I completed a verse-by-verse study of Jeremiah in the last few months and realized that I had yet to summarize his prophecies concerning future events in this blog. Like I did with Isaiah, I am going to go through the book of Isaiah and comment on some of the prophetic sections in the order they are recorded. I think we should note that Jeremiah’s ministry began during the reign of King Josiah (circa 625 BC) and that he was witness to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (586 BC).
Although not pertinent to end times prophecy, I think it is also important to note that God set apart Jeremiah as a prophet “before I formed thee in the belly.”
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
This is a powerful statement as to God’s personal creative stamp on each individual. Yes, the laws of science describe for us how this amazing process unfolds, but they cannot deny God’s involvement with the birth of each and every child. God emphasizes that Jeremiah was designated to serve Him in a specific way before he came out of the womb. Jeremiah was a person of worth in God’s eyes before he was born. That is true of every single human child that comes into this world.
I like the thoughts of Ray Stedman: “All the babies God sends into the world, who look so innocent and so helpless -- and so useless -- at their birth, have enormous potential. There is nothing very impressive in appearance about a baby, but that is God's way of changing the world. And hidden in the heart of a baby are the most amazing possibilities. That is what God said to Jeremiah: "I've been working before you were born to prepare you to be a prophet, working through your father and your mother, and those who were before them."
I can hear the unbelievers screaming that a loving God would not form people just to have them suffer abortion due to the selfish choice of their parent(s). As with every other “God is not fair” argument, they are assuming a God who creates robots with no will of their own. They assume that a loving God would not allow bad things of any kind to happen. As always, they will not admit that it is the sinful actions of sinful people that cause so many of these bad things. They would rather argue that there is no God rather than face accountability to that God and admit that they are sinners before Him. God, the Righteous Judge, will make all things right in the end, and I tremble for those who so boldly reject Him and the truth of His word when they face Him in judgment.
Another interesting note about Jeremiah is that God basically told him that his ministry among the people would fall on deaf ears for the most part and the people would resist him—sometimes to his danger. However, He also told him that he had nothing to fear because God would be “with him” to deliver him.
Jeremiah 1:17–19 “Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.”
The true child of God today can claim that same promise. There are many promises in scripture that are in context to a specific person or group of people that are valid in principle to the believer today. God is always the same; His character is unchanging.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not….”
God’s heart is to bless His children as they look to Him in faith and obedience. Jeremiah suffered much throughout his ministry, and God allowed this for His purposes; but He was faithful to His promise to be with Jeremiah and deliver Him. God never promises that we will not suffer for our faith, but He does promise to be with us at all times and guarantees the victory in the end.
Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Why I Think the Rapture will be “Soon”
“Soon” of course is a relative term with a lot of leeway. I have to be honest and say that I am looking for the rapture in my lifetime based on the “signs of the times.” Argument could be made that some of these “signs” have existed for centuries, but certainly not with the increasing occurrences and intensity in evidence today.
I was having a discussion with a dear friend recently and she made a statement something to the effect of that she didn’t understand why I thought the rapture would be any time soon since things are no worse than they have always been. Immediately, that makes me think of the verse from 1Peter.
2 Peter 3:4 “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
My friend is a believer, not a scoffer. She just truly didn’t understand why I think the rapture is so near. From a historical perspective (and we both like historical Christian fiction) society is certainly no more decadent than it was in many past cultures. I think you have to discount the cultures, however, that existed before the spread of Christianity. Growing up in the “Christian” nation of America, I have witnessed the moral corruption of my homeland in a relatively short time. Compared to other decadent societies throughout history, I think it becomes a significant “sign of the times” when predominantly “Christian” cultures are turning pagan at an ever increasing rate. Moral decadence, however, is not the only “sign of the times.”
