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There will not be a pre-tribulation resurrection of the saints for the Bible says let no man deceive you by any means for the gathering unto Christ shall not happen until the antichrist appears claiming to be God which is halfway thorugh the tribulation.
The Bible says the beast makes war against the saints and God said this is the patience and faith of the saints.
The saints will not go home until the antichrist appears claiming to be God and makes war against the saints.
The Bible says let no man deceive you concerning this,so people that believe in a pre-tribulation will not persuade me otherwise for I believe God.The saints will not be united with Christ until the beast makes war against the saints.
The reason is that God is love.As long as people can repent of their sins God will not take His children home.
When the world takes the mark of the beast and makes war against the saints they cannot repent of their sins and God will take His children home.
It is obvious that there is a resurrection for the Bible says that the saints will go up in the air to meet the Lord.
It is obvious that the saints go to heaven first and then come back with Jesus for the Bible says that when Jesus comes to fight the world which is the battle of armageddon the saints are with Him which is prior to the millennial reign.
The truth.
The saints will not be united with Christ until the antichrist claims to be God and makes war with the saints.
The saints will be resurrected and come back with Jesus when Jesus fights the world at the battle of armageddon.
The saints will be resurrected and go to heaven,and will receive their glorified body and have their woks judged,and come back with Jesus when Jesus fights the world.
Matt
The Bible says the beast makes war against the saints and God said this is the patience and faith of the saints.
The saints will not go home until the antichrist appears claiming to be God and makes war against the saints.
The Bible says let no man deceive you concerning this,so people that believe in a pre-tribulation will not persuade me otherwise for I believe God.The saints will not be united with Christ until the beast makes war against the saints.
The reason is that God is love.As long as people can repent of their sins God will not take His children home.
When the world takes the mark of the beast and makes war against the saints they cannot repent of their sins and God will take His children home.
It is obvious that there is a resurrection for the Bible says that the saints will go up in the air to meet the Lord.
It is obvious that the saints go to heaven first and then come back with Jesus for the Bible says that when Jesus comes to fight the world which is the battle of armageddon the saints are with Him which is prior to the millennial reign.
The truth.
The saints will not be united with Christ until the antichrist claims to be God and makes war with the saints.
The saints will be resurrected and come back with Jesus when Jesus fights the world at the battle of armageddon.
The saints will be resurrected and go to heaven,and will receive their glorified body and have their woks judged,and come back with Jesus when Jesus fights the world.
Matt
1st Thess 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.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Our hope is clearly define here the dead will return with Christ to receive their immortal bodies at the resurrection of the just.
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.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Our hope is clearly define here the dead will return with Christ to receive their immortal bodies at the resurrection of the just.
I agree with your post every part of it except the very last statement.
''The saints will be resurrected and go to heaven,and will receive their glorified body and have their woks judged,and come back with Jesus when Jesus fights the world''
We receive our Heavenly bodies in a twinkling of and eye as Christ is returning, we are caught up by angles just after that we meet Jesus in the air as He is returning to Earth and we return to Earth with Him to rule and reign as kings and priest.
''The saints will be resurrected and go to heaven,and will receive their glorified body and have their woks judged,and come back with Jesus when Jesus fights the world''
We receive our Heavenly bodies in a twinkling of and eye as Christ is returning, we are caught up by angles just after that we meet Jesus in the air as He is returning to Earth and we return to Earth with Him to rule and reign as kings and priest.
If your interpretation of scripture does not agree with all scripture, then you should look at your interpretation. Jesus said that anyone who lives and believes in Him shall never die. This is His description of life, as He is life. So, where does that leave us? I believe Jesus and His words, and must look at what Paul writes in the light of the words of the Lord.
I have to tell you that I don't take a position pre or post, but rather I believe that at the proper time, each brother and sister will rise to be with the Lord Jesus. Some of us will be blessed to stay and minister to those who are called to inherit salvation out of the tribulation, many of who will be part of the first resurrection. But I believe that every believer who has received the love of the truth before the tribulation begins will be in heaven at the marriage supper of the Lamb, and not one will be left behind. And I believe that when He returns to this earth to take His place as King of kings, that we will come with Him.
