chapter 1 the rapture -...
TRANSCRIPT
The Obsession with the Rapture
What is the Rapture and when is it?
A Book written by David Williams 2017
Introduction
Hello,
My name is David Williams; I am 53 Years old and live in Australia.
I have had the privilege over the last 10 years of being taken on an amazing Journey with God; this Journey has been to find out what Scripture has to say regarding the Doctrine on the return of Jesus Christ.
I had no preconceived ideas and was simply seeking the Truth; the deeper I entered into the Word of God the more I experienced the Harmony of God’s Word. The Harmony of each inspired person that wrote in the Word of God was profound regarding the coming of Jesus Christ.
I can honestly say that the most important Truth I found was the great importance of sitting at the feet of God’s Word and allowing His Word to be the Truth. I sat at the feet of Jesus, at the feet of Paul, and at the feet of John as though I was alive back in that day.
I want to listen to what they have to say, and I want to believe what they say. It is vital for me that I make them the authority in Doctrine, and in doing so I have to then make the adjustment needed in my mind and change the doctrines that I have been taught if they are wrong.
I believe we must come back to that important place today, especially with all of the Fables that are arising in the Churches. So many today are sitting at the feet of men and what these men have to say is not what Jesus said. The words that come out of the mouths of men should be the very same words that are written in the Word of God.
Fables are designed to entice the hearer by appealing to the desires of the flesh and will cause the hearer to turn from a path of Truth to a destructive path of Lies. A Fable will cause one to believe a Lie and actually question the Truth, Fables can be so subtle.
There are times when a Fable will start with an aspect of Truth, but a lie will then be added so that the listener is then led to believe the lie.
Do you remember what God said to Adam regarding the Fruit of the Tree?
In Genesis 2:17 the Lord God said to Adam “You shall not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil for in the day you eat it of it you shall surely die”.
Eve knew about the Instructions given by God and even believed what God had said, but in Genesis Chapter 3 we read of the Serpent that was very subtle, this subtle Serpent came to Eve and quoted what God had said as follows:
“Yes God has said that you shall not eat of every tree in the garden”.
Eves response to the subtle Serpent was “We may eat of the trees of the garden, but of the Tree in the midst of the garden God has said you shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it lest you die”
Eve knew the Truth and even quoted it to the subtle Serpent as found in Genesis 3:3.
The Subtle Serpent adds only one word to distort the Truth and that word was “Not”. The Serpent said “You shall NOT surely die”.
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In Genesis 3:5 the Subtle Serpent adds to the Fable and begins to appeal to the flesh of Eve by saying “God knows that in the day that you eat of the Tree your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as Gods, knowing Good and Evil”.
In Genesis 3:6 it becomes very clear that Eve had been enticed and she saw that the Tree was good for food even though she had not even eaten of it. Eve began to see that it was pleasant to the eyes and that it was a Tree to be desired so that one may become wise.
It was after Eve was enticed and began to desire that she then ate of the Fruit, she also gave the Fruit to Adam and he ate.
The Fable had appealed to the Lust of the Eyes, the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life.
There are many Fables today that are creeping in to the Doctrines of the Church, they are creeping into the Body of Christ in a very Subtle Way, and they appeal to the Lust of the Eyes, the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life.
This Book is about the Obsession with the Rapture to the point where many have set dates on the Rapture. In the last 10 years there have been so many Books, Videos and Conferences all around the world and Millions of Millions of Dollars have been made by the many Authors, Teachers and Preachers as well as Movie makers.
It is October 2017 at the time of the writing of this Book, the Prophecy that many were teaching in regards to the Rapture taking place on the 23rd of September 2017 has again been proven as being false. I have not heard or seen many of these False Teachers and Pastors stand down from their Pulpit, I have not seen them Repent to their Congregation, I have not seen the Congregations repenting for believing such a Fable.
People sold their homes, gave away their money and gave up their jobs because they believed the Fable.
Deception is growing at a great pace today and it would do us all well to seek the Truth from Gods Word and by His Holy Spirit.
In the last 10 Years or so there appears to be a total Obsession with the Doctrine of the Rapture, to the point where it is actually elevated to a place far higher than Scripture actually places it.
The Truth is that the word Rapture is only used once in the whole of the New Testament in regards to the Coming of Jesus Christ, how can the Church become so Obsessed with a word that is only used once in regards to the Coming of Jesus Christ?
Paul did not elevate the word Rapture or become as Obsessed with the word Rapture as we see some in the Church doing today!
