MUST be pictured with the open door in Revelation 4, with billions of us represented by only 24 elders.]

Subsequent to the resurrection / rapture event, the heavenly Yom Kippur ceremony begins:

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.  And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,  and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.  Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:1-5)

In the earthly Yom Kippur ceremony, performed yearly as a shadow to the heavenly ceremony, we see the following performed:

  • prayers, from all the people


  • half an hour of silence


  • the high priest enters the holy of holies only on this one day, the day of atonement


  • he stands at the altar with a golden censer, offering incense to God, until the entire chamber is filled with smoke


  • the end of the ceremony is marked by the Tekiah Gedolah - a long, loud blast from the shofar

More on the Yom Kippur ceremony can be found on the Temple Institute website and  Messianic applications can be found on the Hebrew For Christians website.

This pattern of rapture followed by the Day of the Lord can also be seen in 2 Thessalonians 2:

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him [the rapture], we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day [the day of the Lord] will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed... (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

The pattern is Rapture (our gathering together to Christ) - the man of lawlessness revealed (immediately post-rapture) - the Day of the Lord begins.

The rapture is an event, not a day.  The rapture is not connected at all to the Day of the Lord.  We are swept out of the way before the Day can begin.  Whenever scripture mentions "that Day", or "that great and terrible Day", it is referring to the Day of the Lord, which is the time period of God's wrath throughout the 70th week of Daniel (7 years).  It culminates at the 7th bowl and the Second Coming of Christ.  The Day of the Lord has to do with Israel, not the church.


Seventh, the Lord's Prayer:

I want you to take a close look at the Lord's Prayer with me:


“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil."
(Matthew 6:9-13)


Your Kingdom Come
Jesus gives us the example to specifically pray for Him to come back and set up His Millennial Kingdom!

Your Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven
We long for Jesus to rule humanity, with His will being carried out upon the Earth.  We are praying for the literal fulfillment of all biblical prophecies when we recite these phrases.  There's a lot more that could be said, but I'm going to keep it simple here - "Please come, Jesus, and fix everything better!!!"  It's the next two phrases I think we need to mine more deeply.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation
While Jesus promises not to allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, are we really to pray not to be tempted at all?  Scripture is clear that we *will* be tested and tried, throughout the church age.  We are to consider these trials and tribulations a joy:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  (James 1:2-4)

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame  (Romans 5:3-5)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Is it possible then that "lead us not into temptation" doesn't mean the regular trials of faith and life that we are certainly to encounter and are even to embrace?  Let's look at the interlinear to see!

Lead - Strong's 1533 eispheró -  to bring or lead, to carry inward

Temptation - Strong's 3986 peirasmos - an experiment, a trial, temptation; trial, probation, testing, being tried; temptation; calamity, affliction.  Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds the additional insight of "adversity, affliction, trouble".

Does a trial, testing, calamity, affliction, and trouble remind you of something you have probably studied often - the Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)?  Could Jesus have been encouraging us to pray "do not carry us forward into the Times of Trouble"?  Does He suggest this elsewhere as well?  I believe He does:

"But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  (Luke 21:36)

What about the word Jesus chose for temptation, that we are to pray to not be led into?  It's not the same as the "greatest tribulation", that begins long after the rapture event.  Instead, He uses the word for trouble and trial, which is also used here:

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial [peirasmos] that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.  (Revelation 3:10)

...then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials [peirasmos], and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment... (2 Peter 2:9)

Jesus tells us to pray that we will not be led into the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world, that we will have the strength/worthiness to escape all these things that are going to take place!  The only way we can be worthy to escape is through His blood as our covering - being born again into the family of God.

But Deliver Us From Evil
If we are to pray to not be led into the time of trouble on earth, what else are we to pray?  That we are to be delivered from evil, in general?  Or is there a more specific meaning here?

Deliver - Strong's 4506 rhuomai - to draw to oneself, deliver; I rescue, deliver (from danger or destruction).  From HELPS Word-studies - "properly, draw (pull) to oneself; to rescue ("snatch up"); to draw or rescue a person to and for the deliverer."

Note the term "snatch up"?  Sounds kinda like the harpazo, or rapture, doesn't it!  Where else is rhuomai used?  Let's see!

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver [rhuomai] me from this body of death?  (Romans 7:24)

When do we get delivered from this body of death?  At the resurrection/rapture event!

