Updated: Oct. 20, 2005
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RAPTURE: The Great Escape!?
What is this rapture and where is it spoken of in the Bible? Will God's children simply
vanish in the masses? Will people disappear, leaving unmanned cars and planes to fall or
crash? Will we be flown off this earth, to meet Christ in the sky, before the tribulation?
These are just a few questions that are on the minds of many new Christians today. And
unfortunately, these are just some of the teachings of a large majority of Christians
being taught in today's ministries.
Many Christians believe, that the rapture is when Christ returns and gathers His children
into the sky, before that terrible day of tribulation. Where do they (Christians) get
this? Certainly the Bible must speak of the rapture. Let's take a good look back and
see where exactly this "rapture" first came into being.
The year was 1830 in Western Scotland, when a young mentally unstable girl named Margaret
Macdonald began having visions, dreams and visitations from 'God'. She claimed that God
had talked with her about an "any moment - pre rapture". It was also
Margaret, who named and pinpointed the antichrist of this period. His name
was Robert Owen. Guess what folks? She was wrong.
She then would go on to say, that while being visited or having the presence of
"God" near by, it felt very evil. But as the 'visitations' continued, she
was at peace with it. Because of the claimed visions and visitations and her
stammering in tongues, Margaret had reached the attention of two men named Edward Irving and John Darby.
For more Information on this particular subject, your local Library may have a copy of the
books titled; "The Incredible Cover-up" by Dave MacPherson, or "The Rapture
Plot" also by MacPherson. You may also order these books from the Shepherd's Chapel Library.
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It is said by some who hold to a 'pre-rapture' theory, that the pretribulation rapture was
taught more than 1,000 years prior to 1830. This is true to a certain extent. I believe it
goes a little further than that. II Thessalonians was written a short time after I Thessalonians, to clear up
misconceptions about the Second Coming of Christ, that the first letter; ( I Thessalonians ) had failed to answer in 52 AD.
Paul most likely wrote the letter from Corinth. In addition to clarifying their
understanding about Christ's return, Paul addressed some ongoing problems in the church in
dealing with idleness of the gospel being preached.
I suppose if I were taught or believed Christ would come back at any moment, I
wouldn't want to waste my time preaching either. I'd be less willing to spread the gospel,
and more focused on telling people to just believe and be ready for this any moment
'rapture' business.
The book ( II Thessalonians ) offered its readers comfort and insight about faith and end
times, as well as a call to take responsibility. It was to clear up the confusion that ( I Thessalonians ) caused. But it wasn't until the year 1830, that this dangerous
doctrine came back and has spread across the Christian world like wild fire.
Where is the Rapture mentioned in the Bible?
The word "rapture" does not exist in the Bible. That is, it does not exist in
the original manuscripts. So how do people come to the conclusion of, or get this word
rapture? This word comes from the Latin version of the Bible known as the Vulgate. This
translation into Latin was made possible by a man the Catholics deemed "St.
Jerome" who moved to Israel to learn the language and translate the manuscripts into
Latin.
The word "caught up" in ( I Thessalonians 4:17 ) - in Latin is 'Raptus' and it
means: ' Seize'. And from this 'Raptus' we get the modern word "rapture". In the
original Greek manuscripts, this word is 'Harpazo' ( Harpad'zo ) And it means to seize,
catch ( away, up ) - pluck, pull, take by force. It's a rapid or turbulent change.
There is little question or debate between pre and post tribulationists about what this
word 'caught up' means. The debate is when this "catching up" will take place.
No, of course we do not know the exact day or time, but we are expected to know the
seasons. I'll touch on this a bit later on in this study.
Do know this, that there are two offices of power, that will be doing some 'catching'
in the end times.
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MATTHEW 13:16-19
13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired
to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which
ye hear, and have not heard them.
There are many who can not see or understand the parables that Jesus would often teach in.
It is not given that everyone should know. Many people who have eyes to see and ears to
hear can understand these parables. What a blessing it is to those who can.
13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then
cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he
which received seed by the way side.