P
Hello Matt,
There is probally nothing that you can present that would back up a post trib rapture.Matt,take my advice,...learn from one of the best.......The following should give you a clear understanding of scripture,..please take notice how this presentation harmonizes perfectly with scripture fore it is correctly divide into the truth of God's Word.
It occurs just slightly prior to the beginning of Daniels 70th week.
The Day of the Lord begins with ezekial 38;18-20 which matches perfectly with Revelation 6;14-17 and Isaiah 2;19
Actually it is this prophecy of every mountain and wall shall fall to the ground, that the dome of the rock is destroyed and the third temple is built.
Considering that Israel's immediate arab neighbors were defeated (Isaiah 17;1/Psalms 83) and the Lord of all creation had wiped out Israels enemies in the Ezekial; 38 prophecy,...logic dictates that there would not be any islamic nations to object to Israel in building a third temple.
When the Great and terrible Day of the Lord begins,...it begins when the A.O.D. begins. Anytime there is a word change of description, there is a reason for it.
In the first half of Daniels 70th week, the Great multitude, the two witnesses and the 144,000 will be able to witness and bring many to the Lord in the first half "UNOBSTRUCTED"
The reason for this is because permission to war and prevail against the saints is not granted to the beast until the A.O.D. begins and the Beast is also granted to continue for 42 months Revelation 13;5-7.
Malachi 4:5 is clear that the Lord will send Elijah........"before"......... the Great and terrible Day of the Lord.
Enoch and Elijah will die their death as it is appointed for man to die once (O.T.Saints before the Cross) ,....when the A.O.D. begins.(Take notice that it was at the midpoint of Daniels 70 week that the Beast, Rev 13;5-7)is granted to prevail and not before.
The Day of the Lord begins with Ezekial 38;18-20,Revelation 6;14-17 and Isaiah 2;19......and it continues until the A.O.D. begins.
When the A.O.D. begins that is when the Great Tribulation begins also known as The Great and terrible Day of the lord.("Before" meaning as in the first half of Daniels 70th week).
Before Ezekial 38 can come to pass,..a time of normal life must be present such as marrying and giving in marriage and drinking , as in the days of Noah. Ezekial 38 describes Israel dwelling in safety and not expecting an attack, for that matter the world was even surprise that this attack to place as is described in Ezekial 38.
It is the Prophecy of Isaiah 17;1/Psalms 83 combo that causes Israel to believe she is dwelling safely. Israel will gain more territory from her immediate arab neighbors in keeping with the promise of a certain amount of land promised to Abraham's descendents by the Lord.
So in a nutshell,..Even though technically, the rapture can happen any moment,..it is my opinion that it will occur just slightly prior to Ezekial 38.
The Ancient Jewish wedding as a shadow type, suggests that the Bride will only be in heaven for 7 years and then the lord will return in His physical second return to rule and reign for a thousand years.
So it is believed that the beginning of the generation that would not pass away until all these things came to pass, which includes the A.O.D. and the Second Physical coming of the Lord,Began on May 14 1948.
So the question is asked,.."How long is a generation"?
Psalms 90;10 indicates that it is 70 years but could be as long as 80 years.
But we have sign post's along the way.and the Lord made it clear that the Bride would not be cought by surprise, that we would perceive the general time era of when we would be caught up to meet the Lord in the air(1 Thessalonians 5;4)
It is very obvious today that Isaiah 17;1 could happen any day.
Matt I would like to add something here for you.
Any one left behind from the coming pre-trib rapture that is aware of endtime prophecy,..will recognize the anti-christ the moment that he confirms a 7 year agreement with Israel.
But National Israel will not recognize the anti-christm,,at least not until the Abomination of desolation,..when they flee for their lives in the wilderness.
But when the 7 year covenant has been confirmed at the beginning of Daniels 70th week,..national Israel will be deceived and will mistaken the anti-christ as their long awaited messiah.
The Lord said to His Disciples in John 5:43 "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him."
The Great falling away is occurring now, today Matt,...When the Pre-trib rapture occurs,..it will be the greatest incentive for all those left behind and a Multitude that no man could number will come to Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
These Brothers will do great exploits
Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
There is probally nothing that you can present that would back up a post trib rapture.Matt,take my advice,...learn from one of the best.......The following should give you a clear understanding of scripture,..please take notice how this presentation harmonizes perfectly with scripture fore it is correctly divide into the truth of God's Word.
