The Rapture Debate Jesus Was Born in a Small Village
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The Rapture Debate Jesus was born in a small village outside of Jesusalem called Bethlehem, presumambly the son of Mary and Joseph who themselves were descendants of King David. The ancient Hebrew prophets had long before written many things concerning Jesus. Hundreds of specific statements are found throughout the Hebrew scriptures that speak with clarity and authority hundreds of years before His birth. Soon after birth, Jesus lived for a short time in Egypt and then most of His life in northern Israel in the hill country of Galilee. At about thirty years of age, Jesus began a public ministry mostly in the area around the Sea of Galilee with an occasional appearance in Jerusalem and elsewhere. Around Him was gathered a close group of 12 men while many others often flocked to be near Him as well. These early seekers listened to words of wisdom, instruction in righteousness (often not the typical traditional line) and were witness to countless miracles of healings, casting out demons, and even raising of the dead. He taught both privately and out in the open, even teaching in the Hebrew Synagogues. Often, Jesus was found in conflict with religious authorities, especially when He traveled to Jerusalem. Despite a constant display of kindness, love, and compassion, Jesus was accused of many things; violating the Sabbath, organizing rebellion against Rome and repeatedly claiming that God was His Father (blasphemy). The establishment would have none of it though many regular folks thought otherwise. To them, this just might be the long- awaited Messiah, the king so clearly written of by the prophets. “Maybe”, they reasoned, “Our hopes and aspirations are here at last. Surely He will overthrow the Romans. Surely He will restore the glory to Israel. Surely The Golden Kingdom Age is upon us”. What a great hope. God’s plan, however, was to be a little different. The Son of God was to be executed upon a Roman cross. He would be buried and He would rise from the dead. God’s plan was that sin would be atoned for by the very blood of His Son. God’s plan was that death would be conquered and death would become obsoleted by the resurrection of Jesus. Now that’s a plan! Sin causes death. Jesus paying the penalty for sin was the death of death itself. Resurrection meant death loses it’s grip. Life without end and life without sin is the future. Soon after resurrection, Jesus left this world behind and went to the throne of His Father in the heavens. Numerous great promises were left to fill the void. Among these are: One, “I will send you my Spirit”. Two, “I will come back”. At His return, the resurrection and rapture will occur. Specifically the dead in Christ rise first then those who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Note that the resurrection occurs according to the following scripture, “when He comes”. 1Co 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1Co 15:23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Now let’s cut to the chase here. Jesus said He was coming back. He also clearly instructed His followers to look for His return. When He returns He will set up His kingdom upon the earth. Have you ever wondered why the Bible says the meek shall inherit the earth. 1Th 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who sleep, that you not grieve, as the rest also, not having hope. 1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 1Th 4:15 For we say this to you in the Word of the Lord, that we the living who remain to the coming of the Lord will not at all go before those who have fallen asleep. 1Th 4:16 Because the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice, and with God's trumpet. And the dead in Christ will rise again first. 1Th 4:17 Then we who remain alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to a meeting with the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 1Th 4:18 So, then, comfort each other with these words. The word most commonly used to describe what will happen to those still alive at the second coming is “rapture.” The word rapture is not found in the Bible. The word rapture is based on a Greek word which means “caught up”. They will be caught up alive. Their bodies will be transformed from bodies of mortal flesh into glorious eternal bodies. The rapture is a fact of scripture. The timing of when it will happen is not a settled fact by any means. Words you may hear associated with the timing of the rapture are imminence, secret rapture or it could happen at any moment. Additionally, you may hear these words. Pretrib, Midtrib, and Posttrib. Read this to get started: 1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. 1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. The Bible teaches that just prior to the second coming of Christ the world will be filled with wars, disease, pestilence, economic upheaval, earthquakes, persecutions, one world religion, antichrist, and so it goes. This period described is generally known as the tribulation period and is designated to last seven years. Many are convinced that the rapture will take place prior to the tribulation period, pretrib. Lots of books, lectures, movies and sermons have certainly expounded this belief. This view says the current state of moral decline, wars, earthquakes, persecutions, and mayhem all indicate that the tribulation period is about to begin. If the seven year tribulation period is about to commence then the rapture or gathering to the Lord is imminent…it can happen at any moment so they say. If true, some believers will completely avoid the process of death and resurrection and even the difficult times of the tribulation as well. No trouble seeing why this view is appealing. Here is a synopsis of the general concept: The current world is in state of upheaval. War, disease, earthquakes, and degradation all indicate that the tribulation is about to begin. The modern State of Israel being established in 1948 is often is considered the greatest of all signs All indications, they say, point to a certain rendezvous with end-time Bible prophecy. The apparent sequence about to unfold is this; rapture, seven year tribulation, and then the second coming of Christ. Accordingly, God will be punishing and judging this sinful Christ- rejecting world for seven years then Christ will return. Believers alive in their mortal bodies will be snatched away alive just before the tribulation gets underway and will not experience all those terrifying events brought into view in the Book of Revelation. Calvary Chapels and many other churches are very strong in teaching and promoting this idea. It’s rapture by surprise…at any moment. The movie series “Left Behind” is based on this concept. Numerous best selling books such as “The Late Great Planet Earth” and scores of other sources in print as well as numerous teachers on the radio and in media are all in agreement. Sounds good? Is it true? A case from the 1800’s to consider. A very serious-minded Baptist preacher named William Miller in New York began preaching about the coming or advent of Jesus. He convinced thousands of people that Christ was going to take them away Oct 22, 1844. They sold or gave away their worldly goods and waited in vain. The date was soon recalculated…still nothing. Next came a redefinition of what the second coming and return of Christ actually is. An invisible coming? Coming only for the very tiny group of true believers? This all became known as “The Great Disappointment”. Miller’s followers were disillusioned and eventually went in several directions, e.g. 7th Day Adventists, Quakers, Shakers, and even Jehovah’s Witnesses. More recently you may recall that a pastor named Harold Camping made quite a stir by predicting the rapture for May 21, 2011. He at least apologized for his falsehood in 2012 shortly before passing away in 2013. Neither the Millerites nor the Harold Camping crowd were quite on target. Before proceeding any further let me clearly state a few facts: 1. No one should be putting a date on the second coming or the rapture. 2. The early apostles and early church never taught an imminent rapture.