'The Last Trump' 1st Corinthians 15:51-53 - What And When [Solved] ..And The Pretribulation Rapture

The Last Trump

1 Cor. 15: The Last Trump, Pretribulation Rapture, The Mystery, Christ the Firstfruits, Last Enemy. What About These Things?

From: 'Handel's Messiah' [1741] - 3rd part  vidlink

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Most eschatological interpretations concede the concept of a "rapture". The scriptures describing a rapture at some point in time are very clear and really not possible to explain away. The dispute on the subject is not about 'if' the doctrine of the rapture is the correct interpretation of scripture, but is entirely about the timing of it. Not 'if', but 'when', is the point of the endless contention that surrounds the topic.

Each of the various views have their own specific interpretations to 'prove' that it is the correct one. The purpose of this study though is not to sort through all the differences of the various interpretations, but just to address one of the most important topics with regard to determining the correct timing of the rapture. That topic is the "last trump" of 1st Corinthians 15:52. Opponents of the pretribulation rapture commonly use this verse citing the "last trump" as proof that the 'pretrib' interpretation is false.

What exactly then is the 'last trump'? What is to be understood by the term? What bearing does the 1st Corinthians 15:52 'last trump' have on either proving or disproving the pretribulation position? Or, is the actual significance of the "Last Trump" something else altogether?

The purpose of this study is to answer these questions.

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1 Corinthians 15:51-53 'Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality'

Oldest Known Film On Biblical Rapture 1941 "The Rapture" .. Believe Or Not [Video]

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The Rapture (1941)

Charles Octavia Baptista

"Illinois businessman Charles Octavia Baptista produced this film. Baptista became interested in using films as a teaching aide in churches...The focus of the company's work was to produce 16mm films for use in churches and Christian organizations as teaching and evangelism aides and for evangelization among secular audiences.

This information found here: http://www2.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/225.htm

Rev. 18:4
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see also: 1st-Ever Rapture Movie 1973 'Thief In The Night' Theme Song - 'I Wish We'd All Been Ready' (But You've Been Left Behind)

also: At The Last Trump [Handel]; and: The Last Trump ..solved
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1 Thessalonians 5:9 'For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ'

Thus Saith The LORD On The ZWO: 'When They Shall Say, Peace And Safety; Then Sudden Destruction Cometh' - ACG

The very moment the proud defiant enemies of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ raise their voices against heaven in the cry of "Peace and safety", signifying their perceived "final triumph" over God Almighty and His Christ...will be the very moment it all comes crashing down:
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His Final Triumph By Arno C. Gaebelein

1Thes. 5:3 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape'

How many times the final triumph of our Lord is revealed in the Holy Scriptures! The major note of all prophecy is His conquest, His Glory, and His triumph. The holy men of God received more messages and visions of Christ's coming glorious exaltation than of His humiliation and rejection. One of the prophecies of His victory is found in the last verse of the one hundred and thirty-second Psalm:

Ps. 132:18 "His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon Himself shall His crown flourish."

Ever since our Lord left the earth to take His place at the right hand of God, His enemies have increased. But His place there, according to Scripture, is not His permanent place. He is there until His enemies are made the footstool of His feet:

Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Hebrews 10:12-13 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

This will not be done gradually by the preaching of the Gospel. The world never was so far away from accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord as it is now. There is not a single prophecy which authorizes us to believe that the present age is ending with a converted world. The very opposite is predicted. Instead of a universal acknowledgment of Christ, there will be a universal opposition and antagonism to Him. So it is written in the second Psalm:

A THIEF IN THE NIGHT - 1st-Ever Full Length Rapture-Themed Movie (Original Classic 1973)

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A Thief In The Night (1973) apparently was the first rapture-themed feature length movie ever made. The title comes from a passage in the Book of Matthew 24th chapter - two shall be in the field; one shall be taken, the other left, etc. This passage although often thought and taught to be, does not actually refer to the 'rapture' but to something that will happen during the 'time of tribulation' (any that might find themselves there - you do not want to be taken at this point - see: Matthew 13:30).