Obviously, the most significant “sign of the times” is the rebirth of the nation of Israel. Since that time in May 1948, the alignment of the nations is occurring as predicted in the scriptures in preparation for the events marking the end of the age before Christ returns as King of kings. Russia has partnered itself with Iran as well as other nations identified in the coalition of Gog talked about in Ezekiel 38. The nations surrounding Israel are intent upon defeating her and establishing a Palestinian state in her stead. The unrest in Syria reminds me that the Bible predicts the complete destruction of Damascus, the oldest inhabited city in the world, at some point. Most importantly, just as the LORD God predicted in His word, the city of Jerusalem in the tiny nation of Israel has become a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone to all the nations of the world.
Zechariah 12:1–3 “The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
Wars and rumors of wars are constant. Famines, pestilences, diseases and earthquakes are continuing to increase as predicted—more and more with greater intensity in comparison to birth pains as predicted by the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 24:6–8 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
“sorrows” = a pang or throe, especially of childbirth
Some of the most troubling and significant “signs” to me are not focused on so often. I just don’t see how the LORD can tarry much longer considering the amazing advances being made in science and technology in the fields of transhumanism and the manipulation of DNA and genetic modifications. God’s plan is to bring forth a refined remnant of the nation of Israel and establish Himself as King in Jerusalem over the whole earth.
Zechariah 13:1–2 & 9 “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land….And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”
Revelation 19:15–16 “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.”
The advances in science and technology are occurring at such a rapid pace, I just don’t see how the Lord can tarry much longer. It would seem that the humanity of the human race is once again in danger of corruption just as it was before the flood of Noah, and I know the LORD will intervene much sooner this time in light of His plans for His earthly kingdom.
Even so, Come Lord Jesus!!!!!!!
I was having a discussion with a dear friend recently and she made a statement something to the effect of that she didn’t understand why I thought the rapture would be any time soon since things are no worse than they have always been. Immediately, that makes me think of the verse from 1Peter.
2 Peter 3:4 “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
My friend is a believer, not a scoffer. She just truly didn’t understand why I think the rapture is so near. From a historical perspective (and we both like historical Christian fiction) society is certainly no more decadent than it was in many past cultures. I think you have to discount the cultures, however, that existed before the spread of Christianity. Growing up in the “Christian” nation of America, I have witnessed the moral corruption of my homeland in a relatively short time. Compared to other decadent societies throughout history, I think it becomes a significant “sign of the times” when predominantly “Christian” cultures are turning pagan at an ever increasing rate. Moral decadence, however, is not the only “sign of the times.”
Obviously, the most significant “sign of the times” is the rebirth of the nation of Israel. Since that time in May 1948, the alignment of the nations is occurring as predicted in the scriptures in preparation for the events marking the end of the age before Christ returns as King of kings. Russia has partnered itself with Iran as well as other nations identified in the coalition of Gog talked about in Ezekiel 38. The nations surrounding Israel are intent upon defeating her and establishing a Palestinian state in her stead. The unrest in Syria reminds me that the Bible predicts the complete destruction of Damascus, the oldest inhabited city in the world, at some point. Most importantly, just as the LORD God predicted in His word, the city of Jerusalem in the tiny nation of Israel has become a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone to all the nations of the world.
Zechariah 12:1–3 “The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
Wars and rumors of wars are constant. Famines, pestilences, diseases and earthquakes are continuing to increase as predicted—more and more with greater intensity in comparison to birth pains as predicted by the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 24:6–8 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
“sorrows” = a pang or throe, especially of childbirth
Some of the most troubling and significant “signs” to me are not focused on so often. I just don’t see how the LORD can tarry much longer considering the amazing advances being made in science and technology in the fields of transhumanism and the manipulation of DNA and genetic modifications. God’s plan is to bring forth a refined remnant of the nation of Israel and establish Himself as King in Jerusalem over the whole earth.
Zechariah 13:1–2 & 9 “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land….And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”
Revelation 19:15–16 “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.”
The advances in science and technology are occurring at such a rapid pace, I just don’t see how the Lord can tarry much longer. It would seem that the humanity of the human race is once again in danger of corruption just as it was before the flood of Noah, and I know the LORD will intervene much sooner this time in light of His plans for His earthly kingdom.
