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Site Index of frank.germano.com
Page 2
The Rapture Theory;
What Does God's Word Say About
It?
Used by permission: Watchmen Bible Study Group www.biblestudysite.com
(Page 2 of 2)
The sections on this page (2 of 2):
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Examining the supposed 'Rapture Scriptures' in the Bible (Continue here from page one)
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In what manner does the Bible say Jesus Christ shall return?
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'Spirit of Slumber' and 'Strong Delusion;' Grace for the timid
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Referenced and recommended study aids & other relevant WBSG studies
Examining the supposed 'Rapture Scriptures' in the Bible:
Aside from pulling verses violently out of context with a complete disregard for the subject and object of a passage to support their vain theories, the Rapture doctors also make fundamental Scriptural errors or false statements that are easily identified by even Sunday-school students; The Rapture doctors (those who teach Rapture theories) seemingly blindly error by saying that the Church must be 'Raptured out' because it isn't mentioned after Revelation 4:1 (which in reality, verse {4:1} isn't even talking about the Church at all, nor a Rapture of same, it is talking about John, "the Disciple Christ loved," the writer of the book of Revelation:
Rev 4:1 (John speaking)
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. (KJV)
You wont believe this! But this (by their own boast) is one of the Rapture doctor's 'strongest' and most repeated 'documentations' for the Rapture doctrine. They even state that this is the last words recorded to the Rapture 'saints'. Ok, lets pop this one on our Sunday-school students: "Who is it in the above Scripture that the voice from Heaven is calling to "come up hither"?"Choices:
St. John, the author of the verse, or,
The entire God worshipping, Jesus Christ loving Christian end-time Church?
Answer:
The correct answer is number One (#1), St. John, the one doing the writing, the one who calls himself "I," and "Me." Any Sunday-school student who got this wrong should go directly to the back of the class! When someone writes "I," or "Me," they mean themselves!
But like we stated earlier, any time a Rapturist sees a term like "up," or "rise," or "gather," or "clouds," or basically anything 'atmospheric' or 'airy,' they get all 'giddy' inside and think that it is speaking of their escape from prophecy, which is of course quite impossible. God doesn't remove us, He prepares us! Are you prepared?
They say that the Church
is not mentioned
after Rev 4:1 - I say: "Oh
really...?"
First of all, what is the church? It is a body of believers. The church of Christ is the many-member body of the faithful. Ok, the Rapture doctors state that the Church is not mentioned after {Rev 4:1}, but then our Sunday-schooler opens his/her Bible to the last chapter in the book of Revelation, the sixth verse from the end of the Bible even, to Jesus Christ's last recorded words*, and reads:
Rev 22:16 (Jesus' last recorded words*)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (KJV)Whoops! Didn't Jesus know that the churches don't need to hear the testimony of those things in the book of Revelation because they will be 'raptured away' before they come to pass? I mean, if I though I was going to be raptured somewhere by someone, I would certainly hope that he knew that He was supposed to come to Rapture me - or else I'm in a world of trouble, aren't I!
I am being somewhat sarcastic here, but really, the Rapture doctrine is such a stretch of the imagination that one struggles to comprehend how good intelligent Christians can possibly base the welfare of their very souls upon it. Come-on Christian, wake up, You are being deceived! And don't blame God, He warned you in Scripture after Scripture...but many would rather listen to some man, some false preacher/teacher from the pulpits of the wholly corrupted and beguiled churches of the modern world.
*(The statement "Surely I come quickly" {Rev 22:20} are Christ's last appearing words in the Bible, but it is actually a quote by John back from {Rev 22:7 &12}).
And then there is the mention in {Rev 17:5-6} of the Saints that were martyred, what about them? Are they not of the Church which supposedly is not mentioned after Revelation chapter four? Come on Christian - wake up. And what about the: "and their fellowservants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled" {Rev 6:11}, are they not of the 'Church'? Or: "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" {Rev 7:13}, are you prepared to say that these who overcame the Great Tribulation are not considered the end time Church on earth either?!?
Or, try this one on for size, is this not after Revelation chapter four: "And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads" {Rev 9:4}, if they can only hurt those on the earth without the seal of God then it logically stands to reason that there are those on earth who do have the seal of God on the earth which they are chastened not to injure; these are NOT the 144,000, this is chronologically before the sealing of the 144,000, the 144,000 are not sealed for another five months yet. So, are these not of the Church that supposedly isn't mentioned?!?
NOTE: A difficulty in understanding Revelation prophecy is greatly removed when the student realizes that the 42 months of {Rev 11:2} (3½ years, or, the Time, Times and Half of {Daniel 12:7}) has been shortened by the grace of God to 5 months. This was prophesied to come about by Jesus in {Mt 24:22 & Mk 13:20}, and fulfilled by the Holy Spirit in {Rev 9:5 & 10}.
In understanding this (which the Rapture doctors do not) it becomes impossible for the 144,000 to have time to spread the Gospel to the lost souls on earth during the Tribulation, because they (144,000) are sealed just prior to the end of the Great Tribulation - right before the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. They are sealed at almost the last moment, for we see the Angel of God restrain the four Angels of the wrath of God until the 144,000 are sealed {Rev 7:3}.
This is significant because the rapture theory needs this full amount of time (7 or 3½ years) to be true in order to account for all the godly activity by men on earth during the Tribulation, written in the book of Revelation, which they say will be void of the Church. If one accepts that the Church is in fact present during the Tribulation then the Scriptures of the book of Revelation flow like honey!
Or what about this Scripture, is this not the Church? Who are these saints, spoken of prior to the end of the earth, whom are on the earth during the 6th and 7th trump (the last) if not true believers, and if true believers then are they not the Church? You remember what a church is - it is simply a body of believers not having walls or name: "14 The second woe is past [6th trump]; and, behold, the third woe [7th trump] cometh quickly...15 And the seventh angel sounded [7th trump]; and there were great voices in heaven...17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned...18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth" {Rev 11:14-18}. [This is not speaking of the Great White Throne Judgment day {Rev 20:11-15} which isn't for at least another 1000 years (after the Millennium), this is the Second Advent of Christ when He comes with a rod of iron and great fury and wrath {Rev19:11-21}]
And what about {Rev 12:14}? Do you think that the 'woman' is not the Church on earth after Revelation chapter four? Come-on Christian, wake up, you will be here during the Great Tribulation, the question is will you be prepared to stand!:
Rev 12:14-17
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (KJV)
Still not enough proof for you that the Church is mentioned after Revelation chapter four? Well then, try this one on for size:
Rev 13:7-8
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
Do you need more? Here's more: "12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." {Rev 14:12-13}. Or how about this: "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God" {Rev 15:2}; Do you think these over-comers were on the earth during the time of the beast (antichrist) and the time of the taking of the mark of the beast?! Who resists satan but the true Church of Jesus Christ!
Let's shorten this up a bit, the 'saints and prophets' of {Rev 16:6}, do you say they are not of Christ's true church? Or {Rev 17:6}, who are these 'saints and martyrs,' devil worshippers from the church of satan? - Of course not! And in {Rev 17:8}, the beast from the pit is only worshipped by those "whose names were not written in the book of life," are there then not also some present on the earth at this time whose name is written in the Book of Life, and are they not of the true church of Jesus Christ?!? Or {Rev 17:14}, and {Rev 18:24}, and {Rev 19:7-9}, and {Rev 20:4-6}. These are only the direct references to God's people, His true Church, present after Revelation chapter four, on the earth during and through the time of the Great Tribulation of antichrist. There are many other indirect references to the Church during the Tribulation, but it would take much background work to explain them adequately.
But the Rapture doctor teaches that the Church is not mentioned after Rev 4:1, and the 'saints' won't be here for the Tribulation, therefore the book of Revelation is not important to study. But beloved, the book of Revelation warns the Church of what is to befall us; Don't let some apostate Rapture doctor steal any of the Word of God from you. Why did God see to it that the Church would have the warnings of the book of Revelation? And why do some seek to steal those warnings from the Church? Who do they work for anyway? And when they tell you that you don't need to understand the book of Revelation, or they misrepresent it's warnings to you, isn't what they are doing really just another form of violating the solemn warning: "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" {Rev 22:19}? And how about you friend, how many of God's children, your family and friends even!, have you mislead with your false Rapture doctrines? Repent, and undo the damage! "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" {Rev 18:4}.
The Rapture doctors also state that Scripture never mentions that the Tribulation is meant to be a time of testing for Christians. Once again, they are wrong, that is the sole purpose of the Tribulation, and the sole purpose of this earth age as well! They very reason that we are here on this earth in these sickly, temporal mortal bodies is because of the great rebellion in Heaven in the first earth age. We, we all, Christians and heathen alike are here to decide whether we will love the Lord God through Jesus Christ, or satan through the ways of this world. The Rapture doctors appear clueless on this or their folly would be evident to them, but the real question is are they wrong in ignorance or are they purposely lying? The Old Testament book of Daniel gives us a very detailed view of the Great Tribulation. Below, are a couple of quick looks at the prophecy of Daniel that DOCUMENT that God's people will be on the earth during the Great Tribulation at the time that the antichrist (satan) is here:
Dan 11:33-36
33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (KJV)Dan 7:25-26
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (KJV)Dan 12:7
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (KJV)
Rev 2:9-11
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (KJV)
Ok, in all fairness let's take an in-depth look at some of the Scriptures that the Rapture doctors say support the Rapture doctrine. And we won't hold anything back, we will give you their best shot and allow God's Word to correct them, for it doesn't matter to you what this author says or what a Rapture doctor says, but rather it is what God says to us through His written Word that is important to all of us, it is those things that we shall be judged upon. Without it having been written first for our admonition, we could not fairly be judged for it: "7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead." {Rom 7:7-8}.