We must know what Paul and Jesus said about the Rapture and we must know when the Rapture is going to take place. We should be preaching the exact same Doctrine as Paul and Jesus.
Paul did not date set and he certainly did not say that the Rapture can happen at any moment; Paul did not say that there are no more Prophecies to be fulfilled before the Rapture can take place.
I do hope that you the reader and listener of this Book will be blessed as much as I have in the last 10 years.
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Table of Contents1 Chapter 1 The Rapture 6
1.1 What does the Rapture word mean?.....................................................................................6
1.2 Is the word Rapture used in Scripture?..................................................................................7
1.3 Where in the New Testament is the word Harpazo/Rapture/Siezing found?........................7
1.3.1 The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the Violent take it by Rapture (Force)..........7
1.3.2 The Wicked One Raptures (Catches away) that which is sown in the heart of one who does not understand.....................................................................................................................7
1.3.3 The people were going to Rapture (Take by force) Jesus and make Him King...............8
1.3.4 The Wolf Raptures (catches) the sheep and scatters them............................................8
1.3.5 No one can Rapture (Pluck) us out of the hand of Jesus................................................8
1.3.6 No one is able to Rapture (Pluck) us out of Gods hand..................................................8
1.3.7 Phillip was Raptured (Caught away) to another place after he baptised the Eunuch.. . .8
1.3.8 The Soldiers came to Rapture (take by force) Paul and bring him to the Castle............9
1.3.9 Paul was Raptured (Caught up) to the Third Heaven and shown amazing things..........9
1.3.10 Paul was Raptured (Caught up) to the Third Heaven and he heard unspeakable things that are not lawful for a man to utter............................................................................................9
1.3.11 We are to save other Believers by Rapture (Pulling) them out of the fire.....................9
1.3.12 Jesus was Raptured (Caught up) to Heaven to sit at the Right Hand of God..................9
1.3.13 We will be Raptured from the Earth to Meet Jesus in the Air at the Resurrection of the Dead. 9
2 Chapter 2 When does the Rapture take place according to Scripture? 11
2.1 The Sequence of Events that Must take place prior to the Rapture....................................11
First Jesus descends from Heaven with a Shout that is heard.....................................................11
The Voice of the Archangel is heard............................................................................................11
The Trumpet of God sounds........................................................................................................11
The Bodies of the Dead in Christ will be Resurrected First..........................................................11
Then the Rapture takes place..........................................................................................................11
3 Chapter 3 What is the Rapture Event that Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 4:17? 13
4 Chapter 4 The Rapture is an Event that is seen with the eye. 15
4.1 Jesus was seen by His Disciples being Raptured Up into Heaven.........................................15
4.2 Philip was seen by the Eunuch being Raptured away until the Eunuch saw him no more.. 16
4.3 Elisha physically saw Elijah being Raptured up into Heaven out of his sight........................16
5 Chapter 5 When will the Sign (Semeion) of Jesus Coming be seen? 18
5.1.1 Learn NOW a Parable of the Figtree............................................................................18
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6 Chapter 6 The Coming (Parousia) of Jesus Christ Must take place First before the Resurrection of the Dead and the Rapture can take place. 19
6.1 Paul begged us to not be deceived regarding the Coming (Parousia) of Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Jesus....................................................................................................19
6.2 Jesus said that He will raise us up at the Last Day...............................................................21
6.3 Jesus said that the Resurrection will take place at the End of the Age................................21
7 Chapter 7 Jesus said that the Harvest takes place at the End of the Age and no earlier. 22
8 Chapter 8 The Conclusion of “The Obsession with the Rapture”. 23
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1 Chapter 1 The Rapture
1.1 What does the Rapture word mean?
Many believers today do not even know what the word Rapture means, I have spoken to many believers and the more I speak to, the more I realise the lack of understanding and the need of clarification. How can anyone believe in a Doctrine if they don’t even know what the word Rapture means?
The word Rapture means to be seized and to be taken by a force from one place to another.
The word “Rapture” that we use is derived from Middle French rapture, via the Medieval Latin rapture meaning (seizure, kidnapping) which derives from the Latin word raptus meaning (to carry off).
If you know what the word Rapture means then you would understand very clearly if I were to say to you, I am going to Rapture you from this Prison, or I am going to Rapture you from this flooding river.
You would understand very clearly if you were invaded by another country and their King said that they were going to Rapture you, it would mean that they were going to seize you and carry you off with them.
