FROM SUNDAYS OPEN Q & A Why was there no rapture on May 21st, Harold Camping calculated correctly the time. ANSWER There was no rapture due to an error in understanding on our part. We knew that May 21, 2011 would be the beginning of the Day of Judgment for this world. And we also thought we knew that Gods people could not remain upon the earth during the judgment. Therefore it was concluded that the rapture must take place at the beginning of the time of judgment. And yet now that we have entered into these days after the tribulation. Into the period of Judgment Day itself, and as Gods people have found themselves here, living through this period of time, it has forced us to reexamine many Scriptures. And as we have done so we have found that it was Gods plan all along for His people, not be raptured out of the judgment, but to experience it as a time of severe testing of their faith. Here are some Scriptures that teach the elect will be present in the world during the time of judgment: 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. In the next verse in Isaiah please note God is describing the day of judgment, and says that a few men are left therein. These few men are the elect (many are called but few are chosen): Isaiah 24:6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. In the following passage in Zechariah 13 notice that 2 thirds (representative of unsaved mankind) are cut off and die. That is they experience the wrath of Gods judgment. But the third part are also said to be left therein. The same place the 2/3 (or 666) are experiencing the judgment is the place you can find Gods people (the 1/3). Zechariah 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 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. God also tells us matter of fact, in Psalm 37 that once the wicked are cut off, His people will see it: Psalm 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. We find an amazing statement in the first epistle of John, in chapter 4. In this verse God speaks of His people having boldness in the Day of Judgment. Now if Gods people are in heaven (as traditionally taught) all the while the unsaved are being destroyed by God; why would it be necessary for them to have boldness at that time? But if Gods people are living upon the earth; and if they are going through the extended period of time known as Judgment Day, then we can quickly see why the Lord would encourage us to be bold as you go through it. Also notice the phrase at the end of the verse: so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There are many, many verses indicating the elect will be present during the Day of Judgment. But Ill give one more for now. Its found in Revelation 14. In Revelation 14 God is going into detail concerning the pouring out of His wrath upon the wicked in the Day of Judgment. Heres a sample of what is being said there: Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Clearly the dark and cloudy day of the Lord has come. And yet, notice the very next verse which is set in this terrible context of Judgment Day and the wrath of God: Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. The word here in Revelation 14:12 means exactly that. Here in this time period. Here in the Day of Judgment---is where the patience of the saints is to be found. This agrees with many other truths we have learned since May 21, 2011. For instance, Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. We did not know previously that Gods people must go through the period of Judgment Day. This is why we had thought they must be raptured on May 21, 2011. But now we know that was never to be the case.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:48:58 +0000
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