But that subject is an entire bible study -- Nevertheless this first-ever rapture movie "A Thief In The Night" - 1973 50yrs ago - we might say has historical value, being the first ever 'pre-trib rapture movie', and, overall pretty much on point for the most part (the general idea) on the 'pre-trib' interpretation of scripture [believe it or not]

[Some disclaimer: As almost always the case, scripture references from Westcott-Hort bible versions are used in this movie. The use of these bible versions cannot be endorsed; see: Authorized Version only; a little bit loose depicting the 'sinner's prayer' salvation method also, which has to do with the topic of election. That's another bible study. We just note it that the viewer note it also]

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see also: 'The Last Trump' 1Cor. 15:52 - What And When [Solved] ..And Pretrib Rapture

Rev. 18:4

The Blessed Hope - Titus 2:13

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

An interesting quote by none other than that old serpent, the devil himself, is found in the fourth chapter of Luke's gospel: "And the devil, taking him [Jesus] up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine." (Luke 4:5-7). Satan is the 'god' of this world at this present time as we learn from this passage of scripture, and he gives the power of it to 'whomsoever he will'. His offer of the kingdoms of the world on the condition of worship was refused by the Lord Jesus Christ. Another will come who will accept that offer. He is the one called Antichrist. The backdrop for this great drama to play out is unfolding before our eyes.

A truly regenerated Christian is not 'of this world'. He walks in separation from it for it is the devil's kingdom. His conversation (citizenship) is in heaven. He is not surprised when he sees the 'kings of the earth' joining together to make their final assault "against the LORD, and against his annointed [Christ]"; Ps. 2:2, as is now happening in an unparalleled fashion on the world's stage. It is exactly what he expects to see because he believes the whole counsel of the Word of God, including all the prophetic portions. He does not worry and fret when he sees their wicked schemes coming to pass because God's word foretells that they will, and that these things will be ultimately made to serve God's greater purpose. He rests in that even in the midst of these tremendous upheavals that must come and which even now have begun, looking beyond this temporal scene for the only possible hope, the Lord from heaven. With this thought highly regarded bible teacher of days past W.W. Fereday takes up the theme of...
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The Blessed Hope
W. W. Fereday (1863-1959)

It is no part of the duty of the Christian to occupy himself with the immediate future. The Spirit of God would concentrate our attention upon a certain fixed point in the purposes of God, when everything will reach its climax. We refer to the great Day of the Lord, which will be ushered in by the public manifestation of the Lord Jesus from Heaven. Of that Day prophets and psalmists have spoken and sung in ages past. That Day will bring about a total reversal of the order of things which it will fill here. It will bring to an abrupt termination "Man's Day" — this period of human pride and self-will — in order that the will of God may prevail. When "the world kingdom of our Lord and His Christ" (Rev. 11:15) is established, righteousness, peace, and blessing will fill the earth. Until then the anguish must needs deepen day by day..

The Trumpet Shall Sound..And We Shall Be Changed [1 Cor. 15:52] - Handel's Messiah 1741

Acts 1:9-11 'And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven'

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From: 'Handel's Messiah' [1741] - 3rd part

Alastair Miles - Bass

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 'Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality'

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Revelation 18:4 'Come out of her, my people..'

It is vain to speak of approaching judgment when finding our place, our portion, and our enjoyment in the very scene which is to be judged.
CHM (1820-1896)
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If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Col. 3:1-2)

'THE KINGDOM' Not The Hope Of The Body Of Christ: BEFORE The Day Dawns, The Bright And Morning Star Appears Rev. 22:16

The Hope Of The Christian Is Christ Himself

The teaching of the book of Revelation, above all, is, that the Lord is coming back, and that He is coming back for His people first [1 Thes. 8-10], and then to set the earth right. I know that the general thought abroad is, that when the Lord comes back, the next time, it is for the purpose of judging the world. There is no doubt He will judge [Malachi 4:1]. There is no doubt that the return of the Lord Jesus to deal with the earth is perfectly certain [Rev. 19:11]; but...that is not the Christian hope...the Christian hope relates to heaven [Eph. 2:5-6].

