There is no DOCTRINAL BASIS for the belief that the RAPTURE of the body of Christ is the SECOND COMING.
You say, Did I hear you right? I dont know, did you? Maybe. Let me state it again. There are NO VERSES which teach that Jesus Christ appears ONLY two times to this earth. Did you catch what I said then?
It has become the delusion of some that Christ can ONLY BE SEEN twice. His presence (boy howdy, how they love to go to the Greek) WAS here once, but NOW we are looking for it again. He appeared once, but can ONLY appear once more, they STATE.
BUT WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE?
Theyre setting up the false premise for the post trib rapture. Pre-trib rapturists are spoken of as liars and dishonest, due to the fact they believe he will APPEAR before the time of great tribulation. The posties state, You believe in more than 2 comings! We just believe in the SECOND COMING of the Lord Jesus Christ. It sounds very spiritual (doesnt it), but ONLY to a naïve simpleton who hasnt read, searched, meditated, studied, or rightly divided the Holy Scriptures.
For a long time, Christians have spoken of the Second Coming of the Lord. They differed on when he came, and how he came, but not IF he would come. It has NOW been put forth as DOCTRINE that Jesus Christ can ONLY come ONE MORE TIME, using the phrase, the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a theological term.
Brethren, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is OUR TERM based upon Christ and the apostles teachings, that he DOES come again. He has come once, and we teach of his return, which we call the second coming. It is our theological and eschatological term for the event.
Ah yes, how devious are those theological devils of Satan! (1 Tim.4) Those teachers of Satanic doctrine. He can use the Christians own terms against themselves, when they dont go EXACTLY and PRECISELY according to the statements of the Book.
The truth of the matter is that there is NO eschatological, biblical, or scriptural doctrinal term, STATED as the SECOND COMING of the Lord Jesus Christ, found ANYWHERE in the Holy Scriptures. The Bible NEVER teaches he appears ONLY TWICE.
Thats NONSENSE.
He has appeared MANY TIMES down through history. Old Testament appearings are so numerous, that I wont try to list them all. Lets look at Genesis. There are several there. Gen.12:1 (Acts 7:1), 12:7, 17:1, 18:1, 26:2, 24, 35:1,7,9, and 48:3 (which speaks of one mentioned previously). Whew! What a list. Way more than TWO. In fact, his PRESENSE, the presence of the Lord, was around from the time of Adam.
You say, thats not what were talking about. Ok.
When are we going to start running the TIME FROM? The NT? You say, We have to for he didnt appear in the OT. I just SHOWED you he did. I wish you knew what kind of a debate that started amongst people. They get into the Godhead then, and state Jesus was IN the OT, and some say, he WASNT. Man, what a mess. See, what I mean butterbean.
Now I believe in the eternal and everlasting Sonship of the Lord, and that he is a member of the Triune Godhead, but the MAN, Jesus, was NOT back in the OT. The man had earthly flesh, which he received at his incarnation, and was born of Mary IN TIME. He was God, in the flesh, (1 Tim.3), but he was a man, also. Son of God, Son of Man. (Isaiah 7,9) Unto us a child is born, the son of man, unto us a son is given, the son of God. John 3,1, 1 John 1.
Never forget that the Lord Jesus Christ IS the IMAGE of the invisible God. (Col.1, Heb.1, 2 Cor.4) He is the FATHERs image. He is distinct from him.
So, well run the time STARTING from WHEN he showed up ON EARTH, as a man. This is generally what everybody refers to, anyway. I knew that! This was HIS FIRST coming to earth, as a man. (Heb.1,2)
Did you know that the OT NEVER states there are TWO COMINGS? Search and see. WE KNOW there are more than one. The Jews AT HIS FIRST ONE didnt though! (John 12, 1 Peter 1) They didnt understand what WE do. They didnt KNOW who the son of man was. They KNEW of his coming. (Mal.3) They knew him to be the Messiah, the anointed one. He CONFOUNDED them by it. (Isaiah It was a SINGLE ONE as far as they knew.
He appeared on earth to them, literally, physically, and visibly, by birth. (2 Tim.1, Heb.2) That coming occurred at, which was also called his appearing, WHEN he was born.
All right, we got the first coming ESTABLISHED by Scripture.
Now, the Lord is going BACK to heaven after his ministry of suffering on this earth. He has told his apostles that he is going away and coming again. (John 14) This will be a reference to what people teach as the SECOND coming.
