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rately indicted for various sins and yet certain individuals within each church are promised crowns, thrones and co-rulership with Christ if they overcome.
         
In addition, the universal Pre-Tribulational Rapture theory effectively nullifies the many warnings Christ gives to us in the Gospels and Revelation. His exhortations predict dire consequences for those who are not watchful or diligent in preparing for His return.

          One of the many perilous ramifications perpetrated by this false teaching is its ability to effectively destroy all personal responsibility on the part of the believers. Since it teaches that we're all escaping before the Tribulation (regardless of our spiritual condition) our present spiritual work (or lack thereof) becomes basically a non-event; an intangible postulation to be redeemed in some far off eternity where we will be given some kind of heavenly merit badge acknowledging our Father's heavenly approval of our lives here on earth.

          Paul himself feared that after preaching to so many he might become a castaway and so strove to apprehend the prize which is the Pre-Tribulational Rapture for the overcomers in the church. Paul's argument for this is set out in Phil. 3 (vs. 10-15) where he alludes to attaining to an out-resurrection (exanastasis) (v. 11)  from among the dead. Since Paul is already saved, his concern is not salvation, but Pre-Tribulational Rapture. This is the prize to which he is alluding - Phil. 3 (vs. 13-14) "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
          Now, the Greek word translated high in High calling is an ano (an adverb). The literal translation of this word is upward. Some early translators misinterpreted this passage and substituted high because to translate it  upward did not make sense to their interpretation of the passage. But when we see that Paul is discussing the Pre-Tribulational Rapture of overcoming believers, the idea of pressing on towards the upward calling of God by Christ Jesus makes perfect sense. Paul's requirements as stated in Phil. 3 (vs. 10-15) to attain to this (exanastasis) out-resurrection are to be found by doing the will of God. In conformity to the patience and sufferings of Christ achieved, not through our own works, but in our daily yielding to the power and obedience of the Holy Spirit. Relationship, Relationship, Relationship...not Religion!

          Hidden within the pages of the Bible we find three separate incidents of Rapture, or translation, that shed more light on how we can become better qualified to make the first Rapture before the Tribulation.

(1) Enoch - Gen. (5 vs. 21-24)  (Jude 14)
(2) Elijah - I Kings (Chap 2)
(3) Philip - Acts (8 vs. 26-39)


          The story of Enoch reveals to us some very important clues that shed light on how to be qualified for the first Rapture. First -- "Enoch walked with God and He was not for God took Him." What this reveals to us is the intimate spiritual fellowship Enoch experienced with God. Walking with God implies keeping in step with someone who is on the move -- communicating on a level with God closer than most of us ever dare to approach; it indicates a moving from place to place, (like Abraham at the Spirit's leading)