Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
While many of the Jewish brethren of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh are waiting for their Messiah to come, though he will come, but his next coming is for his bride – the church, afterwards, he will then come with his saints – church for his brethren in the flesh, – God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Romans 11:2.
Salvation is of the Jews, – the kingdom of God is still in large part an Israeli kingdom rooted in the Patriarchs, the prophets, the promises, the house of David, the twelve tribes, and above all, the King of the Jews, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Israel plays a vital part of God’s plan, not only of salvation, but of the inclusion of Israel nation and people on divine’s program and planning is connected to the entire world. Though, some of the natural branches are presently broken off from the vine because of unbelief, but the roots and trunk of the vine were never rejected.
The present Church has not, and will never replace Israel place in God’s heart, nor God’s plan for her. No present day believer saved by grace should boast (but humble and be grateful in faith) of any present graces and privileges from God as the result of Israel present spiritual blindness until the fullness of the Gentiles comes to faith. God’s program’s and promises for the church (wild olive branch) purchased by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ are not the same programs and promises for the children of Abraham in the flesh – the natural branches.
As of now, the church is waiting by the Spirit of God for the hope of righteousness which is by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 5:3-5), but his Jewish brethren are working to be justified by the works and letter of the law by which no man shall be justified in the sight of God.
This hardness of heart to the righteousness of God by faith in Christ Jesus by some of the Israelis concerning the gospel salvation and regeneration was by the determinant eternal counsel of God which he delibrately designed or allowed to open the door of salvation for the Gentile nations, so that the riches of God’s mercy of salvation should be shown both on the Jewish and upon the Gentile nations, that all might known that it is not of him that works, or of him that runs, neither of him that wills, but of Him that shows mercy: so that the salvation of the born again Christians will eventually work out for the benefit of the Israelis, that they may also obtain mercy, then all Israel shall be saved. Romans.11.
Unlike King Agrippa, who thought it a thing incredible that God should raise the dead (Acts 26:8), I do sincerely hope that our heart is purify by faith (Acts 15:9), not laying again the foundation of the resurrection of the dead, that God who raised up Christ, will at the fullness of time fulfill this particular promise, first, to raise the dead saints from their graves, while the living saints shall also be changed to put on a glorious – celestial incorruptible body, when the Lord shall come to be glorified in all his saints – dead or alive. 2: Thess.1:10.
This is the hope of believer’s calling (Eph1:18), the reason we are called out of the world, and saved to live and suffer presently with Christ, that we might also be glorified together with him (2 Tim. 2:12), when he shall come from heaven to change our vile body, that it may be fashioned according to his glorious – resurrected body, according to his power that is at work now in us, the working which he is able to subdue all things unto himself (Philippians 3:20-21): beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3.
In view and preparation for the imminent Christ return’s for his bride (the church, not the Jewish people or his brethren in the flesh), Apostle Paul in his letter depicts the Corinthians brethren as those who are fiancée, dating or in courtship – a wife to be for her bridegroom, which is Christ: would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:1-2.
In addition, he notify them of their individual’s responsibility and necessity to discern the incorruptible truth of the gospel by which they were saved to live an incorruptible life of godliness and holiness in all conversation against those who are corrupting the word of God, lest they should fall into the trap of Satan’s enticement to win them to his side through his false ministers who are presenting themselves as servants of God, but preaches another Christ, delivering another gospel under the influence (s) of familiar spirit which he calls as another spirit at work to derail, to corrupt, and to make them unsuitable and unworthy as the bride of Christ at his appearing and kingdom, – but I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Cor. 11:3-4.
He further explained the reasons behind his laborious and undying love which was manifested by his emotional reaction to certain behaviors and lifestyles of those brethren which are not befitting to those in any true courtship with the bridegroom- Christ, and of which he made reference to as godly jealousy in his zeal and efforts to correct in order present them as a chaste virgin to Christ – their husband.
The unfolding – happening of this mystery is designed to usher the church, which is body of Christ into the marriage supper of the Lamb (let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine-linen is the righteousness of saints. And he says unto me, write, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he says unto me, these are the true sayings of God. Revelation 19:7-9) for the occasion when the bridegroom shall drink the fruit of the vine together with his blood bought bride in his Father’s kingdom (and he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. Mt.26:27-29):
The church age or era shall soon come to an end.
But for now, the operation (s) of the Spirit of God in the church is hindering the global unveiling and presentation of the man of sin, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8.