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers [rhuomai] us from the wrath to come.  (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

...and if he rescued [rhuomai] righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked  (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue [rhuomai] the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment... (2 Peter 2:7-9)

As in the days of Lot, we will be rescued before God's wrath pours down on those who "refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

Evil - Strong's 4190 ponéros- evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.  It is also translated as "evil one".  From Thayer's Greek Lexicon - ὁ πονηρός is used pre-eminently of the devil, the evil one: Matthew 5:37; Matthew 6:13; Matthew 13:19, 38; Luke 11:4 R L; John 17:15; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18f

It is important to note that in the Greek, there is a definitive article tou (the) in front of ponērou.  Thus the translation is most accurately rendered "the evil (one)".  Thus we are to pray to be delivered from the evil one, satan, himself.

In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus is teaching us to pray for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled, including that we would not be led into the time of trouble on earth (the "tribulation" or 70th week of Daniel), that we would be delivered from the evil one (satan, including his unholy trinity of the antichrist and false prophet), and that Jesus would come and establish His millennial kingdom on earth.  Built in to the Lord's Prayer is a plea to be raptured!!!  Isn't that amazing?!?

Do we see hints of this anywhere else in scripture?

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!  (2 Peter 3:11-12)

Peter speaks of waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God (the day of the Lord).  We know from our scripture study above, that the rapture occurs BEFORE the day of the Lord, and so when we pray for the day to haste we are also praying for the rapture!


Summary:

I truly believe the scriptures above speak for themselves. God has not destined us for wrath, but for salvation. We are supposed to encourage one another with the words of our blessed hope – that we will be taken and received unto Jesus, to be with Him forever. We will be worthy to escape all these things that are coming upon the earth, through the blood of the Lamb. Church age believers will be snatched up into the Day of Christ, while those left behind on earth will continue on into the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

 As far as WHEN?

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."  (2 Peter 3:9)

 Are you CERTAIN of your salvation, beyond a shadow of a doubt? Do you KNOW that no matter when the rapture occurs, you will be counted worthy to escape? If not, please read Blessed Assurance: A Guide to Rapture Readiness.



Post A Comment

48 comments:

  1. Wonderful study Stephanie. Looking at Pentecost and Leviticus ch 23, there is leaven in the two loafs. Could the Church age be the 2nd loaf? Just a question on my mind? And is anyone seeing the number 66? I've seen it a lot this last week. Not that I pay attention to numbers, but it's been more than usual.

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    1. I have always heard the 2 loaves represented Jews and Gentiles - Gentiles would be the church for sure. However a fellow watchman on FB today was saying, what if one loaf represents the dead in Christ and the second loaf represents the alive in Christ - the resurrection/rapture event offered up!

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  2. Thank you, Stephanie, for this most encouraging and uplifting article. It's just what I needed after having to return one of my beloved cats to the Lord on Friday. Yes, I do believe her spirit returned to the Lord who created her and gave her to me to care for here on earth for a time. I am terribly sad but thank God for the 15 years He allowed me to have her, and I look forward to spending eternity with our soon coming King and all my beloved pets.

    Regarding Israel, it looks like the attacks on the Golan Heights have started as Israel moves ever so closer to the attack from the north. God bless all and Maranatha !

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  3. Thank you Stephanie for such a positive and inspiring article. I'm sorry for the loss of your kitty Archangel. I lost my kitty of 19 years last year on Father's Day. I told her before she passed to go with Lord Jesus and there she would be safe until I get there. I also believe her spirit returned to the Lord. I can't wait to be with Lord Jesus and all of my beloved family, friends and my pets. Blessed be and Maranatha!

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    1. Thank you, Seraphina, for your kind, understanding words. I truly appreciate it.

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  4. Great Article Stephanie. That is an awesome dig on the LORD's prayer. So encouraging. What an awesome God we have.

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  5. Stephanie, under the "fifth " section, you wrote:

    "In each case it is sudden and does not rely at all upon the person being carried away by the Spirit of God."

    Can you reword? I am not understanding your point.

    Wonderful encouraging article. Wish we could connect, but I dont have Facebook.

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    1. Figured it out Stephanie....it should read:

      ...upon the person WHO IS being carried away...

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    2. Thank you, I will fix it!

