Pod Prep: 3-2-18
Does I Thess 4:17 Prove A Rapture?
A DEEPER LOOK INTO 1ST THESS. 4:17 AND THE RAPTURE
A movie book series is now very popular and established. It is called 'Left Behind'. The movies and books are based on the rapture doctrine. This is a very popular modern doctrine in our world that obscures the true doctrine of the resurrection. A person does not need to be resurrected if already in heaven. Some of the resurrection scriptures are turned into proof of a rapture. We will look at the one most prominently utilized by our deceived world. What is Paul warning the brethren about in 1st Thess. 4:17? Is he talking of a secret rapture? No, he is talking about the second coming of Jesus Christ. We will see that he is talking about of the resurrection of the saints which is the major theme of the New Testament.
1Th 4:14 For if we really believe that Jesus died and rose again, so even so will God through Jesus bring with him those also who have fallen asleep. 15 For this I tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who survive unto the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep. (MNT)
The word rapture is not in the New Testament. Paul is speaking of the resurrection of the dead and or those instantly changed to spirit being upon the second coming of Christ. Christ is coming to this earth not near the earth to rapture some away. Where will the believers go after meeting with Christ upon his second coming? Will they watch temporarily from the clouds as their less religious relatives suffer the tribulation. No, the Bible says they will ever be with Jesus!
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, descend from heaven. Then the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 And afterwards we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (MNT)
Christ is not returning quietly but with a loud angelic megaphone type shout. Believers will then be permanently with the Messiah not a temporary heavenly visit during the terrifying Great Tribulation.
WILL JESUS RETURN AGAIN SECRETLY OR BOLDLY ?
Note that Christ will not return quietly but with the shout of a powerful archangel. A world girdling trumpet blast will precede his second coming. How can some say this represents a secret rapture or gathering of people in the air? They are so deceived they take part of the verse and ignore clear statements to the contrary regarding other parts of the verses. We will be gathered to the Lord but not to escape trouble for a few years but to help Christ change this world into a Christian paradise with true worship of the true God. A world with Godly Laws and God's blessings is coming. Christ will not just come close to the earth but will stand on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Zec 14:3 Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.
Christ will return as a conquering king to defeat the forces of evil and begins God's new government at Jerusalem. He is coming with all the bright glory of God to rule all nations and is coming relatively soon to rule this evil society.
Mt 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. (NKJV)
Jesus is coming to rule this world in all his bright glory and it will be anything but secret. The major doctrine of the New Testament is the resurrection of the DEAD. It is not the rapture of the living. Note what Paul says:
Heb 6:1 Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (ASV)
Note the fundamental doctrines include resurrection of the dead not rapturing away the living. The word rapture is not in the New Testament. Furthermore, when Christ comes all will know of his arrival. It will not be a secret in any fashion.
Mt 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (KJV)
Christ himself says do not believe anyone who says that Christ is coming in secret. His second coming will be like lightning in the heavens seen by all.
WHERE WILL THE SAINTS BE LOCATED WHEN CHRIST RETURNS ?
When Christ returns with the loud blast of the TRUMPET where will the saints be sent? Will they ascend to heaven and wait a few years? The Bible says they will rule on this EARTH. When Jesus enters the atmosphere will the saints then be whisked off to heaven temporarily? No, our rewards when Jesus returns, are on earth. Note the prophesies.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. (KJV)
Though we are saved by grace, God has us doing our part in the gaining a Godly heart and overcoming the evils of this world. Those of us who do our part will be rewarded with power to help alter this evil world which so desperately needs the sons of God. Our rule is on this earth when Jesus returns and brings paradise.
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (KJV)
The twelve Apostles were promised that they would rule over the twelve tribes or nations of Israel upon Christ return. Those tribes are on this earth obviously.
OUR REAL PROTECTION AGAINST THE EVIL SUPER DICTATOR TO COME IS JESUS
The retirement benefits of working for the true God are wonderful. In this age we need to find and worship and obey the real Jesus. This is not easy since the vast majority are deceived. Most do not know Christ; not the real Christ. The truth is a rare thing in this age as Christ told people. If you find the real truth hold on to it tightly.
Mt 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (KJV)
If we are blessed to see the truth at end of this age we are blessed. Hold onto to the truth in the age of clever false doctrines like the rapture. We must learn to obey all ten of the commandments and develop a relationship with Jesus in prayer.
Lu 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (KJV)
We must do our part in obeying God; including keeping all the Sabbaths and praying and developing a personal relationship with Christ. Then we will be eligible to receive God's gracious protection from the end time tribulation. Note the description of those protected.
Re 3:8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 "Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 "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. 11 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Unlike most Jews, these worshipers accept Jesus and also obey all the Bible. They keep the word of God and therefore will be protected from the crisis that will fall upon the remainder of the world. If one wants true safety in the end of the age do not rely upon a secret rapture. Rely on Christ. Obey Jesus and the entirety of the Bible. If we follow Jesus we can be hidden in places of safety on this earth until the danger passes.
This includes the Feast of Trumpets that celebrates the earth shattering, loud return of Jesus Christ at the Last Trump. It is the beginning of the secular new year and it will be a new age of happiness for all surviving mankind. Jesus the Messiah will return to this earth at the last of the seven trumpets to sound in the book of Revelations. Paul was referencing this trumpet call to victory and the Kingdom of God in I Thessalonians.
1Th 5:3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. (NKJV)
The world will be caught off guard by the Last Trumpet. However; the true believers will not be surprised because we are soberly watching the spiritual affairs of this world.