It seems when some people do hear the word of God being taught, then comes along 'that
wicked one' and 'catcheth away' the seed of the truth. That seed we plant in these end
times. Satan wants that seed, so that he can plant his own. And that seed is the
deception, lies and confusion. Like the lie of a great escape. Care to take a guess what
this word 'catcheth ' is in the Greek? You got it! "Harpazo"- and it's to seize,
catch away, up- pluck, pull, take by force. A 'rapture' if you will.
I want to start with a good foundation, whereby we may get a better picture and
understanding of things to come. Let's start our study in I Corinthians 15:33-53
I CORINTHIANS 15:33-35
15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God:
I speak this to your shame.
15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they
come?
Don't be deceived. Get some common sense about you. And shame on those of you who are not
familiar with God's word. The subject here is: 'How are the dead raised up' and with what
body will they be raised up in. Flesh or Spirit? Let's skip to verse 39.
I CORINTHIANS 15:39-41
15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men,
another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the
celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another
glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
There are different kinds of flesh bodies. Flesh of men, animals, birds. But there is also
a second body that is in us. And there is a big difference between the flesh terrestrial
body we inhabit and the celestial heavenly body that we all will change into at death or
the 7th trump. ( Which ever comes first )
I CORINTHIANS 15:42-44
15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is
raised in incorruption:
15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is
raised in power:
15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural
body, and there is a spiritual body.
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When we die, and these bodies are put into the ground, it's not the end of us. We continue
on. Paul would in a later verse compare the cycle of life unto a kernel of corn. When
placed in the ground, it rots and dies. But then a new life, a new form or new body
springs forth. We put on our 'incorruption' or our spiritual bodies. The very moment of
death, instantly we are with the Father. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) Meaning what?
Meaning we are not laying around in a grave. We are instantly with God.
And while we are in these flesh bodies, we groan and sigh for this flesh is corruptible.
(I Corinthians 5:1-10) Meaning what? It's fragile, it gets sick, it breaks, burns and
hurts. It also sins. But when we die, we get rid of it. And thank God for it. There are
many Christians who think at the time of this raptus, that they will simply vanish into
thin air. But where do they think they vanish to? Do they think they vanish and reappear
in heaven? Where does their flesh go? It sure isn't the kingdom of God.
I CORINTHIANS 15:50-53
15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
What trump did he say? Was it the first? No, it is the 'last' trumpet.
Meaning the seventh. Not all of us will die before the 7th trump sounds.
There will be people still alive when Christ comes back for us. And when He does come
back, those that are alive will be changed. In the twinkling of an eye. Again, when
will this happen? At the Last Trumpet. The 7th Trump. You may read of the events that lead
up to this trumpet in ( Revelation 11:15 )
In the Greek manuscripts, the word "Last" is: ( Es'khatos ) - which means the
very last one. The farthest one out there. The lowest uttermost furthest trump.
Now there are some who might say; "Well, how could Paul refer to this trumpet, that
was not yet revealed? John wrote the book of Revelation, 40 years after Paul wrote I
Corinthians 15:51-52 concerning the last trumpet." So naturally, Paul could not know
about the book of Revelation or the seven trumps right?
Well, Let's take a look in the Old Testament, and see that which is charged or sounded, on
the Lord's Day. Again, what is the Lord's Day? And what will be happening at that time?
It's when God comes back to us. The 7th, last "Es'khatos" and final
trumpet that is charged. Amos 5:18-20 makes it very clear what it will be like on the
Lord's Day.
Let's take a look at a few Old Testament prophets. Also notice what is being sounded,
uttered, roared and shouted, prior to God's return to this earth. And remember, this is
the old Testament.
ZEPHANIAH 1:12-16
1:12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with
candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The
LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
1:13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation:
they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but
not drink the wine thereof.
1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the
voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness
and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
1:16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high
towers.
Old Testament prophets majored on the themes of God's coming judgment and future blessing.
They often blended the near future with events that were so far distant they have yet to
happen. Zephaniah was one of these prophets.
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Zephaniah prophesied during King Josiah's reign over Judah, around 625-635 BC. His
messages focused on God's judgments on Judah, fulfilled when Babylon conquered the nation
and carried most of the people into exile. He also spoke of the 'Coming day of the Lord,'
which is also a still-future time when God will judge the heathen nations and usher in the
messianic kingdom of peace and blessing. The minor prophets are filled with scripture
pertaining to the 'Lord's Day' and how it will be ushered in.
