Well, since I have moved northwest, I have been told some surprising information. There seems to be differing opinions on this subject.
I will admit. Someone who hasn't studied the Bible from cover to cover will think this subject matter is preposterous. For a Berean like me the study is par for the course. For Christians, the matter is no more ridiculous than a fourteen-year-old Hebrew virgin giving birth to God. How about God separating a deep sea and allowing millions of people to cross between the congealed water on dry land? How about a man living in the belly of a large fish for 3 days and nights?
The one claim the Bible makes, that folks really choke on in this enlightened day and age, is God created the present timeline. Yes, and He did it in six literal days! The Hebrew language goes further into the specifics. If we study biblical numerology, Adam and Eve were created only about 6000 years ago. We may have been deceived about how old the human race is. Surprisingly, the Bible does not reveal how old the planet is. We can only speculate, and I've read books and commentaries that are brilliant on this subject. Yet to me, the age of the earth is not a salvation issue.
But I digress...........................
However, when we start talking about Jesus coming back and snatching away His people who love Him. Well, logical folks think that this tenet is outrageous. It doesn't help that the movies about the topic are not at the top of their game. Even half of Christians scoff. Really!
Well, allow me to enlighten myself. There are a lot of raptures in the Bible from beginning to end. Enoch was taken out before the flood. Why? He walked with God. Elijah was taken by God because he got out of control with bringing down fire on the king's messengers. God really doesn't enjoy bringing down fire and destroying His creation. Anyone that teaches such is misled.
In the New Testament a whole lot of rapturin' is going on. Only the book of Matthew tells a strange story that's not mentioned again. Personally, I've heard it preached once. Any believing Jew would have known exactly what this event was about. Gentiles like us? No idea. Except me. Inquiring minds want to know.
When Jesus was resurrected, the recently deceased Jews also rose and entered Jerusalem to appear before their families. Their subsequent whereabouts are not detailed in scripture. However, understanding the "Festival of First Fruits" is key. They ascended with Jesus, representing the 'first fruits' of the eventual resurrection, essentially being part of the rapture.
Next, Jesus teleported in His flesh-and-bone body into locked rooms, startling His disciples. How do we know He was flesh and bone? Thomas, one of the disciples, was skeptical. Jesus permitted him to touch His side and the wounds in His wrists. Moreover, He consumed fish and honey in the presence of His disciples. It might seem like common knowledge, but spirits don't eat. The point is, bodies appearing and disappearing is trivial for God.
Moving on, Philip was in Northern Africa teaching the scriptures to an Ethiopian. God needed him somewhere else, so he raptured him north.
The apostles John and Paul were raptured out of their situations to be presented future events as they happened. How do we know that, Ted? They described future prophesies as if they are present and watching it happen. I suspect, the Bible has to be written outside of our timeline.
Another thought I have is that every individual who loves Christ experiences a personal rapture of their soul and spirit to heaven by Jesus at the time of physical death. Scripture does not mention angels guiding us to the throne of grace. Therefore, if my interpretation of scripture is accurate, each saint receives a personal rapture.
Hopefully that establishes some foundation for this Rapture (Harpazo) which hasn't happened yet. If a large population of children and people disappear folks will wake up, for sure. The only reason we know so much about being caught up is because the church of Thessalonica questioned Paul. Our loved ones are dying. We know we are taken up by Christ from your sermons but what about them? Paul answers, "they are resurrected first, then the living is transformed and join them".
We gain further insight when an individual in the same church alarmed the congregation with a counterfeit letter. Indeed, someone disseminated among the Thessalonian church the notion that they were amidst the Great Tribulation, which understandably terrified the Christians. To alleviate their fears, Paul authored 2nd Thessalonians. This concept is not novel; Ephraim and Irenaeus propagated the same teaching in the 2nd century as Paul did.
However, the third-century church ceased promoting this doctrine, which diminished the authority of the prevailing Roman leaders. Numerous teachings were altered with the church's assimilation into paganism. Regrettably, such deceptions within the church persist. Moreover, there are other significant doctrines besides the rapture that are either suppressed or neglected.
So, what is the Rapture Lie? That this future happening will have events and signs to precede it. The Bible is clear on this matter to my simple thinking.
Now I'm not going to get deeply scriptural here. That would be a substantial book, not a blog. I'm just coming from a standpoint of logic in my mind. First, harder topics have to be spiritually discerned. We must ask the Holy Spirit for his help. He loves to help and will make scripture logical to our simple minds. Some folks read the Bible with an unbelieving mind. That's why, just like the villains in "Raiders of the Lost Ark", they are digging in the wrong place. You need a believer's mind and help from the author of the book. Therefore, the scriptures are foolishness to the faithless student.
Studying intriguing doctrines such as the rapture can be fascinating, yet it is crucial to interpret the full counsel of the Bible correctly, lest we find ourselves far afield in our understanding. Many theologians fall into that camp because they want to find scripture to prove what they already hypothesize. This is called eisegesis not exegesis. We should always consider the context in which the scripture was written. Otherwise, hilarious errors ensue, and I've heard some doozies.
