Tag Archives: Rapture

1 Corinthians 15- The Last Trumpet

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Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

In modern day Christianity, these scriptures are typically used to support the doctrine of a “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” , but a few questions should be asked, did the early Church interpret these scriptures to mean this also? Did the early Church have any concept of a Pre-Trib Rapture? From history it appears the Pre-Trib Rapture is a newer idea invented by a man named John Darby around the 1830’s, we can’t really  find any Apostles or Church Father who ever supported this idea or concept.

But let’s just take a look at the scriptures for themselves, is Paul teaching a Pre-Trib Rapture here? Paul begins by stating “We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed” This is a good start, but what about those who have died already? Notice Paul says “We shall ALL be changed” Paul isn’t just referencing those Christians who are still alive, he’s referencing ALL Christians throughout history, Paul is talking about the resurrection of the saints into our glorified bodies

Next the Pre-Trib Rapture doctrine really falls apart, Paul says “At any moment, at the LAST Trumpet, for the Trumpet will sound and the DEAD will be raised immortal, and WE shall be changed. Paul states “The LAST Trumpet” , Paul is not talking about the first trumpet before the Tribulation, he states the Last trumpet. We can reference the Last Trumpet in Matthew 24

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30-31

The Last Trumpet signifies the Return of Christ, the Rapture of the Church , and the Resurrection of the Saints, The Bible doesn’t support the Rapture of the Church as a separate event from the Return of Christ and the resurrection of the Saints. All the Earth will mourn at the Return of Christ, why? Because it’s the final judgment

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

The Apostle Paul consistently supports his teaching here in Thessalonians, The Lord himself will descend from Heaven, meaning Christ is Returning, notice the last trumpet is referenced here again also. The dead in Christ, Born Again Christians,, will be resurrected first. This event is not just about the Rapture of the Church, this is a cumulative event including the return of Christ and the resurrection of Christians throughout history

The takeaway from this, is it’s all good news for Born Again Christians. Whatever your belief in the timing of the Rapture, salvation is in Jesus Christ alone and we have Victory through Christ!  Let’s not make the Rapture a stumbling block and division for the Church, Amen!

1 Thessalonians 4- The Rapture Part 2

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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: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Hebrews 9:28 says “Christ will appear a second time”, when we were talking about the return of Jesus Christ, we were not talking about multiple returns. When Jesus returns, it will be his second and final time. With that said, the Rapture and the Return of Christ are essentially the same event. When Jesus Christ returns , raises the dead and raptures the Church, this is the beginning of judgment on the world. Many people try to treat the Rapture and the Return of Christ as separate events, this does not coincide with scripture

Now for those who say “The Rapture” doctrine is man-made, the word Rapture is derived from the Latin word Rapturo, which simply means “caught up”. The Rapture is Biblical and not a man- made doctrine, this is what Paul was teaching here to the Church of Thessalonica, what is man-made are the additions that people add on to the teaching, such as the timing of the Rapture and when Christ will return

Paul lays this out very simply, The Lord (Jesus) himself shall descend from heaven. This is simply the return of Christ. The dead will rise first, all the Born Again Christians who died before the return of Christ will be resurrected at this moment. Those Born Again Christians who are still alive will be Raptured with Christ in the air. So at this moment the Church, past and present, are now with Jesus Christ. There is nothing complicated about this doctrine, it’s only humans who try to greatly confuse this teaching

Then Paul says “So shall we be forever with The Lord” (v17) Once we are Raptured we are with Christ for all eternity. The Apostle Paul tells us “We will reign with Christ” (2 Timothy 2:12) Many false teachers try to complicate the Rapture and Seconding coming of Christ teachings to sell books , but it’s not complicated, read your Bible, not false teachers

While many Christians argue and fight over the timing of the Rapture and the return of Christ, this was actually the opposite reason Paul taught us this doctrine. Paul says “Encourage one another with these words” (v18) how many people are we encouraging with the promise of the Rapture? Mostly Christians argue with each other over the rapture, some I see even disown one another as brothers and sisters. This is not conduct being led by the Holy Spirit, this is fleshly , ego driven carnal attitudes, it’s not from God

Encourage one another with the good news, Christ is coming back for his Church, when the trumpet sounds we will all be raised immortal and reign with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!

1 Thessalonians 4- The Rapture Part 1

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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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

The early Church always had the expectation that Christ was going to return soon, and we as Christians should have the same mentality today, as Jesus said “Nobody knows the day or hour” (Matthew 24:36) However the Church of Thessalonica started becoming concerned, when their loved ones were passing away, and there was still no resurrection of the dead.