Like Zephaniah, Zechariah told of his visions. Some Angels on horses, chariots and golden
lamp stands. Zechariah said that the Lord is coming to earth from heaven. The Lord's Day.
Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become God's people. On
that day he will destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And they will look on Me,
the One they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child,
(Zechariah 12:9,10)
JOEL 2:1-11
2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all
the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as
the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been
ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
JOEL 3:12-17
3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for
there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
3:13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the
press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is
near in the valley of decision.
3:15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their
shining.
3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and
the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and
the strength of the children of Israel.
3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy
mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any
more.
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For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God. A Mighty Roar, with authority, as he will utter his
voice from Jerusalem. This word utter in the Hebrew is 'Nathan' (naw-than). And it has
many applications. To which are: "To give with great application, apply, appoint,
ascribe, assign, avenge, be healed, bring forth, cast, cause, charge". And it is God
that will perform all of these things. Don't take my word for it, look it up for yourself.
Joel 3:12-17 should also sound familiar. ( Isaiah 63:1-6 as well as (Revelation 14:14-20 )
should come to mind.
REVELATION 14:14-19
14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto
the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him
that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to
reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth
was reaped.
14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a
sharp sickle.
14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and
cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp
sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of
the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the
winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred
furlongs.
Let's get back to this 'last trumpet' that Paul would speak of in ( I Corinthians 15:52 )
Let's look at the word's of Jesus Christ, concerning the end times and the day of his
return to us.
MATTHEW 24:29-31
24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened,
and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall
all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds
of heaven with power and great glory.
24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall
gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
So where am I going with all of this? Paul did know of a final trumpet or charge
that would alert those who have ears to hear and eyes to see in these end times. Anyone
who tells you different is either lying to you, or just not familiar with God's word. The
question is, do you have eyes to see and ears to hear? Or are you content on listening to
traditions of men? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Paul had many and plenty
of scripture to support his statement concerning the 'last trump' in ( I Corinthians 15:52
) How much more support could one have, than Christ Himself?
Let's go to I Thessalonians 4:13-18
It is too bad, that more people do not understand the Greek. That when a subject and
object is fixed, it holds the same theme or values until there is a new subject change. In
other words, Once you begin reading something and a subject is brought up, that subject
carries in the story, until a new subject is presented.
Example: David has a dog named Bucky. Andrea likes ice-cream 'run Bucky run'.
It doesn't make sense does it? But people change subject matter and change objects by
inserting things that are just not there, in the case of ( II Thess 2:7 ) when the topic
is something totally different. We are taught how to read in school. So don't let someone
change those rules for you. Stick to the subject.
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I THESSALONIANS 4:13-17
4:13 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.
The subject here is: 'Where are the dead'. Paul is saying, I don't want you to be stupid
concerning those who are dead. And don't be sad about it.
4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which
sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Because if we are truly Christian and we believe that Jesus rose, so should we believe
that our loved ones have risen and so will we. To be absent from the body, is to be
present with the Lord. Our loved ones are not laying in a grave somewhere waiting to have
their flesh body raised up when God returns. For the Dust will return to the earth as it
was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. ( Ecclesiastes 12:7 )
4:15 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.
The word 'prevent' means 'precede'. Why can't we precede those who are dead? Because they
are already gone. They are already with the Father. Some Christians even go as far in
saying that this verse, along with verse 16, talk about a reunion of flesh and spirit.
They say that on the last day when God comes, he will open up graves and people will come
back to their bodies.
Now wait a minute! Didn't Paul just get done saying in verse 14 that if we believe Christ
rose from the dead, that so are our loved ones? And so shall we when we
die? While we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. ( II
Corinthians 5:6-8 ) - Let's continue..
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A new subject change just happened. Did you catch it? It's up above in verse 15. It's the
'Coming of the Lord' and those who are alive and remain.
4:16 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:
God is going to descend from heaven with a shout. Who is doing the shouting here? It's the
archangel Michael. Now it's not necessarily written that this is Michael the archangel,
but it is written that Michael will be doing the casting out of Satan to earth.
