What does "the coming of the Lord" in the NT refer to?

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Jan 31, 2021
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I don't believe the text requires it saying "A resurrection"... like in Acts 24:15, as you are always insisting.
Every verse that mentions resurrection of believers and even unbelievers is always in the singular. One each.

Instead, can legit be read thusly: "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust."
So? All the other verses are in the singular.

Matt 22:30, Luke 14:14, 1 Cor 15:23.

(note that this doesn't require that there be ONLY ONE [in the "just" category] at ONE SINGULAR POINT IN TIME [like "THE resurrection" most likely speaks to, coz those passages DO speak to "IN THE LAST DAY" one (OT saints and Trib saints who DIED in the Trib)]... just that there WILL be resurrection ... doesn't indicate merely at one point in time [whereas "A resurrection" would seem to denote "ONLY ONE" as you repeatedly insist it means, in Acts 24:15 and other places [where the definite article is not used with it])
There is only 1. If there were more, where would I read about them?
 
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And I'm pointing out several REASONS why v.23 is ALL "FUTURE" (not speaking of the PAST event like v.20 was)
Well, the "firstfruits" of v.23 is a repeat of the "firstfruis" of v.20. What is future is "when He comes". That hasn't occurred yet.
 

TheDivineWatermark

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^ @FreeGrace2,

I'm saying that what is being conveyed in v.23 is a continuation from v.22b's "[so also in Christ] all SHALL BE MADE ALIVE [future] BUT each in the own order / rank [shall be made alive--future]: [1] firstfruit Christ [a unit] and ONLY THEN [only once that happens--EPeita] [2] those [pl] who ARE Christ's in the coming of Him"




["EPeita" is never used to speak of items separated by LONG time-spans... like "EITA" can mean]







[we are "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY" (ALL who've come to faith in Christ "in this present age [singular]")--that's ONE "unit" (see 2Cor4:14's "future tense" aspect; and see 1Cor12:12)... and the other unit (also in v.23, and also "future-ly" shall be made alive) being "those who are Christ's in the coming of Him"; This is how it can be speaking of "but each IN THE OWN ORDER / RANK" (coz there doesn't remain ONLY ONE at ONE SINGULAR point in time)--These words would be superfluous otherwise... no need to say this...]



V.23's "firstfruit Christ" is not backtracking to speak AGAIN of v.20's PAST event (re: Jesus' resurrection ALONE).
 

TheDivineWatermark

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There is only 1. If there were more, where would I read about them?
Paul wrote,

--"Behold, I SHOW you A MYSTERY" (not something that Daniel and Job and Martha and ALL OT saints already WELL-KNEW! They all well-knew of-->"in the resurrection IN THE LAST DAY" [not a singular 24-hr day kind of "day"... but IN that very lengthy time-period known as "THE LAST DAY" (aka "the THIRD day" of Hos5:14-6:3 and the SEVENTH day of Ex31:13,17 / Heb4:9 "sabbatismos")])

--"THIS corruptible" (i.e. the DEAD IN Christ (members of the Body of Christ)... who need to be bodily "resurrected" ['SHALL BE made alive'])... continuing... "and THIS mortal" (the STILL-LIVING members of the Church which is His body, who are ALSO IN Christ, but who do not require being bodily resurrected coz they won't have DIED before the point in time being spoken of in this text: "in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet" [not the 7th [judgment] Trumpet of that set-of-7, in Rev]--where "in the twinkling of an eye" refers to the precise moment when one day turns into the next: "when the sun is eight-degrees below the horizon, AT SUNDOWN" (WE ['the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY'] do not step ONE FOOT INTO the "IN THE NIGHT" portion OF "the day of the Lord [earthly-located time-period--of JUDGMENTs unfolding upon the earth OVER SOME TIME]"... except to RETURN WITH [G4862] HIM at the conclusion of the "NIGHT / DARK / DARKNESS" (JUDGMENTs) portion, at the time of (what we commonly call) His Second Coming to the earth Rev19 (the "SUN of righteousness ARISE" portion OF "the day of the Lord" earthly-located time-period)]






[note again to the readers: "And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from the man, made he a woman, AND BROUGHT HER UNTO THE MAN" Gen2:22<--This took place on the SIXTH DAY, not "the LAST / 7th day"]
 
O

Omegatime

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This passage is probably the most used to teach about a pretribulational rapture.