Paul begins his teaching with “I would not have you be ignorant or uniformed, brethren” (v13) This statement indicates Paul is going to explain an already known doctrine into greater detail. Some will say this is a new doctrine that Paul was introducing, I disagree. The return of Christ, the Rapture of the Church, ect, these were all well known by the 1rst Century Church, Paul is now going to explain all this into greater detail because the Church needs to understand God’s plan

“Concerning them who are asleep (dead) that you sorrow not” Paul is telling the Church, when your saved loved ones pass away , you don’t have to mourn their deaths like the rest of the world, because they are going to be resurrected just like Christ. Now sometimes this brings up the argument for “soul sleep”, Paul has said “To be absent from the body, is to be present with The Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8) I don’t think Paul was every teaching or supporting the idea of “soul sleep”, how would it be encouraging if your loved ones didn’t exist until the resurrection?  For me, I don’t believe the idea of “soul sleep” is compatible with the overall theology of The Bible

Paul then says “Even as others, which have no hope” Paul is talking about non-believers, unsaved people. Outside of Christ there is no hope for anyone, this is why the resurrection of Christ is the central doctrine of Christianity. As Paul said “If Christ is not risen then our faith is worthless or useless” (1 Cor. 15:17) All of our hope is in Jesus Christ, and Christ is the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23) meaning we who are saved, will all be risen just like Christ into a perfect and immortal body

Then Paul goes on to explain the order of the resurrection, those who are dead and already “sleep in Jesus” will be resurrected first, and then who are still alive at the return of Christ, will be resurrected second. Paul reaffirms this with his teaching to the Church of Corinth “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. (1 Cor. 15:52)

The Apostle Paul is reminding the Church, that we have a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord, who has already defeated sin and death, Amen!

Matthew 24- Every Eye Will See Him

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Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 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: Matthew 24:26-29

When Jesus returns, every eye will see him, as it states in the scriptures here “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the Son of Man coming” meaning the entire world is going to see Jesus Christ return, it will not just be a certain group or a secret rapture, the world will know when Christ returns, there will be no mistake about it. 

Reminds me of Revelation 1:7 “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.”  Notice the scripture says “Every eye shall see Him (Christ)” Many believe this was fulfilled in 70 AD, but how is that possible? Did the entire world see Christ return? The obvious answer is No, I believe Christ is going to return and the entire world will witness this event, joyful or mournful

Another interesting note here is the scriptures say “Immediately after the tribulation” Remember the tribulation described previously was a tribulation never seen before and never to be seen again. So how does the Pre-Trib Rapture fit into this? Hmmm…from a scriptural perspective it would appear to be Post Trib Rapture

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. 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. Matthew 24:30-31

All the Earth will mourn the return of Christ, why? This is why it’s important the Church is fulfilling the Great Commision, because time is running out! People need to repent and receive Christ while they still have the opportunity to do so, don’t delay! Remember this is what Jesus said to the religious leaders referring to Daniel 7, the Son of Man coming in the clouds! Jesus revealed He is the Son of God, the Messiah

Notice it says “He shall send his angels to gather the elect from the four winds” If the Pre-Trib rapture is true , how are the elect still on the Earth? The four winds indicate the entire Earth , Christ is now gathering his elect at this moment after the tribulation. 

I’m not here to argue for a particular view on the Rapture, however if we follow the teachings of Christ, I think the answer is very clear. Regardless, Christ is going to return soon, and every eye will see him and every knee will bow before him (Philippians 2) Amen!

Raptured

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As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 2 Kings 2:11

When we talk about the “Rapture” doctrine it becomes controversial. Many say the Rapture doctrine is made up or it will never happen, however it has already happened, several times. As its documented in 2 Kings Elijah was “Raptured” to Heaven and never faced death.

The word “Rapture” is the English translation for the Latin word “Rapturo” which simply means “taken up”. Those who argue the word Rapture was never in the Bible, technically are wrong because it was in the Latin translation called the Vulgate.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. Hebrews 11:5

Enoch was another person who was “Raptured” and never faced death. But the conspiracy theorist say Mr. Google says the Rapture was madeup in the 1800’s , wrong again. Its noted in the Book of Genesis that Enoch was “taken up” to Heaven and never faced death

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Acts 1:9

Jesus Christ was “Raptured” or Ascended to Heaven after the 40 days of his Resurrection. Why is it so hard for Christians to believe they will be “Taken Up” into the clouds to meet the Lord?

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The Apostle Paul taught about a great Rapture that was to come, Christians who have an issue with this doctrine believe it takes away from the death and persecution of current and past Christians, it doesn’t. The Rapture is an event that will kick off the Great Tribulation. It doesn’t mean there currently is no suffer or persecution for Christians.

I think the Rapture is a special event that is going to kick off the greatest Revival the world has never seen. As many , including Orthodox Jews, will come to Christ during the Tribulation and enter his Kingdom forever! Amen!

The Rapture

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Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Jesus died and rose from the dead, if you are washed in the Blood of The Lamb you will be risen again also. Death has been defeated at the cross. Satan has no power over you unless you submit to him, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Rejoice for you have eternal life thru Jesus Christ!

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:15

The next few scriptures are what we call “The Rapture” when Jesus returns he will resurrect the dead and take his remaining alive followers to heaven. This is the beginning of the “Tribulation” the end of the earth before its restored once again.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Make no mistake Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. And when he does every eye will see him. And with his command he will resurrect the dead. So mourn no more for your loved ones will be brought back to life for evermore

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The Christians who are still on The Earth will be taken to Heaven and saved from the horrors of the Tribulation. Are you going to be in that group? Are will you be left behind? Make sure your washed by the Blood of Jesus, allow him into your heart and confess he is your Lord and Savior.

 Therefore encourage one another with these words.  1 Thessalonians 4:18

These words are only condemnation for those who reject Jesus, but for Christians these are word to rejoice by. Encourage one another with these word in Jesus Name Amen