(Revelation 12:7-9 ) So I think it's safe to assume that this archangel will be Michael.
At any case, this is not a big deal who the archangel is.
What about this trump of God. What is this Trump? This is the 7th trump. The last trump
that Paul would speak of in ( I Corinthians 15:52 )
Now again, why will the dead in Christ rise first? That's right, they are already with God
. We can't 'prevent' them. Which is to say 'precede' them.
4:17 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.
And there we have the base foundation of the pre-rapture. Those who believe in the
pre-rapture, usually site the above verses as their support. Now let me make this
perfectly clear. I'm not doubting a 'rapture' or 'catching up' will take place. It's
the timing of such an event. Thus; our firm stance of a post-tribulation view.
Pre-tribbers ( as I call them), usually say: "Well, It says right there
that those who have not died will be 'raptured' in the clouds to meet God in the
sky". Is that what it really says? Are these verses being understood and read.
Paul was educated in the Hebrew language. He studied under the finest scholars of that
time. He also spoke colloquial Greek, which is to say he spoke "street Greek" or
slang. You might hear to this time, "Figures of speech" - idioms or catch
phrases.
For example, have you ever heard of someone saying that there were so many faces in the
crowd, that it looked like a sea of faces? We know when using this figure of speech, it
has nothing to do with the ocean. Paul used these figures of speech because that was the
language of the people he preached to. How about this one "There were so many
locusts, that they swarmed in clouds?" When used in this context, you get a better
understanding of what the person is trying to get across. And may I add, that this term or
phrase is still being used to this day.
Let's take a look at ( Hebrews 12:1 ) Paul again writing:
HEBREWS 12:1 "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,
So, is the above verse referring to white puffy clouds? Or a large mass of Christians
running a foot race? It doesn't take much for one to know it has nothing to do with white
puffy clouds floating around in our atmosphere. So knowing that Paul used this word cloud
to express his description of a large group or mass of people, don't you think it is
possible that Paul used the same word to describe a mass gathering of people on the Lord's
Day?
The word "cloud" here and other places in the Greek and Hebrew will mean exactly
what it says. A white puffy cloud drifting in the sky. You can do a concordance search on
this word all day long and not find a darn thing different. Well some might say; "
Well, air is the sky, because the word cloud is used. There's just one problem with that.
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Now lets look at this word "air". This word in the Greek is "Ah-ayr" -
This word simply means breath, or to 'blow air'. It is that same breath, or that
"Neshamah" (nesh-aw-mah) that God breathed through the nostrils of man, that
gave them a living spirit. A soul. It's the breath of life. It's the spirit body that we
all have in us. That spirit body we change back into the moment we die. Or at the sound of
the last trumpet for those of us that are still around at the Second coming. ( II Corinth
5:1-10 )
If you would, please allow me to read this in the way that I feel Paul was trying to
express:
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be "changed in a twinkling of an
eye" together with them in the "masses of fellow Christians", to meet the
Lord in the spirit body, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." -
Again, there is no doubt in my mind that we will be "raptured or caught up or
changed" and it shall happen in a twinkling of an eye as I Corinthians 15:52
clearly states. However, when will it occur? It's the 7th trumpet. Antichrist comes at the
6th.
Some Christians may say; "Well, no one knows when, as Christ will come as a thief in
the night". This is very true. However, there is a little more that should be
expected of us as sober children of the light.
I THESSALONIANS 5: 1-10
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto
you.
5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so commeth as a thief in
the night.
We all know that Christ will come to us as a thief in the night. Which is to say, many
will be surprised or off guard when He returns. Ahh, but wait a minute...
5:3 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.
It looks as though Paul is giving us some markers or indicators on what to look for before
Christ returns. Beloved, they are saying "Peace and Safety" now. Haven't you
been watching the news lately? We hear talk of Peace and Safety in Ireland, we see it and
hear it being talked about in Israel as Palestine has been given more land for peace. We
are hearing and seeing it in the rebuilding process in Kosovo and Iraq. Seeing once
communistic countries fall and form democracies is a part of God's plan. For if a world is
united militarily, economically and politically, who will be able to make war with us? (
Revelation 13 ) If you "watch" you can see it. These are the "times and
seasons" that Paul advised us about in the first verse of this Chapter. Do you have
eyes to see and ears to hear?