As soon as the soul winners, the evangelists and the feet of them that brings the glad tidings of peace are no more on earth to meet with their Lord in the air, when the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17), then shall the identity of the man of sin be unveiled: (b) and that also, which is written will be fulfilled, behold, I will send famine, not the famine of bread, not a thirst of water, but of the word of the Lord upon earth (Amos 8:11) as all the genuine preachers and believers are all gone, and the undefiled in the way is taken away from the hour of great temptation dawning upon the inhabitants of the earth. Revelation 3:10.
As soon as the Father at his own set time shall bid his Son to come for his bride – church, the bridegroom shall descend and call for his bride away to his Father’s house where there are many mansions. John 14:1-3 (my beloved speak, and said unto me, rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Songs of Solomon 2:10), into the place where he has gone to prepare for her, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in heaven for her: (b) then shall the scripture be fulfilled when he – Christ, for the purpose of the marriage, will present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27.
This event will be a sudden and stealthy appearance from the bridegroom for his bride (remembers therefore how thou hast received and heard, and holds fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:3); fast, instantaneous and shocked (but not to the expectants – ready, diligent and faithful bride): as 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 (the living saints) shall be changed. I Corinthians 15:52.
This very voice of the trumpet is exclusively blown for the sheep of Christ, – the dead and the living saints. These have once known the joyful sound to walk in the light of the Lord’s countenance during their days on earth (Psalms 89:15) because the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:1-6.
Jesus made mentioned of this by saying, marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of man, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28-29.
Also, Prophet Daniel was very clear in his writing about these two separate events, though he wrote of them as if both should take place at the same time (and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2): but blessed and holy are those that shall have part in the first resurrection (Revelation 20:6)…….this makes it certain that all those who have their names written in the book of life shall partake in the first resurrection to stand at the judgment seat of Christ to be celebrated as the over-comers, during which the praises and rewards of their kingdom’s work on earth shall be given. While some might suffer the loss of their works which are done with inferior materials of no quality, yet, they will be content and joyful to be forever with the Lord. 1 Cor.3:13.
Lazarus resurrection from dead by Christ was a prototype of the sleeping saints (the dead in Christ) who shall be awake from their sleep and be raised from their graves when the time of this mystery shall be fulfilled. As for the unsaved, the rest of the dead lives not until the thousand year shall be completed after which we shall see another prototype of Jonas resurrection from the whale’s belly, when whatsoever which has been hosting or keeping the unsaved dead bodies shall release them, – and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they are judged every man according to their works. Revelation 20:13.
There are few other prototypes of the Spirit of God transporting servants of God from one place to another, or taken them away to heaven: (a) Obadiah, by the Spirit of God, made mention of the Spirit’s work or transportation in his response to Elijah’s request to go and inform King Ahab of his presence – Go, tell Ahab, Elijah is here. Then Obadiah answered, he says… and it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry you whither I know not; and when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he shall slay me: but your servant fear the Lord from my youth. 1 Kings 18: 10: (b) Elijah being taken alive up to heaven with chariots and horses of fire by a whirlwind into heaven because we shall not all die, but we shall all be changed. 2 Kings 2:11: (c) at the ressurrection of Christ, some resurrected saints were raised back to life from their sleep at Jerusalem, and they appeared unto many (Matthew 27:52-53), never lie down or sleep back again at their various graves, but as Christ straightly went up to heaven to present himself before the Father, shortly after his resurrection (Jesus says unto her, touch me not, for I am not yet ascend to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. John 20:17), these resurrected saints were as well taken away with the resurrected Christ into heaven unto the place prepared for them until the fullness of time of this particular unfulfilled and unfalling promise of God.
The indwelling Spirit of God is not only in us to teach, comfort and to guide us into all truth: but he is given unto as a foretaste and power deposit – the power of the world to come (Hebrews 6:5) as God guarantee or assurance of the immutability of his promise to wake our sleeping brethren up from their sleep, and to lift up and change both his dead and the living saints.
Are we not the members of his body and of his flesh, baptized unto his death? If Christ died and rise again, let it be known that all that believes in him shall God raise from the dead at his coming! If Christ was taken up alive to heaven or received up to glory (1 Timothy 3:16), let it be known that the dead and the living saints at his coming shall be taken up alive to be with him or receive up into glory, – our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, so that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20-21. Note: those who have tasted or have the foretaste of the powers of the world to come should not think, live or walk like the unsaved men of this world: rather, they should strive to live and walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God, laboring and occupying for their Lord until the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will someday and suddenly take them away, not from the wilderness to the street of Azotus like he once did to Philip, but first, from the various graves of the dead in Christ when they shall be wake up, and from the various locations and dwelling places of the living saints to meet the Lord in the air – and so shall they forever be with the Lord. Acts 8:38-40.