Now let's go to work on some of the Rapture
doctor's skewed Scriptural exegesis. As with all
fruitful Bible study, let's begin with a prayer to our
Heavenly Father for wisdom in His Word; In the precious and
powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Savior:
1st Thessalonians 4:17:
Lets jump all the way in and start off here with the 'granddaddy' of them all, the Rapturist's 'big-gun' so to speak. And I must honestly admit that at face value, taking this verse alone and removing it from the context of the forth chapter of 1st Thessalonians, it would appear as though this is the 'smoking gun' of the Rapture theory. But then that is the inherent problem with all of those who throw 'one-liners' and 'random verses' at people from the pulpit; They can mould a nice neat little package of out-of-context and unrelated Scriptures into anything they wish to. Below is the Rapturist's Crowning Glory, their 'Hope Diamond,' and their 'Holy Grail':
1Thes 4:17
17 Then we which are alive and 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. (KJV)
Sounds good, doesn't it? I will even admit that the above verse, sitting here on the page all naked and alone sure sounds like a Rapture to me. But I don't have the luxury of looking through the wrong end of a telescope. I, as all serious Bible students are exhorted to do as the Berean's did: "...and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." {Acts 17:11}, and, "...comparing spiritual things with spiritual." {1 Cor 2:13}.
Below, we shall do what the Rapture teachers cannot possibly be doing, we will look at this verse in the context that the Holy Spirit put it in. We will back-up and pick it up a couple of verses before this one and to set the subject and the object of the verse clearly in our minds, so as to be assured that we are interpreting it in the proper context.
1Thes 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant#1, brethren, concerning them which are asleep#2, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope#3.Explanation of above: #1 I would not have you to be ignorant: = Apostle Paul is telling us that he wishes to inform us of something so that we are not without understanding in the matter. #2 concerning them which are asleep: = Paul is now telling us what it is that he wishes to understand; He wants us to know what happens to those who 'sleep' (die). #3 that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope: = Paul is saying that the reason that he wants to inform us of what happens when people die is so that we do not feel sad like those who have no hope of a resurrection into everlasting life (the heathen, who believe not upon Christ, having no hope of a resurrection into eternal life). Paul does not want us Christians to be like the heathen unbelievers. The subject of these verses is: "Where are the dead?" Nothing more, nothing less.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again#1, even so them also which sleep in Jesus#2 will God bring with him#3.
Explanation of above: #1 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again: = Paul is saying that we Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead, that is what makes us Christians. #2even so them also which sleep in Jesus: = In like manner as Jesus died and resurrected, so also will those who died in Christ (as Christians) resurrect from the dead into an eternal life. #3 God bring with him: = God will bring these resurrected Christians with Him. God can 'bring them with Him' because they are already with Him. You cannot 'bring' someone with you unless they are with you prior to the 'bringing.' At the moment of death, our spiritual body and soul return to God and our flesh body decomposes back to the dust whence it came (i.e., carbon, minerals...).
There is a greater truth in this verse that has been twisted by the Rapture teachers. They tell us that this is saying "the dead will be Raptured (along with the living 'saints' during the Rapture)." This is incorrect on many fronts. For one, it says "which sleep in Jesus" and then that "God bring with him". Jesus and God are two different words. One is the Son of God on the earth and one is Almighty God in Heaven Himself. Observe below:
Jesus: Greek word #2424 Iesous (ee-ay-sooce'); of Hebrew origin [3091]; Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites. [this is Jesus Christ the Son of God].
God: Greek word #2316 theos (theh'-os); of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the definite article [which IS present in the Greek manuscripts here!] the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [This is Almighty God the Father].
Now according to their Rapture theory, it is Jesus the Son of God who comes to Rapture people away, therefore the phrase from the above Scripture "God bring with him" can make no sense regarding their Rapture theory.
However, we know from the Bible that Jesus Christ shall come to earth at His Second Advent. What the phrase "God bring with him" really means is that God shall resurrect the dead into eternal life THROUGH the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Once again, this is simply stating that just as Christ resurrected from the dead into eternal life, we also can be resurrected into the life eternal through Christ Jesus.
Dr. E.W. Bullinger, in the The Companion Bible describes this phase as: "God will through Jesus bring with Him." pg.1792. We would ask you: bring where? We know that Almighty God Himself is not physically present with His creation until the "New Heaven and new earth' {Rev 21:1}, so He (God) isn't bringing anyone anywhere until after Judgment day {Rev 20:11-15}. We observe that the verse started out with "Jesus died and rose again", so therefore, what it is saying is that God will bring them (those who sleep/died in good standing through/with Jesus) into the resurrection through Jesus Christ. I hope that is clear. Please understand that It is far more difficult to 'prove' a negative (prove that something isn't) than it is to 'prove' a positive (prove that something is), so we may appear redundant at times. But since we are debunking the Rapture theory we are constantly engaged in proving that what they say is not true nor is it possible.
The Rapturist's concept that our souls are in the grave with our decomposing bodies is horrible, pagan even. But we remember that Paul started this Scripture by saying that he didn't want us to think like the heathen who have no hope of life after death: "that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." For they say that when Jesus comes to Rapture the living 'saints' (them) that He also will Rapture the dead 'saints' from the cemeteries of the world. But we know through Scripture that this is impossible because our souls go back immediately to God at the very moment of our death, and only our discarded flesh tabernacles (bodies) rot back to dust in the grave from whence they came. Therefore there is nothing to resurrect from a tomb. You remember what the Angels said to the women when they went to visit the tomb of Jesus after He was buried: "And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?" {Luke 24:5}. Now Jesus' resurrection was a little different than ours is, for Jesus resurrected body and spirit, we discard our bodies and resurrect in spirit:
Eccl 12:5-7
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high*, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home*, and the mourners go about the streets*:
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed*, or the golden bowl be broken*, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain*, or the wheel broken at the cistern*.*These are Hebrew euphemisms for death.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (KJV)
There are no souls in the cemetery, only decomposing spiritless flesh corpses. This should be a comfort to those of us that have lost loved ones. They are with the Heavenly Father that created their very souls!
I feel the need to really nail this point home. In the below Scripture, Jesus brings a dead girl back to life. See if you can pick-up where her soul/spirit went, for it had to go somewhere for it to "come again"
Luke 8:53-55 (Jesus raises a dead girl)
53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. (KJV)Answer: When she died, It (her soul/spirit) went immediately back to God who gave it, Jesus called her back to life and God sent her soul/spirit back, thus she resurrected into her mortal body (she would still go on to die someday). When Jesus resurrected her, He resurrected her into an (her) mortal body.
We, when we die, also will be resurrected, but into immortality, into an (our) immortal body (in Heaven) if we overcome, by and through Christ Jesus. Jesus was teaching here, what Jesus did for this young girl was a 'type' of what He shall do for all true overcoming believers, but that resurrection will be a resurrection into immortal 'bodies' (not susceptible to death). Anyway, no Rapture yet, right!
1Thes 4:13-18 (Cont.)
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord#1 shall not prevent them which are asleep#2.Explanation of above: #1 we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord: = Paul is saying that in the end of times, at the Second Advent, there will be people on the earth who are still alive, they have not yet died, which makes sense. #2 not prevent them which are asleep: = Those that are alive at Christ's return shall not prevent (precede) those who have died in the past in being with the Lord . The reason for that is that the dead are already with the Lord since the very moment of their flesh death. Therefore, those who are 'changed' {1st Cor 15:52} into their spiritual body at the coming of Christ cannot have been with Him before those who are already with Him from the time of their death. NOTE: At the moment of Christ's return, we shall all be in spiritual bodies and the flesh will be discarded {1st Cor 15:52}. But anyway, in the above verse Paul is telling us that to be absent from the flesh, is to be present with the Lord:
2 Cor 5:6-9
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (KJV)See also the parable of Lazarus and Rich man to learn where we go when we die {Luke 16:19-31}. And if you study the Apocrypha, you will find something on this in {2nd Esdras 7:78} (but you will need a The Apocrypha by Goodspeed
because other Apocrypha's cut this chapter short).
16 For#1 the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God#2: and#3 the dead in Christ shall rise#4 first#5:
Explanation of above: #1 For: = Because. #2the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout...: = This is the Second Advent. The "the trump of God" is the seventh trump in which Christ returns {Rev11:15} (1st Cor 15:52 is even more specific in that it states "at the last trump" which is the seventh of seven). #3 and: = The word is "and," not "first" or "then," or "next." This is simply showing a change in the flesh body transforming into a spirit body, but it is not an immediate preceding of the event of the next verse. #5 first: = Shall have risen first, it already happened at the instant of their death, that is why none who are alive and remain could prevent them (precede them). A definition: first: Greek word #4412 proton (pro'-ton); neuter of 4413 as adverb (with or without 3588); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance): KJV-- before, at the beginning, chiefly (at, at the) first (of all). #4 rise: = Ok, now here we have that 'giddy factor' with the Rapturists. Anything they see written about "rise," "clouds," "lift...," makes them think "Rapture." But this use of the word "rise' here is not "levitate." Let's look at the definition of the word and then we will look at a couple verses where the word is used in other Scriptures. Then you judge if this is talking about "rising in a Rapture up into the clouds." A definition: rise: Greek word #450 anistemi (an-is'-tay-mee); from 303 and 2476; to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive): KJV-- arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up (-right).
And below are some other Scriptures where the Greek word [anistemi] (translated "rise" in our above Scripture) is used. Bear in mind that it often took more than one English word to translate a Greek word in the Bible:
Mark 9:31
31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise [anistemi] the third day. (KJV)
Luke 8:55
55 And her spirit came again, and she arose [anistemi] straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. (KJV) [You will remember that we just studied this verse a few paragraphs back]
Acts 14:10
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand [anistemi] upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. (KJV)Ok, no Rapture here right! Below is the last verse in our Scripture, and it their main Rapture verse in the whole Bible. But as we shall see it is simply finishing the chronology and the teaching of the preceding verses about all people, living and dead at the time of Christ's Second Advent, going into a spiritual body. The dead did it at the moment of their individual deaths and those who remain alive at the time of the Second Advent will do it at that moment.
