The Rapture Lie and Twisted Scripture Bible Study

Bible Study links

I Garden of Eden I Three World Ages I the Rebellion of Satan I What is the Mark of The Beast ? I
I Rapture of the Church Bible study I Rapture of the Church: the LIE that leads to the Beast I
I Christmas I Gentiles and the Jews I The Two Figs I the Da Vinci Code - Christians Beware! I
I Easter? It's PASSOVER, not bunnies and eggs!!! I Thee Days and Nights! I

Rapture of the Church Bible Study

Before we even get started, let's find out exactly what this supposed "rapture" thingy, fly-away doctrine that has become so prevalent actually is -

"The Rapture"! Many an average person on the street may never have heard of it until watching religious programs on television or listening to conversations by "born-again" Christians. "The Rapture"? What's that? But large numbers of Church goers in various denominations hear all about it - often. They live in constant expectation of it. "Christ may come tonight and snatch the Church away to heaven," the preacher assures in revival meetings, in Sunday Church services and on television. "The trumpet may sound before this meeting is over, or before you wake up in the morning," the evangelist warns. When that happens the cemeteries burst open and the dead saints arise, and those still living go zooming off into the sky to meet the Lord. Such a snatching away or "rapture" of the Church, it is claimed, will be the next great prophetic event. And it may take place at any moment. Millions of believers wonder with great concern, "When will it happen? Will it be in my lifetime? Will I be ready? Who of my loved ones will miss it and have to go through the Great Tribulation?"

It is generally supposed to happen this way: Strife, crime, violence and evil doing in the world will become increasingly worse. Civilization will plunge headlong toward a time of intense trouble. Suddenly, just before the world arrives at a period of calamity called "the tribulation," we are told, Jesus will return invisibly and snatch away - "rapture" - all born-again Christians and take them to heaven, or away up in the clouds somewhere, away from the world turmoil, for seven years. It will be a sudden, yet secret event. No one will see it happen. Only the effects - empty cars, empty houses, empty beds, workers missing from their jobs - will be apparent. Some suggest what the newspaper headlines will be like the day after: "Millions Mysteriously Vanish!" "Graves Found Open and Empty!" "Massive Traffic Snarles Due to Missing Drivers!" "Planes Crash, Trains Wreck As Pilots and Engineers Disappear!" "All Children Have Disappeared!"

Pictures have been drawn by artists, and distributed by the multiplied thousands, of Jesus standing on a stratocumulus cloud a few thousand feet in the air, while Christians are being lifted out of a city below. Business of all kinds will be disrupted, while tumult, confusion, misery and terror will reign. The airports, trains, bus lines, and the great industrial plants over the world will be hushed, as so many of the head men, the pilots, engineers, managers, foremen, workers and others will be missing. Families will be separated, one taken and the other left; wives will bewail the sudden disappearance of their husbands, husbands will bemoan the loss of their wives. Parents will search in vain with terror-stricken faces for their children.

They go on to describe how all the people who are left on earth will have to go through seven years of terrible trouble and punishment. During this time the great Antichrist will make his appearance and display his power, the apocalyptic judgments the unmeasured wrath of God - foretold in the book of Revelation will be unleashed in dreadful fury upon the inhabitants of the world, and there will be a time of unequalled tribulation. Then, at the end of this period, according to the teaching, Christ will return from heaven once again in a great universal public display, bringing all His saints with Him. The reason for this is, they say, because God is far too good to allow His people to go through such tribulation. The implication is that they are far too weak to survive in the face of such demonic power. So they will be called away to attend the "Marriage Supper in the Sky", receive their "rewards" for their labors here, and have a glorious seven years of feasting, singing and celebration - while their unsaved loved ones, their dear friends and neighbors who had not been born again, and the untaught millions of heathen are suffering indescribable agonies on earth. "Good enough for them!" seems to be the general attitude, "they should have listened and gotten prepared, like me. "

THE ORIGIN OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE

That's the way the "rapture" is usually presented. But is that how Jesus announced He would return? Will He come back physically in two phases - one, secret and unexpected, "for" His saints, to rapture them away; and a second, publicly "with" His saints? Is this "rapture" really the "hope" of the Church as the preachers are wont to proclaim? Let me give you the history of how this theory got started...

It wasn't until the early or mid 1800's that there was any significant group of believers around the world that looked for a "rapture" of the Church prior to a seven-year tribulation period. It may come as a shock to some who read these lines, but it is a fact nonetheless, that the "rapture" teaching was NOT taught by the early Church, it was NOT taught by the Church of the first centuries, it was NOT taught by the Reformers, IT WAS NOT TAUGHT BY ANYONE (except a couple Roman Catholic theologians) UNTIL ABOUT THE YEAR 1830! At the time of the Reformation the early Protestants widely held and Were convinced that the Pope was the supreme individual embodiment and personification of the spirit of antichrist, and the Roman Church the Harlot System of Rev. 17.

This understanding was responsible for bringing millions of believers out of the Roman Catholic religious system. It therefore became expedient for certain Romish theologians to turn the attention of the people away from the Papacy, and this they endeavored to a counter-interpretation to that held by the Protestants. This new scheme of prophetic interpretation became known as FUTURISM. Rather than viewing the drama of the book of Revelation spiritually and historically, they would consign it all to a brief period of time at the end of the age. It was a Jesuit priest named Ribera who, in the days of the Reformation, first taught that all the events in the book of Revelation were to take place literally during the three and a half years reign of the Antichrist away down at the end of the age. Thus Ribera laid the foundation of a system of prophetic interpretation of which the Secret Rapture has now become an integral part.

