{"id":4739,"date":"2015-11-03T10:34:14","date_gmt":"2015-11-03T10:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/watch\/?p=4739"},"modified":"2015-11-08T02:56:05","modified_gmt":"2015-11-08T02:56:05","slug":"the-rapture-revealed-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/?p=4739","title":{"rendered":"The Rapture Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rapture Revealed – (Fixed)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Nathan Leal – June 6, 2008<\/span><\/h5>\n
\n

In this lesson, when I say the word \u201cRapture\u201d I am referring to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. This definition entails a future event where some believe that Jesus will remove all of the Christians off of the earth before the tribulation period starts.<\/em><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The rapture, what is it? So many images come to mind don\u2019t they? We have seen them in movies. Read about them in books, and heard preachers describing various \u201cscary\u201d rapture scenarios. Unfortunately, these popular images of the \u201crapture\u201d are the cause of Christians not knowing the REAL truth about this subject.<\/p>\n

What do I mean? Well let me explain. The \u201cRapture\u201d is portrayed in people\u2019s minds under a false point of view.\u00a0 What point of view is that?<\/p>\n

Before I answer, let me ask you a question.<\/p>\n

If I were to ask you, \u201cWhat is the reason for the Rapture?\u201d What would your answer be?\u00a0 What would most Christians say?<\/p>\n

Give up?\u00a0 I will tell you.<\/p>\n

Most people would say that the reason for the rapture is so that Christians won\u2019t have to be in the tribulation.<\/p>\n

Based on this answer alone, the rapture doctrine nullifies itself! Why? Because people think that the reason for the Rapture is to escape pain and suffering.<\/p>\n

A Challenge<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By the time you are finished reading this lesson, you will see what I mean.<\/p>\n

I will even go as far as to say this, \u201cIf you believe that the reason for the rapture is so that you will not have to face the pain and trials of the tribulation, then you are denying the main focus of the gospel of Christ!\u201d<\/p>\n

Strong words huh? I assume that I have your attention now!<\/p>\n

It would take volumes to biblically explain in the long version, so I will try to teach this in a short version.<\/p>\n

Whenever we desire truth, we must always use the scriptures. When we use the scriptures, we must follow certain rules.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. We must arrive at any doctrinal conclusion by using the \u201cwhole\u201d sum of the scriptures. \u201cThe sum of Your word is truth,\u201d Psalms 119:160 (This means that we cannot arrive at a doctrinal conclusion based on only one verse in the Bible.)<\/li>\n
  2. We must have at our disposal, Biblical Word study helps like a concordance to see the original meaning of the words that we are studying. The original words often have a deeper meaning than the translated words.<\/li>\n
  3. We must realize that some words in the scriptures are not in the original texts. The translators often added words to give the words a better flow. This is often noted in good Bibles by printing those types of words in italics.<\/li>\n
  4. Without the Spirit of God to open your eyes, you WILL NOT comprehend truth in the scriptures. Therefore always pray and ask God to open your eyes and reveal His mysteries to you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A Foundation<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Okay, now that we have that out of the way, let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n

    In order to learn a doctrine, we cannot start in the middle. We have to start at the beginning.<\/p>\n

    \u201cTherefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead,..\u201d
    \nHebrews 6:1<\/p>\n

    According to this verse, there are some parts of doctrine that everyone SHOULD be taught as baby Christians, and also SHOULD know. In other words a mature Christian should not be struggling with these basic things.<\/p>\n

    So I ask you brethren, how many of you have been thoroughly taught these basic things?<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Repentance form dead works…<\/li>\n
    2. Faith toward God\u2026<\/li>\n
    3. Doctrine of baptisms\u2026<\/li>\n
    4. Laying on of hands…<\/li>\n
    5. And of Resurrection of the dead\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      So there you go folks, a brief list of basics that the church HAS NOT been taught about.<\/p>\n

      The Resurrection<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      For now, I want to focus on (# 5) \u201cAnd of Resurrection of the dead\u2026\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 Now did you see anywhere on this basic list, the rapture mentioned? Which again, is the event to rescue Christians from the \u201cmean\u201d antichrist?\u00a0 I do not see it!<\/p>\n

      What I do see is the word \u201cresurrection\u201d<\/span>. What is the resurrection? Well, that one is easy. It is when dead people come back to life. Just like Jesus did.<\/p>\n