The word Rapture means nothing more than to be seized and moved from one location to another.
You can be sitting in a Concert listening to the most beautiful Orchestra playing and in your mind and heart you are Raptured, you are moved by the beautiful music and taken to a place of such beauty. Physically you are not moved but inwardly you are moved by the Music. The Music has seized you with such feeling and taken you on a journey.
There are many Movies today that can be so real and touching that you are Raptured from a place in your mind and heart to another place, you may laugh, you may cry, you may be moved to fear. You have not left the seat but your Mind and Body is experiencing many sensations.
The word Rapture clearly means to be moved Physically or Spiritually, literally in the physical or in the Mind and Heart.
To the Believers in Jesus Christ I would like to emphasize that the word Rapture does not mean Resurrection!
Rapture means to be seized and taken from one place to another.
Resurrection means to be Raised from the Dead to Life.
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1.2 Is the word Rapture used in Scripture?
There are some today in the Body of Jesus Christ that Teach that the word Rapture is not found in the Word of God! Is this statement true? It is not true! If I were to open the Latin Vulgate Bible I would soon be able to show you that the Latin word for Rapture is indeed found in the Bible.
The Latin Vulgate Bible translates as rapiemur meaning (we are caught up) or (we are taken away) and comes from the Latin Verb rapio meaning (to catch up or take away).
As you can see the Rapture is found in the Bible.
The Latin Verb word Rapio is translated as Harpazo in the Greek and the Greek word Harpazo is used in the Greek New Testament.
The Greek word Harpazo means (caught up or take away).
As you can see with the Latin, the Middle French, the Medieval, the Greek and also the English the word Rapture means to be seized and taken from one place to another and in all cases it is another means by which you are moved.
With the many Translations of the Bible that are now being written in English it will only be a matter of time before someone will simply write “Rapture” instead of writing “Caught up or Seized or Taken away”.
1.3 Where in the New Testament is the word Harpazo/Rapture/Siezing found?
Did you know that the word Rapture or the Greek word Harpazo is used in 13 different places in the New Testament and nowhere in those 13 places does it mean Resurrection or implies a Resurrection of any kind.
I will quickly show you the 13 Places where the Rapture word is used in the New Testament.
They are as follows:
1.3.1 The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the Violent take it by Rapture (Force)
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force (RAPTURE).
You can see quite clearly that there is a seizing taking place; it is a taking or seizing by force.
Rapture means to take by force.
1.3.2 The Wicked One Raptures (Catches away) that which is sown in the heart of one who does not understand.
Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away (RAPTURE) that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
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Again you can see quite clearly that there is a catching away or a seizing taking place.
Rapture means to catch away.
1.3.3 The people were going to Rapture (Take by force) Jesus and make Him King.
Joh 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force (RAPTURE) , to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Again you can see quite clearly that there is a seizing or taking by force taking place, the people wanted to literally seize Jesus and make Him King.
Rapture means to take by force.
1.3.4 The Wolf Raptures (catches) the sheep and scatters them.
John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them (RAPTURE), and scattereth the sheep.
Rapture means to catch.
1.3.5 No one can Rapture (Pluck) us out of the hand of Jesus.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them (RAPTURE) out of my hand.
Rapture means to pluck.
1.3.6 No one is able to Rapture (Pluck) us out of Gods hand.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them (RAPTURE) out of my Father's hand.
Again Rapture means to pluck.
1.3.7 Phillip was Raptured (Caught away) to another place after he baptised the Eunuch.
Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away (RAPTURE) Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Rapture means to be caught away.
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1.3.8 The Soldiers came to Rapture (take by force) Paul and bring him to the Castle.
Act 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force (RAPTURE) from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
Rapture means to take by force.
1.3.9 Paul was Raptured (Caught up) to the Third Heaven and shown amazing things.
2Corinthian 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up (RAPTURE) to the third heaven.
Rapture means to be caught up.
1.3.10 Paul was Raptured (Caught up) to the Third Heaven and he heard unspeakable things that are not lawful for a man to utter.
2Corinthian 12:4 How that he was caught up (RAPTURE) into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Again Rapture means to be caught up.
1.3.11 We are to save other Believers by Rapture (Pulling) them out of the fire.
Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out (RAPTURE) of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Rapture means to pull out.
1.3.12 Jesus was Raptured (Caught up) to Heaven to sit at the Right Hand of God.
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up (RAPTURE) unto God, and to his throne.
Again Rapture means to be caught up.