Later, Emmanuel Lacunza, also a Jesuit priest, built on Ribera's teachings, and spent much of his life writing a book titled "The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty." Lacunza, however, wrote under the assumed name of "Rabbi Ben Ezra," supposedly a learned Jew who had accepted Christ as his Saviour. With Jesuit cunning he thus conspired to get his book a hearing in the Protestant world - they would not even permit it in their homes coming from a Jesuit pen - but as the earnest work of a "converted Jew" they would consume it with avid interest! Within the pages of this elaborate forgery Lacunza taught the novel notion that Jesus returns not once, but twice, and at the "first stage" of His return He "raptures" His Church so they can escape the reign of the "future Antichrist." His book was first published in Spanish in the year 1812 and soon found its way onto the shelves of the library of the Archbishop of Canterbury in London, England.

Now enter the name of Edward Irving. Born in Scotland in 1792, Irving became one of the most eloquent preachers of his time. In 1828 his open-air meetings in Scotland drew crowds of 10,000 people. His Church in London seated one thousand people and was packed week after week with a congregation drawn from the most brilliant and influencial circles of society. There were some among them who by prophetic declaration announced that the Lord was coming soon, and this idea became prominent in their prophetic utterances and teachings. Out of those prophetic declarations some began to study the scriptures in the light of a physical, literal coming of the Lord. Up until that time the coming of the Lord was understood as a coming of the Lord TO His people, and IN His saints, and there was no sense of His fleshly coming. Irving discovered Lacunza's book and was deeply shaken by it, in fact, fell in love with it, translated it into English, and it was published in London in 1827. And at this very time Irving heard what he believed to be a Voice from heaven commanding him to preach the Secret Rapture of the Saints. Then Irving began to hold Bible Conferences throughout Scotland, emphasizing the coming of Jesus to rapture His Church.

About this same time there began the emergence of a new movement which came to be known as the "Plymouth Brethren." The Brethren movement had its beginning in Dublin in 1825 when a small group of earnest men, dissatisfied with the spiritually lethargic condition that prevailed in the Protestant Church in Ireland, met for prayer and fellowship. Soon others joined the fellowship and associated groups sprang up in various places. Though the movement had its beginning at Dublin ', it was Plymouth, England that became the center of their vast literature outreach, thus the name !'Plymouth Brethren" became attached. Although there was interest from the start in prophetic subjects, the center of interest was on the body of Christ as an organism and the spiritual unity in Christ of all believers - in reaction to the deadness and formalism of the organized church systems and the ecclesiastical Hierarchy. A man by the name of John Nelson Darby was the leading spirit among the Plymouth Brethren from 1830 onward. Darby was from a prosperous Irish family, was educated as a lawyer, took high honors at Dublin University, then turned aside, to his father's chagrin, to become a minister.

Thus Irving and Darby were contemporaries, though associated with different spiritual movements. Another series of meetings were in progress at this time, a group of seeking Christians were meeting in the castle of Lady Powerscourt for the study of Bible prophecy. Many clergymen attended, and quite a few who were Irvingites. The Irvingites came to the meetings obsessed with the ideas of the "Secret Rapture" and the future Antichrist, imbibed from the Jesuit Lacunza's book. J.N. Darby and the other Brethren leaders were invited to these meetings and became participators in them. It was there that he was introduced to the Jesuit teaching of the Secret Rapture and the futurist interpretation of prophecy, as well as the famous book by Rabbi Ben-Ezra, or, actually, Jesuit priest Emmanuel Lacunza! Darby was himself a prolific writer and from that time a constant stream of propaganda came from his pen. His writings on biblical subjects number over 30 volumes of 600 pages each. Darby developed and organized "futurism" into a system of prophetic teaching called "dispensationalism." Darby' s biographers refer to him as "the father of dispensationalism." And the crown jewel in the kingdom of dispensationalism is, of course, the so-called SECRET RAPTURE!

The Secret Rapture teaching was introduced into the United States and Canada in the 1860's and 1870's, though there is some indication that it may have been taught as early as the 1840's. Darby himself visited the United States six times. The "new" teaching was spreading. A Congregationalist preacher by the name of C. I. Scofield came under the influence of Darby and the Plymouth Brethren. Scofield became a strong promoter of the teaching that had been promulgated by Darby, whom he considered "the most profound Bible student of modern times." He incorporated this teaching into his SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE. The Scofield Reference Bible was destined to have a tremendous impact upon the beliefs of many, when, three million copies were published in the first 50 years! Through this Bible Scofield shrewdly carried the teaching of the Secret Rapture into the very heart of Evangelicalism. Some ignorant souls look on the "notes" in this Bible as the Word of God itself! I do not doubt for one instant that many who read these lines have been influenced somewhere in their spiritual lives by the "footnotes" in the Scofield Bible!

There is one final link in the chain of the development and spread of the rapture theory that should be mentioned in passing. I would draw your attention again to the SOURCE, the ORIGIN of the rapture doctrine and the chain of contact by which it has been brought down to us today. It began as a Roman Catholic invention! The Jesuit priest Ribera's writings influenced the Jesuit priest Lacunza, Lacunza influenced Irving, Irving influenced Darby, Darby influenced Scofield, Scofield and Darby influenced D. L. Moody, and Moody influenced the early PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT. "How" you ask?