I repeat, then, that the hope of the Christian is not the earth being set right,—although, thank God, it will be set right,—but the hope of the Christian is Christ Himself [Titus 2:13], and Christ as coming for His blood bought people [Acts 20:28]. Why have we the Lord presenting Himself to us as the “Bright and Morning Star” in Rev. xxii. 16? Every person understands what the morning star is. It is not daylight. You never saw a man wakened up in the morning by the morning star. You must get up early to see the morning star. What wakes people up in the morning is the sunlight,—-it is daylight. What you have in this passage is that the hope of the Christian is Christ, now known in heaven as the Saviour, and as the One who is coming back for His own people, and the manner of our going up to be with Him is most blessed [1Thes. 4:16-17,18]. The Morning Star is Christ for the watching Christian [Phil. 3:20], while the world is buried in slumber.

What is the way in which the Lord Jesus Christ comes? "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" [1 Cor. 15:51-52]. Will the world see, or be aware of that coming? I do not think so. The coming of the Saviour, as the Bridegroom, is for the bride, it is for the saved — His own beloved people.

Excerpted from 'Behold, The Bridegroom' (1895) by W.T.P. Wolston, widely known bible expositor among the 'Plymouth Brethren' of the 19th and early 20th century
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see: At The Last Trump [solved]
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Rev. 22:16 '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'  [link]

M. R. DeHaan On The Rapture Of True Believers Only: "God's Magnet"

M. R. DeHaan was a widely respected bible teacher and pastor. He founded the Radio Bible Class in 1938, conducting a weekly program for 27 years. From that ministry came also the well-known "Our Daily Bread" daily devotional:
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God's Magnet

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord...the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" 1Thes. 4:15-18

The most certain thing in all the world is the return of Jesus Christ. He said to His disciples, I will come again and receive you unto myself” (John 14:3). Death is not the “surest” thing in the world for “we shall not all sleep” (1Cor. 15:51). When the Lord Jesus comes (and each day brings us one day nearer), He will shout from the air and two things will immediately happen. First, all the dead who have died in faith shall be resurrected (1Thes. 4:16). Then, all living believers shall be instantaneously changed (1Cor. 15:52; 1John 3:2), and be joined with the resurrected ones and together be caught up to meet the Lord (1Thes. 4:17). But all the rest of the wicked dead shall remain in their graves and the wicked living ones will be left behind to [enter into] the Tribulation (Dan. 12:1; Matt 24:21)

The coming of Christ will be like a magnet. If I place on my desk a mixture of dust, paper scraps, pieces of glass and wood and steel shavings it may be impossible to see all the bits of steel among the scraps. But now I take a magnet and hold it above the pile of material and immediately something happens. The magnet lifts out every bit of steel to itself and separates it from the refuse, leaving everything else behind. It is the nature of steel to be attracted to the magnet. There may be bits of metal which look like steel but when the magnet is applied they fail to respond. The magnet makes no mistakes It reveals the true nature of the metal and distinguishes the true from the false.

It may be impossible now to tell the difference between the true and the false, but when the Saviour Jesus shouts from the air all deception will be revealed. Only the dead in Christ (Col. 3:1-3) shall respond to the "pull" of His blessed voice. Have you received the new nature (2Peter 1:4), the nature of Him whose voice will soon be heard? Make your calling and election sure, by receiving Christ Jesus the Lord as your personal Saviour. Yield now to the pull of His Spirit. The magnet makes no mistakes!

M.R.D. (1891-1964) - Our Daily Bread 1959 (?)
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also: The Return Of The Lord Jesus Christ For His Bride Is "Imminent" - MRD
and: Not Wrath But Rapture For The Regenerate
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'By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him...'  (Hebrews 11:5)

As The First Advent Of Christ Jesus Was Fulfillment Of Prophecy, So Shall His Second Advent Be - A. W. Pink

Rev. 19:10 'the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy'

