The Rapture Trap (Part 6)
(The Revelations, the Lord has given to me by the Spirit, along with my teachings and comments, are written in Blue) (May we all have ears to hear)
The Apostle Paul stated in Romans 14:17 that … the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Acts 1:1-5 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments (the Great Commission) unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them (the apostles), commanded them (the apostles) that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; BUT ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Mark 16:14-18 … he (Jesus) appeared unto the eleven (apostles) as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into ALL the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, HE WAS RECEIVED UP INTO HEAVEN, AND SAT ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.
Acts 1:12-15 & Acts 2:1-4 Then returned they unto Jerusalem (to wait for the promise of the Father, as Jesus commanded them; to be Baptized with the Holy Ghost) from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty) & Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come (10 days after Jesus had previously disappeared into heavenly places and sat down at the right hand of the Father), they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Mark 16:20 (Continued from Mark 16:19 above) And they (the eleven disciples) went forth, and preached EVERY WHERE, THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, AND CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING. AMEN. (Even after Jesus had risen from the dead, and ascended unto the Father, He as Lord of heaven and earth continued to work with the Apostles as they went everywhere preaching God’s Word. The Lord’s Omnipresence is surely obvious here)
Let’s consider this next passage in the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians ... where many get confused. Honestly, the Apostle Paul and/or the translators didn’t make it clear. A short time later the Apostle Paul wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians. In 2Thessalonians 2:7-12 He attempts to clarify the confusion in 1Thessalonians 4:13-18. The first letter was written in the latter part of 50 AD. The second letter was written a few months later in the early part of 51 AD.
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be
ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even
as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and
rose again, even so them also which sleep (have previously passed away) in Jesus will God bring with him (because they are already in the presence of the
Lord).
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are ALIVE, and (< this word was added) REMAIN unto the coming (presence) of the Lord, shall not prevent (or precede) them which are asleep (have passed away on earth, but are already in the Lord's presence).
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself (the Spirit of Truth) shall descend from heaven (from the Spirit of the Most High) with a shout (cry of incitement by Word Strong's G2752 from G2753, to urge on, to give an order or command), with the voice (disclosure, tone, address & language Strong's G5456 akin to G5316) of the archangel (the first in rank; reigning and/or ruling; chief angel, messenger; by implication a pastor Strong's G743, G757, G32 from G71 & G34 to bring tidings), and with the trump (speaking through trembling and emotion; with quavering and/or reverberation; Strong's G4536, G4535 from G4525) in other words, Preaching under the Anointing of the Holy Ghost with Spiritual authority of leadership) of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first (All of us were born in sin spiritually dead, but those of us who have ears to hear the Word of the Lord, by faith choose to make a definite decision to repent from a sinful life, deny-self, receive Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, have surrendered our lives to Him. When we have fulfilled the Lord’s plan for our lives, then our natural flesh body dies. Then, our spirit body who lives in Christ Jesus, because He lives in us, is then quickened and raised into the Lords presence, by the same power of the Father, that raised Christ Jesus from the dead. This has been going on since the Day of Pentecost, when the Apostle Peter preached his first sermon in 30 AD):
1Th 4:17 Then we which are ALIVE (in Christ Jesus) and REMAIN (meaning those of us throughout the generations past, present and future … or other folds as Jesus called them … who are still here in God’s Kingdom on the earth working out God’s plan for our lives) shall be caught up (we shall be lifted up in the Spirit through praise and worship) together (into close association) with them (The dead in Christ Jesus, who rose first, whose Spirit body was lifted from their earthen vessels and carried into the presence of the Most High) in the *clouds (meaning in several small or large groups, great number or host), to meet (to encounter G529 Strong's) (to come together in close association in praise and to worship) the Lord (Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Truth, who is at one with our Heavenly Father and Creator of all things) in the *air (OK, Let’s look at this word air. The Lord is Spirit, not air. The Lord created air, but Jesus said in John 4:24 God is a Spirit (G4151 Strong's): and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit (G4151 Strong's) and in truth. So, if we, who have the Holy Spirit living in us, are going to meet the Lord, we MUST meet Him in the Spirit. The use of the Greek word "aer" G109 Strong's, written "air" in 1Thessalonians 4:17, may be part of the cause of the confusion in this passage. There is also a very similar alternative Greek word meaning “air and/or spirit.” That Greek word meaning “air and/or spirit” is the word “pneuma" G4151 Strong's,” And, this word "pneuma" is very often used in Scripture, as the word spirit G4151 Strong's) This must be looked at carefully. (Of course, our Lord is Omnipresent; He is within, around, below and above all things in the entire universe, but He is not the universe. He is a Spirit outside of the universe, who created the universe): and so (after that or in like manner G3779 Strong's) shall we (who are alive and remain) ever (always and at all times G3842 Strong's) be (will be, and live long G2071 Strong's) with (in union together, in completeness with G4862 Strong's) the Lord. It sounds like the Spirit filled Bride, on and in earth, is married to the Groom Christ Jesus, the Spirit of Truth, who has been given all power in earth and in heaven. (See Matthew 28:18) Or we could say, God’s Kingdom has come, and is come, in earth as it is in heaven. If we have the Holy Spirit living within us, then we should have “ears to hear”, and therefore we should “get a witness” to what is “truth”, or what is “not truth.” Let’s not neglect to study the * Strong's notes below, regarding 1Th 4:17, before deciding what we believe!