The Assemblies of God is today by far the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. When the Pentecostal movement began at the turn of the century and the Assemblies of God held their first General Council in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas they were a small movement and didn't have their own Publishing House. They needed Sunday School and study materials for their Churches - so where do you suppose they got it? They bought it from Moody Press and had their own cover stitched on it! So what do you think the Assemblies of God people believed? They believed what Moody Bible Institute taught! This had its impact on Pentecostal theology, because in the early years there were practically NO PRE-MILLENIALISTS IN THE PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT! Most of the ministers in those early days came from Presbyterian, Methodist, or other historic denominations - men who, being baptized in the Holy Spirit and leaving their denominations, joined themselves to the Assemblies of God or one of the other emerging Pentecostal denominations. That is how the Pentecostal movement became influenced and saturated with the "Secret Rapture" doctrine - by a direct chain right back to the Roman Catholic Church! And now, my friend - you know the REST OF THE STORY!

THERE IS NO RAPTURE!

The church systems are literally filled today with carnal, earthly-minded Christians who sit back in ease and self-complacency and await a future rapture that will translate them out of the midst of earth's Great Tribulation at the beginning of the Day of the Lord. To this generation of Lukewarm Laodiceans the Spirit speaks in certain tones of warning: "Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light" (Amos 5:18). In the vast majority of evangelical circles we are taught that at any moment Jesus will come and secretly, silently snatch away His elect to a heaven in the far-flung skies - to escape the Great Tribulation which shall soon visit the earth. It is not true. The saints shall be "caught up" all right; but it is not speaking of distance in terms of miles or light years, but to glorious reality in the Spirit. When Christ comes to lift our inner-man nature UP into the fullness of UNION IN HIM we certainly know the reality of being raised up and made to sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. This is not a place in the sky, but a spiritual position of eminence, glory and authority. Paul says that we shall be caught up "in the air," that sphere of influence, authority and spirit-control now occupied by "the god of this world," the "prince and power OF THE AIR".

"Rapture" is not a biblical word. Let all of God's people stop speaking of the "rapture." The word rapture is not in the scripture and is at best very misleading. If instead of the rapture we speak of being caught up in the spirit (Acts 8:39; II Cor. 12:2-4; Rev. 4:1-2), translated into the Kingdom (Col. 1:13), raised up into the heavenlies with Christ (Eph. 2:5-6), and caught up into the throne, the spiritual dimension of the Christ's authority, power and glory (Rev. 4:1-2; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 12:5) we will rid ourselves of much confusion and carnal delusion, and we will have a much better understanding of present spiritual realities and the immediate program of God.

Religionists debate loud and long about WHEN THE "RAPTURE" IS TO TAKE PLACE. Some believe in the "pre-tribulation rapture." That means that God's people will be removed from the earth just before the beginning of the tribulation. Thus they will not be here for any of the seven years of plagues, vials, etc. Bumper stickers state: "In case of Rapture, this car will self-destruct". Tracts for airliners say: "In case the trumpet sounds, be prepared for this plane to crash, your pilot may be a Christian." These are fear tactics.

Then there are those who teach the "mid-tribulation rapture." They believe that the Bible teaches that the Church will have to go through the first three and a half years of the tribulation while the Antichrist is warring against the saints, but will be raptured and spared the last three and a half years of the intense wrath and judgment of God. Finally there are the "post-tribulation" people. They teach that the Church goes through the entire seven years of tribulation, and that only after the tribulation are the saints "caught up", as according to I Thes. 4:17. They see a Church being empowered by the Spirit of God to survive the worst onslaughts of Satan and pass through victoriously to the other side. This is an admirable concept, and much closer to the truth, but these still embrace the notion of the rapture.

Since so many Christians are steadfastly looking for Jesus to come FOR the Church, to whisk it away up to heaven somewhere, we need to take a closer look at the Word and see if ANYWHERE in the Bible we can find this expression "coming FOR the saints." This may come as a shock to some, but the Bible NOWHERE speaks of Jesus coming "FOR the saints." Let those who carelessly use this term show us where it appears in the pages of God's inspired Book. Let them search! It cannot be found! Never! Nowhere! Not even once!

Surely then, a teaching which constantly employs an expression that is foreign to the Word of God should be subjected to close examination. I can hear some dear saint saying, "Oh, but the Bible does say that Jesus is coming FOR a Church without spot or wrinkle." No it doesn't! What it says is that Christ so loved the Church and gave Himself for it "that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing" (Eph. 5:26-27). It says nothing about taking the Church anywhere. In order to "present the Church to Himself" in a holy and blameless condition doesn't necessitate changing the Church's physical location at all! There is no reference to a journey; the description is of a CONDITION. Our Lord's coming "for" His Church is nothing more than an invention of ignorant minds, hatched up by men who are reading into their Bibles many fantastic tales which they use to uphold their delusions. The sleeping Church, of course, can think of little else except a physical ride into the clouds, being whisked away into an etherial state and experience of their own invention, where they intend to sit around dressed in white nightgowns or something similar, eating - eating - eating what???