So you see that the old saying: "the only things you have to do is die and pay taxes," is incorrect, for when Jesus returns at the Second Advent, all who are alive will be 'translated' (changed/transfigured) into their spiritual bodies without actually experiencing a flesh death. This was witnessed at the 'Mount of the transfiguration" by John, Peter, and James when Jesus was transfigured into a spiritual body and was met by Moses and Elijah in their spiritual bodies {Mt 17:1-9}. In Heaven we are in spiritual bodies, not sickly corruptible flesh ones. But you still gotta pay taxes.
17 Then#1 we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them#2 in the clouds#3, to meet the Lord in the air#4:
Explanation of above: #1Then: = When?? - At the seventh trump! {Rev 11:15} - at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. #2 with them: = Who?? - Those who are already in their spirit bodies - Those who died in the flesh from the beginning of time, who went instantly went back to the Father at the time of their individual deaths. So far so good, now the interpretation of the next two words ('clouds' and 'air') are the 'foundation' [built on sand] of their Rapture doctrines. A whole doctrine built up around two words taken out of context! #3 clouds: = The Rapturist believes this 'clouds' to be like 'rain clouds.' Language lexicons are of little help with this word as it ultimately has two different meanings:
clouds: Greek word #3507 nephele (nef-el'-ay); from #3509; properly, cloudiness, i.e. (concretely) a cloud.
Cloud: #3509 nephos- a cloud, a large dense multitude, a throng; a). used to denote a great shapeless collection of vapor obscuring the heavens as opposed to a particular and definite masses of vapor with some form or shape; b). a cloud in the sky
Above we see that the word can mean either a 'cloud in the sky' or a dense multitude or throng (of people). As I said, the Lexicons are not specific enough here for us to 'hang our hat on,' so to speak. However, there is another resource available to us to secure the proper meaning of the word 'cloud' as it is used here, and that is Scripture itself. We shall let the Bible translate itself. The word "Cloud" #3509 'nephos' whence comes our word 'clouds' is used in only one place in the entire Bible, this will remove any ambiguity with the word usage.
Apostle Paul wrote our Scripture here in 1st Thessalonians, he also wrote the book of Hebrews. It is in the book of Hebrews that Paul used the word "cloud #3509." Paul was a Hebrew from the Tribe of Benjamin, but he also spoke Greek and was a naturalized Roman citizen. However, the Greek he spoke was colloquial Greek (or 'street Greek' as Pastor Arnold (A fine Christian Minister) of the (another Ministry on TV) terms it). This word 'clouds', as it is used here by Paul is a figure of speech, meaning a large group, used also by Paul in {Heb12:1}, supplied below for your comparison:
Heb 12:1 (Paul's use of the word 'cloud' as a figure of speech)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (KJV)Like I said, Paul was using a colloquialism (figure of speech). Paul no more meant that those would meet Jesus in a 'rain cloud' than he meant that the people above would stage a foot-race on a 'rain-cloud.' The use of the word 'cloud' or 'clouds' in these two Scriptures means a crowd, a great multitude, a vast collection, or dense for multitude of people, as in a "cloud of locusts," or, a "cloud of mosquitoes."
Also, when Jesus Christ returns at his second Advent he will be accompanied by an innumerable host of Angels {Rev 19:11-16}. Below, that innumerable host of Angels is referred to as 'clouds.' Jesus isn't coming on or in water clouds, He is coming with clouds of Angels, so many that they will cloud the sky and can not be counted for their multitude:
Rev 1:7
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (KJV)Ok, now our last word in this Scripture: #4 air: = I don't even have to tell you how the Rapturist interprets this word. But the word doesn't mean 'air' like in the sky (for you even have 'air' in your basement). But rather it is the spirit of life air, the pneuma, as in a pneumatic tire (whence we get the word pneumatic). It is the animation of the body, the life, the spirit. In the Hebrew of the Old Testament this word finds it's equivalent in 'neshamah,' which is what God blew into Adam's nostrils and he became a living being. The word means "the breath of life." Below we shall provide definitions in both Greek and Hebrew of this "breath of life" or "spirit":
Air: Greek word #109 aer (ah-ayr'); from aemi (to breathe unconsciously, i.e. respire; by analogy, to blow); "air" (as naturally circumambient)
This is what God did into Adams nostrils, and through Christ we shall have the "breath of eternal life." The Hebrew counterpart for this word is:
breath of (life): Hebrew word #5397 neshamah (nesh-aw-maw'); from 5395; a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal: KJV-- blast, (that) breath (-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit. Neshamah - The breath, the spirit; a) the breath (of God) b) the breath (of man) c) every breathing thing d) the spirit (of man).
Observe below:
Gen 2:7
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
After Paul wrote this (the first book of Thessalonians) he began receiving reports from Thessalonica that this Scripture was being misinterpreted. Paul hastily, in a scant couple months, wrote the second letter (book) to the Thessalonians, we know this as {2nd Thessalonians}. In the second chapter of that second letter, Paul cleared up all traces of confusion regarding the Scripture we just studied (regarding the Rapture misinterpretation). We shall briefly study that second explanatory letter (2nd Thessalonians). But first, why don't we re-read those five verses that caused all the confusion in Thessalonica then, and in the Rapture churches today, bearing in mind what we just covered. Then we shall let Paul clear away all remaining confusion in the matter.
1Thes 4:13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and 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. (KJV)
2nd Thessalonians 2:1-5:
We shall be brief in this Scripture, I promise. Like I said earlier, it is easier to prove a positive than a negative. We will just document that Paul did in fact have to correct the Thessalonians (and our modern day Rapturists) as to the true meaning of the Scripture in {1st Thessalonians 4:13-17}.
II Th 2:1-5
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,Explanation of above: Paul is telling them (and us) that he wishes to speak about the Second Advent and our return to the Lord at that time.
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us#1, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Explanation of above: Paul is saying that they shouldn't be confused by any means, into thinking the the Second Advent was near. #1 nor by letter as from us = That letter was 1st Thessalonians. Paul realized that he had confused them in the prior letter (the first) to the Thessalonians (that which we just covered).
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (KJV)Explanation of above: Paul is saying that the Second Advent shall not come until those things happen. There is no Rapture written by Paul, back in his day the people of Thessalonica mistook that Paul was saying that the time was at hand for the Second Advent, but it was not. The Rapturist today is confused that the Scripture was about some kind of Rapture, but it is not. It was simply about what happens to the dead, and how that through Christ they can have eternal life. Those things above that Paul said would precede the day of the Lord (Second Advent) have not yet happened even in our times, but they are prophesied to happen in our generation. From the last above statement by Paul, i.e., "Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?" it is clear that he had spoken to them about this but did not write it in the first letter to the Thessalonians, he includes it here in the 2nd.
In the above Scriptures, satan is "that man of sin" and "the son of perdition". Some will try to tell you that Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ, is the son of perdition. This is untrue and to document: In verse {4} above we see: "the son of perdition" who: "opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." Judas Iscariot never did that, Judas never said that he was God.
In fact after Judas realized that they were really going to crucify Jesus, and that Jesus was going to let it happen, not even opening His mouth in defense; Judas threw the money that he was paid to betray Jesus down onto the temple floor. This was an act of repentance. The 'son of perdition' means: The one who perishes. I know it's easy to jump on the bandwagon with all the self righteous Hypocrites that say Judas is going to hell for betraying Jesus. But through Christ, isn't salvation open to all upon repentance? Jesus said it was, even to those who died before Christ had paid the price on the cross, for after Christ was crucified and before He appeared back on earth resurrected, Jesus went to the lost souls in prison (hell) and offered them forgiveness and salvation. {1st Pet 3:18+19}, {Eph 4:8-10}, and {Rev 20:7} (for documentation on what 'prison' means).
There is only one soul that is condemned (by name) to eternal perishment, and that is satan, the 'son of perdition' by one name, and the 'antichrist' by another. Satan has many names and roles & duties, but he's the same one entity. Below we see God condemning satan to be consumed from within by fire, perish in the Lake of Fire (hence, 'the son of perdition'). At this time satan is the only one by name who has been judged to death in the lake of fire, there are also the fallen angels, and many more people who will follow him after the Great Judgment Day.
Ezek 28:13-19 (God condemning satan)
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more. (KJV)
Satan revolted in the first earth age*, chronologically transpiring between {Genesis 1:1 and 1:2}, and led one third of God's children to fight against God and His Angels {Rev 12:3+4}. God of course won, and promptly destroyed that first earth age. This destruction is written of in {2nd Pet 3:5-7} and for an even more clear view do a study in {Jer 4:23-27}. This destruction by water should not be confused with Noah's flood (notice in {Jer 4:25} it reads: "there was no man"). We know that Noah and his family survived Noah's flood.
This is speaking of a flood prior to the flood of Noah which caused complete destruction of everything and everyone. It was the wrath of God brought about because one third of His beloved children whom He had created to keep Him company, betrayed and turned their back on Him and joined satan in an takeover attempt. I wonder how many will join satan the next time he tries a takeover, when he stands in Jerusalem in our very near future claiming to be the Messiah, claiming to be the Christ! This time, those who do so will be blotted out, perishing just like satan, who has already been sentenced to the eternal death, the death of a soul in the Lake of Fire (commonly referred to as Hell). God also promises to win the next and final battle between good and evil, He even gives us a play-by-play in the book of Revelation in {Rev 20:9-10}. But anyway, there is no Rapture doctrine in the books of 1st &2nd Thessalonians, nor anywhere else in the Bible! Jesus is coming back here to us, we aren't going to Him. See {Acts1:6-12}.
Some 'foundational' Rapture teachings rebutted with Holy Scripture:
To be assured of a more perfect comprehension of a Scripture or verse even in God's Word; We must study the words written in a verse in context with the subject and object, and, with other verses before and after the target verse; We must observe who and/or what is being spoken of, to, and/or about; What the time frame is - past, present, or future; Is it prophecy; Is the speech figurative, an idiom, or is it to be taken literally; Are there parallel Scriptures elsewhere in the Bible that collaborate our interpretation of this one.... This must be done with all Scripture, for often the Bible ' puts away' one topic and ' picks up' another with little or no warning.