It occurs just slightly prior to the beginning of Daniels 70th week.
The Day of the Lord begins with ezekial 38;18-20 which matches perfectly with Revelation 6;14-17 and Isaiah 2;19
Actually it is this prophecy of every mountain and wall shall fall to the ground, that the dome of the rock is destroyed and the third temple is built.
Considering that Israel's immediate arab neighbors were defeated (Isaiah 17;1/Psalms 83) and the Lord of all creation had wiped out Israels enemies in the Ezekial; 38 prophecy,...logic dictates that there would not be any islamic nations to object to Israel in building a third temple.
When the Great and terrible Day of the Lord begins,...it begins when the A.O.D. begins. Anytime there is a word change of description, there is a reason for it.
In the first half of Daniels 70th week, the Great multitude, the two witnesses and the 144,000 will be able to witness and bring many to the Lord in the first half "UNOBSTRUCTED"
The reason for this is because permission to war and prevail against the saints is not granted to the beast until the A.O.D. begins and the Beast is also granted to continue for 42 months Revelation 13;5-7.
Malachi 4:5 is clear that the Lord will send Elijah........"before"......... the Great and terrible Day of the Lord.
Enoch and Elijah will die their death as it is appointed for man to die once (O.T.Saints before the Cross) ,....when the A.O.D. begins.(Take notice that it was at the midpoint of Daniels 70 week that the Beast, Rev 13;5-7)is granted to prevail and not before.
The Day of the Lord begins with Ezekial 38;18-20,Revelation 6;14-17 and Isaiah 2;19......and it continues until the A.O.D. begins.
When the A.O.D. begins that is when the Great Tribulation begins also known as The Great and terrible Day of the lord.("Before" meaning as in the first half of Daniels 70th week).
Before Ezekial 38 can come to pass,..a time of normal life must be present such as marrying and giving in marriage and drinking , as in the days of Noah. Ezekial 38 describes Israel dwelling in safety and not expecting an attack, for that matter the world was even surprise that this attack to place as is described in Ezekial 38.
It is the Prophecy of Isaiah 17;1/Psalms 83 combo that causes Israel to believe she is dwelling safely. Israel will gain more territory from her immediate arab neighbors in keeping with the promise of a certain amount of land promised to Abraham's descendents by the Lord.
So in a nutshell,..Even though technically, the rapture can happen any moment,..it is my opinion that it will occur just slightly prior to Ezekial 38.
The Ancient Jewish wedding as a shadow type, suggests that the Bride will only be in heaven for 7 years and then the lord will return in His physical second return to rule and reign for a thousand years.
So it is believed that the beginning of the generation that would not pass away until all these things came to pass, which includes the A.O.D. and the Second Physical coming of the Lord,Began on May 14 1948.
So the question is asked,.."How long is a generation"?
Psalms 90;10 indicates that it is 70 years but could be as long as 80 years.
But we have sign post's along the way.and the Lord made it clear that the Bride would not be cought by surprise, that we would perceive the general time era of when we would be caught up to meet the Lord in the air(1 Thessalonians 5;4)
It is very obvious today that Isaiah 17;1 could happen any day.
Matt I would like to add something here for you.
Any one left behind from the coming pre-trib rapture that is aware of endtime prophecy,..will recognize the anti-christ the moment that he confirms a 7 year agreement with Israel.
But National Israel will not recognize the anti-christm,,at least not until the Abomination of desolation,..when they flee for their lives in the wilderness.
But when the 7 year covenant has been confirmed at the beginning of Daniels 70th week,..national Israel will be deceived and will mistaken the anti-christ as their long awaited messiah.
The Lord said to His Disciples in John 5:43 "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him."
The Great falling away is occurring now, today Matt,...When the Pre-trib rapture occurs,..it will be the greatest incentive for all those left behind and a Multitude that no man could number will come to Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
These Brothers will do great exploits
Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
P
Explain away the following:
Jude 1;14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.
revelation 17;14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Darby Bible Translation
For many are called ones, but few chosen ones Matthew 22:14
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Jude 1;14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.
revelation 17;14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Darby Bible Translation
For many are called ones, but few chosen ones Matthew 22:14
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
L
Well, that is your opinion, and you have a right to it. But I think you need to study it more closely. Why do you not believe that Jesus could come TWICE, once FOR the church, and again WITH the church?