But let us forget all this nonsense. Let us come on down out of the clouds and get our feet planted firmly on solid footing, and leave them there. We are not going anywhere: not for a long while, at least. We are not yet ready to go anywhere, in fact. These people who think they are all prepared to be physically caught away to the throne on high and there help God run His universe, are simply manifesting the fact that they are just babes living in a dream-world and are not even capable of eating good wholesome spiritual food...

So...we are left with the sad fact that the rapture is what many Christians believe and that Jesus Christ is going to come for them before the great tribulation. Is the rapture from the word of God? Lets turn to I Thessalonians 4 the place where many get the idea for the rapture doctrine lie...sit back, and learn something.

This is what the Word of God directly from the King James Bible has to say on the subject of the false doctrine of the rapture -

V13 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.

asleep in Greek means to decease, to be dead. This is talking about people that are already dead not people that are living on earth now. The second our flesh body dies our soul goes back to God.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 - V7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

We can take comfort knowing that our loved ones who have passed on are with God our Father and not lying in a hole in the ground. The flesh body stays in the ground but our soul goes back to God. The people that have no hope are those that do not believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God.

V14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

This is talking about people that have passed on that believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

V15 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.

Prevent means to precede before hand, to have arrived at already. We are still talking about where the dead are the subject has not changed. This verse tells us that people that have died are already with Jesus. The people alive when Jesus returns will not be with Jesus before the people that have already passed away because they are already there.

V16 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:

This tells us when Jesus will return and not before. This is not the rapture. The rapture is a lie and can not be found in God's word. This is talking about the second coming of Jesus at the end of the tribulation. Jesus will come at the seventh trump and not before the seventh trump for anyone. Those that have died already rise first because they are already with Jesus. The second we die we go back to God our Father.

V17 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.

This happens after the tribulation when Jesus returns as Lord of lords and King of kings. This is not talking about a rapture, their is no rapture. Clouds is symbolic for a mass of people.

Hebrews 12:1 - V1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

When Jesus returns at the seventh trump the people alive on earth at that time will be changed into their spiritual bodies in the twinkling of an eye.

I Corinthians 15:52-53 - V52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. V53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The rapture is a lie from Satan trying to trick God's children into believing in a easy way out. Always remember as long as we are still in our flesh bodies the true Christ has not returned yet. Satan will come back to this earth with supernatural powers saying he is Christ here to rapture you away, but it is a lie.

We can comfort our loved ones and friends when they lose some one they love because we can tell them where their loved ones are when they pass away. The moment some one dies they go back to God our Father.

You may be surprised to know that God's word does say something about people teaching you to fly away to try to save your soul. What does God's word say about this, lets go to Ezekiel 13 to find out.

V16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD

Their will be no true peace until Jesus returns to this earth after the antichrist has been here and not before, for anyone. Some people believe in the false peace of the rapture and it is just that a false peace. The prophets talked about here are false prophets not teaching the true word of God. People telling you that you don't have to read the book of Revelation because you'll be gone. They are lying to you, their is no rapture and God is against people that tell you their is.

V17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

This is telling people who know the truth to tell the truth to God's other children. The ones that prophesy out of their own heart are ones that go on teaching the lie that their is a rapture when God Himself said that it's not true.

V18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

The pillows and kerchiefs these false prophets use to cover the outstretched arms of Jesus by teaching the lie of the rapture. The people that teach others the rapture are leading them right to the arms of the antichrist. Nowhere in the word of God does it say that Jesus will come for anybody before the great tribulation. God asked if these false prophets will save these people that they lie to by teaching them the rapture. When in fact these false prophets are leading these people straight to death, the antichrist. Only Jesus Christ can save somebody.

V19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

Some people are lying to God's children just for money. They are slaying souls by teaching people the rapture which will lead them right into the arms of the antichrist when he comes to earth claiming to be Jesus Christ.

V20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

God Himself is against the teaching of a quick escape to save your soul. God is saying that their is no rapture. The true Jesus Christ is not coming back for anyone until after the antichrist has already been on earth, God said so. God is against people that teach lies to His children about the rapture. It covers the outstretched arms of the true Jesus by leading His children right into the arms of the antichrist.

V21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

God will save His people from the lie of the rapture by giving the truth in His word. Read the word on your own and ask God to give you understanding in His word so you can see the truth about the rapture.

V22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

The righteous is Jesus Christ, we all fall short to His righteousness. God is telling us by people teaching the lie of the rapture Jesus becomes sad. Sad because they are being deceived and lead strait to the antichrist. By teaching the rapture people strengthen the hand of Satan who is the antichrist.

V23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

In II Thessalonians 2:1-12 it talks about the return of Jesus Christ. It tells us their are certain things that must happen before Jesus returns to this earth.

V1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

Beseech means to ask or request a person to do something. This is telling us to pay attention because this tells us what must happen before Jesus returns.

V2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

This is saying don't believe people when they say Jesus Christ can come at any time. Their are things that must happen before Jesus returns.

V3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Don't let any one deceive you, read God's word with understanding. This verse tells us that Jesus will not return until the son of perdition be revealed. Perdition means to perish and die. Satan is the only one who has been sentenced to death by God so far.

V12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

V13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

V14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

V15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

V16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

V17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

V18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

V19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

V12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

II Thessalonians verse 3 tells us that Jesus will not come for anyone until Satan is revealed. Their is no rapture. Jesus will not come for anybody until that happens. Satan is the one that deceives the world and that can be read in Revelation 12:9 and 20:10

Revelation 12:9 - V9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 20:10 - V10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

V4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Satan is the antichrist and will return to this earth with supernatural powers able to have lighting fall from heaven. Many will be deceived and think that he is Jesus here to rapture them away. Satan will sit in the temple of God which is in Jerusalem.