Another invaluable help to understanding a verse in question is to take the main word, the word wherein the verse seems to hinge upon, and look up that Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic word up in your Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Along with giving the translation definition of the original word in it's original language, the Strong's also has a Concordance that shows you every single verse in the King James Bible (numbered to the King James Bible version only) that that word appears in. And by reading several (or all) of the verses that employ that same Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic word (often translated into several different English words in your Bible) you will be able to get 'a feel' for the weight and meaning of the word. Then apply that to the verse in question and you should be rewarded with greater clarity.
Below we have taken some views from Rapture teachers themselves regarding why the rapture must take place and have presented them to our readers. This is actually dialog between believers of different kinds of Raptures, i.e., pre- tribulation, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation, partial-tribulation, two stage-tribulation. As we stated earlier, they can't even make their minds up when their supposed rapture is going to take place, we, as stated, maintain that there is no such idea of any Rapturing in the Holy Bible.
The particular author (Rapture Doctor) cited below is obviously of the 'pre-tribulation' persuasion, which is by far the most common rapture theory around today, thus it will be helpful in our study. But we shall rebut them all with Scripture, Pre-trib, Mid-trib, Post-trib, Partial-trib...for there is not going to be ANY rapture of ANYBODY at ANY time! Let's listen in to their babble (confusion, the root of Babylon) and bear in mind what the Scripture saith: "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" {1 Cor 14:33}. And if God didn't author their Rapture theory then whom would you suppose is responsible for it? Hint, God only has one enemy, that is to say satan.
_________________________________________________________
Rapture Statements Remedied with
Scripture
The Rapture doctors say:
'He That is Taken Out of the Way (2 Thes. 2:7)'
"Before the Antichrist can be revealed, Paul said a certain, "he" must be taken out of the way. The "he" that must be removed, according to 2 Thes. 2:7, is widely thought to be the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has been promised to never leave the Church, and without the working of the Holy Spirit remaining on earth, no one could be saved during the tribulation. The removal of the Church, which is indwelt by the Holy Ghost, would seem the best explanation for this dilemma. The working of the Holy Spirit could go on during the tribulation, but His influence would be diminished because of the missing Church."
But the Bible says:
Monumental misinterpretation of {2nd Thessalonians} is the cause for this error. It is not the Holy Spirit that is removed, but rather it is satan who is cast to the earth. Let's do an expository view on {2nd Thess 2:7-10} and allow the Scripture itself to remove the difficulty:
II Th 2:7-10
7 For the mystery*1 of iniquity*2 doth already work*3: only he*4 who now letteth*5 will let*6, until he*7 be taken out of the way*8.Explanation of above:8*1mystery = Greek word #3466 musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on); from a derivative of mueo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites). And don't let the word 'religion' fool you, for this is reminiscent of the pagan Babylonian and Egyptian mystery school false religions that God so abhorred. (see The Companion Bible, appendix 193) *2iniquity = Lawlessness. *3work = Work actively, as in {1st Thess 2:13}. *4he = Archangel Michael, the one holding satan at this present time, see {Rev 12:7-9}. *5letteth = Holds fast. *6will let = release. *7he = satan the antichrist, the one being spoken of from the prior verses "...that man of sin be revealled, the son of perdition" {verse 3 of this same 2nd Thess chpt. 2}. *8be taken out of the way = Cast out of Heaven.
II Th 2:7-10 (Cont.)
8 And then shall that Wicked*1 be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume*2 with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his*3 coming:
9 Even him*4, whose coming is after*5 the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders*6,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they*7 received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (KJV)Explanation of above: *1that Wicked = That wicked one. *2consume = destroy. *3his = Jesus Christ's, at His Second Advent. *4him = Antichrist, satan. *5after = In like manner, is. *6all power and signs and lying wonders8 = Satan's power to deceive by the miracles that God allows him to do in {Rev 13:13-14}. *7they = Those who follow the false christ antichrist, albeit many will do so in ignorance. God has a future plan for the deceived who unwittingly follow the false messiah.
We may therefore explain the Scripture of {2nd Thess 2:7-10} thusly:
"Satan's sinful plot has been already planned and started from long ago, and it is only when Archangel Michael releases satan, whom he now holds {Rev 12:7-9}, that satan will be cast out of Heaven to the earth. It is then that satan shall fulfill his role as the antichrist, that same antichrist that Jesus Christ will defeat at His (Jesus') Second Advent. This antichrist, whom is satan, who will seat himself on a false earthly throne by performing real and apparent miracles and wondrous signs. Those people who follow him and his lie shall perish, because, in worshipping him they had rejected the truth which would have saved them, i.e., the true Jesus Christ."
Where, I ask the reader, is any Rapture here? There is no Rapture in 2nd Thessalonians 2:7-10; There is no Rapture in the Bible!
Jer 5:30-31
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (KJV)
__________________________________________________________________
" For God is not the author of
confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints"
{1 Cor 14:33}
The Rapture doctors say:
'The Five Foolish Virgins'
"The wedding story that Jesus gave in Mat 25:2-13, I believe, relates a parable of the Rapture of the Church and how some will not be ready. Jesus clearly states that a group of people will miss out on some event, and will cry out to God to let them into the place where He resides (heaven). Although some try to put this parable in a post-trib context, it doesn't fit very well. The ones left behind in a post-trib Rapture will not need to seek the lord because they'll immediately be confronted by him and his army of angels."
But the Bible says:
Once again the Rapture doctors do violence to the Scripture. Below we will examine the Parable of the ten Virgins and allow Scripture itself to clarify. We will notice that the Rapture doctor has it exactly turned around backwards. He states: "Jesus clearly states that a group of people will miss out on some event," referring to the Rapture of course, but those whom he says 'miss out on an event' actually partake of an event that shouldn't have, they are those who participate with the first christ which is the false christ antichrist. You notice in {verse 10} that the 5 foolish virgins, Rapture believing Christians (among other of the deceived), go somewhere to get more oil (the oil is the Word of God), but they go to the wrong place for a 'refill' when they should have had it all along like the 5 wise virgins, and while they are chasing antichrist for the false oil (the false word), the true Christ (the bridegroom) returns for His Second Advent, thus the five foolish virgins miss out and fall short immediately prior to the Second Advent of Christ Jesus. They were good Christians, for they are referred to as spiritual virgins un-beguiled by satan's lies, but they fall short right at the very end - sad!:
Matt 25:10
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (KJV)
Then, after Christ returns at His Second Advent and casts satan the antichrist into the pit and glorifies His true Church, the un-beguiled body of believers) we see the Rapturist's come a knocking. They have by this time realized that they have been had by satan and his false doctrines. But we see Christ close the door on them and tell them a very solemn thing:
Matt 25:11-12
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (KJV)
This is where false doctrine shall you my friend. Thank God (for their sakes) that there is the Millennium teaching time {Rev 20:4-6} BEFORE the Great White Throne Judgment Day {Rev 20:11-15}, for those who did not have a fair chance at the truth. Verse {13} should nail home the point that the 'marriage' is speaking of the return of Christ at His Second Advent, not some imaginary Rapture:
Matt 25:13
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (KJV)
Every time the phase "ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" is used, it refers to the Second Advent of Christ. See: {Lk 12:40, Mt 24:42, 44, 1st Thess 5:2 & 5:6, Lk 18:8...} Where, I ask the reader, is any Rapture here?!? There is no Rapture in the Parable of the Ten Virgins; There is no Rapture in the Bible!
Jer 5:30-31
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (KJV)_______________________________________________________________
" For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" {1 Cor 14:33}
The Rapture doctors say:
'God Hath Not Appointed Us to Wrath'
"In 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Paul assures us that God has not appointed His people to wrath. The wrath is plainly God's anger that will be poured out during the tribulation. Pre-trib believers cite this as meaning that Christians will be removed from the earth. Post-trib believers tell a different story. They describe this as meaning God will protect Christians during the tribulation, and pour this wrath out on the unbelievers only. This idea runs against the statement made in Rev 13:7 where the Antichrist is given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them. A post-trib view would make God's promise of protection from wrath into a lie. In years past, it was possible to think of protection from guns and swords. Today when any major war would involve nuclear and chemical weapons, it's not possible to expect protection from these types of weaponry. When Nagasaki, Japan was bombed during W.W.II, the bomb exploded over a Catholic church. Everyone that was in the center of the explosion died, both Christians and non-Christians. The only way to validly interpret God's promise of protection from wrath, is the bodily removal of the Church from this world."
But the Bible says:
Here we have a rather confused set of inaccurate assumptions unnaturally placed together. To begin with, it is more than a little presumptuous for the Rapturist to refer to himself as a Saint of God as he does in the above. He refers to the Saints in {Rev 13:7} as the good Rapturist saints who are the Church on earth now. But the Saints that satan shall kill in {Rev 13:7} are the Two Witnesses of God, the same Two Witnesses that satan kills in {Rev 11:7}, and the only two people that it is written of that satan personally physically kills in the entire Bible! Satan will however spiritually kill many with his lies and false doctrines:
Rev 11:3-7
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (KJV)
Contrary to popular misconception, satan and his evil angels are not allowed to run around rough-shod over the earth killing people (thank God!). They are supernatural spiritual beings in bodily form coming against mere mortal man. They are powerful, But God is more powerful and is always in control so that these must abide by the unbreakable rules and laws of Almighty God. In other words, there are things that they are not permitted to do; one of those things that they are not allowed to do is to kill men:
Job 2:4-6
4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. (KJV)
Rev 9:5-6
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. (KJV)
Ps 105:14-15 (see also1st Chr 16:22 )
14 He [God] suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. (KJV)
Another remarkable statement is made in the above Rapture position, the author states: "In 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Paul assures us that God has not appointed His people to wrath.The wrath is plainly God's anger that will be poured out during the tribulation." Wrong again! The wrath spoken of here is not the Great Tribulation, but rather it is the eternal damnation in Hell which we can escape only through Christ Jesus. The rapture teachers must realize that they cannot simply take half-a-verse here and some of a verse there and come to an accurate conclusion. Below we shall do what our rapture teacher quite obviously didn't do, we will examine the Scripture supplied in context with the words before and after their 'sound-bite' of Scripture:
1Thes 5:8-10
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (KJV)
In verse {8} above, it is speaking of the Gospel Armour from {Eph 6:13}, and this Gospel Armour is to be used by the Christian to withstand the Great Tribulation by antichrist: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." {Eph 6:13}. That reads STAND, not fly away in some Rapture cloud before hand! Once again, you have got to kind of wonder if they spread their false doctrines and confusion purely by accident. We judge no man. Enough said on that.