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  6. I've been visiting this site for a little less than 2 years now, sometimes multiple times a day, just waiting for new articles. I have had such a thirst for the Lord's word I feel like a junkie looking for their next fix. This site has helped me to better understand the themes and messages throughout the Bible and has been a big help in getting that "fix".
    However with that being said, I am struggling. I'm not struggling with my faith. I'm struggling with waiting.
    I have always been a very patient person, level headed, cool, calm, and collected. I've been following Bible prophecy since around 2003, and just like most of you, I can see all of the signs around us. I know He is near, at the door, we have just a little more to go, but I am feeling worn down, stale, complacent, and dejected. It's hard to describe exactly what I'm feeling.
    This feeling in me has been growing more and more each and every week since the Rev 12 sign appeared. It's starting to affect my work and my daily life. I am struggling with finding the will to continue on with these day to day tasks. I dont see what the point is when I know everything is going to change. I guess I am just curious as to if anyone else feels this way and what you do to help.
    On another note for the first time in my life that I can remember I actually had a direct response to a prayer and it's been heavily on my mind since then, so I thought I would share.
    On my drive home last Thursday I was praying and asking the Lord to grant me more patience because at the time I was just completely defeated. I was on the edge, my emotions were becoming erratic, and I was completely out of my comfort zone. I've never felt this way before. On one hand I am excited for His return, I'm longing for it, but on the other nothing is interesting me any more, I'm not finding joy in the things I once did. I wasn't my normal self. So I did the only thing I could. I called upon the name of the Lord and asked for patience and I also asked for a sign of when He will be returning for us. I've never asked for something like that before and I have never received an immediate direct response to a prayer before. I've seen answers to my prayers, but usually months or years later. Well, no less then 10 seconds after praying that a few times I am suddenly cut off by a vehicle running a red light and merging into the lane I was in. I slammed on my brakes, layed on the horn, then my jaw hit the floor as I read the license plate.
    "Look Up"
    I couldn't believe it. "Look Up" There is no doubt in my mind this was an answer to what I was just praying for. I read it again and again then I wept like I have never wept before. It may not be an exact answer as to when, but it was loud and clear. "Look Up" For me anyways this was my confirmation that redemption is indeed near.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous, I can say I felt the same about needing a fix. Maybe were rapture junkies, Junkies for Christ. Ever since I watch the Rev 12 sign form in the morning sky here in Wyoming and the constant study, seems I've been wanting more and more. No Church will touch eschatology, especially my Pastor. I think that's why we search study and truth elsewhere. Maybe it's our itching ears or a leading by discernment. I'm a pretrib person and I'm thankful for this website and others like it. I was currently at a wedding last weekend where the presiding Pastor brought up the book of Ruth, what timing. When I brought up Pentecost and the Jewish reading of it at Pentecost he looked at me cross eyed. We need each other's thoughts and insights as we aren't getting them from Church leaders. Keep your head up, I believe he's coming soon.

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    2. Look up. Indeed. Look up!

      Question: Where is this all going? What's the point? Do we just all go to heaven and that's it? Or is there more?

      Last night I met a new friend, a youth pastor serving at another local church. We talked for hours on current events, how it all fits with scripture and where all of this is going?

      I would invite you to pray on these points, dig into the word, meditate and listen for what the Spirit teaches.

      As it was in the garden, so shall it be once again. But this time there will be no Lucifer. There will be no sin. We shall walk hand in hand with our Creator. We shall see Him face-to-face and walk by His side.

      As today is our evening, then shall be our morning.

      Until then, we are a WIP. Under construction, called to share the Love we have been shown through God in Christ and invited to submit to being conformed to the very image of the Father's only begotten Son.

      Dig deep into the word on these things. What is the first chapter of the next book; the one to follow Revelation? What does the Bible say about these things?

      There is a story yet to be told. You have a magnificent part to play in it. That part was written from the beginning of time by none other than the author and finisher of our faith.

      His name is Jesus.

      Share your faith by telling others your story. How God has changed your life. How Christ has set you free and how much He loves us. All of us. Completely and unconditionally.

      It's not a religion. It's a relationship.


      Delete
    3. What a lovely answer to prayer. Look up! Thank you for sharing that.

