I think you better go back and study Mat 27:52-53 some more.
No, actually it is actually talking about how when Christ ascended, He bound the enemy or the powers of darkness. How so? Well, our first clue to this fact is to look at the parallel reference of this passage located in Judges chapter five.
Judges 5:12 -
"Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead your captives captive, you son of Abinoam."
Now, without boring you with all the details, to make a long story short, if you were to read Judged chapter 5, you would find out that Barak was leading his enemies captive and not his friends. To put it to you another way, the moment a true Christian is born again and then dedicates their life to Christ, they are then no longer Christ's enemy. For those in Abraham's bosom are God's elect or chosen who had put their trust in God to redeem them of their sins (See Luke 16:19-31).
As a matter of fact, Gill's Exposition of the Bible says this...
"He led captivity captive; which is expressive of Christ's conquests and triumph over sin, Satan, the world, death, and the grave; and indeed, every spiritual enemy of his and his people, especially the devil, who leads men captive at his will, and is therefore called captivity, and his principalities and powers, whom Christ has spoiled and triumphed over;"
And 2nd Timothy says this...
2 Timothy 2:26 -
"And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. For when Christ had raised from the dead he put all things including the principalities and powers of darkness under his feet."
Therefore, the word "
captivity" is a reference to Satan leading people captive to his will and lets us know the true context or meaning behind Ephesians 4:8.
For when Christ had risen from the dead, He put all things including the principalities and powers of darkness under his feet.
Ephesians 1:20-23 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
The 144K are not the Nation of Israel. They are descendants of the 12 Tribes. They have been scattered across the globe. They are Jesus' Elect, the ones He discusses in Mat 24. They are the ones He gathers when He returns.
I never said that the 144,000 is the Nation of Israel.
However, the 144,000 are exclusively Jewish, though. They are not Gentiles.
Physical return? As opposed to some return in the air where He doesn't touch down? I suggest you go back and read 1 Thes 4:14 and pick up the identity of the one who is returning. Hint - It isn't the Son.
No, the Scriptures say we will meet the Lord in the air.
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Feast of Trumpets is called the Last Trump (For there are three shofarim or horns:
#1. The first trump is Pentecost,
#2. The last trump is the Feast of Trumpets,
#3. The great trump is the Day of Atonement.
This is Jewish teaching (of which Paul would have known about).
Anyways, here are some differences between the two trumpets.
- The trumpet of the church age is called the "trump of God" (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The trumpet of Revelation is the trumpet of the seventh angel (Revelation 11:15).
- The trumpet of the church age is singular. There is no mention of a series of trumpets. The trumpet of Revelation is the seventh of seven. The phrase, last trump, has a different significance.
- In 1 Thessalonians 4, the trumpets calls the dead to life. The seventh trumpet of Revelation occurs after a resurrection occurs (Revelation 11:12).
- The trumpet of the church age comes as a blessing. The trumpet of Revelation comes with judgment and is called the third woe (Revelation 11:14).
- The trump of the church age sounds in "a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52). The seventh trumpet of Revelation sounds for "days" (Revelation 10:7 HCSB).
John's Revelation was not written yet. So for Paul to tell them about something they would not understand would be contrary to his own words. For Paul said, I would rather speak five with words with the understanding than five thousand words with no understanding.
~ PLEASE DO NOT MISS THIS ~
Revelation 6:17 KJV begins the Wrath and Revelation 15:1 KJV tells us that the vials or bowl judgments (Which are after the Trumpet Judgments) are the seven last plagues & the return of Christ which concludes the wrath of God.
And 1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV says we are not appointed unto wrath.
I didn't say this to imply I was an expert. I am just a humble servant. I said this to highlight the futility of trying to change the mind of those who Paul teaches us about in 2 Thes 2:11.
God Bless!!
Uh, you really think I would follow any political figure who is a man of peace who helps tons of people but doesn't know the Word of God? A man who will enforce the Mark of the Beast and will be involved in helping the Jews to rebuild their Temple? I think not. It will never be the popular guy in the spotlight who is doing good or God's will. It's always the little guy who is suffering for Christ and his kingdom. The little guy who is suffering with other believers for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Sorry, my friend. I won't be here upon this Earth so as to deal with him. I will be with God before that happens.