The Rapture doctors teach that when Jesus Christ returns at his Second Advent that that is the Great Tribulation. Wrong again, the Second Advent is the termination of the Great Tribulation (testing) and the casting of antichrist into the pit. And when Christ does return, He is not going to hurt the faithful, only those who have thrown their lot in with the false christ antichrist. All throughout Scripture, God has destroyed the wicked but saved the faithful, i.e., NOAH from the flood, Lot from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the first-born of Israel from the destruction of the first-born of Egyptians.... God didn't rapture Noah, He put him on a boat ON THE EARTH; God didn't rapture Lot, He had him to walk out of town, on foot, ON THE EARTH; God did not rapture the first-born of Israel, He had the death angel pass over them untouched ON THE EARTH.
And finally, let us reflect on the foolish statement that concludes the above Rapture doctor's theory. He stated:
"A post-trib view would make God's promise of protection from wrath into a lie. In years past, it was possible to think of protection from guns and swords. Today when any major war would involve nuclear and chemical weapons, it's not possible to expect protection from these types of weaponry. When Nagasaki, Japan was bombed during W.W.II, the bomb exploded over a Catholic church. Everyone that was in the center of the explosion died, both Christians and non-Christians. The only way to validly interpret God's promise of protection from wrath, is the bodily removal of the Church from this world."
When God does destroy this age it will not be with man's primitive (to God) 21st century weaponry, it will be with the simple yet powerful nature. Just as when God destroyed the first earth age, He did so with water {2nd Pet 3:1-6 & Jer 4:23-27}. And Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed with fire, those killed in Noah's time were killed with a flood of water, and the killing of the first-born of the Egyptians was with sudden death. The destruction of our earth age (the 2nd) shall be with fire, earthquakes, hailstones...not Nuclear/Biological/Laser weapons. God is so very natural, He wants us to understand that which He does, He is not out to confuse His children but rather to teach them. He does things in a simple to understand natural way.
Why limit God to man's devises? And why suppose that the end shall come with war? Does not the Scripture even say: "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet" {Mark 13:7}. and again: "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" {1Thes 5:3} and once more: "Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter" {Ezek 13:10}. They think that the end comes in war, but it does not, the end comes in peace, the false peace that antichrist brings which is really no peace at all but rather a deception of peace. In their assumption they do greatly err.
Where, I ask the reader, is any Rapture here? There is no Rapture before the wrath of God, and besides, the wrath is not directed at the faithful, nor will it harm them in any way. You remember the three Hebrew children in the furnace? They were in the midst of the fire, heated up to seven times normal heat, and they were not harmed in any way, their clothes didn't even smell like smoke - God is able to protect His own even though there is destruction all around - have faith! God has not appointed you to wrath, but the wrath of God shall be unleashed. There is no Rapture in the Bible!
Jer 5:30-31
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (KJV)____________________________________________________________________
" For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" {1 Cor 14:33}
The Rapture doctors say:
'God Takes an Inventory'
"In Rev 7:3 an angel descends to earth and seals the servants of God. Two bits of information are given about this sealing that highly disclaim a post-trib viewpoint. The first item is the number of people sealed: 144,000. The second one is that all those who are sealed are from the twelve tribes of Israel. For the events in Rev 7:3-8 to be true, in a post-trib way, either the Church has turned against God or God has turned against the Church. A post-tribber could write a thousand word commentary on why the Church doesn't need to be sealed. Instead of trying to argue why the Church is not mentioned or sealed, a pre-trib proponent could just say, "We're already in heaven.""
But the Bible says:
The Rapture doctor above arrives at the wrong conclusion because he does not know who the Twelve tribes of Israel are, he assumes that they are Jews, which sets him up think that the 144,000 are also Jews. He does not really even know what a "Jew" is. To clear this up we provide a short Bible study from elsewhere on this site. Understanding this will clear up many difficult Scriptures in the Word of God:
In the Bible, who Are The People Of The House Of Israel, the House Of Judah, The Jews, And The Kenites?
The difference between the peoples of Israel, Judah, and the Jews, and the Kenites (the sons of Cain, the first murderer):
First of all, when studying Biblical history and prophecy, you mustn't confuse the House of Israel with the House of Judah. When you see the 'House of Israel' written of in the scriptures, it refers to the Ten Northern Tribes of Israel (now referred to as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel). But when you see the 'House of Judah' spoken of, it refers to the Southern Kingdom consisting of peoples of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
Originally, when the Houses were still joined together, there were twelve Tribes. These Twelve Tribes became split into two Houses, one called the Northern Kingdom with it's Capitol at Sumaria, and the other called the Southern Kingdom with it's Capitol at Jerusalem. To this very day they are split, with the Ten Northern tribes having lost all knowledge of their identity, as was prophesied of to happen in Scripture:
Rom 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (KJV)But what ever became of Israel (the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel)? After a three years siege and the final fall of Samaria with it's becoming of an Assyrian Province in 611 BC (722 BC by profane history), Israel ceased to be and dropped out of history.
But Israel (the Ten Lost Tribes) were never lost to God, they migrated North over the Caucasus Mountains (where we get our word 'Caucasian' from) and settled Europe, eventually populating Scotland, Ireland, Britain, Iceland, and ultimately crossing westward over the seas and established the Americas.
Yes, we are the descendants of the lost Northern Ten Tribes of Israel. We are the chosen people of God. Look around the world, who is the last light of hope in the world? That does not mean that we are Jewish, for as you see by the division of the original 12 tribes descended from Jacob; Judah is only one of those tribes. As of Sep 18, 2000, there are only 13 million Jews on the planet (as per www.adherents.com ), that is less than 1% of the total global population which is 6,099,686,302 (6 billion plus) as of 4:04 EDT Oct 1, 2000 per Popclock. But in God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob He promised:
Gen 13:16
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. (KJV)
Gen 17:4
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. (KJV)
Gen 28:14
14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)
Gen 35:11
11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; (KJV)
Gen 32:12
12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. (KJV)Rom 9:27
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: (KJV)You do believe God don't you? Well then, where are all these people now? Those that we now call 'Jews' today are only a portion of the true Tribe of Judah who had intermixed with their Babylonian captors, the heathen and profane descendants of Cain - the first murderer. In other words, all those of the tribe of Judah are not Jews, and none of the lost Ten Tribes are Jews. It is important to understand the differences so that you know who the Bible is speaking about in a particular verse.
That is why in the New Testament, those who betrayed Christ and forced Pontius Pilot's hand into crucifying Jesus Christ were the High Jewish Priest Ca'-ia-phas and the Jewish Temple Hierarchy. They were corrupted both in morals and genealogy, and this explains why Jesus called them 'sons of Cain,' the son of the devil {Jn 8:44} who was in fact the first murderer in the Garden of Eden. Cain was not of the 12 tribes of Jacob (Israel and Judah combined), but his offspring, the Kenites, which means sons (offspring, no gender implied) of Cain, had intermixed with some of the true Tribe of Judah. These Kenites have mixed with all races and tribes of people on the earth today and are not easily identified. A Kenite is a descendant of Cain, the same Cain who was the first murderer in the Garden of Eden, and his father was the serpent (satan). You will find them (Kenites) mentioned in Scripture by proper name in: {Gen 15:19, Num 24:21-22, 1st Sam 15:6, 27:10, 30:29, 1st Chron 2:55}. Below is a definition from the Strong's Exhaustive Condordance
Kenite: Hebrew word #7017 Qeyniy (kay-nee'); or Qiyniy (1st Chron. 2:55) (kee-nee'); patronymic from Hebrew word #7014 (see below); a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin:
Cain: Hebrew word #7014 Qayin [or Kayin]: As a proper noun, masculine: Cain = "possession"; the oldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer, having murdered his brother Abel. [WBSG NOTE: Adam was not Cain's father, but Eve was his mother].
(End Of Excerpt)
Our above Rapture doctor also makes an ominous statement that he doesn't even realize, nor does he fathom it to be true. He states: "For the events in Rev 7:3-8 to be true, in a post-trib way, either the Church has turned against God or God has turned against the Church."
Sadly, the 'Church' (Christians) will have by then turned against God. Not on purpose mind you, but by being deceived into worshipping satan, the false christ antichrist, they will have constructively turned against the true Christ and God. They do so in ignorance, they have been mislead by false teachers/preachers who spread false doctrines (like Rapture theories for instance). This however, does not mean that they are condemned to Hell, many have rcieved the blessing of the 'Spirit of Slumber' (covered further on in this study), which makes them not fully accountable for worshipping satan as antichrist because they do so in ignorance. Where, I ask the reader, is any Rapture here?!? There is no Rapture before or after the Sealing of the 144,000; There is no Rapture in the Bible!
Jer 5:30-31
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (KJV)_______________________________________________________________________
" For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" {1 Cor 14:33}
The Rapture doctors say:
'The Church Would Rebuke the Antichrist'
"If the Antichrist came to power with the Church still here, I do not see how he could operate. When Hitler was fighting to take over England, a number of Christians where praying for victory. Hitler made mistake after mistake, and England out performed its enemy at every stage of the conflict. It is difficult to measure the actual impact of intercessory prayer in physical warfare. Little is known of how great a role praying saints played in the defeat of Nazi Germany. If the Church were to reside on earth during the tribulation, I am sure she would give the Antichrist fits. In Rev 11:3, the two witnesses give the Antichrist enough headaches alone. Millions of Christians, who know their Bible well, would recognize the man of sin and pray fire down on his head. The post-trib view would have to plan on the Church just rolling over and playing dead, the whole seven years."