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished" (John 19:30). Centuries beforehand, the prophets of God had described step by step the humiliation and suffering which the coming Saviour should undergo. One by one these had been fulfilled, wonderfully fulfilled, fulfilled to the very letter. Had prophecy declared that he should be the "woman’s seed" (Gen. 3:15): then he was "born of a woman" (Gal. 4:4). Had prophecy announced that his mother should be a "virgin" (Isa. 7:14): then was it literally fulfilled (Matthew 1:18). Had prophecy revealed that he should be of the seed of Abraham (Gen. 22:18): then mark its fulfillment (Matthew 1:1). Had prophecy made it known that he should be a lineal descendant of David (2 Sam. 7:12-13): then such he actually was (Rom. 1:3). Had prophecy said that he should be named before he was born (Isa. 49:1): then so it came to pass (Luke 1:30-31). Had prophecy foretold that he should be born in Bethlehem of Judea (Mic. 5:2): then mark how this very village was actually his birthplace. Had prophecy forewarned that his birth should entail sorrowing for others (Jer. 31:15): then behold its tragic fulfillment (Matthew 2:16-18). Had prophecy foreshown that the Messiah should appear before the scepter of tribal ascendancy had departed from Judah (Genesis 49:10): then so he did, for though the ten tribes were in captivity, Judah was still in the land at the time of his advent. Had prophecy referred to the flight into Egypt and the subsequent return into Palestine (Hosea 11:1); then so it came to pass (Matthew 2:14-15).

Had prophecy made mention of one going before Christ to make ready his way (Malachi 3:1): then see its fulfillment in the person of John the Baptist. Had prophecy made it known that at the Messiah’s appearing that "then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing" (Isa. 35:5-6): then read through the four gospels and see how blessedly this proved to be true. Had prophecy spoken of him as "poor and needy" (Ps. 40:17 - see beginning of psalm): then behold him not having where to lay his head. Had prophecy intimated that he should speak in "parables" (Ps. 78:2): then such was frequently his method of teaching. Had prophecy depicted him stilling the tempest (Ps. 107:29): then this is exactly what he did. Had prophecy heralded his "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem (Zech. 9:9): then so it came to pass.

Had prophecy announced that his person should be despised (Isa. 53:3); that he should be rejected by the Jews (Isa. 8:14); that he should be "hated without a cause" (Ps. 69:4): then sad to say, such was precisely the case [John 19:4-6]. Had prophecy painted the whole picture of his degradation and crucifixion - then was it vividly reproduced. There had been the betrayal by a familiar friend, the forsaking by his cherished disciples, the being led to the slaughter, the being taken to judgment, the appearing of false witnesses against him, the refusal on his part to make defense, the establishing of his innocency, the unjust condemnation, the sentence of capital punishment passed upon him, the literal piercing of his hands and feet, the being numbered with transgressors, the mockery of the crowd, the casting lots for his garments - all predicted centuries beforehand, and all fulfilled to the very letter [Acts 13:26-29,30]. The last prophecy of all which remained ere he committed his spirit into the hands of his Father had now been fulfilled. He cried "I thirst" and after the tendering of the vinegar and gall all was now "accomplished"; and as the Lord Jesus reviewed the entire scope of the prophetic word and saw its full realization, he cried, "It is finished"!

It only remains for us to point out that as there was a complete set of prophecies which had to do with the first advent of the Saviour, so also is there a complete set of prophecies which have to do with his second advent - the latter as definite, as personal, and as comprehensive in their scope as the former. Just as we see the actual fulfillment of those which had to do with his first coming to the earth, so we may look forward with absolute confidence and assurance to the fulfillment of those which have to do with his second coming. And, as we have seen that the former set of prophecies were fulfilled literally, actually, personally, so also must we expect the latter set to be. To grant the literal fulfillment of the former, and then to seek to spiritualize and symbolize the latter, is not only grossly inconsistent and illogical, but is highly injurious to us and deeply dishonoring to God and to his word.
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Excerpted from: The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross (#6 "It is finished") - link

see also: The Return Of The Lord Jesus Christ For His Bride Is "Imminent"

Acts 1:9-11 'And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven'
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(From: 'Handel's Messiah' - 3rd part)  1Cor. 15:51-53 'Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality'

Rev. 18:4

Before The 'Day Of The LORD' Dawns, The "Bright And Morning Star" Comes For Watching Believers - Rev. 22:16

The Hope Of The Christian Is Christ Himself

The teaching of the book of Revelation, above all, is, that the Lord is coming back, and that He is coming back for His people first, and then to set the earth right. I know that the general thought abroad is, that when the Lord comes back, the next time, it is for the purpose of judging the world. There is no doubt He will judge. There is no doubt that the return of the Lord Jesus to deal with the earth is perfectly certain; but...that is not the Christian hope...the Christian hope relates to heaven [Eph. 2:5-6].

