The Rapture,acomming Event Series

The Rapture,A coming Event by Anthony Smith

Daniel 2:44-11:35

The Rapture, A coming Event. Are we reserved to go thru the Day of Gods Wrath? The Bible Says no. To begin with, what is prophecy, Its the study of future events. There are those who think that the rapture has already taken place, and that Jesus has already set up His kingdom on earth. These people would love for those that read their statements to believe exactly what they say. This is a deception, that even in the days of Paul, were common. Lets look at 2nd Thessalonians, 2:1-5. A letter had been forged in Paul’s name and was sent to the Church stating that the rapture had already taken place. 2nd,Thes 2:1-5 "That ye be not soon shaken (agitated.)

in mind, or be troubled, nether by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand., Let no man deceive you..... The church at Thessalonia was upset, for they received a false letter in Paul’s name, they were sad because, they thought that they were lost, believing that the church had already been raptured. Or should I say caught away. There must have been discussion, prior to this, Considering Paul’s own words of; ”the day of Christ is at hand.” about a catching away of the Church, otherwise, this confusion would not have taken place. We see this throughout scripture. What a blow that had to be on these people, waiting on Jesus to return and take them home and then hearing that He had already come and gone. Isn’t that what were hearing today? The Day of The Lord that Paul speaks of is depicted as a “falling away first.” There are many interpretations of these words, but that is what interpretation is, ”An Idea.” 2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first( References for one interpretation)(1Ti_4:1-3; 2Ti_3:1-3, 2Ti_4:3, 2Ti_4:4 )

, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. This is referring to the tribulation period because of the words close to the end of the verse; “showing himself that he is God.”

Prophecy has to take specific time lines that were set up by God. There are over 230 prophetic verses in scripture that have to line up and be fulfilled before the rapture can take place. There are many that don’t believe in the Rapture, but the rapture is an event that is an Idea of interpretation, that we cannot ignore. There are specific references to a great falling away and a catching up, in scripture. Unless otherwise noted, prophecy must be taken literally to be understood. There are two distinct phases, listed in scripture, may I say, more than once, The first is the rapture(Gathering. Mat 24:31 ) and the second is the glorious appearing. The word rapture is not mentioned in scripture, but we must look at the meaning. The word comes from the word; L. raptus, rapio. A seizing by violence. Rapidity with violence; a hurrying along with velocity;

Some reference for these are, Mth. 24:29-31; Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather (To bring together; to collect a number of separate things into one place or into one aggregate body.) together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Where will this gathering take Place? Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.1Co 15:52 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.

Scofield says of 1Co 15:52; Two resurrections are yet future, which are inclusive of "all that are in the graves" (Joh_5:28). These are distinguished as "of life"; (1Co_15:22); (1Co_15:23); (1Th_4:14-17); (Rev_20:4) and "of judgment"; (Joh_5:28); (Joh_5:29); (Rev_20:11-13). They are separated by a period of one thousand years (Rev_20:5). The "first resurrection," that "unto life," will occur at the second coming of Christ (1Co_15:23) the saints of the Old Testament and church ages meeting Him in the air (1Th_4:16); (1Th_4:17) while the martyrs of the tribulation, who also have part in the resurrection (Rev_20:4) are raised at the end of the great tribulation.

(5) The mortal body will be related to the resurrection body as grain sown is related to the harvest (1Co_15:37); (1Co_15:38) that body will be incorruptible, glorious, powerful, and spiritual (1Co_15:42-44); (1Co_15:49).