There are three kinds of resurrection. The first two are resurrection of life: but the last resurrection is damnable. The first resurrection (optional) is now. It is that which is wrought by the transformation or renewing of the Holy Spirit, seen through your repentant lifestyle, made mentioned in Colossians chapter 3 verses 1, – if you then be risen – resurrected with Christ, seek those things which are above. Set your affection on things above, and not on things on earth….Note: blessed indeed are those who have not seen Christ, but yet believe (John 20:29): they are blessed with all the spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3): but for now, you must repent to live (a) in the blessedness of those whose sins are forgiven, unto whom the Lord will not impute iniquity by the virtue of your present regeneration in Christ Jesus (Romans 4:7), this is the blessedness of the first spiritual ressurrection (optional) to be risen with Christ, paving the way for the (b) blessedness of becoming a dead saint in Christ Jesus (Revelation 14:13), the necessity and condition to partake in the (c) blessedness of the first ressurrection (Revelation 20:6) which is the evidence of the (d) blessedness of those who are rewarded and honoured by divine appointment and invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9. Finally, see how these individuals are indeed the blessed of the Lord, for they shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Luke 14:15.
You must be born again, – the present resurrected (optional) life speaks of your conversion and newness of life from the state of spiritual death back to a new spiritual life in Christ Jesus, – dead to sins and trespasses, dead to self and the world, – saved for the hope of eternal life which God, that cannot lie, has promised before the world began (Titus 1:2): this is your hope of eternal glory – the hope of partaking in the first general resurrection – if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (Philippians 3: 11): but, if peradventure you die before the Father send the Son to bring the dead and living saints back home, you’ll still partake in the glorious event: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13. Note: it is a matter of personal choice to be first resurrected with Christ from spiritual death into a new life in Christ Jesus while you live in the flesh, being made righteous and holy through the blood of Christ, through his death and resurrection, steadfast in faith and faithful to the word till the end, so as to be counted worthy to eat bread in the kingdom of God (Luke 14:15): but the cursed made light of God’s salvation in Christ Jesus, and in their life time, they rejected the invitation into the kingdom for repentance and salvation, alongside the wide and broad way believers, all sahll be condemned for the second ressurrection.
The ressurrection of damnation is the second ressurrection, – and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. It is obvious that the partakers of the second ressurrection have not their names written in the book of life. God will afterward raise the unredeemed souls – sinners back to consciousness to be judged from those things which are written about or against them in the book of reckoning while they lived in the flesh – your dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Isaiah 26:19. Revelation 20:10-15.
Moreover, there are four events which shall supervene after this event: altogether, five events in all starting from the imminent rapture of the church. All of these are different occurrence (s) designed to be unfolded differently on earth in a specific season of time, afterwards, God shall make all things new, – creating a new heaven and a new earth for the habitation of the righteous.
What is the Difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming? I Cor. 15:50-54, Rev 19:11-16.
The passages concerning the Second Coming are Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19. One thing that we need to keep in mind, which will help us to rightly divide God’s Word, is to ask ourselves whether the passage is talking about Israel or the church. They are not the same. Matthew 24 is often quoted referring to the rapture, but it is clearly talking about Israel. During the tribulation the church will be gone and God’s attention is once again on Israel, as He is bringing them to Him. Those seven years of the tribulation is necessary to fulfill the final seven years of Daniel’s prophecy or the 70 weeks. Why is it important to keep the Rapture and the Second Coming distinct?
(1) If the Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the Tribulation. Even though they are promised to be rescued from wrath. (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
(2) If the Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent…there are many things which must occur before Christ can return (Matthew 24:4-30).
(3) In describing the Tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6-19 not in anywhere mention the church. During the Tribulation, God will again turn His primary attention on Israel (Romans 11:17-31). There are some key things that we need to keep in mind.
I. Location of Christians
The first difference to observe is the location of Christians for the events. In the rapture, believers are called to meet Christ in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:17. In an instant the dead in Christ will rise and the believers who are left will then be called away. In the case of the Second Coming, Christ returns with angels and thousands upon thousands of His holy ones. (Revelation 19:14). He sets foot on the Mount of Olives and Battles the armies gathered against Him in the Valley of Armageddon. This can be seen in Rev 16:16, 17:14: 19:11-19. Zech 14 Those who teaches a post-tribulation return come up with the move up and down problem. Christians would be rapture to meet the Lord in the air and then immediately descend to earth with Him. This is a mistake many make because they do not look at the other differences surrounding the two events.
