• RAPTURE? WHO GOES FIRST?

    Stephen Bell

    During my Baptist college days, I longed for a Scofield loose leaf reference bible. I could hide my sermon notes within the pages of the bible itself making it look like I was preaching without notes. I also wanted to study Mr. Scofields comments.

    Well, my desire was fulfilled when friend in my dorm offered to trade his almost new Scofield for my .22 rifle which had been given to me by a former girl friend's brother-in-law. What a deal!

    I still have the bible after almost 47 years. It is still in pretty good shape since I haven't used it in the last 30 years of ministry. It still contains sermon outlines and notes from my former years as a Baptist Pastor. Some of the outlines are relatively sound, but one about the second coming of Christ is not even close to what the Lord has shown since I returned to the ministry and received the Holy Spirit. Obviously, I believed Mr. Scofield more than the Scriptures at that time.

    One of the primary reasons I have kept the old bible is show people the glaring discrepancies between Mr. Scofield's comments and the actual Scripture he is commenting about. Some folks are so entrenched in the doctrines of men like this, they resist even looking at such evidence presented before their very eyes. But here it is, in living color:

    I want to leave this photocopy in large enough size so it can be easily read on the internet.

    How could one miss such a contradiction? Amazingly, it happens all the time because see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear—just like used to do.

    Look at Proverbs 10:30: "The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth."

    Proverbs 2:21-22: "For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the earth and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it."

    These two Scriptures, alone, verify that something is seriously wrong about the Saints flying away and leaving their inheritance to Satan and the wicked.

    There is much more I could say about the error of the rapture theory and maybe I will later, but for now: chew on this.

Posted by Barbra on Oct. 1, 2009

I have been taught by well meaning teachers that Saints will be raptured but this "new" (to me) information that you have presented here is a little unsettling. Please give us more, I would really like to know what the rapture is all about. Thanks

Posted by Paul Nowlen on Oct. 2, 2009

It is refreshing to see a continuation of information refuting this wrong teaching that gives so many people a "false hope". During a short time in a Pentecostal church in S.C. I wearied hearing the expression "getting up a load to go". I wondered where they were going. Then, as I sought the Lord for understanding, it was apparent that these sweet people, who love the Lord, were, unwittingly I believe, involved in the situation known as "escapism". It is so important to realize that God is doing a work in each of us right now here on the earth, preparing us for a greater work to come on earth. not off in some so-called "heaven". Jesus spoke clearly about this in MATT 5:5 where He said "they shall inherit the earth". In PSALM 37:9,11 & 29 the reward is here on the earth, not in heaven.Sad that too many do not understand what the Lord is doing in their personal lives right now. It is true that there are mind boggling problems worldwide but "going off to heaven" or some place outside the earth and not staying here to help those who are crying out for deliverance, love and healing is just not a right attitude. We need one another, the problems are here and we should want to stay and help each other. No rapture for me. I want to be tried, tested and proven acceptable to the Lord regardless of what happens on earth. Hopefully many will read this article, check out the scriptures, seek the Lord for revelation and never even think about leaving this earth. Christ is doing a work right now on earth so let's stay put and see what He is doing and what our part in that work is.

Posted by Jimmy on Oct. 2, 2009

Good Reading, I have been doing some studying on this subject just today for a Bible study with a friend. As we know the word says that every word be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. I got to looking up scripture starting with Matthew 24:29-31; And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a (trumpet) , and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Then we go to 1 Thessalonians 4: verses 13 thru 15 and then v. 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 17; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up. From there let's go to 1 Corinthians 15:51; Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed. v.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. Going back to Matthew 24: 29; Immediately after the tribulation and verse 30 as well. Mark and Luke also bear witness to this testimony. But God has not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain salvation (deliverance, healing, & restoration) by our Lord Jesus Christ. ( PTL ) I love you all at Key and miss you. Blessed and holy is he (she) that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death ( seperation from God )hath no power(authority), but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. And thensome. :-) Faith, Hope, & Love