It is written that Jesus will come as a thief in the night. NO ONE sees the thief, which is why he comes at night. Yet it is also written that every eye will behold Him. Does every eye behold the thief?
It is written that He comes when it is "peace and safety" and as it was in the days of Noah, and in the days of Lot BEFORE the destruction came. How can that possibly be compared to Rev. 19, after the world has been destroyed? NO ONE will be living in peace and safety after the trumpets and vials.
God is clearly telling us He is coming TWICE.
Coop
It is written that Jesus will come as a thief in the night. NO ONE sees the thief, which is why he comes at night. Yet it is also written that every eye will behold Him. Does every eye behold the thief?
It is written that He comes when it is "peace and safety" and as it was in the days of Noah, and in the days of Lot BEFORE the destruction came. How can that possibly be compared to Rev. 19, after the world has been destroyed? NO ONE will be living in peace and safety after the trumpets and vials.
God is clearly telling us He is coming TWICE.
Coop
Jesus is coming again!
It will be a very visible event! it will not be done in secret. Jesus Himself tells us what His return will be like.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Behold, I have told you before.Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Matthew 24:23-28.
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. Luke 17:22-25.
Apparently, there is going to be a lot of deception about Jesus' second coming. People saying they are one of the dead prophets or even Christ! We are told not to believe any of these reports. Because His coming will be a very public event! For as lightning comes from the east to the west, covering the entire sky; This is what it is going to be like when Jesus comes. No matter where you are on earth, the lightning will cover the sky announcing His coming.
So, if someone says Jesus has already come, you will know that it is not true! When Jesus comes back, everyone will see it over the whole earth.
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7.
Yes, this is a very public event. every eye will see Him, and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him. All will know that He is coming! In the next Bible text, we see that very dramatic events will be happening when Jesus comes:
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13.
Paul describes the day of the Lord as a fearful day when the heavens pass away with a great noise, and fire melts the earth. The works of man will be burned up. Paul then adds meaning to these events by asking: What kind of people should we be? Who's side should we be on? So, I am reminded of Psalms 91:7-8. Where it reads "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand: But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked."
It is a marvelous thing to be a Christian!
Now, when Jesus comes at the end of the world to collect His Saints, He gathers them together from all the parts of the earth. Here we have three parallel accounts of what Jesus told His disciples about His second coming:
29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:29-31.
24. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25. And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Mark 13:24-27.
25. there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27. then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:25-28.
Jesus comes after the tribulation of the time of sorrows. Once the sun and the moon darkens, and the stars fall; the wicked will be fearful because everything will be shaken. It is at that time, that Jesus come.
When Jesus comes with power and glory, His own people will be scattered over all the face of the earth, but they will look up and see their redemption coming to them. So His angels will gather His elect and bring them together when the trumpet sounds. (Elect means: His chosen ones)
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:"Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah Psalms 50:3-6
And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9.
So, when the saints look up to see their redemption coming to them they will cry out" Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. At this time, the saints are gathered together by the angels.
Now, it is clear from the next few verses that Jesus will not only take all His people who are living, but He will also raise from the dead all of His chosen ones who died. This will happen when He comes again, at His second coming, when the trumpet of God sounds.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: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 4:15-17
Concentrating on verses 16 and 17, we see that Jesus Himself comes down from heaven at His second coming. This is the big event at the end of the world when Jesus comes to get His people and take them back with Him. With a shout of the archangel's voice and the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ rise up first. Then, all who are still alive in Christ, are brought up together with those who had died in the clouds and they meet the Lord in the air to be always with Him.
It is at the second coming of Jesus, the time of the end, when both those who died and those who are alive, will be taken up into heaven.
This was the wonderful news that Paul had to tell those who lived in Thessalonica, because they were crying for the dead as if they had no hope of the future!
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.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God ring with him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
If Jesus rose from the dead, then we know that those who sleep in Jesus will also rise in the last day. In verse 14, it should be clear to us that Paul was saying that even those who sleep in Jesus will God take back with Him to heaven. Paul did not say that Jesus would be bringing the dead people from heaven because of what he said in the next few verses. Paul gives an order of events of what will happen on the day that Jesus comes:
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: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 4:16-17
The dead in Christ are raised up to life when Jesus comes! So, it looks like Jesus is taking all His people back to be with Himself. From that time on, all the saints will always be with the Lord!
