God`s Purpose for the Rapture.

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Marilyn

Marilyn

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The Purpose of the Rapture.

There has been many discussions concerning the rapture (from an earthly perspective) however to clearly understand it we need to see it from God` s perspective: What is God`s purpose for the rapture, the catching away of the Body of Christ.

God`s Eternal Purpose.

We know from God`s word that the Father`s eternal purpose is to bring everything in heaven and earth under the rulership of Christ - one Head.

`(God) purposed in Himself that in the fullness of the times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him.` (Eph. 1: 9 & 10)

In Colossians we read that the Lord made all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible and all rulership positions - `thrones or dominions or principalities or powers,` (Col. 1: 16) And these rulership positions are for the Lord `that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.` (Col. 1: 18)


Rebellion.

Then we read from the Prophets of the Old Testament that there was rebellion in the angelic realm. A mighty angel who had been given the rulership position of kingpriest was found unworthy to rule there. (Ez. 28: 12 - 17, Isa. 14: 12 - 14)

After being cast out we see this mighty angel and those angels who went with him usurp unrighteous rulership over man. As Job says, `the heavens are not pure in His sight.` (Job 15: 15)


The Worthy Ruler.

Thus there is needed the process of restoring righteous rulership in every realm, - in the heavens and on the earth. God initiates when that will begin and who will be the Worthy one to rule over all. And praise God we know who is the Worthy one to reign supreme -

`(God the Father) seated Him, (Jesus) at His 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 age but also in that which is to come.

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.` (Eph. 1: 20 - 23)
 
Marilyn

Marilyn

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Restoration of Righteous Rulership.

God the Father having given His Son all power and authority has given Him the authority to execute judgment, (John 5: 27) and to rule the nations with `a rod of iron` (Ps. 2: 9)

So when does the Father initiate His Son moving from the Father`s throne to His own throne to execute the judgments and to rule with a rod of iron?

(God the Father sends) `Jesus...whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things of which God has spoken by the mouth of all His prophets since the world began.` (Acts 3: 20 & 21)

The prophets spoke about the rebellion of rulership right throughout God`s great kingdom, and then they revealed that God`s Son would be the worthy one to restore righteous rulership in every realm. (Ps. 2: 6 - 9, Ps. 110: 1 & 2)


Starting from the Highest Realm.

Where is the Father sending Jesus? The Lord comes to be united with His body and to take them to the angelic realm to rule and reign with Him. ( 1 Thess. 4: 14 - 17)

The Body of Christ, the overcomers will sit with Christ on His own throne. (Rev. 3: 21)

They will be King priests, (Rev.1: 6) ruling with Christ over the nations with `a rod of iron,` judging the world system and fallen angels. (Rev. 2: 26 & 27, 1 Cor. 6: 2 & 3)


Summary.

Thus we see that God`s purpose for the rapture is to begin the restoration of righteous rulership under the Lord Jesus Christ, in the highest realm. From there all other rebellion will be dealt with over time. (1 Cor. 15: 25)


Quite a lot to discuss there. I look forward to working through God`s word together. May His Holy Spirit guide us into all truth.
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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Sep 4, 2013
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Where does that diagram come from? Source?
[QUOTE="Marilyn, post: 4761603, member: 309290"

]Summary.

Thus we see that God`s purpose for the rapture is to begin the restoration of righteous rulership under the Lord Jesus Christ, in the highest realm. From there all other rebellion will be dealt with over time. (1 Cor. 15: 25)[/QUOTE]

IMHO: The Rapture serves as the end of time on this earth, and the beginning of Eternity. For those who believe, Eternal Life. For those who do not, Eternal Damnation.

The Judgement immediately follows the Rapture. The wheat and chafe are separated, and each is rewarded as He determines. Life/Death.

Is this diagram in some way trying to lay out the "New Earth" ideology, where all people will live?

sincerely,
 
Evmur

Evmur

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God will separate His chosen ones prior to His cleansing the earth by judgements, we are separated to our heavenly position with Christ and Israel is separated to their homeland where they will reign with Christ ... the nations will flock to Jerusalem to learn the ways of the God of Jacob.
 
Marilyn

Marilyn

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p_rehbein said:
Where does that diagram come from? Source?
[QUOTE="Marilyn, post: 4761603, member: 309290"

]Summary.

Thus we see that God`s purpose for the rapture is to begin the restoration of righteous rulership under the Lord Jesus Christ, in the highest realm. From there all other rebellion will be dealt with over time. (1 Cor. 15: 25)
Click to expand...
IMHO: The Rapture serves as the end of time on this earth, and the beginning of Eternity. For those who believe, Eternal Life. For those who do not, Eternal Damnation.

The Judgement immediately follows the Rapture. The wheat and chafe are separated, and each is rewarded as He determines. Life/Death.