The Lord Jesus Christ dies, and is resurrected. (John 20) Mary comes to the grave and finds the stone rolled away. She goes and tells Peter and John. They come and look, and then leave. Mary stood by, weeping, about where they had moved the Lord. She then sees Jesus, but doesnt RECOGNIZE him. He makes himself known, and tells her to go to his brethren, and say unto them, I ASCEND unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. He told her, TOUCH ME NOT; for I am not yet ascended to my Father. She goes and tells them she has seen him, and the things he SPOKE to her.
Brethren, the Lord Jesus is LEAVING this earth. He is going to ASCEND. He has some business with the Father to attend to. He LEFT this world, to go BACK to heaven. He led captivity captive BACK to heaven! (Eph.4) This occurred at his resurrection brethren, NOT his ascension in Acts 2. The Lord Jesus went BACK, and CAME BACK to this earth AGAIN, and met his disciples. When they see him, they HELD HIS FEET, and worshipped him. (Matt.28)
That is his SECOND COMING. I know you dont like it, but thats what the Book SHOWS. The apostles didnt see him go, nor return. In fact, he went UP and CAME BACK DOWN, in a very short time, from when Mary was sent away from him.
Lets stop for a minute, and look at some things concerning his APPEARANCE to them.
If you read the accounts in John and Luke, you will find that he appeared to people. These appearings are special. He appears SECRETLY to them. Only believers see him. He appears INSTANTANEOUSLY to them. When hes through, he VANISHES. Now you see him, now you dont. He appears in a room with the doors shut, in the MIDST of them. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye! Ah yes, thats HOW he appeared to them.
Dont get mad at me. Thats what the Book SHOWS.
Lets go further in the Book. Dont you just love it?
Now the posties are mad. They HAVE TO BELIEVE what the text states, UNLESS theyre apostates. Some of them are.
They say, Well, we mean from when he ascended in Acts 2. Ok, lets go from there. Now, I have heard them teach that Jesus Christ stays SEATED until the coming. They use Psalm 110 for a prooftext, along with Acts 3. That is the most blantant piece of unlearned biblical teaching that I have ever seen.
I allowed the Book to correct one of these guys, and showed him Acts 7. STEPHEN saw him GET UP. The man was flabbergasted. I then showed him, that he STANDS more than once. See Isaiah 3. But, lets get on with the appearings.
Jesus Christ ascends into heaven, and the two men standing by tell the apostles he will come back, as they saw him go into heaven. They saw him ascend and a cloud received him out of their sight. They saw him literally, visibly, and physically go up, 40 days AFTER his resurrection. They did not see the ascension of John 20 or his descension.
Notice they were NOT told, THEY would SEE HIM return in Acts 2.
They start preaching the message to the nation of Israel in Acts 2. Theyre telling them to Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. In Acts 3, they tell them, Repent, and be converted, and their sins will be BLOTTED out, WHEN the times of refreshing shall come from the PRESENCE of the Lord, and he shall SEND Jesus Christ.
Theyre looking for Israel to get saved, and Jesus Christ to come back, and set up the kingdom. That is, what the apostles wanted to know. WHEN was the kingdom coming? Acts 1. The Lord told them, its not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father has put in his own power, but just get out there and be witnesses unto me.
Well, time goes on, with some getting saved, but a lot of persecution going on.
Stephen is killed, and Saul of Tarsus stands by assenting to his death. Good, old Saul, is a zealous, law-abiding, righteous, Pharisee, whos headed right into the wrath to come. (Matt.3) Hes happily murdering bible believing Jews, men and women, whom he thinks are heretics according to the law. He is unleashed HELL on wheels. He is PERSONALLY mad against them, and makes them blaspheme. (Acts 26) He WAS the rebellion of Israel against this way. He was the chief leader of the rebellion. How do I know that? The Holy Spirit pointed it out in the book of Acts! He gets letters from the priest, and is going to Damascus to kill some more of these people.
Well, you know what happens dont you?
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARS TO HIM ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.
Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Well, how about that! Jesus Christ GOT UP out of his seat, and CAME DOWN, so Paul could SEE HIM. He appeared to him, people.
Thats the THIRD COMING to this earth that is recorded by the Holy Scriptures. I know, I know, youre hotter than a popcorn popper. Too bad. Do you believe the Book? Or do you believe a system?