      As for getting discouraged, I can relate. It can be so incredibly depressing when yet another 'high watch' date passes us by. What helps me is that I made a list of all the reasons why we're in the season of the last days. Not specifics for a single date, but things like: 6000 years since Creation, increased frequency and intensity of earthquakes, Israel expecting their Messiah, etc, etc. When I get too discouraged, I go back and read that list over, see how many things are listed and remind myself that it really is true that it's getting close. But I also find things that are enjoyable in the here and now. There's nothing I can do that I'd miss if we were Raptured now, but things that still are things to look forward to. Make a list of movies you haven't seen but want to. Or make it a goal to visit every national Park within driving distance. Or write a story. Whatever floats your boat. And consider that God may arrange it so that you can continue your project into the Millennium. Why not, right?

      Delete
    4. I remember being at a red light and the car in front of me had a license plate that had "Elohim" on it. It was joyous to see that ! When I start to feel down, as we all do at times, I think of Israel, God's timepiece and the myriad of signs taking place there especially in their 70th year. I have no doubt your experience has encouraged not only you, but many of us today. God bless all and Maranatha !

      Delete
    5. Anonymous, I believe most, if not all of us who have been watching for a length of time, can relate to this! I do love the "Look Up!" sign you were given :)

      As far as how to occupy when the things of this earth have all faded and become dim (which I can relate to 100%) - I had to reframe my thinking that each day we are still here and NOT raptured post Sept 23/17 is actually an extra day to grow in the Lord and serve the body of Christ. It's an opportunity to plant seeds and water sprouts, to perhaps help lead someone else to getting on the "ark" before the Day of the Lord.

      2 Peter 3:9 comes to my mind often - The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

      Delete
    6. I was very touched by your testimony and it gave me great encouragement. Thanks so much.

      Delete
    7. I too have been feeling the same way! Watching and waiting while others are losing interest and more and more people are saying it's not gonna happen, or have no idea about it, or dont want to talk about it and I felt more and more alone and very much like you...just disinterested in daily life. I prayed too about it. I asked God to show me if we were wrong about this being the time of his return... After this I opened my daily devotional and the first words I read were "Behold he cometh!" A DIRECT ANSWER TO THE PRAYER OF MY HEART. God has renewed my spirit!! He is coming!!

      Delete
    8. Been feeling the same way...when will this end? It's getting harder and harder..complacency is crowding in, the world is crowding in. This website has been such a blessing though in the midst of worldliness.

      I know I'm not the only one but I'm comforted by everyone else. Thank you all brothers and sisters in Jesus.

      Delete
    9. Look Up! Praise God, I love that! We all need fellowship. We are gathering all the saints from the four winds, to Boston Massachusetts for Harvard Revival to start by transforming Harvard University. We meet every Friday at 8pm and every Sunday at 2:30pm at 50 Quincy, St, Cambridge, MA (right near Harvard Yard). See www.ChurchRapture.com for end time facts!

      June 7, 2017 we had an unbelievable Pentecost 777 rapture sign in the Hebrew year 5777 at the 70th Shavuot/Pentecost from 1947 when the command went out to rebuild Israel (UN resolution #181). See our profile picture: in the air above the clouds, with the Lord, on the mountain, after the third day (Exodus 19, after Pentecost Sunday June 4th), at the last Trump, in the year of jubilee, exactly on the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem being re-captured on June 7th, 7pm at 7th Lake (777)! The next day is a full moon!

      Our Pentecost rapture sign on 6/7/17 was before summer and 6.7 (June 7!) months (203 days) from the Revelation 12 conception on 11/16/16 when the conception COMET C/2017 E1 (BORISOV) went through Virgo's womb (C/2017 E1 points to 2017)! Isaiah 66:7 (6/7!) "Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Isaiah 66:7 This is a premature birth. And Jupiter came out of Virgo as a premature birth and was at the peak of retrograde outside of Virgo on 6/7/17, 7pm EST. And 6/7/17 is Ascension Day on the Julian Calendar! Comet 67P also came through Leo and Virgo during this time period also pointing to 6/7/17, etc., etc. And, 2017/6/7 is about four months to the Revelation 12 sign! John 4:35 "Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
      " Sign of Shiloh - 2017/6/8 USS Shiloh! (CG 67!) Task Force 70!, 7th Fleet!, 7 day search! (777). Jupiter was retrograde between Leo's feet 2016/03/08-9 and Comet 67P was also circling Leo's hind feet early 2016 and the Shiloh ship is numbered CG 67 (67P!) Genesis 49:10 The sceptre [jupiter] shall not depart from [Leo the lion of] Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

      Delete
  7. Especially interesting reading this after learning that the pope is changing the words to the Lord's Prayer - https://www.dailywire.com/news/47973/pope-francis-approves-change-lords-prayer-paul-bois

    ReplyDelete
  8. Stephanie,

    Thanks for the thorough look at the subject of the rapture. If you included a mention of Elijah and Enoch, it would be even more complete.