Is this diagram in some way trying to lay out the "New Earth" ideology, where all people will live?

sincerely,[/QUOTE]

Hi P rehbein,

Thank you for entering the discussion. I actually did the diagram. Having been a teacher I find diagrams very helpful.

I hear what you are saying however it would seem to `null and void` God`s purpose for making - the Body of Christ, for Israel and for the nations. If we are all lumped in together then what would be the purpose of making such groups.

And actually Jesus could have come early after Adam and Eve and sorted it all out and we wouldn`t have had centuries of pain, terror and agony.

regards, Marilyn.
 
Marilyn

Marilyn

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Evmur said:
God will separate His chosen ones prior to His cleansing the earth by judgements, we are separated to our heavenly position with Christ and Israel is separated to their homeland where they will reign with Christ ... the nations will flock to Jerusalem to learn the ways of the God of Jacob.
Click to expand...
Hi Evmur,

I agree with what you are saying, probably at different times though.

regards, Marilyn.
 
ewq1938

ewq1938

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Oct 18, 2018
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The rapture does remove the Church ie: the living saved Christians from the surface of the Earth but only for a very short time. It's purpose is actually to GATHER the Church together at one place rather than being spread around the world.

The rapture is mentioned in Matthew by Christ:

"he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds"

This tells us the elect are not in one place but scattered all over the four winds which just means they are all over the world. Christ wants them all to be gathered at one place, the clouds of Earth when he is returning. They will join Him as He descends down to complete the second coming.

Moments after the rapture, Christ returns to the Earth to complete his second coming and he comes with that same Church so any idea of "removal" is mostly irrelevant to the world since it is so brief.

The other thing is that most if not all of these Christians would be in some sort of prison. I can't see the antichrist allowing them to be free since the gt6 is a war against Christians with many being overcome and killed. So, when the rapture happens, an unknown amount of people will disappear from these prisons and that should scare a lot of people and cause panic. In addition, the very visible return of Christ will instantly make the marked people realize they weren't worshipping the correct Christ.
 
Marilyn

Marilyn

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ewq1938 said:
The rapture does remove the Church ie: the living saved Christians from the surface of the Earth but only for a very short time. It's purpose is actually to GATHER the Church together at one place rather than being spread around the world.

The rapture is mentioned in Matthew by Christ:

"he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds"

This tells us the elect are not in one place but scattered all over the four winds which just means they are all over the world. Christ wants them all to be gathered at one place, the clouds of Earth when he is returning. They will join Him as He descends down to complete the second coming.

Moments after the rapture, Christ returns to the Earth to complete his second coming and he comes with that same Church so any idea of "removal" is mostly irrelevant to the world since it is so brief.

The other thing is that most if not all of these Christians would be in some sort of prison. I can't see the antichrist allowing them to be free since the gt6 is a war against Christians with many being overcome and killed. So, when the rapture happens, an unknown amount of people will disappear from these prisons and that should scare a lot of people and cause panic. In addition, the very visible return of Christ will instantly make the marked people realize they weren't worshipping the correct Christ.
Click to expand...
In the book of Matthew, (24: 31) Jesus was telling the people of Israel THEIR FUTURE. Note it is the ANGELS that are gathering. The ANGELS are the army that comes with Christ at the end of the trib.

When Jesus was on earth the disciples asked Him to tell them about what would happen to Israel & the nations at the end of this age. Jesus told them quite clearly about the tribulation & persecution Israel would endure but that He would come again with His mighty angels to deliver Israel & judge the nations of the world.

`they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power & great glory. And He will send His angels..` (Matt.24: 30 & 31)

`When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him...` (Matt. 25: 31)

`the Son of Man comes in His glory, & in the glory of the holy angels.` (Luke 9: 26)

`when Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God,..` (2 Thess. 1: 7)

These Holy angels are the army who come with Jesus when he brings vengeance upon the ungodly.

Now the Body of Christ will be in the third heaven ruling with the Lord on His own throne, (Rev. 3: 21) judging the World System and fallen angels, (1 Cor. 6: 2& 3) and ruling the nations with a `rod of iron,` (Rev. 2: 26 & 27)
 
ewq1938

ewq1938

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Oct 18, 2018
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#13
Marilyn said:
In the book of Matthew, (24: 31) Jesus was telling the people of Israel THEIR FUTURE. Note it is the ANGELS that are gathering. The ANGELS are the army that comes with Christ at the end of the trib.
Click to expand...

Christ was talking about what happens to Christians that are alive and remaining at the second coming. They will be raptured which involves angels bringing the changed living saints to the clouds where the raptured saints join the angelic and formerly dead in Christ saints.

The 7th trump second coming army is led by Christ and includes the resurrected dead in Christ, the raptured saints and angels.
 
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