Even so, Come Lord Jesus!!!!!!!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Correction and apology for information in post “The Aftermath - Ezekiel Part 5” from 3/4/08
While I was out of town recently I was notified of the following comment made on the subject post.
Comment: Russia is not making weapons from Lignostone. This claim goes back to a letter written to the Soviet foreign minister by a complete loon in 1974 and has been repeated unquestioningly, and with no attempt to check facts, by biblical literalists ever since. I have challenged literally hundreds of people to name ONE Russian weapon system that includes Lignostone parts, and have received no answers. By continuing to spread this claim you just make yourselves look like fools. Russia is not making weapons from Lignostone.
Since returning home I have done quite a bit of research and must admit that my “Anonymous” commenter appears to be correct. All of the information I could find regarding lignostone being used in Russian weaponry was from Christian sources. I made the mistake of assuming that the respected resources I had quoted were reporting from dependable news sources. I appreciate the correction from the commenter and want to apologize for misleading anyone by repeating this information.
I try very hard to be truthful when sharing information to support the conclusions I draw from scripture. I also try to be careful to let the reader know that I am on a journey of discovery in my study of scripture and that all commentary I make is a result of prayerful consideration. Still, it is only my opinion; and that opinion is subject to change as I continue to study and seek the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit in that process—and the journals on my website reflect that process. I always appreciate positive critique and/or correction. I am only interested in learning all I can about the truth of God’s word—wherever that may lead.
Whether or not Russia is using lignostone in its weaponry has no bearing on the truth of God’s word. Scripture is clear that the weapons will be used for fuel by Israel for seven years.
Ezekiel 39:9-10 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.
It always bothers me when people choose to hide behind the “Anonymous” tag rather than boldly taking a stand for what they believe. It is obvious to me that this commenter does not know my Savior, and I want him/her to know that I am praying for you.
Comment: Russia is not making weapons from Lignostone. This claim goes back to a letter written to the Soviet foreign minister by a complete loon in 1974 and has been repeated unquestioningly, and with no attempt to check facts, by biblical literalists ever since. I have challenged literally hundreds of people to name ONE Russian weapon system that includes Lignostone parts, and have received no answers. By continuing to spread this claim you just make yourselves look like fools. Russia is not making weapons from Lignostone.
Since returning home I have done quite a bit of research and must admit that my “Anonymous” commenter appears to be correct. All of the information I could find regarding lignostone being used in Russian weaponry was from Christian sources. I made the mistake of assuming that the respected resources I had quoted were reporting from dependable news sources. I appreciate the correction from the commenter and want to apologize for misleading anyone by repeating this information.
I try very hard to be truthful when sharing information to support the conclusions I draw from scripture. I also try to be careful to let the reader know that I am on a journey of discovery in my study of scripture and that all commentary I make is a result of prayerful consideration. Still, it is only my opinion; and that opinion is subject to change as I continue to study and seek the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit in that process—and the journals on my website reflect that process. I always appreciate positive critique and/or correction. I am only interested in learning all I can about the truth of God’s word—wherever that may lead.
Whether or not Russia is using lignostone in its weaponry has no bearing on the truth of God’s word. Scripture is clear that the weapons will be used for fuel by Israel for seven years.
Ezekiel 39:9-10 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.
It always bothers me when people choose to hide behind the “Anonymous” tag rather than boldly taking a stand for what they believe. It is obvious to me that this commenter does not know my Savior, and I want him/her to know that I am praying for you.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Scripture Framed in Creation's Beauty #4
This ends the series of posts of scripture cards. I pray you have been blessed by the truth of God's word and the beauty that surrounds us. If we have so much beauty in this fallen world, just imagine what awaits us in eternity! (Click on image to enlarge.)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Scripture Framed in Creation's Beauty #3
I love the ocean and sunrises! The first pic was taken in the Bahamas and the second in the states. (Click on image to enlarge.)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Scripture Framed in Creation's Beauty #2
The first picture in this post was taken at sunset outside my front door; the second is of one of the roses in my valentine's bouquet from my sweet hubby. (Click on image to enlarge.)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Scripture Framed in Creation's Beauty
For the next few posts I am going to share a few original scripture cards that I pray will bring a smile to your heart as you contemplate the truth declared and the beauty that surrounds us. I am going to spend a few weeks with my son and his family and rejoice in the birth of a new granddaughter.