But the Bible says:
Once again, our Rapture doctor unwittingly waxes prophetic with his unfathomable (to him) ponderings. Sadly, this is where deception and false teaching shall lead the Church. It is written that the whole world, save the Elect, shall wonder after the beast antichrist. the present day 'church' is so very far from being the Elect; the present day church is in fact molding and blending into the harlot church of {Rev 17:1-6} "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH". We all know that this is talking about the great enemy of Christ in the end days, but let's look at some of her title in the original Greek to get a better understanding of just who 'she' is:
MYSTERY: Greek
word #3466 musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on); from a
derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or
"mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by
initiation into religious rites):
HARLOTS: Greek word #4204 porne
(por'-nay); feminine of 4205; a strumpet; figuratively, an
idolater:
ABOMINATIONS: Greek word #946
bdelugma (bdel'-oog-mah);from 948; a detestation, i.e.
(specially) idolatry:
These are all speaking of the false one-world religion of the
end-time generation, our generation. We see this coming
together, what with all the talk of 'respecting every
religion as equal.' Soon, and even now, all the
religions (Christianity and heathen) shall unite on the common
ground of tolerance, love, good deeds, and mutual
respect. Christians will apostate from true Christianity and
become as the others whom will also lose any convictions they may
have. But as Christians we are especially accountable, for
it is our Savior Jesus Christ who said: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and
the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." {John
14:6}. But the end-time Christian will allow
satan to steal that from them, all in the spirit of ecumenism
(harmony of different religious beliefs). Sad!
Rev 17:8
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (KJV)
The Elect are the end-time church written of in the book of Revelation, and there aren't all that many of them. But the Elect have no right to glory in themselves, for it if it were not for the grace of God even the Very Elect would be deceived into worshipping the false christ antichrist:
Matt 24:24
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (KJV)
Mark 13:20
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. (KJV)
May we sadly muse with Christ:
Luke 18:7-9 (Jesus speaking)
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others (KJV)
Where, I ask the reader, is any Rapture here?!? There is no Rapture anywhere in the Bible!
(End of excerpts from the Rapture Doctors)
Jer 5:30-31
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (KJV)
A Biblical
chronology of end-time events:
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Here are the events of the last five months immediately prior to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ that will happen exactly as prophesied in God's Word. We will pick it up at the instructions from Jesus Christ to those who know the truth about the antichrist and are being persecuted during the final days by satan (antichrist) and the deceived ones who are doing his handy work Albeit, most of them, will be doing it in ignorance:
Luke 12:8-12 (Christ speaking)
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. (KJV)
Verses {8-10} above pertain God's Elect in the end times (whom you will notice are on earth, not drifting in some Rapture cloud), these Elect will be called upon to deny the true Jesus in the trials that the antichrist shall hold (Jesus will be denied in that the people will be worshipping the false christ). In verse {11} it is speaking of the events at the end of times during satan's five month reign as antichrist. It is the Elect of God being delivered up to the Synagogue of satan for a witness against him before the world. Sadly, many of those who have been mislead with a Rapture doctrine (among others) will actually cause God's Elect to be delivered up to death, that is to say, deliver them up to satan (antichrist) whom is death. 'Death' is simply one of satan's many many names:
Heb 2:14
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. (KJV)
They will do it not because they are evil, they really do not know what they do, but the antichrist has deceived them. He (antichrist) will tell them something like: "Let's save more of the people before I bring the Rapture about, bring them to me that do not believe that I am the Messiah from God and I will show them signs and wonders, and in mercy I shall convert their hearts to the truth." But in reality, they are delivered up death - satan. And deceived Christians (Rapturists, Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses...) as well as Muslims, Buddhists, Jews... shall betray the 'true to Christ' Christians (God's Elect) to death. But God Himself will protect His Elect:
Luke 21:12-19 (speaking to God's Elect)
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls. (KJV)
Chronology:
A chronology of events leading up to end of this age:
Satan, as antichrist, will be given power from God to deceive most of the world*1. But it is written that some will stand against satan and not bow a knee to the antichrist*2. These are known as the Election Of Grace, spoken of as the 7000*3. Satan, by means identified in scripture, will locate and seize God's Election, who are men and women who reject satan as the false christ and refuse to bow to him*4. Satan will deliver some of these Elect up to 'Sanhedrins' (synagogues and councils) to attempt to "convert" them and make them worship the antichrist as True Messiah*5. But they will not. In fact it is through the Elect's testimony at these councils (that will no doubt be carried live on satellite, to the whole world), that the 144,000, known as the "Sealed Of Israel", written of Scripture*6, will become aware of the true identity of the antichrist and resist, refusing to worship him as True Messiah.
Scriptural documentation for above points:
{Lk 21:12-15}, {Rev 9:1-11}, {Mk 24:4-15}.
{Mk 13:9-11}, {Mt 24:9-13}, {Lk 21:12-15}, {Dan 11:44}.
{1st King 19:18}, {Rom 11:1-5}.
{Lk 21:16}, {Mk 13:12}, {Mt 24:10}.
{LK 12:11}, {Mk 13:9}, {Mt 24:9}.
{Rev 7:1-10}.
At this point, the end is very near. The "Two Witnesses", who have been sent earlier from God to lead His Elect in resisting the antichrist, and whom are spoken of in {Rev 11:3-19; below } are murdered by antichrist and his misguided followers. Their dead bodies are left to rot in the street in public view.
This is done by the religious community at the time, the one-world religion; And don't think it can't happen, for have you forgotten the reformation and the millions of people burnt as heretics by the Catholic Church who then confiscated their land and belongings? It is also eerily reminiscent of the religious community that called for Christ's crucifixion: "...they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him." {John 19:6}:
Rev 11:3-19
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
At this point, I would imagine that some who thought that they were really worshiping Jesus Christ begin to get a sick feeling in the pit of their stomachs as they reason within themselves that the True Christ would never do this. They think back to the true Word of God and know that they were warned of this in the Bible, but they had rejected God's True Word instead opting to follow "feel good" doctrines of men. But of course if they were to try to back out now they themselves would be murdered by mob rule, as antichrist has by now stirred the masses into a frenzy. Yes, murdered by the very "Christian Brothers" that had deceived them in the first place. It now sets in: They have been bought and paid for, they have been marked by the beast, and they thought they were such good little Christians; they should have listened to God's Word not the words of men. Put this in the back of your mind and remember this for all you are worth, it still at this time is not to late to repent. If you sadly find yourself like the one above, repent immediately for the time is by now very short!
Deut 4:29-31
29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. (KJV)
Three and a half days later, as prophesied in the Bible, in full view of the whole world (no doubt carried live to the world by live real-time satellite broadcast), God audibly calls the Two Witnesses back to life and they rise up into Heaven in the sight of men. We are now within one literal hour of Jesus Christ's return, commonly known as the Second Advent.
Rev 11:3-19 (Cont)
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe [6th trump] is past; and, behold, the third woe [7th trump] cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. (KJV)
I guess I don't have to tell you that God is not too happy with those who not only did not listen to His Word, but they killed His True followers for not bowing to the antichrist. Beloved, this is where false doctrines and false teachers/preachers will lead you. Study God's Word and rebuke any man that tries to teach you something contrary to what's in your Bible. God saw to it that you would have The True Word of God for a reason, don't throw that away for the imaginations of vain spiritually dead men.
What can we do then? Are we doomed to participate in this abomination? How can we come to know God's truth? How will we know the truth when we see it? How can you know this author is telling you right? It's simple, study God's Word for yourself. It is absolutely necessary that you begin to build on a solid Biblical foundation, or you can never hope to understand and overcome. Beloved, it is imperative that you check out this author and/or any other person that would presume to bring the Word of God to you! You do that by looking in your Bible to document what someone is teaching you, and if they are trying to teach you something that goes against what the Bible says, then it's time to find a new teacher. No man is perfect, we all make mistakes, but what I am talking about is someone who would tell you things that are contrary to the very core and foundation of what God tells you in the Bible.
And there's more: You have been given free will (save the Elect) to follow God or to follow satan, you must ASK God to show you the True way. Many people wonder why God allows people to become evil and to do harm in this world. As with everything God does there is a very good reason for this: God seeks only your true love for Him, everything else is incidental. The sole reason for our time here on earth is to determine if we will love God and Jesus, or satan and the ways of this world. You remember that in the first earth age one third of God's children turned against Him and chose satan.
And to have true love for God generate within us, God had to give us free will to make a choice. Otherwise, if God programmed us to love Him it wouldn't mean anything. You can't make someone love you and have it to be true love. And God will abide by His own rules and accept the fact that some will forsake Him and instead turn to satan again. He will not interfere with your free will, or it could not be called your own free will!
So therefore; you must ASK God in your prayers, to help you find the true path that pleases Him, and tell Him that you love Him. He has emotions; we are created in His likeness and we have emotions, and when one of His beloved children, whom He created, tell Him that they love Him; it just makes His day! Jesus made us a promise about God's truth:
Matt 7:7-8 (Jesus speaking)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (KJV)
A Word on the Millennium:
The following is from the book of Revelation, chapter 20, which is known as the 'Millennium Chapter,' in that it describes the events of the 1000 year period (Millennium) that satin is held in the pit and Christ reins on earth. This time period is chronologically after the time that the Rapture theories state that the "just" will have been drawn into the sky to "Christ" (i.e., Raptured):
Rev 20:2-5
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (KJV)
How many "first resurrections" can there be? Only one, there has been no graves opened and nobody Raptured out of here! This is quite clear here. But I understand that by misinterpreting or misconstruing {1st Thes 15-18} some will teach that the subject spoken of is a Rapture. But they don't read the preceding two verses {13-14} which tells you what the subject is; It is speaking of "where are the dead now", it says that if you believe that Christ defeated death and rose from the grave, then you can believe that those who have already passed away in the flesh (died) also rose at the moment of their individual death and are with the Father now in Heaven; They are not in a hole in the ground - only their discarded flesh 'temples' (bodies) are going back to dust.
