Be Rapture Ready Or Be Left Behind!! Your Choice!!

[Enoch111]

I believe the Rapture is more than just living a good Christian life. It would be a necessity.

The Resurrection/Rapture is a necessity for the perfection and glorification of the saints. It is not based upon anyone's worthiness, except the worthiness of Christ Himself.

 

[Taken]

Being rapture ready IS one who HAS BECOME Converted and IS Included IN the body of Christ's Church.

And the Rapture IS Christ Claiming, Taking, Redeeming, Raising Up His Church TO Him.

God Bless,
Taken

 

[Taken]

Toddler Version on Redeeming.

You can buy a Coke in California and PAY the redemptive 5 cents.....then return the empty container and redeem [claim} your 5 cents.

OR

You can PAY the redemptive Price of YOUR BODY crucified....give that empty forgiven body to Christ....and He will fill it with FOREVER Life...and Redeem that NEWLY Filled Body unto Himself.

;)

God Bless,
Taken

 

[Small Fish]

The Resurrection/Rapture is a necessity for the perfection and glorification of the saints. It is not based upon anyone's worthiness, except the worthiness of Christ Himself.

The Rapture is an way of escape like in the days of Sodom just before judgment strikes.

 

[Small Fish]

So, what is the works of God? Scriptually?

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

The Rapture is an way of escape like in the days of Sodom just before judgment strikes.

Are you referring to the events of Lot? Lot and family was saved from the wrath of God which fell upon the corrupt cities of the plain and their inhabitants, but Lot and family went through much tribulation, even having to eventually leave the small city later, for a desert wilderness, and this included the loss of his wife, who turned back inspite of the warning, and the corruption that had settled in his children, which produced idolatrous races, Moabites and Ammonites, see Gen. 19.

Those cities were doomed the moment the 'door was shut', Gen. 19:10, for the people were blinded to the reality, but life went on for a bit longer, while Lot was still there, even attempting to plead with other relatives.

 

[Small Fish]

Are you referring to the events of Lot? Lot and family was saved from the wrath of God which fell upon the corrupt cities of the plain and their inhabitants, but Lot and family went through much tribulation, even having to eventually leave the small city later, for a desert wilderness, and this included the loss of his wife, who turned back inspite of the warning, and the corruption that had settled in his children, which produced idolatrous races, Moabites and Ammonites, see Gen. 19.

Those cities were doomed the moment the 'door was shut', Gen. 19:10, for the people were blinded to the reality, but life went on for a bit longer, while Lot was still there, even attempting to plead with other relatives.

What I'm saying is that the Rapture will happen likewise. In a time of trouble and in need of escape.

Psalms 27:5-6
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the
Lord.

The escape from Sodom typed this.

 

[Enoch111]

So, what is the works of God? Scriptually?

Take some time to study the works of Christ and the apostles, as well as faithful Christians such as Stephen and Philip (and many other saints mentioned in the epistles).

 

[Small Fish]

Take some time to study the works of Christ and the apostles, as well as faithful Christians such as Stephen and Philip (and many other saints mentioned in the epistles).

So what would you say the Scripture say it is?

 

[Naomi25]

Naomi is right.

Many people try to make it sound like there is someone assigned to be on their rooftops, "watching", 24/7, for something, or else they will be left behind. That is not, at all, what is meant by "watch."

"Watch" (for us today... people Jesus is not warning about the soon-to-attack Roman army, as He was in Matt. 24) means to stay aware of whose you are and how you represent Him in your daily life.

I agree that we don't need to be perched on the roof, fearing that if we aren't looking up we may be left behind. But I would also says that we also need to 'watch' for his return...as in, having that wonderful thought in the back of our minds all the time. It is the expectation of every Christian (or should be!), that Christ will come back for us...whatever our belief of that return may be, schedule wise! I think the idea that Christ could return at any moment, helps keep us honest, keen, moving forward in the great commission, giving us strength when tired..,oh, so many different things. No matter where we are in our lives, Christ's return is the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. And that is something we should focus on and share!

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

Do you realize that the 'house' is the person, and the 'housetop' a place of prayer (heart/mind; see Act. 10:9, and can also represent a small space away from a brawling woman of Rev. 17; see Pro. 21:9, Pro. 25:24), and the stuff is the carnal baggage of the old life? The field is also the gospel work, and to not look back at the old life of idleness before it.

