RAPTURE?

This is a brief post on this controversial subject. We as believers must be diligent to seek the truth as written in the Bible. We need to allow the WORD to interpret itself and seek the Father in prayer to reveal truth to us.

The topic of the rapture always produces intense discussion. Today we’ll discuss if Christians are raptured to spend eternity in heaven with the Lord---OR—are they resurrected from the dead to spend eternity on the earth? We will allow the Bible to interpret itself, here we go!

Daniel 7.23-27 explain the fourth and final kingdom on earth and the rise of Anti-Christ. Verse 27: And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

The righteous saints are handed over for a time, but in the end the kingdom is given to the people of the saints. This is an earthly kingdom. If the righteous have been raptured to heaven to whom is the kingdom being handed over to? Who is ruling? Aren’t we to rule and reign with Yeshua?

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.  And I will give him the morning star. Rev 2.26-28

To him who overcomes will be given rule over earth and power over the nations. That’s us isn’t it? “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 5.9-10

So why are we being raptured to heaven? The Bible says: no man has ascended into heaven. No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. John 3.13 and Acts 2.34

John 5 and 6 are centered on our resurrection from the dead when we meet the Lord and enter the Millennial Kingdom.

Enoch and Elijah were translated to another location. They did not ascend into heaven. Read Hebrews 11. It talks about men of faith. Verse 5 says Enoch was translated. The Greek means “to transfer.” The verse does not say “to heaven.”

Hebrews 11.13 says this after listing the men of faith, including Enoch: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Elijah also was transported to another location. The verse 2 Kings 2.1, says he will be taken up into heaven/sky. He was taken up to the heavens and relocated. That is why the sons of the prophets went looking for him. Not enough?

In 2 Chronicles 21 Elijah sends a letter to King Jehoram. This occurred after the taking up into the heavens/sky.

If the Bible says no man has ascended to heaven these explanations should be enough for us.

In 1 Thessalonians 4.15-18 it says we will be with the Lord forever when we are resurrected from the dead. It does not say “heaven” is where we will be. Look at Revelation 21.3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Then Rev 20.6: Blessed and holy is he that hath 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. This is prior to the new earth and New Jerusalem. We will be on earth with Yeshua—not in heaven.

If you read Matt 13 about the wheat and tares and then Yeshua’s explanation to the disciples you will see both the tares and wheat are gathered at the same time! The tares are burned in the fire—the wheat is gathered into the barn.

What is the barn? Could it be the Temple? Look what Malachi 3.10: Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

The righteous are gathered into the Temple—God’s dwelling place—the barn/storehouse.

Read Psalm 37. In this Psalm it says 6 times that the righteous will inherit the earth! The earth has been given to man and we will inherit the earth when He returns to establish His kingdom! Rev 21.3…the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…

Psalm 115.16 - The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

More verses: Jeremiah 23.5; Revelation 11.15

We will be gathered to Yehovah! Matt 24.29-31; Mark 13.24-27

We are grafted into Israel and will rule and reign with Yeshua on EARTH!

Finally, you will see in Psalm 37 and countless other passages that the Lord will no forsake the righteous. There is a certain protection. Some will be martyrs for His sake, some will be hidden under His wings.

There are places of safety in the Bible. There is also persecution and death. At this time as I write more than 50 countries are severely persecuting our fellow believers. The servant is not greater than the master. We can expect tribulation—but we are not destined to the wrath of God…1 Thess 5.1-10.

For more on this subject check out this link: https://www.betemunah.org/rapture.html

Let’s be searchers for the truth. Not everything we have been taught in church is true…seek the WORD diligently.