Now notice, that Paul did not see the Lord DESCEND FROM HEAVEN. He appeared to him, instantaneously. He just showed up to STOP HIM from murdering people, give him OPPORTUNITY to believe on him (those ****** were hurting), WHICH HE DID, and give instructions as to where he should go, and who he should see afterward, who would tell him what things he must do. One thing though, that was different from the 12 seeing him, was that Paul saw the Lord Jesus Christ in is GLORIFIED HEAVENLY BODY. (1 Cor.15:47-4 They never saw him like that.
It should also be noticed, that Paul saw the Lord, SECRETLY. It was a secret appearance to him. THE OTHERS DID NOT SEE THE LORD. Jesus Christ came down and appeared to him.
When Paul gives his testimony in Acts 9, 22. 26, 1 Cor.15, and 1 Cor.9, he STATES that he SAW the Lord Jesus. Jesus Christ was ALIVE, according to his testimony, to Porcius Festus. (Acts 25) How did he KNOW and TEACH that unless he had SEEN him alive. He had! Just as the Mary, his brethren, his apostles, and over 500 brethren, who did.
This WAS NO PHANTOM. It was no angel sent to him. It was no dream. He wasnt asleep. He was wide awake. This was the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
According to Paul the apostle, he was the LAST to see the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor.15: He saw him, JUST AS THE 12 did. He saw him literally, visibly, physically, and in his GLORIFIED HEAVENLY BODY.
Paul the apostle can testify to the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. WHEN he says that, we KNOW what HE is talking about. (1 Tim.6, 2 Tim.4, Titus 2) He states it, and the Scriptures testify to it.
Were on our third time, arent we? Sure we are. Get ready for the fourth time, the Lord COMES DOWN from heaven.
In Acts 23, we find the passage showing that after Paul has stood before the Sanhedrin, and testified some, and made those unChristlike statements, he is paid a visit.
Guess who visits him in the castle? You forgot about it, didnt you?
Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
I know, I know. It does make you mad. The Holy Scriptures will throw a monkey wrench in the system EVERYTIME. I go by this rule.
ALTER THE SYSTEM TO FIT THE WORDS OF THE BOOK. He does not go by systems. He changes the rules. He MAKES his own.
WITNESS THIS FACT! Let the Holy Scriptures demonstrate a change before your very eyes.
He was not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israel. (Matt.10, 15) The woman of Caanan STILL got what she wanted. HE BENT THE RULES THAT HE STATED. There are exceptions to the rules.
The post will CONTINUE.
You say, Did I hear you right? I dont know, did you? Maybe. Let me state it again. There are NO VERSES which teach that Jesus Christ appears ONLY two times to this earth. Did you catch what I said then?
It has become the delusion of some that Christ can ONLY BE SEEN twice. His presence (boy howdy, how they love to go to the Greek) WAS here once, but NOW we are looking for it again. He appeared once, but can ONLY appear once more, they STATE.
BUT WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE?
Theyre setting up the false premise for the post trib rapture. Pre-trib rapturists are spoken of as liars and dishonest, due to the fact they believe he will APPEAR before the time of great tribulation. The posties state, You believe in more than 2 comings! We just believe in the SECOND COMING of the Lord Jesus Christ. It sounds very spiritual (doesnt it), but ONLY to a naïve simpleton who hasnt read, searched, meditated, studied, or rightly divided the Holy Scriptures.
For a long time, Christians have spoken of the Second Coming of the Lord. They differed on when he came, and how he came, but not IF he would come. It has NOW been put forth as DOCTRINE that Jesus Christ can ONLY come ONE MORE TIME, using the phrase, the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a theological term.
Brethren, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is OUR TERM based upon Christ and the apostles teachings, that he DOES come again. He has come once, and we teach of his return, which we call the second coming. It is our theological and eschatological term for the event.
Ah yes, how devious are those theological devils of Satan! (1 Tim.4) Those teachers of Satanic doctrine. He can use the Christians own terms against themselves, when they dont go EXACTLY and PRECISELY according to the statements of the Book.
The truth of the matter is that there is NO eschatological, biblical, or scriptural doctrinal term, STATED as the SECOND COMING of the Lord Jesus Christ, found ANYWHERE in the Holy Scriptures. The Bible NEVER teaches he appears ONLY TWICE.
Thats NONSENSE.
He has appeared MANY TIMES down through history. Old Testament appearings are so numerous, that I wont try to list them all. Lets look at Genesis. There are several there. Gen.12:1 (Acts 7:1), 12:7, 17:1, 18:1, 26:2, 24, 35:1,7,9, and 48:3 (which speaks of one mentioned previously). Whew! What a list. Way more than TWO. In fact, his PRESENSE, the presence of the Lord, was around from the time of Adam.