1.3.13 We will be Raptured from the Earth to Meet Jesus in the Air at the Resurrection of the Dead.
1Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (RAPTURE) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Again the word Rapture means to be caught up.
That completes all 13 places in the New Testament where the word Rapture is used, you can see clearly by all of the 13 Verses that the word Rapture means to be seized with Force and moved.
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1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the only verse in all of the New Testament where the Rapture word is used in connection with the Coming of Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to meet Him.
Nowhere in any of the 13 verses in the New Testament does the word Rapture mean Resurrection, or even imply a Resurrection.
Paul makes it very clear to you and I that the Dead in Christ will have their Incorruptible Bodies raised to Life First and then we will be Raptured Up together with them to meet Jesus in the air.
Yes it is true, the Resurrection of the Dead must take place first on the earth and then TOGETHER we will be Lifted Up, or Caught Up to meet Jesus in the air.
First The Dead Bodies are Raised to Life Incorruptible and at the same time we who are alive and remain will have our Bodies changed to Immortal and THEN TOGETHER we are lifted up.
The Rapture is the means by which we are gathered together to meet Jesus in the air, it is by Gods Power that we are Changed to Immortal and also by Gods Power that we are also seized and together lifted up together to meet Jesus in the Air.
As you can see very clearly the word Rapture is used in its proper meaning in all 13 places in the New Testament and is also used in the proper context, nowhere in all of the 13 Verses does the word Rapture mean Resurrection, the Truth according to Paul is that the Rapture will take place after the Resurrection of the Dead has taken place and not before.
First the Resurrection of the Dead will take place and THEN Together we are Raptured up to meet Jesus in the Air.
I want to spend the next Chapter looking deeper into when the Rapture will take place according to the words of Paul in Scripture.
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2 Chapter 2 When does the Rapture take place according to Scripture?
In the Last Chapter we looked briefly at the 13 verses in the New Testament where the word Rapture is used, we saw that the word Rapture is used in its proper meaning and context.
The ONLY place where you will find the word Rapture or Harpazo used in the New Testament in relation to us believers and the coming of Jesus Christ is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
Paul not only places the word Rapture or Harpazo in its proper and true context and that is to be seized and moved from one place to another, but he also places it in a very important sequence of events.
Let me show you the Verses 16 and 17 so that you may see the full picture.
1Th 4:16 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:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (Raptured) (Harpazo) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
2.1 The Sequence of Events that Must take place prior to the Rapture.
Let me now show you what must happen before the Rapture can take place:
First Jesus descends from Heaven with a Shout that is heard.
The Voice of the Archangel is heard.
The Trumpet of God sounds.
The Bodies of the Dead in Christ will be Resurrected First.
Then the Rapture takes place.
Yes! Jesus must First descend from Heaven before the Rapture can take place.
Yes! Jesus must give a Shout before the Rapture can take place.
Yes! The Voice of the Archangel must be heard before the Rapture can take place.
Yes! The Trumpet of God must sound before the Rapture can take place.
Yes! The Dead in Christ must be Resurrected before the Rapture can take place.
There are some today that teach that the Rapture is a Big Special Event that includes points 1- 4.
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Paul did not call the points 1-4 the Rapture, no!
Paul states clearly that the Rapture Event takes place after the Dead Bodies are Resurrected.
Paul states the following:
The dead in Christ shall rise first: THEN we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (RAPTURED) (Harpazo) TOGETHER with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Paul clearly distinguishes the Resurrection as being First and THEN the Rapture.
Let me also make this following point very clear to you all as it is in line with what Paul declared.
Jesus descending from Heaven with a shout and with the voice of the Archangel is NOT the Rapture.
The Trumpet of God sounding and the Resurrection of the Dead taking place is NOT the Rapture.
The word and event Rapture means to be seized and moved from one place to another.
Paul clearly states that the Resurrection of the Dead takes place First and THEN and I say THEN just as Paul did.
THEN TOGETHER those that are Resurrected to Life and those that Remain SHALL be Raptured up from the earth into the Air to meet Jesus in the Air.
Yes it is True, the Resurrection of the Dead is First and then Together we are Raptured from the earth to meet Jesus in the Air.
The word and Event Resurrection means to be raised from the Dead to Life.
The word and Event Rapture means to be seized and moved from one location to another.
Now you know without a shadow of a doubt what the Rapture is and When the Rapture is going to take place.