I'm just going to share my basic rumination on this event that ends the church age.
Many Christians recognize that throughout scripture, Jesus is depicted as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. Thinking from a Western and Gentile perspective, the idea of becoming 'Mrs. Jesus Christ' may seem somewhat disconcerting. Yet, this connection with the Second Person of the Trinity is profoundly unique. A thorough, verse-by-verse examination of Revelation reveals this. In the future, we will be distinct in incredible ways from humans yet to be born. It is a profound privilege to serve Jesus the Christ during the church age.
In essence, the entire book is about us getting back to the Garden of Eden with God. This relationship will be far better than any earthly relationship we have. Now, whether we like it or not, Jesus was a Jew and follows Jewish wedding customs. He used Jewish wedding language with His apostles speaking about His return. All believers today are spiritual offspring of those first 500 believers who were also Jewish. When we accept Jesus as Lord of our lives and Savior of our Souls we become a member of the Bride of Christ. Understanding who we are in the correct context of scripture makes the rapture logical to my thinking.
As a sidenote-the removal of salt and light seems required for the subsequent events on the prophetic calendar to occur. We are an inhibiting agent for the direction this world desires to go. This world wants unrestrained freedom. There is no truth except each person's individual truth. Anything goes in this mindset. Some individuals may internally recognize the existence of God but choose not to follow the associated rules. They are their own gods and don't need or want a savior for their sins. They view us as oppressors of their freedom to act as they please. The church is most definitely a restraining force. As long as the ecclesia is here the coming of the man of lawlessness is concealed.
Back to topic.....................................
In ancient Hebrew tradition, the wedding process was quite unique. The Jewish groom would arrive at midnight, heralded by the sound of a shofar and the proclamation, "The bridegroom is coming!" Beforehand, the bride, dressed in her wedding garments, would wait with patience for her groom, ensuring that everything was in perfect order for his return. She dedicated herself to this period of waiting, which could sometimes last a year. Meanwhile, the groom would be at his father's house, constructing an additional room for his bride. The preparation required ample food, and it was the father who decided when the room was ready. The late hour of the groom's arrival was considered more romantic by the Jews of that time. This marked the beginning of a seven-day wedding celebration, whereas a seven-hour wedding, by today's standards, would be considered exceptionally lengthy.
Jesus is preparing a place for His followers and will return unexpectedly for those who love Him. Upon His return to gather His bride, there will be a seven-year celebration in the Father's House. This event will surpass the best moments of all that we have known during this period of separation. We will dwell with Jesus eternally in a body fit for His presence.
In the meantime, we are to be preparing for His unexpected return. Always wearing our wedding dress. Just kidding..................
To me, this couldn't be simpler. So, what events or signs need to happen for Jesus to return for his bride?
None. Nothing. His return has always been imminent. We are being deceived by many preachers.
Setting a date has undermined the credibility of the rapture. The date of the wedding day of the Messiah is not in the scriptures. Jesus said, "only the Father knows". No human being or even angel knows when the rapture happens. Knowing God like I do, He will wait to the very last moment that's possible for one single person to be saved from the coming wrath. He's that loving, faithful, hopeful, merciful and kind. The coming wrath is perfectly necessary for justice to be done by a Holy perfect God, dealing with rebellious sinful man. Otherwise, He wouldn't be perfectly just. People in hell do not beg God for deliverance, they continue to curse Him. When the tribulation comes, the evil nations do not turn to God for mercy under the wrath of the Lamb but fight against Him.
Another sidenote-Remember, Jesus came to save us from our sins. With free moral agency some people don't want to be saved. I find it very hard to believe that there are Americans that have never heard about Jesus Christ. I heard His name every day at school as a curse word. Mostly by administrators and teachers. My state cannot be crossed without seeing billboards and signs proclaiming the truth about Christ. These items are more information than the thief beside Jesus had on the cross. We have a wealth of information about God in this country.
I digress again................................
The groom will come for us at the father's command. Is a temple required to be built? No. Must the anti-Christ make an appearance? Not at all. Is World War III a necessity? Absolutely not. Must we endure terrible suffering first? While some believers do, it's not a prerequisite. Any of these necessary signs underscores the pressing need to spread the good news today: This is that good news. Jesus paid for our sins with his life. That was the bridal price—his own invaluable blood—to rescue us from our fatal mistakes.
Why all of this confusion about Jesus coming back to remove the church? That is an excellent question.
Simply? Selfishness combined with self-deception. That's part of the fallen human condition. The disciples were jockeying for position after spending 3 and a half years with the incarnate God. A lot of Christians believe that the Jews blew their covenant relationship with God. That God replaced Israel with new believers, the ecclesia. That God's Kingdom has literally come right now, and the church embodies that kingdom. Wow, great kingdom, eh? I jokingly say, "God gave the devil too long a chain".
That is why there was so much antisemitism in the church in the past. These churches still exist today, antisemitism and all. The desire to be favored or paramount is common, a far cry from the teachings of 'washing each other's feet' and 'loving our enemies', isn't it?