II. Who Does He Return With?
The next difference is who will be with Christ. When the rapture is described we see Christ returning alone. When the Second Coming occurs, Christ returns with angels and Christians. Jude 14-15 describes this as well as Zech 14. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
III. Purpose – Mercy or Judgment?
The purpose of the rapture and the Second Coming must be examined as well. The rapture is viewed as an act of deliverance as believers are taken from the world so that God’s judgment can fall. The Second Coming will be an act of judgment. This is the coming of the conquering king that the Jews looked for in His first coming while missing the suffering servant aspect of His mission. When Christ returns it will be a glorious day for those who belong to Him as He establishes His kingdom on earth but it will be a dreadful day for all those who stand opposed to Him. The key to understanding the rapture revolves around God’s mercy and His wrath. Scripture makes it clear that Christians will not suffer God’s wrath. In addition to 1 Thessalonians is Revelation 3:10, and Romans 5:9. The Rapture is God’s way to prevent Christians from suffering His wrath. It also removes the Church so that the focus can return to Israel.
IV. Who is taken?
The focus of the rapture and the Second Coming is placed upon two different sets of people. The Rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 5:9). Also Matthew 25:1-13 tells the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. Those who had extra oil and were waiting and prepared for the return of the bridegroom were taken while those who were foolish and ran out of oil were left. The Second Coming paints just the opposite picture. The Second Coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:37-42). In the parable of the tares in Matthew 13, Jesus instructs that harvesters to allow the weeds to grow among the wheat until the time of the harvest. Then the weeds are gathered together and thrown into the fire to be burned. Matt 24:37-42 Jesus speaks of how the days will be like that of Noah and His coming would be unexpected. Many have mistakenly interpreted this passage to be in reference to the rapture. I think we should see a different picture. The unsaved are being removed. The believers that are alive at the end of the tribulation will enter into the kingdom as they are. We need to recognize who the illustration is about. In the days of Noah, it was the unrighteous who were not looking for the Lord and went about as they pleased. These people were swept away in the flood while righteous Noah and his family were all that remained. The coming of the Lord will be like the flood and will sweep away the wicked.
V. Who Will See It?
From our passage in 1 Corinthians we find that the rapture will be instant and secret. 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. I Cor. 15:52 No one will be able to witness it, only the effects afterward. On the other hand, the Lord’s return to the earth will be very visible. Matthew 24:27 & 30 and Revelation 1:7 declare that all will see him as He returns. Matthew 24:27:27: for as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7) The people of the earth will mourn as they witness the Lord’s return. We also learn that Jesus will return in the same way in which he left. Acts 1:11 tells us that Jesus “will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven. The prior verses tell of Jesus rising slowly and visibly as the disciples watched until He was hidden by the clouds.
VI. The Timing
It is clear from scripture that no one knows when the Lord’s return will be in regards to both His return in the air and His coming to earth. However, we find from scripture that the rapture is imminent while Christ’s Second Coming follows certain recognizable events. Our rapture passages make it clear that the Lord’s return is imminent. We find from Revelation 3:3 that the Lord’s return will also be like a thief. Those who are not watching will be surprised. The Lord’s Second Coming must be preceded by certain events however. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 we learn that the antichrist must first be revealed. He will then be destroyed by the splendor of Christ’s coming.
The events of Matthew 24:4-30 need to take place before Christ’s Second Coming as well. This passage is often used as “proof” that we are living in the end times and that Christ will soon return. Indeed we have seen a rise in many of these things in our very lifetimes. However, there will be a much greater increase during the days of the tribulation. We know that this passage is not simply referring to the days before the rapture because in verse 15 it speaks of the abomination that causes desolation. We learn from Daniel chapters 9:27 that this abomination occurs in the middle of the final seven – the middle of the tribulation. Likewise, the return of the Lord at verse 30 refers to the Second Coming as we saw above. The Lord’s return will occur 1260 days after the abomination that causes desolation. (Daniel 9:24-27&12:11-12.) Likewise, it will occur after the final 42 months (1260 days or “time, times and half a time” depending on the wording) according to Rev 12:6,14 & 13:5.
VII. The Millennial Kingdom
The Millennial Kingdom follows the Second Coming according to a literal interpretation of scripture. This causes problems for putting the rapture and the Second Coming together or immediately one after the other. At the rapture, Christians are immediately changed, given their glorified bodies. This is found in the discussion of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 as well as 1 John 3:2 which tells us we will be like Christ.
We know that Christ’s ressurrected body is not like His earthly body but rather it was changed. On the other hand, those who are in the Millennium have very mortal bodies as they have not yet been changed. Isaiah 65:20 records that death will still occur, even if it is at a much slower rate than we presently see. The only explanation that allows us to see some entering the kingdom with their glorified bodies and others entering with their physical bodies is a pre-tribulation rapture.