1 These 4-
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

In this passage we have 3 mentions of Jesus "coming back" to earth.

But, does it refer to a pretribulational rapture, where Jesus glorifies all believers and then takes them to heaven?

No, it doesn't. In the OT, there are only two mentions of the Messiah's advents "comings". The first one was as a baby and the suffering servant. The second advent will be as King of kings and Lord of lords, to reign the nations with a rod of iron.

Some will argue that Jesus came back to earth to meet Paul on the road to Damascus, and other such sightings, etc.

However, since the OT prophesied about just TWO advents, and we KNOW that Jesus WILL return at the Second Advent, 1 Thess 4:14-17 describes His Second Advent, and not a pretribulational visit to earth.

Acts 24:15 - and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Here, Paul states that there will be TWO resurrections; one for the saved and one for the unsaved.

1 Cor 15:23 - But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

This verse very clearly says that the single resurrection of the saved (those who belong to Him) will occur "when He comes", which is the Second Advent, prophesied in the OT.
I would like to share comments from friends of mine that are language scholars. Every bible in english print says: ( God will bring with Jesus or Him those who have falen asleep .) My friends tell me they do not know what this part of the sentence really says but yes it could say what is recorded in our english bibles. One of the things it could mean is---( God will { bring up] with Him those who have fallen asleep which to me is speaking of the resurrection. Just sharing some knowledge and not going to debate
 

TheDivineWatermark

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Aug 3, 2018
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One of the things it could mean is---( God will { bring up] with Him those who have fallen asleep which to me is speaking of the resurrection. Just sharing some knowledge and not going to debate
Oh, do you mean something like what we see in Daniel 7:13's wording:

"In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven [/heavens(?)]. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence."
 

TheDivineWatermark

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^ "knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will [future] also raise us with [G4862] Jesus and present us with [G4862] you in His presence." 2Cor4:14 (a verse I mentioned in recent past posts)





TDW:
Oh, do you mean something like what we see in Daniel 7:13's wording:

"In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven [/heavens(?)]. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence."
 
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^ @FreeGrace2,

I'm saying that what is being conveyed in v.23 is a continuation from v.22b's "[so also in Christ] all SHALL BE MADE ALIVE [future] BUT each in the own order / rank [shall be made alive--future]: [1] firstfruit Christ [a unit] and ONLY THEN [only once that happens--EPeita] [2] those [pl] who ARE Christ's in the coming of Him"
I'd say that is pretty obvious.

[we are "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY" (ALL who've come to faith in Christ "in this present age [singular]")--that's ONE "unit" (see 2Cor4:14's "future tense" aspect; and see 1Cor12:12)... and the other unit (also in v.23, and also "future-ly" shall be made alive) being "those who are Christ's in the coming of Him"; This is how it can be speaking of "but each IN THE OWN ORDER / RANK" (coz there doesn't remain ONLY ONE at ONE SINGULAR point in time)--These words would be superfluous otherwise... no need to say this...]
Again, obvious.

V.23's "firstfruit Christ" is not backtracking to speak AGAIN of v.20's PAST event (re: Jesus' resurrection ALONE).
Well, I disagree. the words "firstfruit" in v.20 and v.23 are the SAME THING. In fact, the word in v.23 is a repeat of v.20.
 
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In speaking about resurrection, I said:
FreeGrace2 said:
There is only 1. If there were more, where would I read about them?
Paul wrote,

--"Behold, I SHOW you A MYSTERY" (not something that Daniel and Job and Martha and ALL OT saints already WELL-KNEW! They all well-knew of-->"in the resurrection IN THE LAST DAY" [not a singular 24-hr day kind of "day"... but IN that very lengthy time-period known as "THE LAST DAY" (aka "the THIRD day" of Hos5:14-6:3 and the SEVENTH day of Ex31:13,17 / Heb4:9 "sabbatismos")])
So? This doesn't speak of multiple resurrections. Only the resurrection in that "very lengthy time-period" or Millennium where the resurrection of all believers occurs at the beginning of that Millennium. Rev 20:1-5