The church has really lost its way during this age, in my opinion. The church has adopted so many of the world's ways that it's difficult to discern a significant difference. There is an overwhelming emphasis on who does what, an excessive pursuit of wealth, and a rampant scramble for control. Add to this the prevalence of false teachers, prophets, and miracle workers, and it becomes clear that the wolves have made themselves at home. It is indeed disheartening to witness.
Unlike most of the church today, I hold great affection for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are credited with authoring the Bible and introducing the Savior of the world through adherence to God's commandments. Additionally, there are promises God made to their nation that remain unfulfilled. This aligns me with dispensationalism, which, in essence, distinguishes between the church and the Hebrews in biblical context.
Yahweh made a specific land promise to the Jewish people, an area they have yet to fully inhabit. He assured King David that his lineage would reign eternally. Moreover, the Jewish population has not reached numbers comparable to the sand on the seashore. Many of these promises are unilateral covenants from God, meaning their fulfillment is solely dependent on His actions. The God of the Old Testament and the New Testament is one and the same, which solidifies this belief for me.
The church replacement of Israel belief is the core of the rapture lie. Let me clarify. When some scholars study the books of Daniel and Revelation, they presuppose that the texts are entirely ecclesiastical. This presumption significantly alters their interpretation, treating the texts as purely allegorical and downplaying their literal significance. An overly metaphorical interpretation of scripture can lead to a manipulation of the Bible's message to fit any desired narrative.
It is evident that the church was grafted into Judaism, rather than serving as a replacement. A literal interpretation of Daniel and Revelation states that it is Jesus who will save the world, not the church. Indeed, these texts indicate that the church will fall into apostasy. The final era of the church is marked by disgrace, despite our perceptions of flourishing, as stated in the third chapter of Revelation.
Moreover, the United States of America, often regarded as a powerful and predominantly Christian nation, disappears! It's curious that there is no mention of America in the scriptures. It implies that something disastrous befalls the country. What do you mean, Ted? Surely, we can't accept such a reality, right? We should adopt a more positive outlook, shouldn't we?
Interpreting the Bible as entirely symbolic can be comforting. It may not reflect the literal text, but it can be a more palatable interpretation.
Incorporating American Rugged individualism into the teachings places the church within the "Time of Jacob's (Israel's) Trouble," a period Jesus referred to as tribulation for unbelievers and Israel. This concept is becoming increasingly prevalent in Montana. In my recent Bible study, two military individuals held this belief, viewing me as either chicken-hearted or an escapist.
No, as a member of the Bride of Christ, my perspective is altered. My most recent instructions were to proclaim the good news of Jesus's identity and His deeds. Additionally, to remain vigilant and pray, in anticipation of His quick return. Moreover, I can't find the church-age saints on the earth from Revelation Chapter four to the end of chapter 18.
Also, I receive no guidance on the topics of a single malevolent ruler, nuclear conflict, famine, or widespread death. In contrast, Jesus advised me not to be concerned about such matters in all the other scriptures. Peculiar, isn't it?
These retired military personnel discussed many frightening things for which I should be prepared, including artificial intelligence. I'm at a loss about handling a computer that surpasses my intelligence. The Bible offers no guidance on this subject. Should I panic and throw my laptop, cell phone and TV in the landfill? Should I build a huge bunker and stuff it full of ReadyWise meals from Costco? Should I store up an armory like Sarah Conner in "Terminator Genisys"? I will not unless the Bible instructs me.
Some people interpret the entity in the temple from Daniel and Revelation as an artificial intelligence. It raises the question: how could anyone hide from a computer that controls the entire world? I don't think a bunker and food rations are going to make a huge difference. Furthermore, we have drones and smart missiles that can take out underground bunkers. So much for that expensive solution.
This is the point where interpreting the Bible out of context becomes a fool's errand. Preparing for a nuclear attack is not feasible; such a conflict would indefinitely make the land uninhabitable. Most of the U.S population would die or be in the process of dying. A desk over my head won't offer protection, Mrs. Eldridge (my fourth-grade teacher). There's no preparation for a scenario like "Terminator," nor for a global economic downfall and famine. If we were to seriously adopt this mindset, fear would dominate every aspect of our lives. Moreover, the scriptures do not instruct us to be vigilant and prepare for these frightening eventualities. Jesus clearly states again and again, "Don't be afraid", "Don't be misled".
Confusingly, when we read about these things happening in the book of Revelation, Jesus says "blessed or happy" is the reader of this book. How can anybody be happy with the reality that they will be thrust into a dystopian nightmare any moment? Does God have a sadistic side? No, I've figured the book out for myself. Our Savior and Bridegroom is going to keep us safe and far away from this time of the evil world imploding. What about Israel? Like Noah, God will preserve Israel through this time. Enoch represents the faithful church, Noah represents Israel. We can comfort each other with the truth that there is nothing to worry about for the ones that love God.
We have a blessed hope, indeed.
I am truly concerned about America after the rapture. We'll discuss that next.
I'm tired...........................need a nap.
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