Let me now take you back to what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
I will place it all in clear sequence for you just as Paul said:
Jesus descends from Heaven with a shout that is heard The voice of the Arch Angel is heard The Trumpet of God is sounding The Dead in Christ are being Resurrected in their New Incorruptible Bodies (we know from 1
Corinthians 15 that it is the Changing of the bodies to immortal that happens in the twinkling of an eye)
We who are alive and remain shall have our bodies changed to immortal in the twinkling of an eye.
THEN and as Paul said THEN TOGETHER those that are alive and remain in Christ and those Resurrected from the dead
will be RAPTURED up Together from the earth to the air to meet Jesus.
There is a Clear Sequence just as Paul describes, we must not change that Sequence.
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3 Chapter 3 What is the Rapture Event that Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 4:17?
The Rapture Event that Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is an amazing Event that will soon take place, however many do not think about what is involved in this Rapture Event.
Have you ever considered what happens to the Believers in God when they die?
There are some that say that we just remain in the depths of the earth and are not aware of what is happening, there are others that say that we ascend to be with Jesus when we die and that we are resting with Him.
Paul gives us the Truth regarding this matter, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Paul actually tells us to not be ignorant concerning those that have died. Paul states clearly that we should not sorrow as those that have no Hope.
1Th 4:13 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.
Yes! We have a Hope in Jesus Christ and that Hope is that Jesus will bring with Him all that have died and rest with Him.
Just as Jesus Christ rose from the Grave and arose in an Incorruptible Body so will we, we will receive that Glorious Body and then meet with Him in the air.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Paul makes it very clear to you and I that Jesus is going to bring with Him all that have died and are resting with Him.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
I want you to now consider the following Truths.
Those that have died and sleep in Jesus will come down from Heaven with Jesus when He descends.
They have not yet received their Incorruptible Bodies. They are awaiting that special day so that they can receive their Incorruptible Bodies. Their Incorruptible Bodies will be Resurrected First and then the Rapture.
It is going to be like this:
Those that have died and are awaiting to be clothed in an Incorruptible Body will descend with Jesus from Heaven at His Coming, their Bodies will be Raised from the earth Incorruptible and they will then enter into that Glorious Body just like Jesus did with His Body.
They will be on the earth in their New Incorruptible Bodies and at that same time there will be those in Christ that are alive and remain that will also have their Bodies changed to Immortal.
Then TOGETHER we are going to be Raptured Up to Meet Jesus in the air.
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Have you ever considered that For the Dead in Christ to be Raptured Up TOGETHER with us that remain on earth, they must first of all have to come down to the earth to enter into their Incorruptible Body?
They must enter their Bodies that are Resurrected Incorruptible on earth.
Paul makes it very clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 that we who remain shall not be before those that are Resurrected.
1Th 4:15 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 precede or be before them which are asleep.
Paul makes it very clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 the exact Order.
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.
It is True Jesus brings down with Him those that have died and they will Rise First in their Resurrected Bodies and then TOGETHER we are all going to be Raptured UP to meet Jesus in the air.
The Rapture is going to take place when the Incorruptible Bodies are raised from the earth, and those that remain in Christ alive on the earth have received their Immortal Bodies.
The Rapture is the act of being seized and Lifted Up TOGETHER into the Air to meet Jesus.
The Resurrection of Bodies and Changing of Bodies MUST be First then the Rapture.
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4 Chapter 4 The Rapture is an Event that is seen with the eye.
Do you know that the Rapture is an event that will be physically seen with the eye?
We will look at this Visible Event called the Rapture in this Chapter.
In the Old Testament and the New Testament there were Rapture Events that were seen with the Physical Eyes of mankind.
4.1 Jesus was seen by His Disciples being Raptured Up into Heaven.
Did you know that the Rapture of Jesus was an actual event that the Disciples saw many days after His Resurrection?
Jesus did not simply vanish into thin air!
No! Jesus was seen ascending up into the Air by His Disciples and they physically watched Him ascend.
Look at what is recorded in Scripture.
Jesus was talking to His Disciples before He ascended (was Raptured up).
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 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.
Yes! The Disciples literally saw Jesus ascend up into the cloud with their own eyes and then out of their sight.
With their own eyes they saw Jesus ascend (being Raptured Up) until He was taken out of their sight.
Yes! The Disciples saw Jesus get Raptured Up into Heaven.
The Angels told the Disciples that Jesus will descend the same way that He ascended, Yes! It will be visible.
Jesus was Raptured up visibly and I do believe that we will also be seen ascending (Being Raptured Up) into the Air to meet Him when He visibly descends.