My husband and I enjoyed a visit to Bill Baggs State Park, site of a beautiful lighthouse, and snapped these pics. (Click on image to enlarge)
My husband and I enjoyed a visit to Bill Baggs State Park, site of a beautiful lighthouse, and snapped these pics. (Click on image to enlarge)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
Recently in the early morning hours the words of a poem began to form in my heart as I thought of the Lord's return. The result is posted below, and I trust you will recognize the scriptures being referenced (John 14:1-3, 1Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1Corinthians 15:53, Matthew 23:39, Zechariah 13:9, Zechariah 12:10, Revelation 19, Zechariah 14, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:1-7, 1Corinthians 2:9, & Ephesians 5:25-32).
I’m preparing a special place for you
It is in My Father’s house.
I’ll come and take you home when He says,
“It’s time” with His thunderous shout.
First the faithful who have died will rise;
Then the living will join in.
You’ll receive a brand new body
That will have no taint of sin.
Israel will one day call for Me
In deep sorrow for her shame
For rejecting the very Son of God
Who for her salvation came.
You’ll go with Me in great glory
When in victory I come as King.
Those who live on earth in My kingdom
Will enjoy the peace that I bring.
Then all sin will be judged and the earth made anew,
Truth and goodness will ever abide.
You’ll never imagine what I have prepared
For My own, My precious bride.
I’m preparing a special place for you
It is in My Father’s house.
I’ll come and take you home when He says,
“It’s time” with His thunderous shout.
First the faithful who have died will rise;
Then the living will join in.
You’ll receive a brand new body
That will have no taint of sin.
Israel will one day call for Me
In deep sorrow for her shame
For rejecting the very Son of God
Who for her salvation came.
You’ll go with Me in great glory
When in victory I come as King.
Those who live on earth in My kingdom
Will enjoy the peace that I bring.
Then all sin will be judged and the earth made anew,
Truth and goodness will ever abide.
You’ll never imagine what I have prepared
For My own, My precious bride.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
JESUS IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR US IN HIS FATHER’S HOUSE
There is one other passage in scripture that I think supports a pre-tribulation rapture. It is clear to me that there is an obvious parallel between 1Thessalonians 4:16-18, the words in 1Corinthians 15, and the words of John. They speak of a time when the Lord will come to “receive” believers into His presence. This is very different from the description of the Lord Jesus returning to earth in all His glory to defeat the armies of Satan and assume His earthly throne.
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: 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, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
In these verses Jesus is giving comfort and encouragement to His disciples. He tells them not to worry or be sad; hold on to your trust in God—and in Me as One and the same in power and authority. Jesus declares that in His Father’s house there are lots of dwelling places (mansions). He emphasizes that He would never tell them a lie or withhold truth from them. He tells them that He is going to prepare a place for each one of them in His Father’s house. (I like the thought that there is a special place or spot in eternity just for me.) He promises to come again and take them to be with Him, in His presence.
In my study of prophecy, focus is keen on the phrase “I will come again and receive you unto myself.” This doesn’t sound like He is referencing physical death—“absent from the body, present with the Lord.” (2Cor 5:8) Nor does it match the description of His second coming in which all eyes will see Him as He returns to reign on planet earth. He is speaking of coming to take His followers to be with Him in the presence of His Father.