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5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a
thief.
5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of
the night, nor of darkness.
We are expected to know these markers, times and seasons before that coming of the Lord.
At least be able to see them. It doesn't say we are to know the exact time or day, nor are
we supposed to know that exact minute. But It is very clear that we are to be ready and
know the season in which Yeshua comes back to us. So that we are NOT overtaken as by a
thief in the night. It is Paul's warning to be on watch, so that we are not in darkness.
5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
5:7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in
the night.
5:8 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.
We are to watch and be ready. Ready for what? For a great escape? For the 'pre-rapture? A
quick medivac when times get rough? No, Paul is telling us to equip ourselves using the
analogy of placing armor on our bodies. You only put armor on when you are taking a stand
and getting ready for a battle, spiritually speaking. It's a defensive measure. You don't
put armor on if you are going to fly away or run away when times get rough. ( Ephesians
6:10-17 ) speaks of the same preparation.
EPHESIANS 6:10-17
6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil.
6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
6:13 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.
6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness;
6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked.
6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
What sort of fiery darts? Let's take the example God gives us concerning a tribulation
when times get hot. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have cared less about some
golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. These Hebrew young men would not bow a knee
to this image or system.
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DANIEL 3:11-12
3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the
midst of a burning fiery furnace.
3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of
Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they
serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
These poor children were faced with a very real persecution and tribulation, would you not
agree? A tribulation that will one day befall all who are on earth, excluding those who
have passed on by natural or accidental means. God uses type's and examples all throughout
the scriptures. Let this be a type that is yet to come unto those who are delivered up to
the synagogues, when the 'Desolate' is sitting in Zion claiming to be the Messiah. (Mark
13:9 )
Even when faced with certain death, these brave souls would not bow a knee and worship
this system or image that was set up. They kept their faith when it was seriously shaken
in time of certain death. But they refused not to worship.
DANIEL 3:17-18
3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning
fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods,
nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
These poor boys are now about to get tossed in the fiery furnace, because they would not
bow to this image. But they kept to their faith and were bound. And wearing their coats,
and hosen and hats and other garments. What other garments? The garments that we all need
to have on and in place in these times. These garments I speak of is what we just read
above in ( Ephesians 6:10-17 ). The Armour of God, to withstand against those fiery darts,
Satan. likes to cast our way.
DANIEL 3:21
3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and
their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
See any 'pre-rapture' ? These boys sprouting wings? No, these brave young men went
through it. Fiery darts and all. But they kept their faith and did not bow a knee to this
system.
DANIEL 3:24-25
3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake,
and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the
fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
God is with us. He will see us through. He will be right there walking in the midst, when
faced with our own tribulation. Be it in everyday life, or the day of our being delivered
up.
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Let's get back to where we left off: I Thessalonians 5:9-10
I THESSALONIANS 5:9-10
5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord
Jesus Christ,
5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with
him.
Now, Why did Paul feel the need to write the 2nd book of Thessalonians? Because he knew
there was some confusion as to what was written about the second coming of Jesus. He wrote
that 2nd book to let the church know that Christ's return would not happen until
antichrist's reign was on earth. Let us now go to 2nd Thessalonians.
II THESSALONIANS 2:1-11
2:1 Now we beseech you brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our
gathering together unto Him,
Paul is saying; I'm here again to get a few things straight with you new Christians,
concerning the second coming of Christ and our gathering together to him.
2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word
nor by any letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2:3 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.
Don't be fooled or confused, and don't let I Thessalonians confuse you. What day is Paul
talking about? The Lord's day. Paul is saying that the gathering back to Him shall not
happen, until there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed the son of
perdition. Who is the man of sin? Who is this son of perdition? It's Satan. What does
perdition mean? It means sentenced to die or death. There has only been one entity who has
been sentenced to die and that is Satan. Some scholars have said this is Judas. But that
won't fit. You see, Judas was not sentenced to death. He repented and later died from his
wounds. A different story for a later time.