I repeat, then, that the hope of the Christian is not the earth being set right,—although, thank God, it will be set right,—but the hope of the Christian is Christ Himself, and Christ as coming for His blood bought people. Why have we the Lord presenting Himself to us as the “Bright and Morning Star” in Rev. xxii. 16? Every person understands what the morning star is. It is not daylight. You never saw a man wakened up in the morning by the morning star. You must get up early to see the morning star. What wakes people up in the morning is the sunlight,—-it is daylight. What you have in this passage is that the hope of the Christian is Christ, now known in heaven as the Saviour, and as the One who is coming back for His own people, and the manner of our going up to be with Him is most blessed. The Morning Star is Christ for the watching Christian [Phil. 3:20], while the world is buried in slumber.

What is the way in which the Lord Jesus Christ comes? "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" - 1Cor. 15:52. Will the world see, or be aware of that coming? I do not think so. The coming of the Saviour, as the Bridegroom, is for the bride, it is for the saved — His own beloved people.
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Excerpted from 'Behold, The Bridegroom' (1895) by W.T.P. Wolston, widely known bible expositor among the 'Plymouth Brethern' of the 19th and early 20th century
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Rev. 22:16 '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'  [link]

Early A. C. Gaebelein: "The Interval Between The Coming Of The Lord For His Saints And With His Saints" - 1902

A. C. Gaebelein (1861-1945), the author of this little pamphlet, is well known. His writings are widely available online, including a complete commentary of the entire bible, many commentaries of individual books of the bible, and numerous books dealing with different issues related to prophecy. His staunch defense of the doctrine of a pre-millennial and pre-tribulational rapture is also well known to any who have read his expositions of scripture. In addition to the commentaries and books, in 1894 Gaebelein and a partner began publication of a periodical called "Our Hope", with Gaebelein in 1896 becoming chief editor. Quoting a biographical sketch of ACG: "Historian David Rausch noted: 'Our Hope, was a key periodical in the fundamentalist movement of the twentieth century, through this periodical, Gaebelein brought the teaching of biblical prophecy to the forefront of the movement and coupled it to in-depth, scholarly biblical studies' (Arno C. Gaebelein, 19). The journal continued publication until 1958, when it merged with Eternity." [link].

The "Our Hope" magazines cannot be found online though, which make this particular pamphlet so interesting as it apparently was taken from one of the issues. Dated 1902 (at the low low price of five cents) it appears to be the earliest example of Gaebelein's work that can be found. If for no other reason, that alone makes it of much historical interest. Of Gaebelein's writings that can be found online there are a few books dated between 1905-1910, with the major body of the work coming after about 1910 and spread out over the next thirty years.

The subject is very apparent from the title - making a case for the "pre-trib" rapture byway of scripture - which he continued to do for the next 40 or so years. Of special interest is a quote from this writing, which was a thought carried unchanged through all of Gaebelein's writings over the many years to follow - the statement that what separates those who believe and look for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ from those who would find these things incomprehensible being a true love for the Lord Jesus Christ himself: "...it should be remembered that intelligence in the revelations made respecting His coming, as in all truth, can only be in proportion to our love of His person, for that is ever accompanied with lowly and loving reception of the word"
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THE INTERVAL BETWEEN THE COMING OF THE LORD FOR HIS SAINTS AND WITH HIS SAINTS  -   A. C. Gaebelein 1902

Revelation 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth"

That there is a marked interval between the coming of the Lord Jesus to take His saints up to Himself, and His coming with His saints, cannot well be disputed. Indeed, if we had not in Scripture distinct instruction as to the first stage of our Lord's coming, His coming for us, and our rapture, it would have been impossible to understand those many passages which speak of His "coming with us," and our "manifestation with Him" (Zech. 14:5 - ["and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee]; 1 Thes. 3:13; Jude 14; Col. 3:4). It is certainly necessary that there should be a "gathering unto Him," before there can be a coming or manifestation "with Him."