God took the dust and made a body (in the womb) then He put your spirit, your very soul into that developing fetus, and when you die He takes your spirit back to Him and that flesh body rots back to the dust (minerals, chemicals, and proteins...) that it came from. This was meant to be a comfort to us in that our passed-on loved ones are not rotting in the grave somewhere but are with God. Unfortunately, the false doctrines of men turn it into a fly-away doctrine.
In what
manner does the Bible say Jesus Christ shall
return?:
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Ok, did the Scriptures tell us in what manner Jesus Christ shall return to us at the Second Advent. You know it did, as the Scriptures tell us of all things. In the book of Acts, we see Christ leaving the earth and returning to Heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God till this day. Let's join in on the last conversation that Christ had face-to-face with His Disciples:
Acts 1:6-12
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (KJV)Oh-oh, there's that word 'clouds' again. The Rapturist is twitching right about now. Let's allow the two Angels of God (the two men stood in white apparel) to clarify what this means for us in the next verse:
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey. (KJV)
Does this say that they will someday be raptured up into a cloud to go to Jesus, or, does it say that Jesus shall RETURN to them the SAME way He left them on the earth, from the Mount of Olives at Jerusalem? The term 'clouds' simply refers to innumerable company of Angels in the Heavens that met Christ at the ascension from the Mount of Olives and the same that shall return with Him at the Second Advent to execute wrath upon a disobedient world who is worshiping the false christ, and terminate this earth age. I bet our Sunday-schoolers got it right. But like I said, whenever the rapturist sees the word 'clouds' his mind gets cloudy.
It also speaks of the Second Advent in {Rev 1:7} where it states that Christ will appear with clouds (multitudes) and come down to earth. It says in {Zech 14:4} that His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. If at Jesus Christ' next (and only) coming, He is standing on the Mount of Olives, where in the heck did the Rapture saints go prior to this, and with whom did they go? Answer: They were taken in deception by the first messiah, the false messiah, the false christ antichrist. They didn't physically go anywhere, they just spiritually whored after the wrong christ, the antichrist, which is to say satan. Is this not crystal clear?!?
In their fear, the rapturist has devised an imaginary escape plan from the end-time prophesies of God. Oh how satan loves to play upon fear. They would be better to have faith that God shall protect them as He has promised them that He would during the Great Tribulation. Stand up and act like a man, woman, or child of God and quit cowering to satan, he cannot hurt those who have the seal of God in their forehead, that is to say, God's truth! Learn the truth and be set free from the bondage of fear. I say that so harshly because I care about what happens to you. Soft words of peace, sweet by-and-by's, and little love poems won't cut it here, we are in the final generation, the book of Revelation was written to our generation and none other! That is why the book has been a mystery to prior generations of Biblical Scholars, but childishly simple for our final generation to comprehend. If you don't study and learn the truth now, instead of listening to satan's Rapture teachers, then you shall be deceived and you will worship the wrong one - period!
'Spirit
of Slumber' and 'Strong Delusion;' Grace for the
timid:
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Here is where the grace of God enters in. As it is written, God has blinded many to the truth. This is written as: "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day" {Rom 11:7-11}, and spoken as those who: "Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not" {Isa 6:9-11}, and again: "For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered" {Isa 29:10}.... God does this not as a punishment, but rather as a gift by His grace. Let me explain.
God knows that many are too weak spiritually to stand against the greatest deception that has ever, or ever will be unleashed upon mankind; which is (satan's) imitating and impersonating the true Messiah Jesus Christ: "For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be" {Mark 13:19}. I mean really, look around you, even among those who profess to be Christians, how many of them really have even a clue of the plan of God as set forth in the Bible, BOTH the Old Testament and New Testaments? The average Christian today cannot even identify the name of many of the Old Testament books, many even have Bibles that have no Old Testament in them (satan must love that one!). Did not Jesus Himself say of the Old Testament Law (Gen- Duet) and the Prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Malachi...):
Matt 5:17-18 (Jesus speaking)
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (KJV)
For the New Testament is the fulfillment of the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. How will the Christian ever know what is to befall this world if he doesn't read the prophecies? In the below Scripture we see that the spiritual blindness placed upon the people by God Himself is a protection that they may be spared the judgment due to a 'satan worshiper,' because they have none understanding in what they shall do. Many will be taught in the Millennium {Rev 20:4-5}, and then they will be tested when satan is once again released from the Pit {Rev 20:7-8}. Then it is on to Judgment Day {Rev 20:11-15}. But do not think that this is a second chance, there are no second chances! It is just that by the grace of God many are blinded in such a fashion that they did not have a real first chance to resist satan. For God knows that they are weak people, but not evil people none the less.
However lest someone think that they can con God: Voluntary ignorance is not a valid excuse on Judgment Day! So if you have an unction to learn the truth and if this plan of God as written to us in His Bible makes sense to you, do not try to play ignorant hoping to fall into the category of the spiritually blinded. God is not one to play with and He cannot be fooled. If this makes any sense to you at all, it could be that God wishes to use you. But you are only of good assistance and obedience to your Heavenly Father if you study and understand His Word and His plan. If all of this sounds like 'science fiction' to the reader, then go back to sleep and hopefully for your sake we shall see you in {Ezek 44:23} which are the events that transpire in the prophesied Millennium teaching period of {Rev 20:4}.
Rom 11:7-11
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. (KJV)
God's
Elect, who are they and what do they
do?:
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God's Elect, they are written of throughout the Bible by various names and titles, but they are those who God has chosen to fulfill the positive part of His plan and prophecy. Just as satan has his own little bunch of 'workers,' God also has His set-aside ones that He uses to fulfill His promises and prophecy, they are henceforth referred to as the Elect, although in the Bible they go by many different names: The Elect, The Anointed, The set-aside ones, remnant, the ministers of fire, the election of grace, the ships of chittum, ministers of righteousness, the zadok, the seven thousand men (no gender intended),....
These 'Elect' are no more loved by God than His other children (and all souls are the children of God), but they have special duties to perform, they have more responsibility because God has opened their eyes and ears to the truth: "...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." {Luke 12:48}.
The Elect are not to consider themselves special in any way, for being of the Election simply means that they know the true plan of God and they know that plan, not by their own wisdom, but rather by the grace of God for His purposes. The Election is a responsibility not a privilege. This brings us to the Rapturist, they are told from the pulpits of false teaching that they are God's Elect. This would be laughable if it weren't so serious. It is hoped that through this study we have shown that the Rapturist (whom are good people in their hearts who truly do love the Lord) will be among those deceived by satan - rather than those who know the truth of God's plan and stand FOR and through Him AGAINST the antichrist. This might change at any time on an individual level should they study God's Word instead of listening to the traditions of men from the false pulpits of the Rapture / Talking in tongues / Prosperity / Forehead slapping 'healing'/ Slain in the spirit /...'ministries'.
We should have liked to speak on the "talking in tongues movement" more thoroughly here in this study because of the close relationship between those who believe in a 'Rapture of the Saints" and those who believe that they are speaking holy things when they babble in some demonic tongue (probably the dead Babylonian language, as a guess, founded by Sargon I - Cain). But that would be another topic for another day. And it is a fact that the very same woman, Margaret MacDonald, who started the Rapture doctrines also started the "talking in tongues" practices. We only offer these words about our Lord and let the babblers (talkers in tongues) decide if it is an Angel or a demon who they are allowing to speak through them (channeling):
1 Cor 14:32-33
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (KJV)
I mean, my God, they don't even know what is coming out of their own mouths! This is a mild form of demon channeling. If you are babbling in some unknown language then you are speaking confusion my friend, and as we see in the above, God is not the author of confusion, He isn't the author of what is coming out of your mouths. Christian beware! Their actions should repulse any true Christian and be immediately identified as satanic in origin; and I say that with all the 'Christian love' I can muster for their demonic abominations.
Side Note: While we are airing gripes, we also have a brief word on the "Slain in the Spirit" movement: God doesn't knock you down, He picks you up, but satan shall cause many to fall. I mean, come-on, God knocking you down on your back where you lie there twitching and convulsing, crying and drooling, and babbling in some demonic tongue with your face all scrunched up as if in great emotional and/or physical pain - to you this is the worship of God?! Shame on you. Here is your counterpart in the Bible:
Luke 8:27-30
27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. (KJV)
But to illustrate the magnitude of the evil power of satan's
end-time deception, we look to Revelation chapter
thirteen. Chapter thirteen covers the first beast, which is
satan's one-world religious/political system in verses{1-10}
(the false end-time church being a major arm of same), and the
second beast, which is satan himself as the antichrist in verses
{11-18}. Below in verse {8} we see that the WHOLE world
shall be deceived into worshipping the false christ -
antichrist - except for God's Elect.
Rev 13:8 (speaking of the antichrist)
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
This does not however mean that they are all condemned to hell, for there is a certain degree of innocence in their ignorance. It is for that reason that God sends the 'Spirit of Slumber' upon many. There is the thousand year 'millennium' teaching time written of in the twentieth chapter of Revelation where-in those will be taught, who for whatever good reason did not have a fair opportunity to learn the truth. God is so very fair!
Rom 11:4-11
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. (KJV)
How about you friend, could it be that God has plans to use you? If you understand the plan of God, and you know that satan is coming first as an imposter, then you are most likely of the Election. For only the Election know, understand, and can accept this. To all others it is foolishness, incomprehensible. And God's Elect must study the Scriptures more than anyone for they have duties to perform and are indeed most accountable!