Now what is this falling away? The word in the Greek manuscript is: 'Apostasia'. Apostasy
is: the defection from truth. A turning away, forsake, give up truth and go after
something else. What is it that people will be giving up or turning away from? The word of
God. The truth of His word. Turning to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, that do
nothing but lie and confuse.
I TIMOTHY 4:1-2
4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
As it is written, there would come a famine in the end times, that would spread across the
world. I believe this famine is very real and happening everyday and all the time. What
sort of famine?
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AMOS 8:9-11
8:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause
the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
8:10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into
lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head;
and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.
8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the
land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Because of this famine for the lack of hearing God's word and truth, many will depart from
the faith giving heed to seducing spirits. ( Satan love's catching that seed of truth, and
sowing his own )
Let's get back to II Thessalonians.
II THESSALONIANS 2:4 -11
2:4 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.
So what is Paul saying? He's saying don't let my first letter fool you. Christ is not
coming back until Satan is revealed sitting in the temple of God, claiming to be God.
2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will
let, until he be taken out of the way.
The word "Letteth" is a transitive verb. It means you must transfer back to the
subject. What is the subject in this chapter? It's the man of sin being revealed, the son
of perdition. Revealing himself in the Temple of God, claiming to be God and showing that
he is God in verses 3 and 4. So what must we do? We need to carry those values from
verses 3 and 4, to the following verses, until a new subject comes up. This is basic
Greek. It's basic English for that matter.
What does this word 'Letteth' mean? In the Greek, this word is 'Katecho' and it means:- to
hold down, keep, possess, retain or detain, stay, withhold. How the hell can this be a
rapture of a church? Let's look at this scripture again.
2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:
For the mystery of the 'lawless' or wicked, already work. Meaning what? Stick to the
subject! The man of sin / perdition is revealed as the false Christ. He's sitting in the
temple, claiming to be God. So what is he doing? He's Lying! He's working his wickedness,
his lies. It's working and going on even to this day.
The word 'iniquity' in the Greek is: 'Anomia' (an-om-ee'-ah ) And it means: - Violation of
law, wickedness, transgress. only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of
the way. Who is he? And who is he 'holding or retaining'? Remember, the word 'letteth'
means to hold down, be it by force. And don't forget the subject!
"He who now letteth", who is this? Who holds Satan now? (Revelations 12:7-9)
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REVELATION 12:7-9
12:7 And there was war in heaven: Mi'-cha-el and his angels fought against the
dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels
were cast out with him.
Michael prevailed against Satan and his angels, at the rebellion. So where is Satan
now? Some may cringe when I say this, but he's in Heaven. Judged and already sentenced
die. But Michael will 'letteth / hold' - on to him, (Satan) - and boot him to earth.
Letting Satan to reign until it's time for him to be taken out of the way.
Satan's evil spirit is live and well on this earth today. But he is no longer here
'bodily'. Which is to say, not here personally. But he will be coming. Michael will
be kicking him to this earth, along with his buddies ( The fallen angels ) or
nephillim.
What a rejoicing in heaven there will be when this happens. Why? Satan is no longer
being held or detained in Heaven. But 'Woe' to you people on earth. Because the devil's
coming with great wrath. (Revelation 12:12 ) He's coming in peaceably, prosperously.
Remember, he's going to be sitting on the Temple of God in Zion. Meaning what? He's coming
back as the Christ. Only he's the fake. Many will be fooled and believe it is the true
Jesus, here to 'rapture' them away no doubt. Will you be deceived? Many people think
Satan will be coming back with a pitch fork in one hand, and a branding iron with the
numbers 666, in the other hand. Don't be deceived. He's trying to come back as
Jesus. Wolf in sheep's clothing so-to-speak.
Let's sum up this verse again.
For the mystery of the lawless one already works. It's going on today. Only
Michael the archangel who prevailed against Satan ( Satan being the subject in this
chapter ) - will hold on to him, then kicking him loose. Letting him (Satan) continue his
role as false messiah on earth, until it's time for him to be taken out of the way.
II THESSALONIANS 2:1-11
2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the
spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.
2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders.
2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because
they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should
believe a lie.
When this 'false Messiah' comes, he will look just like the lamb. But will have the voice
of a dragon.