V7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Satan will be cast out of heaven down to earth to play the roll of Jesus Christ. Satan will say that he is here to rapture you away but as always Satan is lying. Satan will be cast out of heaven by Michael (the Arc Angel) in the last days.

Revelation 12:7-9 - V7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, V8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. V9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

This will happen before the true Jesus returns to this earth. The true Jesus will not come for any one until Satan is already here on earth.

V8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

This is when Satan is on this earth saying he is Jesus here to rapture you away. Then the true Jesus returns to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords and Satan is bound for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:1-3 - V1: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. V2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, V3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

V9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Jesus returns after Satan has already been on earth claming to be Jesus saying he is here to rapture you away. Satan is the antichrist and he will come before the true Jesus Christ.

V10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Many will be deceived by Satan because he is the king of deception. He will have supernatural powers and many will believe that he is Jesus because they did not receive the truth in God's word. We need to read the word of God on our own and ask Him to give us understanding in His word. Don't believe what anyone tells you read God's word for your self it's your life.

V11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

V12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

People who don't read God's word with understanding and do not believe in the truth of His word will go on believing in lies. We are to study God's word.

II Timothy 2:15 - V15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Read God's word and ask Him to give you understanding in His word. The rapture is a total lie from Satan himself. Nowhere in God's word does it say that Jesus will come back for any one before Satan comes to earth as the antichrist. As long as we are still in our flesh bodies the true Jesus Christ has not returned yet.

The Rapture:

The Lie that Leads To The Beast!

All my early life, from about 20 years old till roughly my mid-thirties, I believed in "The Rapture". Before I was a learned Christian I believed that all the Christians would just disappear from the planet! Why shouldn't I believe it? The vast majority of Television preachers told me it was going to happen every week. The Preachers there told us that we had "better accept Jesus or be left behind". I accepted it as a Biblical fact, never once questioning those who espoused it; after all, the majority of those who were calling themselves "Christians" believed in a Rapture or the belief that Jesus would return "HALF WAY to the Earth", and all of the Christians would "disappear from the planet", while The Anti-Christ and The Beast reigned on The Earth.

So, the question formed in my mind - was it true? My preachers told me that I would "burn in Hell" if I died a sinner, and that I would be "tormented forever", yet The Holy Bible says "The Wages of Sin is DEATH"! I chose to ignore the preachers, and Study The Bible for myself, either to believe what It's CREATOR SAID, or to be more versed in it than the Preachers, so that I might use it against them! As I began researching The Bible, I began to see a pattern.

Ahhhh...but, once you read The Bible, which stated one thing, and them realize that the majority of the "preachers" on television and locally said something diametrically opposed to what The Bible said, one begins to wake up to the truth. So, who was I to believe? Did I believe the Bible, or the men who claimed to represent The Creator God of The Bible? I chose to Believe the God of The Bible, and to cast aside the majority of those who "claimed" to Represent Jesus Christ. My problems with the "Traditional" Churches arose, when I asked a few questions like:

This is slightly off the track on the subject, but, if you want to know the answers to the above questions, take the time to jump over and bookmark this site - http://www.biblestudysite.com/ (home of the "Watchmen's Bible Study Group" hosted by Nick Goggin - I have never seen a more scripturally accurate site anywhere on the web! Worth a long, long visit. Anyway...he's right up there on scriptural knowledge with my teacher/pastor - Pastor Arnold Murray, of the Shepherd's Chapel, Gravette, AK.

As my knowledge of The Bible grew, the urge to be able to answer these questions grew, so I began researching God's Word in The Original Inspired Languages. God said that IF we seek Him diligently, we would find Him. I prayed to God for Guidance, Wisdom in His Word, Understanding, and Patience. I have come to believe that "The Rapture" teachings will lead people to the worship of the Anti-Christ! After much research and prayer, I have not found one single piece of Scripture that reveals a "Rapture"! In fact, I have found just the opposite!

So, please read this study, and decide for yourself whether you will accept the Words of The God of The Bible, or The Words of the men who "claim" to represent Him, because there are MAJOR disputes between the two. One is right, and one is wrong; which will you believe? The Word of God, or MEN who MAKE A LIVING by preaching? I pray that you will Understand and Receive The Truth that IS The Word Of God. Let Him that Hath an Ear Hear!

The preachers who teach a "rapture" have just a few pieces of scripture that they use as "evidence" of it occurring, while there are numerous Scriptures which proclaim that there is NO RAPTURE! The best way to begin this is to show what is used as "Rapture Scripture", and then show how these Scriptures have been taken out of context, and what The Bible reveals concerning these scriptures. Here are the TWO pieces of "evidence" that "The Rapture" is based upon:

4:16 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:

4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the CLOUDS, to meet the Lord in the AIR

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMP: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Let's take this one at a time. The terms "clouds" and "air" are what confuse the "rapture pastors" in 1st. Thessalonians 4:16-17.