We do not just simply vanish into thin air.
It is the Resurrection and the changing of our Bodies to Immortal that takes place in the Twinkling of an eye, as Paul declared so clearly in 1 Corinthians 15 not the Rapture.
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4.2 Philip was seen by the Eunuch being Raptured away until the Eunuch saw him no more.
Do you know that the Disciple Philip had been witnessing to a Eunuch and then baptised the Eunuch, as they came up out of the water Philip was Raptured away?
Yes! We find this story of Rapture in Acts 8:39
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Act 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
It is very clear in verse 39 that both the Eunuch and Philip came up out of the water together and then the Spirit of God took Philip away to a completely different location.
Philip did not simply vanish, No! Philip was taken away out of the sight of the Eunuch and the Eunuch then walked away rejoicing.
4.3 Elisha physically saw Elijah being Raptured up into Heaven out of his sight.
Do you know in the Old Testament that Elijah was seen being raptured up into the Air?
Yes Elijah was Raptured up and Elisha was told by Elijah that if Elisha saw Elijah ascending (Being Raptured) up he would receive the power of Elijahs mantle.
Look with me in 2 Kings 2:9-14 and you will see what Elisha saw.
2Ki 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
2Ki 2:10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
2Ki 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2Ki 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
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2Ki 2:13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
2Ki 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
I Believe that Jesus will be physically seen descending from Heaven with His Angels and that people will physically see us being Raptured up into the air to meet Jesus, it will be visible and people will know and they will not be able to go where we go.
But we must remember that the Resurrection of the Dead and Changing to Immortal comes First then the Rapture Event where together we are Seized by Gods Power and Lifted Up to meet Jesus in the Air.
Paul clearly states that the Resurrection of the Dead takes place before the Rapture.
Paul also clearly states that the Coming of Jesus where He descends from Heaven with a Shout must take place before the Resurrection of the Dead can physically take place, then the Rapture.
Jesus MUST come First.
Paul was not Obsessed with the Rapture or date setting of the rapture as many are today, No!
How could he when it is recorded in Scripture where he only used the Rapture word once in regards to the Coming of Jesus Christ.
Paul was more concerned with walking in Holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit and he spoke many times about the Coming of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection that is to take place at Christs Coming.
Pauls stated clearly in Scripture that his desire was to attain to be in the Resurrection of the Dead at the Coming of Jesus Christ.
Paul did NOT say that he wanted to attain to be in the Rapture, the reason being was that Paul knew that one must First be in the Resurrection or First have ones body changed to Immortal then you will be in the Rapture.
It is a Fact, If you don’t have your Body changed to Immortal or don’t receive the Incorruptible Body then you won’t be in the Rapture.
Resurrection First then the Rapture.
Do you know that Jesus never used the word Rapture once in relation to His Coming but He used the words Coming and Resurrection many times?
Jesus was not obsessed with the Rapture as a subject and He was certainly not obsessed with the Date Setting of the Rapture.
The Disciples were certainly not Obsessed with asking Jesus about the rapture or even talking about the rapture, No!
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The Disciples actually asked Jesus about what must be physically seen before Jesus will Come down from Heaven.
I want to now briefly look at what Paul and Jesus have to say about the Coming of Jesus before the Resurrection can take place, for a Deeper Study on the Coming of Jesus Christ please read the Book I wrote called “The Parousia of Jesus Christ”.
5 Chapter 5 When will the Sign (Semeion) of Jesus Coming be seen?
In Matthew 24:3 the Disciples of Jesus actually asked Jesus what shall be the Sign (Semeion) of your Coming and the End of the Age.
Matthew_24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the Age?
Jesus answers the question of the Disciples in Matthew 24:30 regarding the Sign (Semeion) of His Coming, Jesus states “Then shall the Sign (Semeion) of the Son of Man in Heaven appear, for they shall see the Son of Man coming with Power and Great Glory.
Matthew_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.
Jesus clearly indicated to the Disciples and you and I when that Sign will appear, He stated clearly that it will be seen after the Tribulation period is completed and it will be seen only when the Sun is darkened, when the Moon does not give its Light and when the Stars are falling from Heaven and the Powers of Heaven are being shaken.
Matthew 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:
5.1.1 Learn NOW a Parable of the Figtree.
We do not know the exact Day or Hour of His Coming but we know what MUST be seen before that Day and Hour will come. That is why Jesus stated for us to Learn a Parable of the Figtree.
Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
I cannot emphasise how important it is for you and I to Learn the Parable of the Figtree NOW so as to understand fully the Coming of Jesus Christ.
When You SEE ALL these things then you Know that the Coming of Jesus Christ is near and at the Doors.
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Jesus Prophesied what MUST be seen before He will come and we must be Obedient to that Truth.
Don’t believe a Fable.
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6 Chapter 6 The Coming (Parousia) of Jesus Christ Must take place First before the Resurrection of the Dead and the Rapture can take place.
The Coming of Jesus Christ must take place before the Resurrection of the Dead can take place; there are many verses in the New Testament that speak about the Day of Christs Coming.
I want to spend some time looking at the very clear and defined verses regarding this important Event.
6.1 Paul begged us to not be deceived regarding the Coming (Parousia) of Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Jesus.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Paul begs the Followers of Jesus Christ to not be deceived in regards to the Coming of Jesus Christ and our being Gathered together to meet Jesus. Paul makes it very clear when he says “Don’t be soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor word, nor letter as though anyone had said that the Day of Christs Coming is about to take place.
Paul states “Dont let any man deceive you for the Day of Jesus Christs Coming will NOT happen until the Apostasy comes First AND that the man of sin is also revealed who is called the Son of Perdition.
2Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
In verse 8 Paul states clearly that when the Wicked Son of Perdition is revealed that is also when Jesus will Come and consume the Wicked One with the Spirit of His mouth and shall destroy with the Brightness of His Coming.
2Thessalonians 2:8 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:
This leaves us with no doubt in regards to the Coming (Parousia) of Jesus Christ, Jesus is not going to Come until the Apostasy takes place and also the revealing of the Son of Perdition. Then Jesus will come and gather us together us to Himself and at that same Coming Jesus Christ will destroy the Son of Perdition.
For the Son of Perdition to be revealed means that he must fulfil every Prophecy regarding who he is and also what he does right up to the very Day when Jesus comes to destroy him.
We see this very Prophecy played out in Harmony with what Paul states in Revelations 19:11-21 and Revelations 20:1-6.
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John even calls the Resurrection that takes place at the Coming of Jesus Christ when He destroys the Beast and False Prophet as being the First Resurrection.
If it is the First Resurrection then that means it is the First Resurrection and there cannot be any earlier than this.
What John sees is in Harmony with what Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 2.
In 2 Thessalonians 2 Jesus comes to gather us together to Himself when He destroys the Son of Perdition, and we know that when Jesus Comes the Resurrection of the Dead in Christ will take place.
In Revelations 19 and 20 we know that Jesus comes and destroys the Beast and the False Prophet and their assembled Armies and that is also when Satan is bound for 1000 Years and this is the same timing when the First Resurrection will take place.
Blessed and Holy are those that are in the First Resurrection for they will Rule and Reign with Jesus Christ for the 1000 Years.
The Great Day of Resurrection that takes place at the Coming of Jesus Christ is a Day that has never yet existed since the Creation by God, it is a Day that all that Rest in Christ are waiting for with great excitement. It is a day that we also look forward to but we must Trust in what the Word of God states regarding that Day.
We must wait Patiently and see the Prophecies be revealed before our eyes just as Paul said, they will be revealed just as God has declared and as that Day draws even closer our Hearts will be filled with excitement and longing.
Jesus has much to say in the New Testament about His Coming, and about the Day of Resurrection, I want to look into what Jesus has to say about the Day of Resurrection in the next Chapter.
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6.2 Jesus said that He will raise us up at the Last Day.
Jesus said an amazing Truth about the Day of Resurrection of His Followers, in John 6:54 Jesus says that whoever eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood has Eternal Life and He will Raise us up at the Last Day.
That is you and it is me and it is every other Believer in God from the Creation.
If Jesus states that He is going to Raise up our Bodies at the Last Day that means that there is not going to be any Resurrection before that Day.
The Last Day is the Last Day.
It is important to grasp hold of this Truth from the mouth of Jesus Christ.
John_6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
6.3 Jesus said that the Resurrection will take place at the End of the Age.
Jesus spoke clearly about the Age that we live in and how we marry and are given in Marriage, and He also spoke about when the Resurrection will take place and in the next Age how we will not marry and will never die.
We will be the Children of God and Children of the Resurrection.
You can read of this in Luke 20:34-35
Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this Age marry, and are given in marriage:
Luke 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that Age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
This is also recorded in Matthew 22:29-30.
