zacchaeus wrote:Where does it say we shouldn't be concerned with the rapture or 2nd coming?
Rapture can happen anytime, if its mid or post, well then it can't happen anytime can it?
God will NOT allow the Church to go through the Tribulation Period, what purpose does this show- those who have already trusted Him? Are they (we) not already over-comers of the World. Its certainly not like what we go through today- It will be a time of atrocities as the world has never known! God wouldn't destroy the wicked in Noah's day until Noah and his family were all safely aboard the ark. Not one drop of rain fell until Noah and his family were on the ark, and God had shut the door. Afterwards, the rains fell and the wicked were utterly destroyed.
What about Lot and his family. Genesis 19:22, "Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither." No judgment could fall upon Sodom, until Lot and his family were removed or raptured?
As I read there is a day we don't know and a day we could know. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time, while Revelation 12:6 says the Jews will have to wait 1,260 days for the Lord to return. The 1,260 days begins when the Antichrist stands in the Temple and declares himself to be God (Matt. 24:15-21, 2 Thess. 2:4) This event will take place at the mid-point of the seven year Tribulation (Dan 9:27). The Antichrist has authority to rule for 42 months, which is 1,260 days (Rev. 13:4) and will be destroyed by Jesus at His second coming (Rev. 19:20, 2 Thess. 2:8). The known and unknown days must happen at different times, meaning they are two separate events. Its my humble opinion from what I've read in scripture that the Church is the one holding back the Antichrist or lawlessness. I could be wrong...
The scripture says all who endure to the end will be saved (all who hold on to the testimony of Jesus during the tribulation).
That word "all" should nullify any doctrine that says there will be no second chance of salvation for those who heard the gospel but were not part of the spiritual body of Christ before the rapture or tribulation. The passage clearly excludes no one and we see that true repentance leads to salvation throughout scripture.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
Who are those that come out of greater tribulation? How can this differ from saints and tribulation saints? Who will populate the Millineum?
Just some thoughts!!!
Zacchaeus, please notice what Matthew 24:40-41 NKJV says:
"...
Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Notice - these folks were in the same field and in the same mill. That speaks volumes and provides an answer for you simply summed up:
some taken some left behind.
Recall that Lot chose not to head to the mountains he was told to go while being forcibly escorted from Sodom, he chose to stay on the plains in Zohar, and ended up in a cave... Lot, though righteous by God, influenced no one in Sodom for God and neglected even his own family's spiritual conditions as well. (remember Lot's wife)
Recall that Noah and his family built an Ark and were raised above, as well as saved from, the flood of God's wrath... (Mat 24:28c)
Now read Matthew 24:45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51c that follow the verses from Matthew mentioned above and toss in the principle found in 1 Peter 4:17: "
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
Judgment begins first in the house of God and Revelations chapter 2 and 3 speak of such judgment (Take note of Isaiah 26:15, 16, 17, 18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:3). From Revelation chapter 2 and 3, only one group out of the seven assemblies was given this promise in Revelations chapter 2 and 3:
"You have kept my command to put up with anything that happens. So I will keep you from the time of suffering that is going to come to the whole world. It will test those who live on the earth." Rev 3:10, NIrV
Isaiah 26:19-22 NIV:
"But your dead will live, LORD; their bodies will rise-- let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy-- your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead. (1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16, 17, 18x) 20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. 21 See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the bloodshed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer."
Luke 17:33-37, "
Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. 36 Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left." 37 And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together." NKJV
So, zacchaeus - what do these verses say to you?
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