You say, thats not what were talking about. Ok.
When are we going to start running the TIME FROM? The NT? You say, We have to for he didnt appear in the OT. I just SHOWED you he did. I wish you knew what kind of a debate that started amongst people. They get into the Godhead then, and state Jesus was IN the OT, and some say, he WASNT. Man, what a mess. See, what I mean butterbean.
Now I believe in the eternal and everlasting Sonship of the Lord, and that he is a member of the Triune Godhead, but the MAN, Jesus, was NOT back in the OT. The man had earthly flesh, which he received at his incarnation, and was born of Mary IN TIME. He was God, in the flesh, (1 Tim.3), but he was a man, also. Son of God, Son of Man. (Isaiah 7,9) Unto us a child is born, the son of man, unto us a son is given, the son of God. John 3,1, 1 John 1.
Never forget that the Lord Jesus Christ IS the IMAGE of the invisible God. (Col.1, Heb.1, 2 Cor.4) He is the FATHERs image. He is distinct from him.
So, well run the time STARTING from WHEN he showed up ON EARTH, as a man. This is generally what everybody refers to, anyway. I knew that! This was HIS FIRST coming to earth, as a man. (Heb.1,2)
Did you know that the OT NEVER states there are TWO COMINGS? Search and see. WE KNOW there are more than one. The Jews AT HIS FIRST ONE didnt though! (John 12, 1 Peter 1) They didnt understand what WE do. They didnt KNOW who the son of man was. They KNEW of his coming. (Mal.3) They knew him to be the Messiah, the anointed one. He CONFOUNDED them by it. (Isaiah It was a SINGLE ONE as far as they knew.
He appeared on earth to them, literally, physically, and visibly, by birth. (2 Tim.1, Heb.2) That coming occurred at, which was also called his appearing, WHEN he was born.
All right, we got the first coming ESTABLISHED by Scripture.
Now, the Lord is going BACK to heaven after his ministry of suffering on this earth. He has told his apostles that he is going away and coming again. (John 14) This will be a reference to what people teach as the SECOND coming.
The Lord Jesus Christ dies, and is resurrected. (John 20) Mary comes to the grave and finds the stone rolled away. She goes and tells Peter and John. They come and look, and then leave. Mary stood by, weeping, about where they had moved the Lord. She then sees Jesus, but doesnt RECOGNIZE him. He makes himself known, and tells her to go to his brethren, and say unto them, I ASCEND unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. He told her, TOUCH ME NOT; for I am not yet ascended to my Father. She goes and tells them she has seen him, and the things he SPOKE to her.
Brethren, the Lord Jesus is LEAVING this earth. He is going to ASCEND. He has some business with the Father to attend to. He LEFT this world, to go BACK to heaven. He led captivity captive BACK to heaven! (Eph.4) This occurred at his resurrection brethren, NOT his ascension in Acts 2. The Lord Jesus went BACK, and CAME BACK to this earth AGAIN, and met his disciples. When they see him, they HELD HIS FEET, and worshipped him. (Matt.28)
That is his SECOND COMING. I know you dont like it, but thats what the Book SHOWS. The apostles didnt see him go, nor return. In fact, he went UP and CAME BACK DOWN, in a very short time, from when Mary was sent away from him.
Lets stop for a minute, and look at some things concerning his APPEARANCE to them.
If you read the accounts in John and Luke, you will find that he appeared to people. These appearings are special. He appears SECRETLY to them. Only believers see him. He appears INSTANTANEOUSLY to them. When hes through, he VANISHES. Now you see him, now you dont. He appears in a room with the doors shut, in the MIDST of them. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye! Ah yes, thats HOW he appeared to them.
Dont get mad at me. Thats what the Book SHOWS.
Lets go further in the Book. Dont you just love it?
Now the posties are mad. They HAVE TO BELIEVE what the text states, UNLESS theyre apostates. Some of them are.
They say, Well, we mean from when he ascended in Acts 2. Ok, lets go from there. Now, I have heard them teach that Jesus Christ stays SEATED until the coming. They use Psalm 110 for a prooftext, along with Acts 3. That is the most blantant piece of unlearned biblical teaching that I have ever seen.
I allowed the Book to correct one of these guys, and showed him Acts 7. STEPHEN saw him GET UP. The man was flabbergasted. I then showed him, that he STANDS more than once. See Isaiah 3. But, lets get on with the appearings.