* Note: air verses spirit … 1Thessalonians 4:17 G109 ἀήρ aēr ah-ayr' … From ἄημι aēmi (to breathe unconsciously, that is, respire; by analogy to blow); “air” (as naturally circumambient): - air. Strong's
* Note: air verses spirit (alternative perspective) 1Thessalonians 4:17 G4151 πνεῦμα pneuma pnyoo'-mah … From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit: - ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Strong's
* Note: clouds … Back in the days of Jesus, the word “cloud” was used to describe a small or large group, great number or host of people or things. The word “crowd” is not in the King James Version of the Christian Bible, but even prior to the birth of Christ Jesus, various writers and philosophers such as Homer, Plato and Aristotle started using the word “cloud” to describe a small or large group or mass of people. For instance: Hebrews 12:1 …so great a cloud of witnesses See “cloud” notes in The Rapture Trap, Part 5, In like Manner.
*
Note: Jesus spoke these things in prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 …Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven … For thine is (you are, Jesus is speaking of the Father...He is ... ) the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
FOR EVER.
Amen.
*
Note: Daniel 7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one
like the Son of man came with the clouds (a small or large group, great
number or host) of heaven (righteous servants of God’s
kingdom), and came to the Ancient of days (Heavenly Father and Creator of all
things), and they brought him near before him. And there
was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations,
and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting
dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall
not be destroyed.
*
Note: Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when
the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation (It can't be seen with our human eyes): Neither
shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is
within you.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with
these words.
OK, Here in 2Thessalonians 2:7-12 is where the Apostle Paul attempts to clarify the confusion in 1Thessalonians 4:12-18. Take time to study this passage, for your own understanding. 2Thessalonians 2:7-12 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (God’s Word does the work. We are not to get into the flesh here); When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now lets move on … John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house (family, Strong's) are many mansions (dwelling places, Strong's): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again (back to whosoever will receive Him), and receive you unto myself (that you may abide in me, and I in you); that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (In other words, He’s coming to live in us, that we may live in Him, so we will then be able to easily get a witness in our spirit and follow Him in fulfilling our purpose and His plan for our lives while on this earth)
Now let’s take a look at the following Scripture in Hebrew 9:24-28. It’s all of the end time eschatology a follower of Christ Jesus needs to know.
Hebrews 9:24-28 For Christ is not entered into the holy
places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor
yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the
holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have
suffered since the foundation of the world (arrangement including inhabitants; Strong's G2889): but now (in the harvest; remember in Matthew 13:39 “The
harvest IS the end of the world … age” Strong's G165)
once in the end of the world (age Strong's G165) (Here the Scripture is talking about that past age of the covenant
with Israel under the Law of Moses and ending
in the early part of the first century AD, with the first coming or appearing
of Christ Jesus who completed His work on the cross and began the harvest in
the end of that age); hath he (Christ Jesus) APPEARED
to put away sin by the
sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; AND UNTO THEM
THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR
THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION.
Note: Take a close look at the question in John 14:22-23… and what Jesus answered prior to going to the cross! John 14:22-23 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me (Christ Jesus the Truth), he will keep my words: and my Father (God is the Spirit and Creator of all things) will love him, and WE (the Truth & the Spirit) WILL COME unto him, and make OUR ABODE with him (the believer and follower of Christ Jesus becomes one of the “dwelling places” within the household and family of God the Father). Now let’s look at what Jesus said in each of the Gospels, beginning with Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man (Christ Jesus) SHALL COME in the glory (meaning in the Spirit) of his Father (the One and Only Almighty God) with his angels (messengers; Strong's G32) (abiding within His messengers; by implication Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors & Teachers) I also need to inject the words of The Apostle Paul in Romans 10:12-14 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Now in Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (abiding within His messengers G32 Strong's; by implication Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors & Teachers). It should herein now start to become clear to us, in answering the question posed by Judas, not Iscariot, “how it is that Jesus will manifest himself to the believer, but not to those in the world who do not receive Him.” Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. Just prior to going to the cross, Jesus addressed the Father in prayer. John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Surely by now, and in studying these Scriptures, we can easily see that the risen glorified Christ Jesus, the Son is returning or that is to say coming or appearing in the glory of the Father, in the Spirit of Almighty God, and manifesting in the Holy Ghost within his angels (messengers G32 Strong's, the fivefold ministry) including all of whosoever is planted in good ground and will believe and receive Salvation through the Word of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, in accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Apostle John points out in Revelation 1:5-6 … Jesus Christ … the prince of the kings of the earth …hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. He hath made us kings and priest, for the spreading of the Word of God’s Salvation and for the advancing of God’s Kingdom in the earth, and within each and every generation. As foretold in Daniel 7:14 And there was given him (Christ Jesus) dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Remember what the risen Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 … Jesus came and spake unto them (the disciples), saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (then Jesus gave them orders to Go! This is what made them “messengers.”) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:19-20 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them,
HE
WAS RECEIVED UP INTO HEAVEN, AND SAT ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. And they
(the eleven disciples) went forth, and preached
EVERY
WHERE,
THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, AND CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING. Amen.