These "clouds" spoken of are simply large Groups of God's People who are also compared/called Clouds in Hebrews 12:1, which states" Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses". The term Air here does not mean Air as in the sky/Atmosphere, there is a completely different Greek term that appears for that. THIS term translated as air, means The BREATH, or SPIRIT of GOD. This is further revealed in 1st. Corinthians 15:51-53 where it states that "...we shall all be changed....at the last trump...this corruptible must put on incorruption...". What is this saying? It is saying that We shall be Converted into SPIRIT BODIES at The LAST TRUMP, when Christ RETURNS! This takes place on the FIRST DAY of the Millennium.

In 1st. Corinthians 15:50-54, it is just a simple matter of looking at WHAT ACTION takes place WHEN! Verse 51 states that we ALL SHALL BE CHANGED, and verse 52 states that this change will take place AT THE LAST TRUMP. The Last Trump is The SEVENTH TRUMP. This little fact itself, reveals that there IS NO RAPTURE!

Why? Because Satan, The Anti-Christ, will come to Earth at the SIXTH TRUMP! Which means that this CHANGE that Occurs at The LAST TRUMP, doesn't happen until AFTER THE ANTI-CHRIST IS REIGNING ON EARTH! One Last time...let's review this because your very soul depends on knowing what will happen in the "last days". Many will teach that you do not need to read, study, learn the book of Revelation (Rev.) in its entirety because the church will not be here after chapter 4! They teach the church is rapture away in Rev 4:1. Folks take a close look at chapter 4 verse one and two. It does not say the church but "I John was in the spirit (!)"

Reve 4:1 (KJS) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

John was taken to the Lord's day. The Lord's day is as 1000 years, ie: the millennium (2Pet 3:9). Note: How did John appear before the throne? In the
spirit!

Roma 8:8 (KJS) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

They will also tell you the word "church" does not appear in God's word after chapter 4 of this book Rev, like they would know! I will ask you to put aside your traditions and open your minds to the word of God!

Reve 1:3 (KJS) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

God 's word states Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this PROPHECY, which is not part, but the complete book of Revelation!

Reve 22:16 (KJS) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Note right off, God's word prove's them ignorant, the word churches does appear after chapter 4 in the book of Rev. God's word states to testify unto you these things in the churches! God does not say just chapter 1-4 and/or 20-22. I hope we can agree to include the book of Rev. in our study for the word of God tells us too. Excuse me, instructs us, to testify unto you these things in the churches.

Second, lets clarify the definition of the word "Rapture" and where it originated? "Rapture" refers to the "Gathering Back To Our Lord Jesus Christ;" The word "Rapture" does not appear in the bible, no, not even once. The word "Rapture" is the English version, of the Latin translation, of the Greek word 'harpazo'. This is the verb found in 1 Thes 4:17 meaning to 'catch away' as if from sudden danger. In other words, they refer to the word "Rapture" to mean the church, (equals the body of Christ,) will "gather back to our Lord Jesus Christ" before the tribulation. The tribulation is the time of the false prophet, the anti-christ who comes defacto here on earth, who is no other than the son of perdition, satan himself. They get this so-called "Rapture Theory" primarily from a passage in 1Thes 4:13-18 and then support their translation with a verse here and a verse there throughout the word of God.

The great error, is the subject in 1Thes 4:13-18. The subject and the question being addressed in 1Thes 4:13-18 is where are the dead! The subject in 2Thes 2:1 and through-out the whole chapter of 2Thes is, when is the "Gathering Back to our Lord Jesus Christ." The answer of when is the Gathering Back, the "Rapture" is clearly given in 2Thes chapter 2 and support by many other chapters in the word of God.

When I speak of time I am speaking of before, during, or after the tribulation. I am not referring to the hour! The time of the gathering back is not given in 1Thes 4:13-18 unless you do a study on the word "trump" used in 1Thes 4:16. This is the only clue in that passage that would indicate when we will be gathered back.

God does tell us the events to occur regarding His gathering back through Paul in 2Thes chapter 2, Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and throughout the book of Rev. As well as many other single verses we could use through-out the word of God, like Eze 13:20. I think both sides of this issue in the Christian family would agree there will be a gathering back to our Lord Jesus Christ. The division:

Why is it important to know God's truth regarding His word in these end times: God tells us why:

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

All I ask is you read God's word with an open mind and learn God's truth from his word! Ok. Let's all pray for a word of wisdom and get into God's word. Father we come to you now searching for the truth in your word, let the Holy Spirit move, guide, direct, and provide us with the truth and wisdom in your word, in the Lord Jesus Christ name we ask, Amen.

1Thes 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.

This is the subject written about in 1Thes 4:13-18! I would not have you be ignorant concerning them which are dead from the flesh (asleep).

1Thes 4:14 - For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

God returns with those that are asleep in Him. All who died before the Lord's Day (the millennium) and had faith, witnessed by repentance to Him, will come with Him on the Lord's Day. (Rev. 19:14)

1Thes 4:15 - 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.

1Thes 4:16 - 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:

Now where in 1Thes 4:16 does it say before the tribulation, during, or after? The only clue regarding the time in this passage is the word "with the trump of God" to know the time one must know the trumps! Notice Paul tells us in 1Cor 15:52 this trump is the "last trump!"

1Cor 15:52 (KJS) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

When we do a study on the word trump we will find 7 trumps mentioned in the book of Rev. With the 7th trump being the last trump and announcing the coming of Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. 11:15 is the 7th trump. The 7th trump is the last trump and follows the sixth trump. The sixth trump announces the coming of the false prophet, satan himself. Let's continue.

