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Other scriptural examples, however, seem to imply that far fewer than 50% may actually be taken.
In Genesis (Chap. 41 vs. 34-36) we read that Joseph advised Pharoah to take up "the fifth part of the land in Egypt in the seven plenteous years"-- just before the seven lean years; which pictures the 7 year tribulation. This implies that perhaps only 1/5th of all believers will make the Firstfruits Rapture.
However, Jesus only took three -- Peter, James and John up with Him to pray on the mount (just before the betrayal of Judas). Since both Judas and the Anti-Christ are called "the son of perdition", this may imply that only Jesus' closest disciples will be taken up before the Tribulation when the Anti-Christ comes upon the scene.
It is my prayer that these insights and observations will strike a Godly fear in all who read them, motivating all of us to reconsider our prophetic, theological indoctrination, which hopefully will lead us to a better understanding of the truth.
By sheer determination and will, worldly ambition can often propel men towards goals for their lives which are contrary to God's perfect will. This is true of us Christians as well; for we can chart destinies for ourselves that may bring worldly success and adulation from men, but in the end will yield only disapproval from the Lord.
Much of what we see paraded today in Evangelical circles as the "Ordination of God", is actually the organizational ability of man seeking to impose and manage both the people of God and the Spirit of God Himself.
The Apostles chose to replace Judas with Matthias. This is the only place in scripture that mentions him; this is the ordination of man. God chose Paul to replace Judas -- His writings make up a great percentage of the New Testament -- this is the ordination of God.
The true goal of Christianity should not be the cultivation into our communities of moral pillars, but rather the making and sending of disciples -- who will learn to walk in the Spirit-directed life.
Heaven is full of sinners. Hell is full of religious people, who made the eternal mistake of believing they could possibly be good enough for God on their own terms.
It has always been true -- yesterday's revival is today's tradition. God is on the move. It's time for us to catch up. The church is not the buildings we meet in -- there is nothing sacred about them. The church is an organism-- it is the Holy Spirit in us.
Paul was "forbidden of the Holy Spirit" to preach in "Asia." Let us learn to hear Him when He says go, and to wait when He says no. What foolishness is propagated among Evangelicals today -- trying to confess themselves into mansions, cars, and all manner of material possessions. God will leave them to their riches when He comes -- "You cannot serve God and mammon."
How quickly, we in the church, mistakenly appropriate God's promises to Israel for ourselves, and yet just as easily we divorce ourselves from their curses for disobedience. Israel was Promised a worldly kingdom, earthly power, and an eternal land; the church was promised a heavenly Jerusalem -- persecutions, hatred, trials and tribulations. Paul said, "He is not a Jew who is one
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