Note the following quote from Thomas Ice: "This passage, taken literally, indicates that the believer is going to go to heaven at the time of Christ's coming for Him." This will not occur at the Second Advent because that will be a time in which Christ comes with His saints, who are already in heaven, not for His saints as John 14:1-3 requires. The prophet Zechariah and the Apostle Paul both affirm this truth.
Zechariah 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
1Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Though I consider the passages presented in this series of blogs to be the main passages specifically referencing the rapture, there are a couple of other sections in scripture that I think provide strong support for this teaching. Consider the following scriptures regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 18:23-26 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
Genesis 19:15-16 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
2Peter 2:7-9 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
There are several important observations to be made from these passages.
• Abraham expected God not to punish the righteous with the unrighteous. God did not reprimand him for or refute the truth of that expectation.
• God physically removed the righteous from the place of judgment.
• Punishment is reserved for the unjust.
• If Lot is a type (a picture) of the church, then Luke 17:29 would indicate that the 70th week starts immediately after the rapture.
Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
If 7 weeks = 7 years, then a day would equal a part of that year. We might conclude, then, that the rapture and covenant with antichrist would happen in the same year. With the church gone, it would be the time for God to again deal with the Jews. God won’t leave the world without a witness, i.e., the two prophets and the 144,000 Jews.
There is one other verse I would like you to consider.
Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
I think you could say that Abraham is a type of Christ in this situation. Just as God remembered Abraham and delivered his brethren, so too will He remember Christ and deliver His brethren (we believers) from coming judgment.
Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God….The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
I hope that you are part of the family and praying with me… Revelation 22:20 ….Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: 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, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
In these verses Jesus is giving comfort and encouragement to His disciples. He tells them not to worry or be sad; hold on to your trust in God—and in Me as One and the same in power and authority. Jesus declares that in His Father’s house there are lots of dwelling places (mansions). He emphasizes that He would never tell them a lie or withhold truth from them. He tells them that He is going to prepare a place for each one of them in His Father’s house. (I like the thought that there is a special place or spot in eternity just for me.) He promises to come again and take them to be with Him, in His presence.
In my study of prophecy, focus is keen on the phrase “I will come again and receive you unto myself.” This doesn’t sound like He is referencing physical death—“absent from the body, present with the Lord.” (2Cor 5:8) Nor does it match the description of His second coming in which all eyes will see Him as He returns to reign on planet earth. He is speaking of coming to take His followers to be with Him in the presence of His Father.
Note the following quote from Thomas Ice: "This passage, taken literally, indicates that the believer is going to go to heaven at the time of Christ's coming for Him." This will not occur at the Second Advent because that will be a time in which Christ comes with His saints, who are already in heaven, not for His saints as John 14:1-3 requires. The prophet Zechariah and the Apostle Paul both affirm this truth.
Zechariah 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
1Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Though I consider the passages presented in this series of blogs to be the main passages specifically referencing the rapture, there are a couple of other sections in scripture that I think provide strong support for this teaching. Consider the following scriptures regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 18:23-26 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
Genesis 19:15-16 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
2Peter 2:7-9 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
There are several important observations to be made from these passages.
• Abraham expected God not to punish the righteous with the unrighteous. God did not reprimand him for or refute the truth of that expectation.
• God physically removed the righteous from the place of judgment.
• Punishment is reserved for the unjust.
• If Lot is a type (a picture) of the church, then Luke 17:29 would indicate that the 70th week starts immediately after the rapture.
Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
If 7 weeks = 7 years, then a day would equal a part of that year. We might conclude, then, that the rapture and covenant with antichrist would happen in the same year. With the church gone, it would be the time for God to again deal with the Jews. God won’t leave the world without a witness, i.e., the two prophets and the 144,000 Jews.
There is one other verse I would like you to consider.
Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
I think you could say that Abraham is a type of Christ in this situation. Just as God remembered Abraham and delivered his brethren, so too will He remember Christ and deliver His brethren (we believers) from coming judgment.
Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God….The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
I hope that you are part of the family and praying with me… Revelation 22:20 ….Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
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