1Thes 4:17 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.

Do a study in the Greek on the word "clouds" and "air." Note: Paul uses the word "cloud" to mean a large gathering Heb 12:1.

Hebr 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Check the word "cloud" out in the Greek, as used in Hebrews 12:1 and 1Thes 4:17 they are defined the same. We also know Christ returns with an army in Rev 19:14 which is told to us again 1Thes 4:14. Let us look at this word "air" as defined by the Strong's Concordance Greek Definition #109 ah-ayr` from aemi (to breathe unconsciously, ie respire; by anal. to blow); air (as naturally circumambient): Now, I am going to present you with an interpretation that can be made from the Greek of how this verse should read in today's modern English language.

1Thes 4:17 Then we which are alive in the flesh and WAIT for His return shall be gathered up together with them in a large gathering, to meet the Lord in the breath of life: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

His breath of life is eternal life. NOTE: remain = wait for His return = not flying off to the first one that comes claiming he is God. For woe to them that are with child (satan) when he returns. We are to be virgin brides (spiritual speaking) when he comes not married to a spurious messiah whom is claiming to be God. The point is you cannot know the time, as before, or middle, or after the tribulation from 1Thes 4:13-18 without examining closely 1Thes 4:16. To know the seventh trump is the last trump one must study the book of Rev. past chapter 4. For there is only one trump which sounds announcing the Lord's coming! The seventh trump after the 6th trump! Let's recap!

1Thes 4:16- Who are the dead in Christ? Are they not the ones who have already lived in the flesh, died in the flesh, and did have faith in God? Is not the dead in Christ all ready with Christ? read 1Thes 4:14 again,

1Thes 4:14 - For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

They are with him, asleep and will return with Him. They are the army spoken about in Rev 19:14 they are the cloud of witnesses that come with Him; Yes we will be gather back to the Lord but not until the Lord's trump has sounded as stated in verse 16 of 1Thes 4;. This trump, the Lord's trump, is the last trump 1Cor 15:52; Rev 11:15; Do a study on all the trumps in the book of Revelation! Seven in biblical numerics means "Spiritually complete." When you are done with your study of the trumps you will find the 6th trump to be satan's followed by the 7th trump which is our Lord Jesus Christ trump, the last trump. Now let us go to 2Thes 2:1-10. This is the letter Paul wrote the church which deals with the very subject and time of our Gathering Back!

2Thes 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

This is the SUBJECT of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, to the church. I cannot emphasize this enough! This is the chapter that deals with the subject of our Gathering Back. Paul is showing you the subject completely here in 2Thes chapter 2. not from some translation of a verb from the Greek to Latin to English but here in one verse the subject in detail through-out this entire chapter.

2Thes 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Remember the question again is when is this rapture, and he tells you, do not be troubled by my first letter in 1Thes 4; why because he shall make it clear with this letter, this, an entire chapter on the subject. Not with some translation of a verb from the Greek to Latin to English but clear here in this chapter of when that time shall be:

2Thes 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, *the son of perdition;

Here it is, that day shall not come except there come a falling away, FIRST, what day? The day of the gathering back to our Lord Jesus Christ, the subject in verse 1! Let us examine this verse carefully. Here is the time a falling away first. falling away = Greek #646 = apostasia = defection from the truth; to be deceived; (The falling away to be deceived from the truth. Who is the father of deception? satan. satan will come and many will believe his lies instead of the truth. They will fall away from the word of God ie: His truth!) Paul clearly stating the time after the falling away: Who is the "Son of Perdition?" Let's go to the Greek and look at this word perdition. (using a Strong's concordance) perdition = apoleia = Greek #684 with the prime being #622 = apollumi = which is a part of #623 = Apolluon = a destroyer (ie: Satan); -Apollyn.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Satan is the only one, at this time, that has been sentenced to death: Eze 28:18.

Eze 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

The son of perdition is none other than Satan himself. Their is only one who God has sentence to Perdition. Check the Strong's = Greek #622 = perish = Greek #623 = appolyon, which is one of Satan's names! No one can be classified as going into perdition UNTIL AFTER the great white throne judgement, or one has been judged by God. The son of perdition = Satan = and he is the only one to be sentenced to perdition or to perish. He is condemned to death.

Let's recap ... There is no way our Lord Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth which is the beginning of the Lord's day, the millennium, until after there is a great falling away because the son of perdition, "who is Satan," is going to be revealed on this earth doing .... lets continue:

2Thes 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God.

This is what he will be doing. Wanting you to worship him as God! More documentation, Isa 14:13-14; Rev 13:13-15.

2Thes 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Paul telling the Thes, I have told you these things before, how can you be confused?

2Thes 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

Paul telling the Thessalonians, you know the circumstances and the order of events; and you know where to look because it is on the North side of Mt. Zion, God's temple, that satan will appear, as told to you by the prophets of old. ie: the OT.

2Thes 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Who is this "He who not letteth?" And Who is this "He" being taken out of the way? The verb always being the action, therefore, it must transfer back to the subject and object. These are laws of the Greek. In the Greek, "letteth" = Strong's #2722, = katecho = this is a transitive verb ... which means The subject and the object are not in this verse therefore the verb automatically being transitive transfers it back to verse 4 where the subject is Satan. Where is Satan? Satan is in Heaven; What is he doing there? He is being held their by Michael, Rev 12:7. So we are talking about Michael who now letteth will let, or I like to say kick Satan out of heaven and onto the earth Rev. 12:12 until he be taken out of the way by Christ! But remember it is God who is in control and Michael is doing the will of God.