    ReplyDelete
  9. At the moment the EU leaders are busy with who will be the next president for the European Commission, the European Council, the European Central Bank and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I think that the antichrist could be on one of these posts.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Moin, and apparently Kushner is headed to talk to them about Peace Deal. So interesting!

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  11. A thought occurred to me this morning. With what looks like the June release of the ME Peace Deal changing, may it also be interpreted as,

    "Peace [the indwelt Church] being taken away" or "A taking away?"


    That's NOT to say that the RR will happen that day -- Shavuot is already a CLEAR type of the Pentecostal rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ. I cannot help but wonder if it is a shadow of what is to come...

    ...right around the corner?

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  12. Rapture Junkies - HAH! Who among us isn't 1) shamed and appallingly disgusted at how evil and outright and openly wicked and depraved we have become? For example, it's untenable that even the basic biology of gender is now considered "fluid" - but, if I say otherwise I'm a "hater". It's wearing. 2) Being able to study and discern the Biblical signs of the times, who doesn't HOPE for the soon Rapture of the Church. 3) Because we do feel out of place here. We know we don't fit into this world. It's like the last week of school. You've studied and passed the test and are just waiting on graduation. You know it's coming... and after graduation, a GREAT job - one designed specifically for YOU that suits the talents and abilities God blessed you with. I'm both EXCITED and SCARED. Scared mostly because I know I am a sinner - so long as I am HERE, there's always going to be that underlying sense of UNWORTHINESS and GUILT even if I also Know I have been forgiven. Not scared of God's plans for me/us. That's saying a LOT! I am a planner. I make lists. I over pack for trips. But not this time. The only "things" I want to take with me are the people I know and care about and all the people they know and care about - 6 degrees of separation would just about cover it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. At https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Pompeo-opens-up-about-Trump-peace-plan-in-closed-door-meeting-591415 "Pompeo opens up about Trump peace plan in closed-door meeting".

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  14. Good insight pointing out Revelation 8:1-5 is Yom Kippur. Since Yom Kippur follows the Feast Of Trumpets by 10 days during the time when the door to heaven is open to be inscribed in the Book of Life, then would not the Rapture more likely fall on Trumpets rather than Shavuot (although the case for Shavuot is compelling)?

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  15. Ah, here we go again... Pentecost didn't even happen yet and people are looking forward to the next feast already. This has always been the case, because it's more safe to look at dates in the distant future.

    By the time the fall feasts have ended, people are getting excited about Pentecost again. And so the cycle continues.

    No hard feelings, but I've noticed this 'trend' for a couple of years now. I for one see more connections with Pentecost than with FoT. This won't change when we're still here after June this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Thomas,

      If you're thinking of me looking forward beyond Pentecost -- there's a reason for that. I've already said that the RR can happen at any time. Meaning literally right now. But with that said, I find reason to believe that we should be looking elsewhere and not at Shavuot this year. I am in the process of outlining that in another post.

      Delete
    2. Hi Pastor Rich,

      Thank you for your reply. My comment wasn't pointed to someone in particular, but more of a general: "Guys*, come one... Pentecost is almost here and we're already going to look to something in the (distant) future again."

      * as in 'we', the body of Christ, watchmen in general.

      Delete
    3. I hear you Thomas.

      Our collective guard is raised, our community radar is up. I think we should understand that as being *natural*. The flip side of that may be described as prayer, reason and study. Taking the time to stop and listen to what the Spirit has to say to us, collectively and individually.

      I believe that Gary and the team at UNSEALED.ORG are doing a good job of that!

      This is why I have been focused on timeline studies. Going back to scripture and trying to build a visual picture of prophecy. It doesn't have to be "right" or even predict anything -- all the model need do is point me back to God and His word.

      I, personally, am more concerned with filling seats on the Ark than when it sails. This is why I watch as it gives value to our days and urgency to the message. I'm good to stay a little while longer to continue working the vineyard; I still have family to reach and seeds to sow. (Not always an easy task!)

