Will annointed, faithful Christians be taken to heaven disappearing from the earth without dying? Somewhat of a question for those who believe in the Rapture (not a bible teaching). Rom. 6:3-5, RS: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? . . . For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (What occurred in the case of Jesus set the pattern. His disciples as well as others knew he had died. He was not restored to heavenly life until after his death and resurrection.) 1 Cor. 15:35, 36, 44, RS: “Some one will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body.” (So death comes before one receives that spiritual body, does it not?) Will all faithful Christians be taken miraculously from the earth by the Lord before the great tribulation? Matt. 24:21, 22: “Then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.” (This holds out the prospect surviving that great tribulation on earth.) Rev. 7:9, 10, 14, RS: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude ......... ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation.’” (To “come out” of something a person must go into it or be in it. So this great multitude must be persons who actually experience the great tribulation and come out of it as survivors.) (Regarding their being on earth, “standing before the throne and before the Lamb” indicates, not necessarily a location, but an approved condition. (Compare Revelation 6:17; Luke 21:36.) What protection will there be for true Christians during the great tribulation? Rom. 10:13, RS: “Every one who calls upon the name of the Lord [“Jehovah,” NW] will be saved.” Zeph. 2:3, RS: “Seek the LORD [“Jehovah,” NW, AS, Yg, By], all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the wrath of the LORD.” (Also Isaiah 26:20) Will all true Christians perhaps be taken to heaven after the great tribulation? Matt. 5:5, RS: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Ps. 37:29, RS: “The righteous shall possess the land [“earth,” Ro, NW], and dwell upon it for ever.” (Also verses 10, 11, 34) 1 Cor. 15:50, RS: “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:18:51 +0000