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The Rapture
This is the biggest religious topic aside from Chip Implants and the Mark of the Beast 666. The Rapture is basically a Doctrine saying people of "Faith" will be lifted off the Earth to safety just before wicked persons are punished as mentioned in the book of Revelation. There are Christians who think its going to happen and there are those that feel it is just another Doctrine that has been created to grab followers. It's easy to poke and prod this with verses to shape it into something it really isn’t. There’s even talk of 2 raptures not just one. This Doctrine is thought of stemmed sometime in the early 1800’s. The guys who wrote the book "Left Behind" won't be able to lift off with all that cash in their pockets. First and foremost the most amusing part of this doctrine is those that believe it also believe that once saved always saved. If this is the case then what is the point of a rapture of the righteous? Clearly there are those that think living a life of debauchery is just fine because they are forgiven. Then I wonder why would "Jesus" come back to Earth to pluck them up seeing that they really haven’t lived a better life than the next guy whom they condemn with their words of self righteousness? 1 John 3:4 Those who sin are opposed to the law of God, for all sin opposes the law of God. 1 John 3:5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, for there is no sin in him. 1 John 3:6 So if we continue to live in him, we won't sin either. But those who keep on sinning have never known him or understood who he is. John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. If you really accept Christ then you accept living like him. Recall that even humans were created "perfect" and the "angels who misled mankind" were also created this way. It doesn't help being perfect because that obviously has nothing to do with not sinning, so we can't use that as a crutch to continue to sin. There are so many numerous scriptures regarding how we ought to be living our lives I would have to paste half the bible in here to make the point. Mat 7:21 Not every one who is saying to me Lord, lord, shall come into the reign of the heavens; but he who is doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens. Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, lord, have we not in thy name prophesied? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many mighty things? Mat 7:23 and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness. (Those that ignore the commandments are lawless)
The Greek word “Harpazo” translated means “to seize”. This is the word they refer to when discussing the rapture doctrine.I go into greater detail about this word in part II of my Rapture Article. The definition of "Harpazo" and its New Testament use by the original writers indicate that it has nothing to do with direction, such as being caught into the air. What it does reveal is that the word is simply telling us of a particular state of being one might find himself – in the state of being seized.
Before we have Lift Off lets take a look at why the Earth is here. It was created for mankind to live upon in garden like conditions.
Genesis 1:1-31 (He goes through all this trouble to create the Earth for humans to dwell in) This was the intent until lawlessness prevailed. The intent is for the Earth to still be here. 2Pe 3:31 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Pro 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. Pro 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Mat 5:5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Rev 3:12 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heavenfrom my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name. Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Very to the point scriptures aren't they?
Here are some excerpts from The Book of Enoch. I reference this often as it is accepted by other writers of the bible and Jesus himself quotes from it. Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Jude 1:14-15 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Yes he gave testimony and the other writers knew it. Not only do two approved bible books mention this but also the Book of Enoch was among those found with the Dead Sea scrolls likely meaning it was held in high esteem by early Christians and Jews. This link goes into greater detail about the parallels of Enoch with the rest of the Scriptures. Dead Sea Scrolls information on Enoch Enoch 1:1 The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect and righteous, who will be 2 living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked and godless are to be removed. Wow did you get that? Let me paste it again and then underline it. Enoch 1:1 The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the Elect and Righteous, who will be 2 living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked and godless are to be removed. (Taken Away)
I tell you that just finished off the Rapture and Pre-Rapture right there. Enoch 1:7 And the earth shall be wholly rent in sunder, And all that is upon the earth shall perish, And there shall be a judgment upon all (men). Enoch 1:8 But with the righteous He will make peace, And will protect the elect, And mercy shall be upon them. Enoch 1:9 And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones To execute judgment upon all, And to destroy all the ungodly: Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Why are the days cut short? Because they are all still on Earth and have gone no where. Enoch 1:8 But with the righteous He will make peace, And will protect the elect, And mercy shall be upon them.
To tell you the truth I’m more worried for those that aren’t ready to meet the Lord because he’s coming even if it’s not convenient for us.
The Righteous are Slain for their Testimony
These following passages refer to those that have died before the end times. Notice there is no talk of them having escaped but rather slain for their testimony.
Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled. Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
More on Describing the Timing of Events:
Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; "The sun became black as sackcloth" Mat 24:29 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: (After The Great Tribulation) Mat 24:30 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. Matt 24:30-31 They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” Luke 21: 36 "Watch then at all times, and pray that you be counted worthy to escape all this about to take place, and to stand before the son of Man" I’ve seen people use this verse to explain a rapture. The time period here is after the Tribulation. Pray we are worthy to escape the wrath of the Lord not the tribulation events. By the time the wicked people see this its too late for them. This is the point you will experience being "seized" and the wicked will be Taken Away.