      I think it incumbent of each of us to encourage, pray, study and look toward the Day rather than grasp at straws. Sometimes it may look like that's what's happening. In some ways that is better than the alternative.

      Not caring at all.

      All the more reason why I say, "Is today a good day to start discipling someone?"

      Ask the Father. He knows!

      You may find that the BEST student is the teacher of another!!


      Blessings

      Delete
  16. The Lords prayer you refer to is the disciples prayer. He said when you pray say this, a prayer He never prayed!
    The Lords prayer is in (John 17:1-20) and is very different.

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  17. Is it possible that Isaiah 61:2&3 points to the rapture?
    2. to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

    3 to provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” “Then people will call them “Oaks of Righteousness”, “The Planting of the LORD”, in order to display his splendor.

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  18. I see things in a different way. Paul indicated we are not appointed to wrath. Paul was martyred was he not? Therefore escaping the wrath of God means being saved from damnation, not martyrdom. Second the saints will experience martyrdom as plainly told within Revelation (16:6,20:4-6). Third Jesus said, no less than 4 times (John 6:39,40,54), that everyone will be raised up "on the last day." Fourth it is plainly told that the "elect" will be on earth when Christ returns in full glory when all will see Him (Mark 13:27 / Matthew 24:22.). This means they escaped the mark of the beast. Fifth, there can be only one "last trump," by its very definition, and that occurs upon the glorious return of Christ before all mankind (Matthew 24:31). Sixth Christ prayed not that we be taken from this world, but kept from evil, at His Last Supper. Seventh, are we to believe that the Church is going to "cut and run" just when things get bad? It never has, and the power of Christ can save the elect during the tribulation of persecution, as God will save Israel on earth during the time of Jacob's greatest trouble. With this in mind one can readily discern many of the false assumptions underlying the justifications of a rapture of the saints years before Christ returns. We have been warned that the Church in the end time would give way to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Have we not? I have read extensively for many years all the justifications for the rapture to come years before Christ comes, and they are always subjective, and link together passages that don't really say what they are supposed to be asserting. I would rather someone address the answers to my assertions above by using Christ's words, for only He is our teacher, and not the doctrines of men. Did he not assert both of theses things? Thank you for allowing me to express my opinions. May we all seek and find His truth! May we be guided by His light! Your fellow servant in the Lord.

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  19. Unknown, do you deny there will be a rapture at all, then? There is only one resurrection on the "last day", to good or evil, at the great white throne? You have to ignore a lot of scripture to suggest this.

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  20. Martyrdom is not wrath. In the church age, and really in all the ages (many prophets were murdered too), we are appointed to tribulation and suffering for the sake of Christ and even yes martyrdom for some. Foxe's book of the martyrs is good at tracking that. What we are not appointed to is God's wrath, which is in the seals, trumpets, and bowls. The name "tribulation" is incorrect - it is really the 70th week of Daniel. The last half of that week will involve "the greatest tribulation" in terms of Christian persecution, but it will also continue to involve Gods judgment and wrath.

    Actually yes the true believers have been spared whenever God pours out wrath. Noah and Lot for example. Also another 7000 when the priests were secretly worshiping idols in the temple, and God marked the believers and killed the others.

    ReplyDelete
  21. TIMING AND THE RAPTURE

    "...But of that day and that hour knoweth no man..." (Mark 13:32 & Mat 24:36)

    This scripture is most TRADITIONALLY quoted in confirming that we can't know the timing of the Rapture of the Church.

    Mark 13:32/Mat 24:36, has nothing to do with the Rapture of the Church! At the time, Jesus was explaining to his disciples [Jews] about the passing away of Heaven and Earth in relation to the longevity of His Word. Heaven and Earth do not pass away at the Rapture of the Church. That is what only the Father knows, when Heaven and Earth will pass away, when He makes all things new again. The Rapture of the Church is the event when the Body of Christ, both living & resurrected are called to Heaven, by the head of that body, our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.

    In fact, all of the scripture quoted to tell us that we can't know the time of the Rapture, is really directed towards the second coming of Jesus, when He returns with the raptured saints to do battle with his enemies. The second coming and the Rapture are two separate events.

    Jesus warned us that TRADITIONS make void the word of God.