(Like I said
prior … the Lord’s Omnipresence is obvious here)
Here’s a peek at where we’ll be going on our next post. Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Stay with me a bit longer!! I pray those who take the time to study this information, are able to see God’s Word with a much clearer perspective, and in such of a way that they are able to truly see, the falseness and the incorrectness of the rapture teaching, whether Pre, Mid or Post Trib. Besides, we know Jesus was crucified in the midst of the prophetic 70th week. See our study on Daniel’s 70 Week Prophecy.
I call the rapture teaching a Rapture Trap, because it traps people into a mindset that locks them into false beliefs that can last years and years, and in some cases a lifetime of waiting for something to happen that is NEVER going to happen in the way it is perceived, or how it has been taught to them.
First of all, the word “rapture” is not in the Christian Holy Bible KJV. Secondly, the word “rapture” actually means: an intense feeling of pleasure, thrill, joy or enthusiasm. Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of “rapture” is stated as; an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion; a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion; a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things. Now if people want to really get down to it, this sounds very much like, if not exactly like, what happens when people who truly love God, enter into praise and/or worship of our Heavenly Father, especially in the Spirit, and in Truth. When the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and or the baptism of the Holy Ghost takes place in the life of a Christian believer … being carried away by an overwhelming experience of emotion is practically inevitable. This happens in many Christian churches, home gatherings and sometimes even when someone is alone and seeking God through Christ Jesus. This experience happens through no other name. But when it does happen, it is definitely a thrill, a feeling of being caught-up in joy, love, peace and happiness. If there be such a thing as the rapture, this would be it.
There isn’t ever going to be a particular moment, when all of the sudden, we are going to be flying off of the earth, and into the sky to meet the Lord in the air. He doesn’t need us to be up in the clouds in the sky. He tells us that we should receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon us. We need that power in order to overcome ourselves, and leave our sinful lives behind, in order to grow into mature Christians. The Lord wants us to become mature adults in Him. He doesn’t teach us to put on the whole armor of God in order to get out of here and fly away. He wants us to put on the whole armor of God to experience victories, and win the battles within our daily lives right here on this earth, as well as fulfill His purpose and plan for our lives, that we may glorify our Heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus … Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit … saith the LORD of hosts … as in Zechariah 4:6.
The Rapture Trap, as I call it, causes people to waste their lives waiting for the Lord to come pick them up and take them out of here, especially when things get rough. When things get rough in life, that’s when God needs us most. We are his instruments. We need to listen for His leadership instructions. When we hear his command, we should get it done. This false rapture theory, which is exactly what it is, teaches those that believe it, that the Lord will do everything for them. They can just waste their lives, and sit around waiting for the Lord to catch them up into the air, while doing nothing for Him or anyone else. Have we forgotten that faith without works is DEAD. Once a person receives Christ Jesus as their savior, then works count. God did not send His only begotten Son to die on a cross, shed His precious blood, suffering for us, in order to save us, then abundantly bless us, so we could waste the rest of our lives waiting to fly out of here, while accomplishing nothing. He wants us to armor up Spiritually, and stand against the wiles of the devil in a world containing a lot of evil, and help to spread His glorious gospel, advancing His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in and throughout the earth. See Romans 14:17. Remember what Jesus taught the disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN. Hallowed be thy name. THY KINGDOM COME. Thy will be done IN EARTH, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is (YOU, the FATHER, ARE) THE KINGDOM, and THE POWER, and THE GLORY, FOR EVER. Amen.
(Remember) Hebrews 9:26-28 ... but now once in the end of the world (age: Strong's G165) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Ok … Meditate on these things. We’ll be going to the book of Revelation on our next post !!
J Stone Grant