--"THIS corruptible" (i.e. the DEAD IN Christ (members of the Body of Christ)... who need to be bodily "resurrected" ['SHALL BE made alive'])... continuing... "and THIS mortal" (the STILL-LIVING members of the Church which is His body, who are ALSO IN Christ, but who do not require being bodily resurrected coz they won't have DIED before the point in time being spoken of in this text: "in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet" [not the 7th [judgment] Trumpet of that set-of-7, in Rev]--where "in the twinkling of an eye" refers to the precise moment when one day turns into the next: "when the sun is eight-degrees below the horizon, AT SUNDOWN" (WE ['the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY'] do not step ONE FOOT INTO the "IN THE NIGHT" portion OF "the day of the Lord [earthly-located time-period--of JUDGMENTs unfolding upon the earth OVER SOME TIME]"... except to RETURN WITH [G4862] HIM at the conclusion of the "NIGHT / DARK / DARKNESS" (JUDGMENTs) portion, at the time of (what we commonly call) His Second Coming to the earth Rev19 (the "SUN of righteousness ARISE" portion OF "the day of the Lord" earthly-located time-period)]
Still not mention of multiple resurrections.

There is only one. Jesus spoke of the resurrection of the saved in the singular. I won't argue with Him.
[note again to the readers: "And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from the man, made he a woman, AND BROUGHT HER UNTO THE MAN" Gen2:22<--This took place on the SIXTH DAY, not "the LAST / 7th day"]
?????
 
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I would like to share comments from friends of mine that are language scholars. Every bible in english print says: ( God will bring with Jesus or Him those who have falen asleep .) My friends tell me they do not know what this part of the sentence really says but yes it could say what is recorded in our english bibles. One of the things it could mean is---( God will { bring up] with Him those who have fallen asleep which to me is speaking of the resurrection. Just sharing some knowledge and not going to debate
No need to debate. I agree!! The words "bring up" would refer to the bodies in the ground. I certainly don't have any problem with that.

We know that believers are with Jesus after they die. Paul made that clear in 2 Cor 5:6,8. I do not accept "soul sleep". The word "sleep" is used as a figure of speech or euphemism for a dead body.
 

presidente

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May 29, 2013
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^ @Mem , no I don't mean "individually [as in, individual persons]"... I mean, more like:

"23 but [conjunction joining what was just stated about the "future" things in v.22b] each ['of more than two'] [shall be (future) made alive] in the own order/rank" which [ranks are] 1) "firstfruit Christ" [a unit] (future-ly), and 2) ONLY then [EPeita] "those [pl] who ARE Christ's in the coming of Him" (...and next in the sequence comes the "24 THEN [eita--sequence word only with NO 'time element attached to it] the end [not 'then-immediately the end,' but 'then-sequentially the end'...])...
Again...huh? I'm trying to read in spite of all the crazy fonts and junk characters... brackets and such... which obscure your message and render sight-word-vocabulary less useful.

But if you read the passage, after 'then' it says 'then cometh the end.' Christ delivers up the kingdom to God. It doesn't say there is a third resurrection. Only two 'stages' of resurrection are mentioned here, Christ the firstfruits, then they that are Christ's at his coming.

I'm not vouching for your commentary on 'epeita', but I do not see how it is relevant to the idea of a third resurrection. There are only two times where resurrection occurs listed in the verses in question.

Now, if Paul had meant the SEQUENCE [only (with NO time-element attached to it)] between Jesus' resurrection (past) and ours (future), in v.23, he would have used the word "eita" like he uses in v.24a... but he doesn't; He uses the word "EPeita".
1. Can you provide evidence that Paul would have used 'eita' rather than 'epeita' if he meant that.
2. Can you explain how this point is relevant to how many resurrections there are?

So I'm saying that both of the "rank / order" listed in verse 23 fall under the "future" category of "[so also in Christ all] SHALL BE made alive [FUTURE tense]" v.22b had just spoken of (due to the "but [conjunction]" of v.23a which joins the thought, carrying through to what is being spoken of in v.23)
Can you explain why this is relevant? Do you know anyone who thinks believers were resurrected before Jesus Christ? Is that the point you are trying to address?


So, "future" (shall be made alive)... but EACH [unit 'shall be made alive'] in the own ORDER / RANK (and what "order / rank" is that / are those??):

1) "firstfruit Christ" [a unit]

2) [ONLY THEN-EPeita (only once the above #1 takes place)] those [pl] who ARE Christ's in the coming of Him [another 'unit']
Assuming our readers are all Christians here, we already believe that Jesus already rose from the dead, so why the elaboration on this point? Does this have anything to do with the overall theme of the discussion, or are you just wanting to dig deep on the grammar of the verse?