    SUBSTANCE AND SHADOW

    "Which are shadows of things to come..."(Col. 2:17)

    God spoke to us through prophecy, which is His Word. His word became the substance that casts a shadow of things yet to come in the future. When that word comes to pass, that shadow becomes fulfilled, and at the same time becomes a substance, casting its own shadow into the future. In this way, God demonstrates His way, of gaining entrance into OUR future, to be used for His purpose, in His time. That's why Paul, when speaking about the Feasts, which means, set times, tells us that they are shadows of things to come, but the substance is Christ. God is able to use the time that He sets, over and over again, throughout time, to accomplish the purpose for which He originally set that time. And, Christ is the substance of the shadow each time. God demonstrates that He is definitely a time setter.

    As an example, in the Old Testament, God established the Feast ['set time'] of Pentecost, and the shadow is cast. The shadow of the Feast of Pentecost is the establishment of a 'set time', fifty days after Firstfruits for a new offering to be made.

    In the New Testament (Acts 2) God uses that time, the Feast of Pentecost, to fulfill His set time again, but this time, the fulfillment takes the form of 'sealing' the Apostles fifty days after Firstfruits, and they went forth with the new offering, Christ (the substance). The new shadow cast into the future, from that fulfillment of Pentecost, is still a new offering, with Christ, still as it's substance.

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  22. In reviewing the other Feasts ('set times'), we find the following:

    The Sabbath: Shadow cast - Rest. Christ fulfills the Sabbath, and now keeping holy the Sabbath, for the Church, is resting in the work of Christ.

    The Passover: Shadow cast - Faith - Death - Salvation. Christ fulfills the Passover, as Faith (action based on belief, supported by confidence) provides salvation through His death.

    Unleavened Bread: Shadow cast - overcoming corruption and evil. Christ fulfills the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He overcame corruption and evil. Then the bread is hidden for three days, and reappears on Firstfruits. Christ was hidden for three days and reappeared on Firstfruits.

    Firstfruits: Shadow cast: Pledge of a full harvest yet to be gathered. Christ fulfills Firstfruits, rising on Firstfruits, the pledge of the full harvest yet to come - the resurrection and Rapture of the Church.

    Pentecost: Shadow cast - New Offering made fifty days after Firstfruits. Christ fulfilled, He was the new offering.

    All of the above Feasts, or 'set times', have been fulfilled by Christ and are also all shadows of the Church, also fulfilled by Christ. The Jews didn't accept Christ nor the church He started.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The remaining Feasts, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles, not yet fulfilled by Christ, because they have nothing to do with the church. They are for the Jews, as Pentecost will be again, when the Church is gone. Then God returns His attention to the Jews, and on that day [Pentecost] returns the Feasts to them, in order that His promises to them might be fulfilled, and they will be, by Christ, after the Rapture. Pentecost is the day God used to give the fulfilled feasts to the Church, and He will now use it to give the unfulfilled feasts back to the Jews, in order that they may be fulfilled, for them, by Christ.

    Using this same insight in relation to the Rapture of the Church we understand:

    The Church, the ecclesia or out called ones (out called from the Wrath of God - pre-trib rapture), is the body of Christ, and at the time of the Rapture, that body of Christ will be called up by none other than Jesus, The Christ, the head of that body.

    Has the Body of Christ ever been called up before? Yes, at the set time of The Ascension of Jesus, The Christ. The head of that body that is yet to be called up. Jesus' ascension cast the shadow into the future to foretell of the catching away of the Church. Therefore, The Rapture occurs in fulfillment of the shadow cast by Jesus Himself at His ascension --- His body called up in each instance. Again, the substance is Christ!

    At this point the question becomes when did Jesus ascend? He died on Passover, was raised three days later on Firstfruits, and ascended forty days after that.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The challenge then becomes ...which Firstfruits?
    To find that out, just watch the signs of the times! As Jesus pointed out, you can tell by the signs when it's going to rain. All of the precursors to the "END TIMES" are clearly outlined in scripture. The prophecies are numerous
    Throughout Gods word are the warnings of future events. He never fails to Warn the people about what's coming. And as always, the events occur, and those who heeded the warning were saved in one way or another.
    The events are always right on time and accurate in every detail.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Firstfruits, the promise of the full harvest yet to come, is the day Christ rose. Casting a shadow of a set time for resurrections into the future, setting the stage for the return of Jesus, the Christ in the future. But, Matthew, in his gospel wrote, at chapter 27, verses 52 and 53, that on that day of resurrection, after Jesus rose, the graves were opened and, my bible says, "and many bodies of saints that slept arose, and, came out of the graves after the resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many".
    what this is saying, is that these risen saints are the shadow cast of the promise of the full harvest of the saints yet to come.