What is the
hidden danger of Rapture 'Doctrines'
?:
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Some might say that as long as those who believe in a Rapture also believe upon Jesus Christ, what harm could it do to believe that they will be 'taken' in a Rapture before the antichrist comes. It would possibly do you no everlasting harm to believe in a Rapture theory your whole Christian life, then in the process of time die before you unwittingly worship the false christ. Those who have in good faith, believed in a Rapture doctrine and have passed on in times past will not have the opportunity to worship the false christ antichrist when he comes, because they truly "will be gone.' The only concern they may have is that they undoubtedly have led many others astray by teaching the false doctrine of Rapture, and those that they taught might be here when antichrist comes. But like I said, there is a certain innocence in ignorance and let God be the Judge. We judge no man, although we do discern false doctrine and speak against them with the Holy Scriptures of God as our Witness.
God's Elect shall be on the earth during the Great Tribulation, there will be no "Rapture of the righteous!" What did Jesus mean when He said: "Behold, I have told you before."? {Mat 24:25}. He was telling us about the false messiah, the spurious messiah, the antichrist whom is satan that shall come to this earth claiming to be the true Messiah. Many on the earth who are waiting for a 'Rapture of the Saints' before the Second Advent will believe that the antichrist truly is the Messiah Jesus Christ. That is the danger in the Rapture theories (among the other false church systems, dogmas, and doctrines of men), they don't warn the people that there are two saviors coming, first, the false savior antichrist, then after him, the True Savior Messiah Jesus Christ comes at His Second Advent. Hence Jesus mused: "...Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" {Luke 18:8}. Will He?! Will he find you being faithful or worshipping satan the antichrist, waiting in line to be Raptured somewhere? God knows.
Mark 13:23-27
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. (KJV)
And really, isn't the Rapture theory just another way of man manufacturing a second chance? Just as with Buddhism (another lie from satan), where if you don't get it right in this life time you can be reincarnated for another chance. In the same way, do not the Rapture doctors teach you what to do if you 'miss the boat' on the Rapture? Sure they do, they even have movies and books dedicated to guiding those who weren't Raptured. The "Left behind" series is one such farce, supported by most of the more vocal Rapture doctors. Beloved, there is no second chance, is it not written: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" {Heb 9:27}. A Rapture of some before the end, would constitute a second chance for those not taken who did not overcome and were not taken up in the first out-gathering. There are no second chances!
If you believe in a Rapture doctrine, any rapture doctrine, here is what is sadly going to happen to you: The end times will come upon us in this generation as the Bible states that they shall: " Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." {Luke 21:32}. And then there will be 'one' who comes stating that he is the Messiah of God. This 'one', "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." {2nd Thes 2:4}, will state that he is here to save the world from itself and from their sins.
You will observe that you were not raptured out of here and that that there was in fact no Rapture. You will begin to wonder if this one is truly Jesus Christ or the impostor (whom the Rapturist hasn't been warned about). However, you will be totally unprepared to make that judgment because you had spent your whole Christian life waiting to removed before this time came. You will have absolutely no chance to withstand the deception because quite frankly, you have been kept ignorant to the prophecies of it's very existence, and thus wholly unprepared to discern the events that are transpiring around you in rapid-fire succession. You are exactly where satan has craftily led you.
We do not want this to happen to you, for we know that the Rapturist' truly do love the Lord and abhor the devil. Don't allow satan to prostitute your soul, which, while not a very nice way to put it, is in fact what shall transpire if you do not stop listening to false teachers and start listening to your Heavenly Father and study His Word, the Bible, instead of the non-Biblical fantasies dreamed up by the Rapture teachers. Sorry friend; But satan wants you to think there is always time later to obey God, always time later to study His letter to you, the Bible that containing all warnings; always time later.... 'Later' never comes until it is 'now,' and then it is too late, satan knows this. You must study God's Word now, for all true wisdom comes from God: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." {Prov 1:7}. It is the wisdom of our Heavenly Father's Word, contained in the Bible, that shall protect us from the deception and false doctrines of men of reprobate hearts.
Prov 4:1-7
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (KJV)
An ominous muse from the author of the Left Behind ‘Rapture’ series
You have all probably heard of the Left Behind series, which is a series of books that gives a play-by-play of the supposed rapture as it happens future yet. The series is classified as Christian Fiction, but many regard it as Biblical prophecy. Below we take a quote from the author that appeared in CBN news (Christian Broadcast Network), September 23, 2000. CBN News is a supporter of the series and a Rapture believing ministry network. The author of the Left Behind series relates how he experiences strange ‘happenings’ as he writes the on-going 15 book series. He felt that something supernatural was wrong but errantly attributes to satan which may well have been warnings from God:
" I’ve never felt the spiritual battle and oppression as I have writing these books. The enemy can’t be happy about the spiritual results from these books. "
-- Jerry B. Jenkins author of the Left Behind series
But once we fully realize "the spiritual results from these books" we begin to wonder just who this "enemy" is. Although Jenkins admits he’s not the type to look for a devil under every rock, "I’ve never felt the spiritual battle and oppression as I have writing these books," he says.
When Jenkins sits at his computer to write, he feels totally exhausted. Or his computer, which normally works fine, will suddenly develop multiple problems. "The enemy can’t be happy about the spiritual results from these books," he says. The Left Behind series has also been printed into a series of children’s books called Left Behind: The Kids, targeted to ages 8 through 12! The ten kids’ titles also have been best sellers.
The novels have sold more than 18 million copies, making them the best-selling Christian fiction series in history. In early October, Left Behind: the Movie Soundtrack hits bookstores, then the video release will be in late October with the Left Behind movie release in February 2001. Many men (and women) are being used by satan in these end-times to spread lies and false doctrine. The above author of the Left Behind series would do well to observe what the man below is going through after he realized that he was a pawn of satan.
Below is a quotation from Dr. Frank Logsdon, one of the Scholars who worked on the corrupted New American Standard Version Bible translation (NASB or NASV) after he was made aware of the alterations and corruptions that appear in that Bible version. This Bible version was translated from the corrupted (Nestles) Greek text, the same text (different edition) of the NIV New Testament, which is a very popular Bible version with the Rapturists. You can't help pitying the man, but let it serve as a lesson to always be on guard for satan's deceptions, for satan is cunning and deceitful!
"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field..." {Gen 3:1}
Quote of Dr. Logsdon, as found in New Age Bible Versions,
by G. Riplinger; preface page 3:
"I must under God renounce every attachment to the New American Standard...I'm afraid I'm in trouble with the Lord...We laid the groundwork; I wrote the format; I helped interview some of the translators; I sat with the translator; I wrote the preface...
I'm in trouble; I cant refute these arguments; its wrong, its terribly wrong; it's frighteningly wrong; and what am I going to do about it?...I can no longer ignore these criticisms [of the corruptions in the New American Standard Version Bible (NASB/NASV)] I am hearing and I can't refute them...
When questions began to reach me at first I was quite offended. However, in attempting to answer, I began to sense that something was not right about the NASV. Upon investigation, I wrote my very dear friend, Mr. Lockman, explaining that I was forced to renounce all attachment to the NASV...The product is grievous to my heart and helps to complicate matters in these already troublous times...The deletions are absolutely frightening...there are so many...Are we so naive that we do not suspect Satanic deception in all of this?...
I don't want anything to do with it...[T]he finest leaders that we have today...haven't gone into it [the new version's use of the corrupted (Nestles) Greek text, the same text (different edition) of the NIV New Testament], just as I hadn't gone into it...That's how easily one can be deceived...I'm going to talk to him [Dr. George Sweeting, then president of Moody Bible Institute] about these things... [Y]ou can say the Authorized Version [KJV] is absolutely correct. How correct? 100% correct! If you must stand against everyone else, stand."
--Dr. Frank Logsdon; NASB/NASV Bible Editor
(End of quote)
You must always be careful about the Scribes (writers, copyists) of the newer Bible versions and/or other books that presume to bring to you the Word of God. Satan from the beginning has attempted to corrupt the written Word of God and has infiltrated the copyists (scribes) with his very own people. In the below, the Kenites are the children of Cain the first murderer. Satan was the father of Cain.
1 Chr 2:55 (Approx 990-509 B.C.)
55 And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab. (KJV)Kenites: Hebrew word #7017 Qeyniy (kay-nee'); or Qiyniy (1 Chron. 2:55) (kee-nee'); patronymic from 7014; a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin [Cain].
Cain: Hebrew word #7014 Qayin (kah'-yin); the same as 7013 (with a play upon the affinity to 7069); Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe: KJV-- Cain, Kenite (-s).
Christian beware! For as Jesus Christ warns us:"Beware of the scribes" {Mk 12:38, Lk 20:46}. May God bless your understanding, may God protect His in that time, and may He open the eyes and the hearts of His children that He will to the truth and lead them away from that wicked one who seeks only to "destroy wonderfully" {Dan 8:24} continually.
Compliments: Nick Goggin from the Watchmen Bible Study Group for this wonderful piece of writing and comprehensive Bible study on debunking the rapture doctrine...see also "Rapture; the Lie That Leads To The Beast" on this site.
NOTE : While www.frank.germano.com and my site do not in any way represent the Shepherd's Chapel, it is on over 250 television stations in the United States, and can be found by that name in any TV guide. It is also on satellite: Galaxy 6 Trans 16. On Direct TV on channel #373 (The Word channel). Also on short wave radio: WHRI & KWHR from Indiana (17.780 MHz @ 0500-0600Hrs, 5.745 MHz @ 0700-0800 Hrs, 13.760 MHz @ 1700-1800Hrs. (All times Universal Time). They also have a site at: http:www.shepherdschapel.com . They have a special, Introductory Offer: a free introductory package which includes the Mark of the Beast tape which is available to all new students - from the United States, Canada and Mexico call (800) 643-4645 or (501) 787-6026 or write to: The Shepherd's Chapel; P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736 USA.
END
links take you to the individual study sections
I Garden of Eden I Three World Ages I the Rebellion of Satan I What is the Mark of The Beast ? I
I Rapture of the Church Bible study I Rapture of the Church: the LIE that leads to the Beast I
I Christmas I Gentiles and the Jews I The Two Figs I the Da Vinci Code - Christians Beware! I
I Easter? It's PASSOVER, not bunnies and eggs!!! I Thee Days and Nights! I
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