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

- two women (churches; Rev. 12 and Rev. 17) grinding at the mill, is the gospel work of the grain and seed, true and false
- two men in one bed, is symbol for those in death (Job. 3:18, Job. 17:13,16; Psa. 139:8; Eze. 32:25), righteous and unrighteous, awaiting resurrection
- two in the field is in the gospel work of reaping in the world (Mat. 13), true and false

 

[Naomi25]

If all came to Jesus and took him as there Lord and Saviour, why would you be looking for a second coming.

Um...because we're told so? Just wondering how you deal with these verses? And, these are only two...there are many...many, that deal with the idea of Christ's return. But these...from Christ's own mouth, and, well, a fairly clear and blatant eyewitness account...how are they not straight forward? Thanks.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. - John 14:3


And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:9–11

 

[Naomi25]

I suppose what mystifies me Enoch, is the way it is preached...ie
"Rapture Ready". So people are admonished to stay and 'live ready'
Which is really- "I Do , so I can Get "
Not ' I Do, because I love..' regardless.

To tell people that- "If they are good, santa with bring something for christmas ". Bad boys do not get anything.

ALL of us should "Live ready" ..always awake..always have our lamps lite. The oil being ..love, the Holy Spirit, or whatever the oil represents.
We abide in Him because we love, not to earn a ticket out of here.

That is one of my pet peeves against the rapture teaching.
If we ALL live as we are called to live..and Abide In Him.
Rapture or no rapture ...we will be' ready', ...dressed right, and ready.

Just saying. :)

I think you are right in some part here...so many do see the Rapture as escapism, and happily acknowledge it as such. "Who wouldn't want to escape?" they ask. And...that's fair enough...most people being honest with themselves would say they would want to escape what they say is going to happen in the Tribulation.
I think, from my point of view, I'd want to raise two issues here. Is it more important to people to escape hardship or to finally be face to face with their Savior? And...is it actually bad to want the promises that are coming for those who have been faithful?
Paul says in 1 Cor 9:24:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

And then in Philippians 3:14,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

There will be rewards in heaven, apart from seeing Christ, which is the greatest, of course. I don't think it's necessarily wrong for us to look forward to the things God has in store for us...in fact, it might be ungrateful!

 

[Small Fish]

I agree that we don't need to be perched on the roof, fearing that if we aren't looking up we may be left behind. But I would also says that we also need to 'watch' for his return...as in, having that wonderful thought in the back of our minds all the time. It is the expectation of every Christian (or should be!), that Christ will come back for us...whatever our belief of that return may be, schedule wise! I think the idea that Christ could return at any moment, helps keep us honest, keen, moving forward in the great commission, giving us strength when tired..,oh, so many different things. No matter where we are in our lives, Christ's return is the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. And that is something we should focus on and share!

I believe you are right. The thing is, we know that the change of the body itself is in an instant, in a blinking of an eye but getting up to that place seems where the majority cannot explain. So many says they are waiting for it to happen but there don't seem to be any preparation made.

Revelation 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

His first coming happened over a period of time and that was His visible corporal Body but what about His second coming?

We also know that every eye shall see Him, but at what point is this? I believe it's after the rapture is done when He reveals Himself to the Jews.

Would it be possible that Christ is already here in the fulness of the Word and Spirit, as a thief in the night, already uniting with His Bride preparing Her in Spirit before His body sets foot on earth.

His first coming He was here as Son of Man. Now He is here as Son of God. After the earth is cleansed He comes as king, Son of David. The Three different Son offices.

 

[Enoch111]

Is it more important to people to escape hardship or to finally be face to face with their Savior?

This is where a lot of people get confused. The Rapture is not about escaping hardship, trials, and tribulations, since that is already promised to Christians by Christ. The Rapture is about escaping God's wrath and judgments against the unbelieving, ungodly, the unrepentant, the wicked. Christians are NOT subject to God's wrath since they are in Christ.

And...is it actually bad to want the promises that are coming for those who have been faithful?

Exactly. The Resurrection/Rapture is promised to those who are in Christ, so why do many Christians take a negative attitude towards the pre-tribulation Rapture? Because it overthrows all the false teaching that has been entrenched for ages.

 

[Small Fish]

The Resurrection/Rapture is a necessity for the perfection and glorification of the saints. It is not based upon anyone's worthiness, except the worthiness of Christ Himself.

No, the five fold ministry is for the perfecting of the saints. The Rapture is the completion of that process. And who said it is based on anyone's worthiness?

Ephesians 4:11-12
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Rightly devide the Scriptures of God...