      By nature, humans are so foolish, blind and arrogant, including Christians. And Christians have the silly audacity to think that the rapture is about \u201cRescue\u201d, no, no, no!<\/p>\n

      Brethren Jesus said that He was the \u201cresurrection and the life”<\/span> (John 11:25). Even though He died, he was raised. The hope of the gospel is for those that have died, that they might be raised to eternal life!<\/p>\n

      Do you see it yet brethren, our Lord has 6000 years of godly dead people that need resurrecting! So the \u201cRapture\u201d is NOT about rescuing Christians from an unpleasant time period. In fact the word \u201crapture\u201d is not in the Bible anywhere. I will tell you what IS in the Bible, the word \u201cResurrection!\u201d<\/p>\n

      Do you see now why I said that if one thinks that the rapture is about rescue, then that person is denying the gospel? The gospel is about resurrection to eternal life, NOT escape from the tribulation!<\/p>\n

      So let\u2019s go on. Now, if sometime in the period of mankind, God is going to resurrect all of His dead children to eternal life, common sense tells us that some group of living people will witness it during their lives.<\/p>\n

      Common sense also says that God will have to use a different plan for the living people. That plan of course would be that the living people will not have to taste death. So as an \u201cicing on the cake\u201d, after the big resurrection event of the dead, the living get to join them.<\/p>\n

      We Shall be Changed<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      The living will take part in the resurrection by having their bodies change to an immortal body.<\/p>\n

      \u201cBehold, 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.\u201d 1 Corinthians 15:51<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

      So it is about resurrection, folks, not rescue!<\/p>\n

      Now that we know that truth, the next logical question would be, \u201cWhen will the resurrection happen?\u201d\u00a0 What does the Bible say? We want truth, right brethren, not the words or traditions of men.<\/p>\n

      \u201cFor as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/span>
      \n1 Corinthians 15:22, 23<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

      Several things are mentioned in these verses. First, there are only two groups of resurrected people.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Christ<\/li>\n
      2. Those that are His at his coming. This would be all the dead in Christ throughout history and also those living.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        All in Their Order<\/p>\n

        The other thing that is mentioned is that each is resurrected in his own \u201corder\u201d.<\/p>\n

        So the order is:<\/p>\n

        Christ – first
        \nThe dead and living \u2013 second<\/p>\n

        When does this happen? It also tells us, \u201cat his coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

        But where on the timeline does this resurrection happen? The Bible does tell us. Look at the next verse in that same passage:<\/p>\n

        \u201cThen cometh the end,<\/span> when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>
        \n1 Corinthians 15:24<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

        So according to this verse, right after the resurrection, is the end. It did not say, \u201cThen cometh seven years of tribulation!\u201d<\/p>\n

        At the Last Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        There are more verses to confirm this timing.<\/p>\n

        \u201cAnd this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.<\/span>\u201d John 6:39<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

        And<\/p>\n

        \u201cAnd this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>
        \nJohn 6:40<\/span><\/p>\n

        And<\/p>\n

        \u201cNo man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.<\/span>\u201d John 6:44<\/span><\/p>\n

        And<\/p>\n

        \u201cSo man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens are no more<\/span>, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.\u201d Job 14:12\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        Could it be any more clear brethren? Our hope is the resurrection which will occur at the \u201cLAST DAY!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        The last day of what, you ask? The last day of this age!<\/p>\n

        Now some could \u201cweakly\u201d try to argue that it means the last day before the tribulation starts.<\/p>\n

        But did you read what Job 14:12 said? We stay dead \u201ctill the heavens are no more!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        Could the earth have the heavens being no more, but still have seven years added to it? Absurd!<\/p>\n

        Conclusion: Folks the Rapture is a fictional tradition of men. We should instead be referring to this event as the “resurrection as our hope”.<\/p>\n

        (to be Continued )<\/p>\n

        In His Service,
        \nNathan Leal<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        The Rapture Revealed – (Fixed) Nathan Leal – June 6, 2008 In this lesson, when I say the word \u201cRapture\u201d I am referring to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. This definition entails a future event where some believe that Jesus will remove all of the Christians off of the earth before the tribulation period starts. Introduction The <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4882,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[122],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4739"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4739"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4739\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5027,"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4739\/revisions\/5027"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/watchmanscry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}