2Thes2:8 AND THEN shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:

Now what we are addressing, what is the subject of this chapter? The subject is when is the time of the gathering back, note in this verse how it begins, AND THEN = after the fact of the falling away; After the deception, that God allows to come out upon this world, to those who have not listened to the word of God; Wicked = better translated wicked one, note the caps. Revealed = You will recognize the wicked one, Satan. The Lord = the true messiah; The spirit of his mouth = the two edged sword = the truth God's word, the living word; Brightness =truth, fairness, love,; of his coming = that is our gathering back to Christ at the 7th trump, the last trump.

2Thes 2:8 (KJS) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

"Even him..." Who is him? What is the last subject spoken about in verse 8? "whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth and shall destroy with brightness of His coming: Even Him whose coming is after the working of Satan." The gathering to our Lord Jesus Christ is the subject; "Him" is Christ! Note: did it say before, or in the middle of the tribulation, no it said AFTER THE WORKING OF SATAN ..... shall our Lord Jesus Christ return and destroy that wicked One with the brightness of His coming; after the sixth trump then the seventh trump.....

2Thes 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

You must remember the original manuscripts were not organized with chapters and verse numbers. For clarification we will read verse 9 and 10 together. Note the comma at the end of verse 9. Therefore would have read:

2Thes 2:9&10 Even him (speaking of Christ), whose coming is after the working of Satan (speaking of Satan) with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Thes 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: This is the purpose I write and give this documentation from God's word so that you can teach the truth in God's word that you may receive the love of his truth. Do not ignore God's word for there is a warning here in 2Thes 2:11 read it again. Now, lets take a look at in what body we shall be raised, on that last day of men in the flesh, which is the first day of our souls in the spirit on the Lord's Day, which is for a 1000 years and is called the millennium; Turn with me to Paul's writing in 1Cor 15:38-52!

1Cor 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

1Cor 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.

It is through the work of Christ, by his Grace and our faith and witness through repentance that we put on incorruption by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Cor 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

It is raised what? It is raised a spiritual body. Not flesh & bone (without blood) as some suggest but a spiritual (and note) body. The spirit is a body. What happens to flesh and bone Ecc 12:7. For those of you that think we are raised flesh and bone I suggest you go out to the graves and take a look ... the bones are still there today, the spirit is not!

1Cor 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

There will NOT be flesh ie: corruption in our spiritual bodies. There will be no evil in the one body of Christ.

Eccl 12:7 (KJS) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

1Cor 5:5 (KJS) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

We see here clearly the flesh will be destroyed. That the spirit which is a body will be saved.

1Cor 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

We shall not all be with Christ asleep when he returns, but we all shall be changed. Note "ALL" shall change from their flesh bodies to their spiritual bodies. When? Next verse!

1Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

We = ALL shall be changed from flesh bodies to spiritual bodies at the sounding of the LAST trump. Again there is only one trump to sound announcing our Lord Jesus Christ. Again this is the seventh trump, the last trump! Clearly....The flesh will not be raised. Your spirit shall be raised! So if someone claims to be Jesus and you are still in your flesh body you know they are a liar and a false prophet for it is written we shall be changed at his coming! This is the mystery Paul is showing you!

1Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world into our glory: 1Cor 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Now that we have studied line by line, let us let God's word speak the hidden wisdom see if you can follow:

2Thes 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2Thes 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2Thes 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Isaiah:14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Revelation:12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2Thes 2:4 Who opposeth and exaleth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God.

Revelation:13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Rev. 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Matt 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

Mark: 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Matthew: 24:29 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: Matt 24:30 "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.

Revelation: 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Reve 7:13 (KJS) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Mark: 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

There you have it, the word of God speaking, but woe to them that are with child, Satan when He returns.

Let me use a couple verses which symbolizes God's word completely regarding when Christ returns and if you are going to fly away:

First, Matt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Gather who first? Gather ye together FIRST the tares, the children of the wicked Matt 13:38!

Second, Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Those that seal themselves in the word of God are they who live and reign with Christ during the Lord's day, (2Pet 3:8) which is a 1000 year period, which is called the millennium. What are they doing there? They are teaching those that are spiritually dead. Why do they get to? Because, they were the ones that were able to stand against deception, in the evil day, the sixth trump, and they did NOT go off flying away, but stood firm against the anti-christ, satan himself! Why? Because they have put on the full armour of God's word, His truth, and the truth always defeats deception! Reve 9:4 (KJS) And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. So seal yourselves in his word, remain in the field doing His work, so that you are able to present yourself as a virgin bride to Him. (spiritually speaking!)

Third, Ezek 13:20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. Oh yeah, and what was sent out of Noah's ark first the dove or the raven? Correct the raven, and as the days of Noah so shall it be again. Symbolic! Matt 24:37 (KJS) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

There you have it; God's word documented. If you need even MORE proof, I suggest going to Nick Goggin's excellent website where even more scriptural evidence is presented at : http://www.biblestudysite.com/#Tribulation and http://www.biblestudysite.com/indepth.htm (the Watchmen Bible Study Group) - you only get one shot at this, folks. Wake Up! Learn, understand, and stand ready. The time is at hand.