The idea in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 is a common theme: that if Jesus died and rose again, so will God rise us up. In Romans, we see paul saying it again but in a different way. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
Looking at 1 Corinthians, we find that Paul is consistent. Jesus is the firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep in Jesus and here again Paul says that the dead in Christ will be raised at the time of His coming:But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
All who have died in Christ, shall be made alive at Christ's second coming. It doesn't happen before His coming at all.
So, it looks like Jesus is taking all His people back to be with Himself, because there are places for His saints to live and He wants us to be with Him. We will see this in the next Scripture.
In the book of John, there is a discussion that Jesus had with His disciples about His leaving them. In that discussion, Jesus told them that they could not go with Him then, but that they would be able to follow Him when He comes back to take them Home with Him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.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. John 13:33,36-14:3
So, Jesus agrees with Paul. When Jesus comes again, He will take us unto Himself! In His Father's house, in heaven, there are many mansions. And if He goes to prepare places for us, Jesus will come again and take us unto Himself, so that where ever He is, we may be with Him. There are places for His saints to live and Jesus wants us to be with Him.
At an earlier time, Jesus told His purpose in coming to our world. He specifically points out that His people will be raised up at the last day.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:38-40
Again, we repeatedly see in the Bible that all those who believe in Jesus and are His; Jesus will raise him or her up at the last day, when Jesus comes to take His people Home with Him to Heaven.
It will be a very visible event! it will not be done in secret. Jesus Himself tells us what His return will be like.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Behold, I have told you before.Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Matthew 24:23-28.
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. Luke 17:22-25.
Apparently, there is going to be a lot of deception about Jesus' second coming. People saying they are one of the dead prophets or even Christ! We are told not to believe any of these reports. Because His coming will be a very public event! For as lightning comes from the east to the west, covering the entire sky; This is what it is going to be like when Jesus comes. No matter where you are on earth, the lightning will cover the sky announcing His coming.
So, if someone says Jesus has already come, you will know that it is not true! When Jesus comes back, everyone will see it over the whole earth.
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7.
Yes, this is a very public event. every eye will see Him, and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him. All will know that He is coming! In the next Bible text, we see that very dramatic events will be happening when Jesus comes:
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13.
Paul describes the day of the Lord as a fearful day when the heavens pass away with a great noise, and fire melts the earth. The works of man will be burned up. Paul then adds meaning to these events by asking: What kind of people should we be? Who's side should we be on? So, I am reminded of Psalms 91:7-8. Where it reads "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand: But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked."
It is a marvelous thing to be a Christian!
Now, when Jesus comes at the end of the world to collect His Saints, He gathers them together from all the parts of the earth. Here we have three parallel accounts of what Jesus told His disciples about His second coming:
29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:29-31.
24. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25. And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Mark 13:24-27.
25. there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27. then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:25-28.
Jesus comes after the tribulation of the time of sorrows. Once the sun and the moon darkens, and the stars fall; the wicked will be fearful because everything will be shaken. It is at that time, that Jesus come.
When Jesus comes with power and glory, His own people will be scattered over all the face of the earth, but they will look up and see their redemption coming to them. So His angels will gather His elect and bring them together when the trumpet sounds. (Elect means: His chosen ones)
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:"Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah Psalms 50:3-6
And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9.
So, when the saints look up to see their redemption coming to them they will cry out" Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. At this time, the saints are gathered together by the angels.
Now, it is clear from the next few verses that Jesus will not only take all His people who are living, but He will also raise from the dead all of His chosen ones who died. This will happen when He comes again, at His second coming, when the trumpet of God sounds.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: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 4:15-17
Concentrating on verses 16 and 17, we see that Jesus Himself comes down from heaven at His second coming. This is the big event at the end of the world when Jesus comes to get His people and take them back with Him. With a shout of the archangel's voice and the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ rise up first. Then, all who are still alive in Christ, are brought up together with those who had died in the clouds and they meet the Lord in the air to be always with Him.
It is at the second coming of Jesus, the time of the end, when both those who died and those who are alive, will be taken up into heaven.
This was the wonderful news that Paul had to tell those who lived in Thessalonica, because they were crying for the dead as if they had no hope of the future!