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Jesus actually said that we will be recompensed for what we have done in that Resurrection and called it the Resurrection of the Just as recorded in Luke 14:14.
Luke_14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
It is very clear from what we have heard so far from the mouth of Jesus that He will not be coming until after the Tribulation Period is completed. It is also very clear that Jesus will raise us up at the Last Day and no earlier, we know that the Last Day is also known as the day when the Resurrection takes place which is at the End of the Age. Jesus also makes it very clear that those in that
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Resurrection are the ones that were accounted worthy and they are the Just, that is why Jesus called it the Resurrection of the Just, we also know that is also going to be the time when the Believers in God will be recompensed.
We know that the Resurrection of Gods Children will take place at the End of the Age but did you also know that this Resurrection is also called a Harvest? The Harvest takes place at the End of the Age, Yes! The Resurrection of Gods Children is also known as the Harvest I will talk more about this Harvest in the next Chapter.
7 Chapter 7 Jesus said that the Harvest takes place at the End of the Age and no earlier.
Do you realise that the Children of God and the Children of Satan must remain on this earth and live together until the End of the Age and then the Harvest of God will take place?
Yes it is true, we must remain on earth together until the End of the Age and then the Harvest/Resurrection will take place.
Jesus made this Truth very clear in Matthew 13:24-30 where He told a Parable about the Kingdom of God and the Wheat and the Tares, later in Matthew 13:36-45, Jesus tells the Disciples about the meaning of the Parableof the Wheat and Tares and how they must grow together until the End of the Age when the Harvest will then take place.
Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Jesus made it very clear that the Wheat are the Children of the Kingdom and that the Harvest takes place at the End of the Age. Jesus is the one that comes and He will send His Angels.
In the New Age at the time of the Resurrection Jesus will Rule in His Kingdom and the Righteous shall shine forth in the Kingdom of God on Earth.
Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
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13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the Age; and the reapers are the angels.
13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this Age.
13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
8 Chapter 8 The Conclusion of “The Obsession with the Rapture”.
I do believe that we can conclude from this Study by using Scripture that we must have a Biblical Understanding on what the Rapture is and when the Rapture will take place so that we will not be deceived. It is vital for all Believers today to understand, believe and to also speak what is found in the Word of God.
The Resurrection is not the Rapture and the Rapture is not the Resurrection, First comes the Resurrection and then the Rapture.
The Rapture is the means by which we will be seized and taken to meet Jesus in the Air, the Rapture is a doing word, it is an Action word.
The Rapture is the means by which we will be gathered together to meet Jesus in the air and Jesus will use His Angels to come and Gather us all Together to meet Jesus.
The Angels will escort us to meet our Saviour in the Air.
The Truth is as follows
We should not be deceived because Jesus will not come and gather us together to Himself until the Apostasy and the Son of Perdition is revealed.
When Jesus does come to gather us to Himself He will destroy the Son of Perdition. This means that Jesus will not be coming until the Tribulation Period is completed. Jesus said that the Sign of His Coming will not be seen until the Tribulation Period is
completed and the Sun is darkened, the Moon does not give its Light and the Stars are falling from Heaven.
Jesus said that we will be on this earth until the End of the Age. Jesus said that the Harvest will take place at the End of the Age. Jesus said that the Resurrection will take place at the End of the Age. Jesus said that those that are in that Resurrection are the Children of God and also the
Children of the Resurrection and they are accounted Worthy to be in that Resurrection. Jesus said that those that are in that Resurrection are Just. Paul said that the Resurrection will take place and when that happens we will then be
Raptured Up Together to meet Jesus in the Air. Jesus said that we will be recompensed in the Resurrection of the Just.
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John calls that Resurrection the First Resurrection and also says Blessed and Holy are they that are in the First Resurrection as they will Rule and Reign with Jesus and God.
Jesus said that He will remove Evil from His Kingdom in Israel and the Righteous shall then Shine forth in the Kingdom of God.
We Must not be deceived with the Obsession that many have seen lately in regards to the Rapture, we must be comforted and guided by the Truth that is in God’s Word.
Many have been led astray and been deceived by the errors that have been taught lately but it is now time to stand in Truth.
The Rapture is a Real Event that will take place at the Return of Jesus Christ but there is a Biblical Order that God has declared.
I Hope this Study has opened your eyes to God’s Word and I also Hope that you have heard the Truth with your own ears.
You now know What the Rapture is and when it will take place.
The End.
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