|
In (1 Thes. 4 vs. 15-17), Paul tells us that the dead in Christ will rise first and then "we which are alive and remain shall be caught up" and be Raptured into heaven. This phrase alive and remain is mentioned two times indicating its importance.
In (2 Thes. 2 v. 3), Paul also disclosed that there will be a falling away first and the Anti-Christ will be revealed both before the main Rapture of the church.
I Cor. (15 v. 51) states "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 all be changed.
" Notice Paul emphasizes here that the main Rapture will occur: (1) After a falling away (2) After the Anti-Christ is revealed; and (3) at the last trump.
First, we must observe that the trumpet John hears in Rev. (4 v. 1) is certainly not the last trump -- for the last trumpet is the seventh trumpet which blows in (Rev. 11 v. 15).
Secondly, we must ask the rhetorical question as to why Paul mentioned the words "alive and remain" twice when he easily could have said we who are alive until the coming of the Lord will be caught up to meet Him in the air. The fact that the Holy Spirit mentioned these words "alive and remain" two times signifies that it is very, very important.
The Greek word used here is Peri Leipo from which we get our English word peril -- from the base Greek word Peiro which means to pierce through.
Peri -- means to be left around and scattered
Leipo -- means to be in a state of failure or destitution.
Thus peri leipo means to be left, scattered all around, in a state of failure or lack -- My Greek friends also tell me that this indicates a very sorrowful condition: Thus those who have been left behind at the Firstfruits Rapture.
As we just observed Paul could easily have said: we who are alive when Christ returns will be caught up to meet Him; simply by inference these verses preclude the probability that those spoken of here have been left behind. He also ends by saying "wherefore comfort one another with these words". For certainly those who find themselves left behind will desperately need to seek the Lord's comfort and they certainly shall receive it.
Getting back to our text, the Bible records the seventh trumpet as being the last trump. In Rev. 10 (v. 7) we read; "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel -- the mystery of God should be finished."
Now remember what is "the mystery of God" -- Paul already told us in 1 Cor. (15 v. 41) "Behold I show you a mystery. We shall all be changed in a moment -- in the twinkling of an eye."
The mystery of God is the Rapture. Now, if the mystery of God is finished (accomplished) when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet -- this means that the main Rapture will follow the raising of the two witnesses (Rev. 11 vs. 12-15) after having prophesied for 42 months.
Continuing, in Rev. (11 vs. 15-18) John records the sounding of the seventh trumpet and it is at this point that the main Rapture occurs. In verse 18, we read;
"And the nations were angry and thy wrath is come. (Remember, we are not appointed unto wrath.) And the time of the dead (the righteous dead) that they should be judged, (the Bema judgment of believers by Christ, after the first resurrection of the dead) and that thou
|
|