 

[Small Fish]

This is where a lot of people get confused. The Rapture is not about escaping hardship, trials, and tribulations, since that is already promised to Christians by Christ. The Rapture is about escaping God's wrath and judgments against the unbelieving, ungodly, the unrepentant, the wicked. Christians are NOT subject to God's wrath since they are in Christ.

Exactly. The Resurrection/Rapture is promised to those who are in Christ, so why do many Christians take a negative attitude towards the pre-tribulation Rapture? Because it overthrows all the false teaching that has been entrenched for ages.

Not escaping hardship but judgment. Two different things. Hardships is what help us get into the Rapture. But judgment is what happens if you refuse mercy. We are having hardships now. The tribulation is judgment on them that's left behind.

Luke 21:34-36
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

[Naomi25]

This is where a lot of people get confused. The Rapture is not about escaping hardship, trials, and tribulations, since that is already promised to Christians by Christ. The Rapture is about escaping God's wrath and judgments against the unbelieving, ungodly, the unrepentant, the wicked. Christians are NOT subject to God's wrath since they are in Christ.

I'm not sure I can agree with this, at least fully. Well...about the hardships, sure...he did, and we do!
But wrath? I'm not sure about this. No...we are not to experience the wrath of God, as we have been saved by Christ. But...I am always troubled by the way people looking for a Rapture 'escape' use these verses of Christians not being subject to God's wrath as an explanation of the Rapture, or at least one of. There seems to me no real way of proving this 'wrath' that the bible speaks of is the judgement God pours out on the living world before the end, or if it is talking about the judgement and wrath that naturally will come at the time of judgement for all. To me, the natural reading puts it in the location of "we shall not experience God's wrath because he has secured for us salvation"....this is talking of ultimate salvation/damnation. Not the sort of wrath/punishment that might be poured out upon the earth on those who do not know God.
Consider, in these verses, how often 'wrath' is spoken of in conjunction with 'eternal life' or 'justified' or 'salvation'.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. - John 3:36

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. - Romans 2:5–8

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. - Romans 5:9

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Like I said...to me these passages are talking about our escaping the wrath of final judgement and wrath because of Christ's sacrifice. There is nothing here that suggests this wrath must be a series of events poured out on the world. Perhaps it is, but given their tied links with salvation, I would say most likely not.
The wicked, the unrepentant? They will get wrath and judgement. The will drink the cup of the wrath of God. But I believe it will be as they stand before him, as Rom 2:5-8 says above, giving an account of their lives. When they have no covering of Christ's blood, woe to them. They will be cast into the lake of fire. It's sobering. As it should be, I think. Thank God for his grace and mercy towards us.

 

[Naomi25]

I believe you are right. The thing is, we know that the change of the body itself is in an instant, in a blinking of an eye but getting up to that place seems where the majority cannot explain. So many says they are waiting for it to happen but there don't seem to be any preparation made.

Revelation 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

His first coming happened over a period of time and that was His visible corporal Body but what about His second coming?

We also know that every eye shall see Him, but at what point is this? I believe it's after the rapture is done when He reveals Himself to the Jews.

Would it be possible that Christ is already here in the fulness of the Word and Spirit, as a thief in the night, already uniting with His Bride preparing Her in Spirit before His body sets foot on earth.

His first coming He was here as Son of Man. Now He is here as Son of God. After the earth is cleansed He comes as king, Son of David. The Three different Son offices.

Well...in a way, that's part of the "Already, Not Yet", isn't it? That the Kingdom has been inaugurated, his Spirit present in his Church, but we await the final and full consummation, his second coming?
I don't know...it's easy to use the Theological terms you hear about it, but sometimes it's hard to really sort it out in your mind...how does it work? What's it look like? What will it look like? Eh. I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, and probably won't be able to follow everything, but I like thinking about it all. It's exciting. And...well...it's hopeful. It makes you realize that no matter how things are, God is steering this ship exactly where he wants it to go.
So...when it all comes down to it, if I'm wrong about my end times belief, it's not going to concern me in the slightest! The only thing my heart longs for, is his return. I don't care if it's in the clouds, on the Mt of Olives, invisible, or visible, with a trumpet, or with a silent call. Whatever!

I don't know that I recognize your usage of the 'Son' categories. Sure, we know he referred to himself as the Son of Man, and that he was the Son of God, and also, prophetically the Son of David. I always understood his roles to be in a more, "Prophet, Priest, King" role. His first coming showed his prophet and priestly roles, and his second coming would reveal him in all his Kingly glory.