I think I have difficulty understanding the point of your posts because I expect a connection between what you are discussing and what everyone else is talking about.... thAt and [all the] brackets [and] (fonts) make [your posts] hard to read.

[by way of reminder, to the readers: "our Rapture [/SNATCH]" (which involves "resurrection" for the DEAD IN Christ) pertains SOLELY TO "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY" (ALL those having come to faith in Christ "in this present age [singular]")...; not to all OTHER saints of all OTHER time-periods: not to OT saints (Dan12:13, Job19:25-27, Jn11:24), not to Trib saints (Rev12:4b [not 4a]), not to MK saints]
The book of Daniel fortells the resurrection. Christ spoke of the resurrection of the dead while disagreeing with the Saducees, before His own resurrection. Paul saying they that are Christ's will be made alive at His coming does not preclude the idea of Old Testament saints who had faith being raised at the same time.
 
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Could you explain what you mean by "rapture" please? I was brought up being taught that it was when Jesus comes "in the air" and glorifies all believers, both living and dead, and taking them to heaven.

Is your view different?

My view is close to yours.


At His coming, the dead in Christ (resurrected one’s) are raised and those who are alive and remain (raptured ones) are caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.



For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17


  • that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep


The resurrection and rapture take place at His coming.



Do we agree on this?






JPT
 
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JPT Who are the dead in Christ? I am sure you are not talking about those christens who have gone on to be with the Lord.

Yes, the dead in Christ refers to those who have died “in Christ”; when they died, they were “in Christ”, and will return with the Lord to earth at the end of the age, on the last day, to receive their glorified bodies, along with those who are alive and remain alive at His coming.


  • even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15


  • that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.



again, this view from heaven —



Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Revelation 19:11-14



  • And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.



The saints, the dead in Christ who are in heaven with the Lord, who have been clothed in fine linen white and clean, return with Jesus Christ to earth as one conquering army to destroy the wicked and reign with Him on earth for a thousand years.






JPT
 
Jan 31, 2021
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My view is close to yours.

At His coming, the dead in Christ (resurrected one’s) are raised and those who are alive and remain (raptured ones) are caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
  • that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep
The resurrection and rapture take place at His coming.
Do we agree on this?
One question left: do you believe all the resurrected and raptured believers are taken up to heaven?
 

GaryA

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At His coming, the dead in Christ (resurrected one’s) are raised and those who are alive and remain (raptured ones) are caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.
The rapture is not just about/for those who are alive and remain - after the dead are raised, both groups are glorified and "caught up"/raptured (into the air) together.

Why do some people think that the rapture only applies to those who are alive and remain?

All are "caught up" together into the air.
 

kenallen

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Apr 8, 2022
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Yes, the dead in Christ refers to those who have died “in Christ”; when they died, they were “in Christ”, and will return with the Lord to earth at the end of the age, on the last day, to receive their glorified bodies, along with those who are alive and remain alive at His coming.


  • even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15


  • that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.



again, this view from heaven —



Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Revelation 19:11-14



  • And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.



The saints, the dead in Christ who are in heaven with the Lord, who have been clothed in fine linen white and clean, return with Jesus Christ to earth as one conquering army to destroy the wicked and reign with Him on earth for a thousand years.






JPT
Are you talking about them being in spiritual bodies or flesh bodies? If you are talking about Spiritual bodies I agree with you, but if you are talking about flesh bodies I disagree.
 
Jan 31, 2021
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The rapture is not just about/for those who are alive and remain - after the dead are raised, both groups are glorified and "caught up"/raptured (into the air) together.

Why do some people think that the rapture only applies to those who are alive and remain?

All are "caught up" together into the air.
But the controversy continues: after this being caught up and glorified, are the glorified believers taken to heaven?

If so, what verse acknowledges this trip?
 

kenallen

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Apr 8, 2022
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But the controversy continues: after this being caught up and glorified, are the glorified believers taken to heaven?

If so, what verse acknowledges this trip?
Your point is well taken FreeGrace2 there is not one. There should not be any controversy the bible lays it out Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 1st Corinthians 15, 1st Thessalonians 4, 2nd Thessalonians 2, & Revelation 20 all make that very clear if you want to open your eyes to the truth.
 

Nehemiah6

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...the bible lays it out Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 1st Corinthians 15, 1st Thessalonians 4, 2nd Thessalonians 2, & Revelation 20...
That's a good way to make a MISHMASH of Bible prophecies.