God has sent strong delusion. Like believing this lie of a "any moment" rapture
that is supposed to take place at any minute. At any given second, we are to be plucked up
and fly away into the sky. For you see, those who believe this are delusional.
Here's a couple of questions to ponder.
If Christ is to return before the end-time Antichrist
appears, why does the "first resurrection" (i.e., raising of the righteous dead
at Christ's coming) include those martyred for refusing the reign and mark of the
Antichrist.
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REVELATION 20:4-5
20:4 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.
20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection.
If the apostles and early believers were to anticipate an
imminent Rapture to heaven (in effect terminating the Church age at its inception), how
might it be explained that just prior to his departure Christ had prayed that they NOT be
taken out the world.
JOHN 17:15-17
17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
shouldest keep them from the evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
If the Jerusalem Temple is to be rebuilt before Christ's
return, how may a Rapture of the Church occur at any moment, seeing the Temple does not
yet exist?
This rapture pre-flight is nothing more than a security blanket for the young baby
Christians. They are so afraid of giving up the flesh or going through some rough times,
that they are willing to sell out to traditions of man and doctrines of lies, to fly and
save their souls.
Now ( Mark 13 ) gives the Chronology of what is to come exceptionally well. I'm not going
to do the homework for you. Check it out on your own. But I will tell you this. THE
ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, spoken of in Mark 13 and Matthew 24, is not a condition as of
in "desolation". It is an entity.
Dr. James Moffatt, translates this scripture from desolation to the DESOLATOR. Meaning
what? This is an entity. Not a condition. This is that which Daniel spoke of in ( Dan 9:27
), which is also described in II Thessalonians. Which is given credence by Christ in
Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14. Just keep in mind who is discussed and arrives when.
This "Desolator" arrives on the scene in Mark 13: 14. Look who comes after in
verse 26 . It's Jesus. Well now how could that be? If we were to be raptured before the
"Desolation / Desolator arrives, verse 26 would have been before verse 14.
So put away the security baby blankie and stand tall as a child of God! nowhere at any
time does it say the church or people will sprout little wings and fly away. It's just not
there. Put on the Gospel armor and stand tall. We have work to do in this field, doing
God's work. For a true harvest is in the summer or early Spring. Not winter. I pray your
flight be not in winter.
How many times have you heard some preachers say; that they can't wait to be taken into
the clouds in the sky? They dance and sing songs about flying into the sky and into the
clouds. They give praise to a quick and great escape. Shame on them that teach this! And
shame on those who listen to this and believe it! You want to know how God feels about
this 'flying' to save their souls?
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EZEKIEL 13:19
13:19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces
of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should
not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
Know any well known Ministries that seem to exploit God? In other words, we are talking
beggars in priests clothing. Saying things; "Well dear brother and sisters, we can't
continue with our work with out your money! 'Gimme, gimme, gimme!' That's all they would
seem to do. Instead of getting into God's Word chapter by chapter and verse by verse, and
sowing that seed. They seem content on begging for your money then actually teaching the
Word of God. And when they finally do get around to teaching the Word, they teach one or
two verses and the rest of the time they talk about "Uncle Larry from Palm
Beach". Just be careful dear friends.
13:20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows,
wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms,
and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
Ever have some come up to you? I mean, they just pounce on you. "Are you saved? Are
you saved?" And then they start off with some new age junk that almost eliminates
God's saving grace. They put covers over God's out reached hands, and tell you; "All
you have to do is just believe" and we will be raptured out of here like a dove.
God is against this fly-away doctrine. How simple is that to see? But still, you have some
so-called "educated scholars" who write these books and survival guides on what
to do in the event that a pre rapture has occurred. And some would like to capitalize on
weak Christians who do follow this drivel. 'money, money money!'. I'm not going to name
names or point fingers. Let's just stick to God's Word and let God sort things out.
Become a strong Christian and study God's Word. You need to obtain the information on your
own. Don't allow "man" tell you "This is how it is or that's the way it
is". Only you have to answer to God. Man can not intervene for you. Follow the
subject and object. Don't allow people to change or insert things that just aren't there.
Check it out on your own.
God Bless
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