Jesus Christ ascends into heaven, and the two men standing by tell the apostles he will come back, as they saw him go into heaven. They saw him ascend and a cloud received him out of their sight. They saw him literally, visibly, and physically go up, 40 days AFTER his resurrection. They did not see the ascension of John 20 or his descension.
Notice they were NOT told, THEY would SEE HIM return in Acts 2.
They start preaching the message to the nation of Israel in Acts 2. Theyre telling them to Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. In Acts 3, they tell them, Repent, and be converted, and their sins will be BLOTTED out, WHEN the times of refreshing shall come from the PRESENCE of the Lord, and he shall SEND Jesus Christ.
Theyre looking for Israel to get saved, and Jesus Christ to come back, and set up the kingdom. That is, what the apostles wanted to know. WHEN was the kingdom coming? Acts 1. The Lord told them, its not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father has put in his own power, but just get out there and be witnesses unto me.
Well, time goes on, with some getting saved, but a lot of persecution going on.
Stephen is killed, and Saul of Tarsus stands by assenting to his death. Good, old Saul, is a zealous, law-abiding, righteous, Pharisee, whos headed right into the wrath to come. (Matt.3) Hes happily murdering bible believing Jews, men and women, whom he thinks are heretics according to the law. He is unleashed HELL on wheels. He is PERSONALLY mad against them, and makes them blaspheme. (Acts 26) He WAS the rebellion of Israel against this way. He was the chief leader of the rebellion. How do I know that? The Holy Spirit pointed it out in the book of Acts! He gets letters from the priest, and is going to Damascus to kill some more of these people.
Well, you know what happens dont you?
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARS TO HIM ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.
Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Well, how about that! Jesus Christ GOT UP out of his seat, and CAME DOWN, so Paul could SEE HIM. He appeared to him, people.
Thats the THIRD COMING to this earth that is recorded by the Holy Scriptures. I know, I know, youre hotter than a popcorn popper. Too bad. Do you believe the Book? Or do you believe a system?
Now notice, that Paul did not see the Lord DESCEND FROM HEAVEN. He appeared to him, instantaneously. He just showed up to STOP HIM from murdering people, give him OPPORTUNITY to believe on him (those ****** were hurting), WHICH HE DID, and give instructions as to where he should go, and who he should see afterward, who would tell him what things he must do. One thing though, that was different from the 12 seeing him, was that Paul saw the Lord Jesus Christ in is GLORIFIED HEAVENLY BODY. (1 Cor.15:47-4 They never saw him like that.
It should also be noticed, that Paul saw the Lord, SECRETLY. It was a secret appearance to him. THE OTHERS DID NOT SEE THE LORD. Jesus Christ came down and appeared to him.
When Paul gives his testimony in Acts 9, 22. 26, 1 Cor.15, and 1 Cor.9, he STATES that he SAW the Lord Jesus. Jesus Christ was ALIVE, according to his testimony, to Porcius Festus. (Acts 25) How did he KNOW and TEACH that unless he had SEEN him alive. He had! Just as the Mary, his brethren, his apostles, and over 500 brethren, who did.
This WAS NO PHANTOM. It was no angel sent to him. It was no dream. He wasnt asleep. He was wide awake. This was the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
According to Paul the apostle, he was the LAST to see the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor.15: He saw him, JUST AS THE 12 did. He saw him literally, visibly, physically, and in his GLORIFIED HEAVENLY BODY.
Paul the apostle can testify to the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. WHEN he says that, we KNOW what HE is talking about. (1 Tim.6, 2 Tim.4, Titus 2) He states it, and the Scriptures testify to it.
Were on our third time, arent we? Sure we are. Get ready for the fourth time, the Lord COMES DOWN from heaven.
In Acts 23, we find the passage showing that after Paul has stood before the Sanhedrin, and testified some, and made those unChristlike statements, he is paid a visit.
Guess who visits him in the castle? You forgot about it, didnt you?
Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
I know, I know. It does make you mad. The Holy Scriptures will throw a monkey wrench in the system EVERYTIME. I go by this rule.
ALTER THE SYSTEM TO FIT THE WORDS OF THE BOOK. He does not go by systems. He changes the rules. He MAKES his own.
WITNESS THIS FACT! Let the Holy Scriptures demonstrate a change before your very eyes.
He was not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israel. (Matt.10, 15) The woman of Caanan STILL got what she wanted. HE BENT THE RULES THAT HE STATED. There are exceptions to the rules.
The post will CONTINUE.