Posted by One-Lamb on Oct. 13, 2009

The word before it is: "Let both grow together until the harvest", I don't see us obeying this word - we are too busy fighting and bickering about each other and we are not growing together we are picking on each other. If we are not overcoming our own enemies on our land - rage, anger, suspecion, unforgiveness, strife etc.- we will be disobeying this word of The Lord. ---------------------------Even TBN is no longer strongly preaching 'rapture' they are more so peaching loving God and loving others - good for them!!! ------------------We best remember that God has a Covenant with those whom He has chosen, and we may not understand why, but if we bite and devour each other we will be consumed of each other.

Posted by Workman on Oct. 18, 2009

Proverbs 27: 5; Open rebuke is better than secret love ( the love of secrecy ) 6; Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.We may hurt someone by telling them the truth, yet it will be for their benefit. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. A guise of deceit and betrayal.( For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the (circumcision): Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucres sake. This witness is true, Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, THAT TURN FROM THE TRUTH. Titus 1: 10-14. 2 Timothy 4: 2-4. We must earnestly contend for the faith but not be contentious. Not accusing or excusing in a wrong spirit, but with a spirit of meekness. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Posted by Stan on Dec. 1, 2009

I think this debate can be healthy for everyone. One might find a verse that initially sounds like a refutation of the rapture, but there are many other verses which seem to back up the rapture, shall we simply throw those away? 1co 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1co 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. 1co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. What about the fact that Christ comes with the church. ( 1 TH 3:13, Re 19:14) How does that happen if the church is not first taken out?

Posted by Jimmy on Dec. 20, 2009

We know that rapture is not mentioned in the word, but it is a taking up. There is no doubt that it is going to take place.Our faith is determined by the truth which we have and walk in. Some in the new testament said the resurrection was already passed and overthrew the faith of some. The resurrection of the just is also mentioned in Revelation 20: 4-6; 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. 5; But the REST of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION.......6; Blessed and holy is he that has part in the FIRST RESURRECTION: on such the second death hath no power, BUT THEY SHALL BE PRIESTS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST, AND SHALL REIGN WITH HIM A THOUSAND YEARS. ( Only one 1000 year reign ( ONLY ONE FIRST RESURRECTION ) It's after the reign of the beast / anti- christ spirit. Proverbs 30:5; Every word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. 6; Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Will He find faith when He returns. I would to God that He will Evenso let God be magnified.

Posted by Jimmy on Dec. 20, 2009

I meant to mention something on Christ coming with ten thousands of His saints. May I interject that when He comes back and we get caught up to meet Him, lets just say rather than Him taking us to heaven and then bring us back again, as some believe. Let's see it this way for it makes better sense if we are to use logic and reasoning.At His coming back and catching us up , we are going to accompany Him as He establshes His millenial kingdom. As satan desired to sift Peter as wheat, I believe the tribulation is going to be a sifting of the wheat. Matthew 3: 12; Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Wood, hay,stubble,gold ,silver and precious stones. All works will be tried, yet so as by fire. we are to take heed how we build upon the foundation which is laid (Jesus Christ). Like the Apostle Paul may we be wise master builders, building for the master. AMEN We are laborers together with God.

Posted by Roger Allen on Feb. 6, 2010

1 Thessalonians 4 (New King James Version) 13-18 13 But I do not want you to be IGNORANT, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep (are dead) in Jesus. 15 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 (dead). 16 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. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (raptured) [together with them] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. This is very clear to me. Never, under any circumstances allow OLD COVENANT (and that includes the Gospels) to carry more significance than the NEW COVENANT. The scriptures that Mr Bell refer to are not direct or clear but are mainly open to interpretation. Christians are to receive their instructions from the NEW COVENANT. Hence, it's NEW replacing the OLD. Read the book of Hebrews which explains the difference between the OLD and the New in no uncertain terms.