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.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God ring with him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
If Jesus rose from the dead, then we know that those who sleep in Jesus will also rise in the last day. In verse 14, it should be clear to us that Paul was saying that even those who sleep in Jesus will God take back with Him to heaven. Paul did not say that Jesus would be bringing the dead people from heaven because of what he said in the next few verses. Paul gives an order of events of what will happen on the day that Jesus comes:
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: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 4:16-17
The dead in Christ are raised up to life when Jesus comes! So, it looks like Jesus is taking all His people back to be with Himself. From that time on, all the saints will always be with the Lord!
The idea in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 is a common theme: that if Jesus died and rose again, so will God rise us up. In Romans, we see paul saying it again but in a different way. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
Looking at 1 Corinthians, we find that Paul is consistent. Jesus is the firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep in Jesus and here again Paul says that the dead in Christ will be raised at the time of His coming:But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
All who have died in Christ, shall be made alive at Christ's second coming. It doesn't happen before His coming at all.
So, it looks like Jesus is taking all His people back to be with Himself, because there are places for His saints to live and He wants us to be with Him. We will see this in the next Scripture.
In the book of John, there is a discussion that Jesus had with His disciples about His leaving them. In that discussion, Jesus told them that they could not go with Him then, but that they would be able to follow Him when He comes back to take them Home with Him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.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. John 13:33,36-14:3
So, Jesus agrees with Paul. When Jesus comes again, He will take us unto Himself! In His Father's house, in heaven, there are many mansions. And if He goes to prepare places for us, Jesus will come again and take us unto Himself, so that where ever He is, we may be with Him. There are places for His saints to live and Jesus wants us to be with Him.
At an earlier time, Jesus told His purpose in coming to our world. He specifically points out that His people will be raised up at the last day.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:38-40
Again, we repeatedly see in the Bible that all those who believe in Jesus and are His; Jesus will raise him or her up at the last day, when Jesus comes to take His people Home with Him to Heaven.
Being hid with Christ in God and being raised with him and seated together is positionally true for every believer. Christ was sent, not being of this world and we being redeemed by from the world by Christ and commissioned as ambassadors for Christ. We still live in our earthen vessel (2Cor 4:7)waiting for the redemption of our bodies. That redemption will take place at the resurrection when Christ comes for the church. Those believers, whose bodies are in the grave, will be raised first and those that remain alive shall be caught up together and they all shall be changed. The outward man or body is perishing but the inward man is being renewed (2Cor 4:16). The outward mortal man which is corrupt must put on and be clothed with immortality and incorruption. We have been raised with Christ in the inner man at salvation but the outward man will not be raised until the resurrection when Christ shall appear.
* Important note: It is important that we are buried and not cremated because of the resurrection. If you remember the story of the bones of Elisha that brought a dead man back to life in (2Kgs 13:20,21). The amazing thing was that Elisha died from a sickness (guess he had no healing in the atonement available to him like some believe they have today) yet his bones had life. Jesus Christ was buried in a tomb and was resurrected from the grave.
* 'So, no, I am not waiting for the resurrection, because I am not dead' After reading the entire chapter of (1Cor 15), I could hardly make a statement like that above. I am waiting and looking so forward to the resurrection and all that takes place on that day. There is a fellowship of knowing Christ in the power of his resurrection as we take up our cross and allow death to work in us. That is something that God works in us through his plan. There is also (Rom 8:11) that promises that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead shall quicken or make alive our mortal bodies.
* Important note: It is important that we are buried and not cremated because of the resurrection. If you remember the story of the bones of Elisha that brought a dead man back to life in (2Kgs 13:20,21). The amazing thing was that Elisha died from a sickness (guess he had no healing in the atonement available to him like some believe they have today) yet his bones had life. Jesus Christ was buried in a tomb and was resurrected from the grave.
* 'So, no, I am not waiting for the resurrection, because I am not dead' After reading the entire chapter of (1Cor 15), I could hardly make a statement like that above. I am waiting and looking so forward to the resurrection and all that takes place on that day. There is a fellowship of knowing Christ in the power of his resurrection as we take up our cross and allow death to work in us. That is something that God works in us through his plan. There is also (Rom 8:11) that promises that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead shall quicken or make alive our mortal bodies.