This event in Matthew aligns with the events of Rev 19:11-21, Read it Here
Enochs Account of this same Event:
Judgement of the Kings and the Mighty: Blessedness of the Righteous
Enoch 62:1 And thus the Lord commanded the kings and the mighty and the exalted, and those who dwell on the earth, and said: 'Open your eyes and lift up your horns if ye are able to recognize the Elect One.' 2 And the Lord of Spirits seated him on the throne of His glory, And the spirit of righteousness was poured out upon him, And the word of his mouth slays all the sinners, And all the unrighteous are destroyed from before his face. 3 And there shall stand up in that day all the kings and the mighty, And the exalted and those who hold the earth, And they shall see and recognize how he sits on the throne of his glory, And righteousness is judged before him, And no lying word is spoken before him. 4 Then shall pain come upon them as on a woman in travail, [And she has pain in bringing forth] When her child enters the mouth of the womb, And she has pain in bringing forth. 5 And one portion of them shall look on the other, And they shall be terrified, And they shall be downcast of countenance, And pain shall seize them, When they see that Son of Man Sitting on the throne of his glory. 6 And the kings and the mighty and all who possess the earth shall bless and glorify and extol him who rules over all, who was hidden. 7 For from the beginning the Son of Man was hidden, And the Most High preserved him in the presence of His might, And revealed him to the elect. 8 And the congregation of the elect and holy shall be sown, And all the elect shall stand before him on that day. 9 And all the kings and the mighty and the exalted and those who rule the earth Shall fall down before him on their faces, And worship and set their hope upon that Son of Man, And petition him and supplicate for mercy at his hands. 10 Nevertheless that Lord of Spirits will so press themThat they shall hastily go forth from His presence, And their faces shall be filled with shame, And the darkness grow deeper on their faces.11 And He will deliver them to the angels for punishment,To execute vengeance on them because they have oppressed His children and His elect 12 And they shall be a spectacle for the righteous and for His elect: They shall rejoice over them, Because the wrath of the Lord of Spirits resteth upon them, And His sword is drunk with their blood. 13 And the righteous and elect shall be saved on that day, And they shall never thenceforward see the face of the sinners and unrighteous.14 And the Lord of Spirits will abide over them, And with that Son of Man shall they eat And lie down and rise up for ever and ever. 15 And the righteous and elect shall have risen from the earth, And ceased to be of downcast countenance. And they shall have been clothed with garments of glory, 16 And these shall be the garments of life from the Lord of Spirits: And your garments shall not grow old, Nor your glory pass away before the Lord of Spirits.
2 Thess 2:9 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming Mat 24:31 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. (After The Great Tribulation They Are Gathered)
Some are awaiting another earlthy Messiah - Here are some interesting verses in regard to that:
Mark 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not: Mark 13:22 For false Christ’s and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect. Matt 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. Matt 24:26 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.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Hence the Sign of the Son of Man as stated above. There will be no one on Earth wondering if its him or not)
Taken Away! (Not a good thing)
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Mat 24:41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (After The Great Tribulation The Lord Comes and Then the Wicked Are Taken Away)
Enoch 1:1 The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect and righteous, who will be 2 living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked and godless are to be removed. (Taken Away) Not that I need to point this out, but it’s not good to be Taken Away.
The Greek verb translated as “took them all away” in Matt 24:39 is airo Αιρω(Strong's 00142).
Greek scholar Spiros Zodhiates describes this word as “To take away, remove, with the idea of lifting away from, usually with the idea of violence and authority.
The Greek word Paralambano, “taken,” implies a taken to be with "Jesus". Acts 1:1-2 “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Yahshua began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.”
The Greek verb translated “Taken up” here is not Paralambano, but analambano Αναλαμβανω (Strong's # 00353) which means specifically “to take up.”
This is why it's good to be part of "The Remnant", because if your not remaining you're going to be "Taken Away"
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 1 Thess 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night 2 Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Pro 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. Enoch 5:3 And behold how the sea and the rivers in like manner accomplish and change not their tasks from His commandments'. Enoch 5:4 But ye --ye have not been steadfast, nor done the commandments of the Lord, But ye have turned away and spoken proud and hard words With your impure mouths against His greatness. Oh, ye hard-hearted, ye shall find no peace. Mat 7:23 and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness 1 John 3:6 So if we continue to live in him, we won't sin either. But those who keep on sinning have never known him or understood who he is.
Last Update 4-13-2017
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