    And, on that day appointed for the Ascension, Ephesians, chapter 4, at verse 8, that's scripture by the way, tells us that when He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, fulfilling that earlier prophecy made in Psalm 68 at verse 18!

    That means that when Jesus ascended, 40 days after He rose, he took with him those saints who rose with him 40 days earlier, those that were seen by many in the holy city. They were the token, of the full harvest yet to come, just as the omer of barley (the flour) , made from the sheaf's of barley picked on Firstfruits, and waved before the Lord, was the token of a full harvest yet to come.

    That's what Paul means when he tells the Thessalonians, in chapter 4 at verse 16 & 17, that the dead in Christ rise first, then we which are alive and remain are caught up together with them in the twinkling of an eye, to be with the Lord forever.

    And in fulfillment of the shadow cast by that event on resurrection day, many of the newly resurrected dead in Christ, will be seen by many, just as they once were seen in the holy city

    That is the warning sign God gave us to know that our redemption is only 40 days away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finally! I'm flying just reading this!!! Praise Him, Hosanna in The highest. Oh Glorious One, You alone are worthy to be praised!

      Delete
  26. THE RAPTURE
    SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

    "...and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..." (1Thes.4:16,17)

    Paul, in his first letter to the Thessalonians in response to their questions is telling them that he would not have them ignorant concerning those who have already passed away. He tells them that the dead in Christ will rise first, and then those that are alive and remain will be 'caught up' together to meet the Lord in the Air. This is the Rapture of the Church both the living and the dead.

    "...every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming"... (ICor.15:23)

    Here, Paul is explaining three things: That Christ is the firstfruits of resurrection; That the they that are Christ's, are the dead in Christ of I Thessalonians 4:16, who, at the Rapture will rise first. And finally, the at His coming is in reference to Christ's coming at the Rapture of the Church, not His coming at the end.

    "...Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye..." (ICor.15:51,52)

    Here Paul addresses the 'living' of IThes.4:17 at the time of the Rapture, and tells us of a mystery of the dead and living being changed when we meet Jesus in the air.

    Directing attention to the reason for Paul's 2nd letter to the Thessalonians, you find that it was to refocus them on the teaching that they (the Church) were the restraining force keeping back both the man of sin as well as the return of our Lord, at His second coming. When you examine the content of the first eight verses of the 2nd Chapter you understand that Paul is addressing three separate issues; The second coming of Christ (v.1), The Rapture of the Church (v1), and the revealing of that man of sin (the son of perdition) (v.8). He's reminding them that their concerns about being in the Great Tribulation are premature (v.5), because they are forgetting his teaching on the Rapture. As long as they remained they would be the restraining force and would remain so until they be taken out of the way (v.7).

    In Revelation 3:8&10 God clearly identifies the body that will be Raptured. Speaking to the Church of Philadelphia He says:

    "...I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." (Rev.3:8)

    And verse 10 continues:

    "Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth..." (Rev.3:10)

    This is the promise to the true believers, represented as the Church of Philadelphia, that they will not go through the Great Tribulation, but will be Raptured.

    "...because God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ".(IThes.5:9)

    It is only the Raptured that are not appointed to wrath, confirming Rev.3:10.

    Then Revelation Chapter 4 opens with John saying:

    "...After these things, I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come Up Here", and I will show you things which must take place after this". (Rev.4:1)

    John now is shown the same open door of Rev.3:8 and when he hears the call to "Come Up Here" he experiences God's promise of Rev.3:10 to Rapture true believers.

    These are some of the scriptural references that clearly demonstrate the Rapture of the Church as an 'Event'.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Put simply "The dead rising reference" has to do with Matthew 27:50-52
    Colossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
    Them which sleep in Jesus, God brings with Him
    Absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.
    First Fruits is resurrection day and 40 days later is Ascension Day (Rapture Day).
    At some date in the future that day will happen is what Paul said to Watch for!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your. Blessed Water from Vatican

    ReplyDelete


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