The Rapture:
(the Pre-Tribulation Rapture):
(The Translation of the Saints):
Description of the Rapture:
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
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 Corinthians 15:51-53
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.
The Dead in Christ Are Taken From Abraham's Bosom By the Rapture:
(Both the Old Testament Saints and Church Age Saints in Abraham's Bosom Are Called to Rise To Meet the Lord in the Air. For in the Rapture: The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First):
• Zechariah 9:11 NIV and 1 Thessalonians 4:16
For... I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. And with the trump of God... the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Commentary - Zechariah 9:11 and Thessalonians 4:16
Zechariah 9:11 is a prophetic Old Testament passage about the taking up of the saints from Abraham's bosom.
What is Abraham's Bosom?
Abraham's bosom (which is also known as Paradise) is described in Luke 16:19-31. It is a real place of comfort within the spirit realm; A temporary paradise where the saint's soul and spiritual body resides consciously to be with the Lord when their physical body dies (Genesis 3:19) (Ecclesiastes 12:7) (Luke 16:22). This paradise is located within the realm of the dead below the Earth (Which is also known as Sheol or Hades) which is separated by a great gulf from the fiery place of punishment known as "Torments" or what is commonly known as "Hell" (Luke 16:26) (Luke 16:23). It will be a place where the saint will be comforted (Luke 16:25). But, why is Abraham's bosom also called Paradise? Well, on the day of Christ's sacrifice, he had told the thief on the cross that: "This day, you shall be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). But yet, Scripture tells us that when Christ died, he was in the heart of the Earth for three days and three nights, though (Matthew 12:40). So this leads us to conclude that during Christ's three days within the grave before His resurrection, He was with the thief in Abraham's bosom which is located in the heart (or the center) of the Earth.
Does Abraham's Bosom Still Exist Within the Church Age Today?
The real life story (or event) told by Jesus within Luke 16:19-31 took place during the time of Moses (Luke 16:29). However, the important question that must be asked is: Does Abraham's Bosom still exist today, though?
Well, yes, I believe according to the plain reading of Scripture that Abraham's bosom still exists today within our present church age. For all true saints who die in Christ right now will go to be with the Lord down in Abraham's bosom and then later they will be taken up into Heaven when the Rapture occurs. For how else will the dead in Christ rise first? See 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Do the dead in Christ rise to go to Heaven and then come back down somewhere temporarily to be risen again at the Rapture? Do they rise in Christ twice spiritually? If so, where is the verse that explains this?
In fact, many Christians today who are well versed in studying the Scriptures believe they go straight to Heaven; This is a common misconception because they interpret the ascension of Christ mentioned in Ephesians 4:8 as the time of when the saints in Abraham's bosom are being taken to Heaven.
Ephesians 4:8 - "When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive."
In other words, based on this passage, most Christians believe that Christ led those saints who were in captivity in Abraham's bosom captive up into Heaven when Christ ascended. However, is this what Ephesians 4:8 is talking about, though?
No, actually it is actually talking about how when Christ ascended, He bound the enemy or the powers of darkness. How so? Well, our first clue to this fact is to look at the parallel reference of this passage located in Judges chapter five.
Judges 5:12 - "Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead your captives captive, you son of Abinoam."
Now, without boring you with all the details, to make a long story short, if you were to read Judged chapter 5, you would find out that Barak was leading his enemies captive and not his friends. To put it to you another way, the moment a true Christian is born again and then dedicates their life to Christ, they are then no longer Christ's enemy. For those in Abraham's bosom are God's elect or chosen who had put their trust in God to redeem them of their sins (See Luke 16:19-31).
As a matter of fact, Gill's Exposition of the Bible says this...
"He led captivity captive; which is expressive of Christ's conquests and triumph over sin, Satan, the world, death, and the grave; and indeed, every spiritual enemy of his and his people, especially the devil, who leads men captive at his will, and is therefore called captivity, and his principalities and powers, whom Christ has spoiled and triumphed over;"And 2nd Timothy says this...
2 Timothy 2:26 - "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. For when Christ had raised from the dead he put all things including the principalities and powers of darkness under his feet."
Therefore, the word "captivity" is a reference to Satan leading people captive to his will and lets us know the true context or meaning behind Ephesians 4:8.
For when Christ had risen from the dead, He put all things including the principalities and powers of darkness under his feet.
Ephesians 1:20-23 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
Those Who Are Alive in Christ on the Earth Are Then Raptured:
(The Church Age Saints Are Called to Rise To Meet the Lord in the Air. This is Similar to the Translation of Enoch whereby He did Not Die):
• 1 Thessalonians 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.
Clues Concerning the Rapture:
• John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
• Matthew 25:10
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.We are taught to look for that blessed hope and appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
• Titus 2:13
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
Promise of the Rapture:
(A Deliverance of the Wrath to Come):
• 1 Thessalonians 1:10
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
• 1 Thessalonians 5:9
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"
The Rapture is a New Mystery Revealed:
• 1 Corinthians 15:51
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,"
Admonishes about being ready for the Rapture:
(In order to miss out on the 7 Year Tribulation):
• Matthew 25:13
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."We are told to pray so that we may escape all these things mentioned within the Tribulation:
• Luke 21:36
What things shall we escape if we pray?
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
• Luke 21:10
• Revelation 6:4
"Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom"
"...and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another..."• Luke 21:11
• Revelation 6:12
"And great earthquakes..."
• Luke 21:11
"...and, lo, there was a great earthquake;"
"...and famines..."• Revelation 6:5-6
"And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
Very impressive work. I read all of it. I was most impressed that you were able to conclude that there will be a pre trib rapture and a gathering after that.
Have you considered that the gathering will be a gathering from heaven and earth.
Mark 13
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
It will be the Church that is gathered from heaven (raptured pre trib) and it will be the 12 tribes that are gathered from the earth. There will be two harvests, as you say................the fig tree has two harvests.
Hosea 9
10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
Israel served other Gods...........so they would not be the first harvest.
Jer 8
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Another thing you could consider. You are correct that the seals are the tribulation. The tribulation is over when the gathering of Matt 24 (Rev 6) occurs. The 70th week is over then. You are saying that the gathering is at the middle of the week. I don't believe that is correct. The gathering is at the end of the week............and then the wrath of God begins. It is the nation of Israel that goes through the wrath of God.........in a place of protection. The Church is gathered from heaven and the 12 tribes are gatherer from the earth. They (the twelve tribes) are instructed to look up......your redemption draws nigh. All of the Elect go to heaven for the marriage supper and return to earth with the Lord after the marriage supper.
Just something for your to consider. Really enjoyed reading your hard work. Thanks...............
Upvote
0