Then, the first of these is never brought into view in connection with the Lord's public testimony, nor does it ever appear in the Apostles testimony to the world. But this is in admirable harmony with all that is known of Jesus' love to His own. The first distinct announcement of His coming for us was given just at the moment and in the circumstances in which it might be expected. "On the night on which He was betrayed," when the traitor had "gone out," and "it was night," when for the first time the disciples began to feel the sorrow of the parting and absence of which He had often spoken; then it was that His love placed before them His coming again in its earliest stage and first object and intent, as the first point of their blessed hope. They had before heard of "the days when the Bridegroom should be taken away," but, possibly occupied with the glory of the Kingdom, they had failed to realize what His absence meant. But it was very different now. He said, "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me; and as I said to the Jews, Whither I go ye cannot come; so now I say to you" (John. 13:33). There might still be very little intelligence among the disciples, but there was that night, through the word spoken, love's deep exercises towards His precious person: and consequently "sorrow filled their hearts because of what He said," and their common sorrow was, as usual, expressed by Peter. There was, we well know, much selfwill and self-confidence mixing with his love to his Lord, but it was surely love that asked, "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?" We are thus entitled to say that it was just because He had roused into exercise, and drawn forth their expression of their love to Himself, that Jesus now for the first time declared to His disciples His coming again, in its first intent and act. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3).

We could never have learned "the rapture of saints" from this passage alone; but without this passage accuracy as to the rapture of saints would be little worth. Accordingly, there is not any portion of the Bible to which suffering saints so often turn for comfort as that which we have just quoted. And this may show that all saints are, in their hearts, "waiting" or "looking for Him," though they may be ever so little taught, or ever so ill taught, respecting prophecy. At the same time it should be remembered that intelligence in the revelations made respecting His coming, as in all truth, can only be in proportion to our love of His person, for that is ever accompanied with lowly and loving reception of the word.

You Are Not A Real Christian If...You Are Not Looking And Hoping For The Return Of The Saviour Jesus Christ - Seiss

J.A. Seiss (1823-1904) was a prolific author but may be best known for his commentary on the Book of Revelation. From the time it was published to the present day it has been and still is, by other commentators, probably the most frequently referenced work on the Book of Revelation ever written. "Originally published in three volumes from 1870 to 1884, J.A. Seiss's lectures on the Apocalypse were among the first popular works based upon the futurist interpretation of Revelation. Considered by modern evangelical scholars to be among the most influential, the collected lectures have been called "a monumental work," "thoroughly scholarly and spiritual," and "the highest type of scholarship"" [link]. Seiss wrote from a dispensational, pretribulational, pre-millenial, absolutely literal viewpoint. In other words, from the only possible way to rightly approach and rightly understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ. While some of his conclusions have benefited from further development over the ensuing years since the 1870's, the work remains an invaluable resource. Below is one example, excerpted from his commentary on the final chapter of Revelation, the 22nd. Drawing an application in particular from the 17th verse, Seiss makes the point that as the Holy Spirit of God is ever calling out for the return of the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, that this makes it an absolute impossibility for any man indwelt by the Spirit of God, and actuated by the Spirit of God, to ever do any different [Rom. 8:9]. Preterists, dominionists, amillenialists, pre-wrathers, partialists, nay-sayers of all stripes, this means you...
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(The English word 'Revelation' is translated from the Greek NT word 'apokalupsis' [ἀποκάλυψις; ap-ok-al'-oop-sis; disclosure:--appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation]. In the Book of Revelation itself, other than the title, it is used only once, that being in the first verse - Rev. 1:1 "The Revelation [apocalypse] of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John")
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Excerpted from 'The Apocalypse: Lectures on the Book of Revelation' by J.A. Seiss

Revelation 22:17 'And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come...'

Ever, as the church moves on through time, and above all in the days in which we live, the next thing for every Christian to be looking for in this world is the coming of Christ to fulfill what is written in this Book [Revelation]. The Bible tells of nothing between us and that Day...[and every Christian should have] the proper spiritual affection toward the speedy accomplishment of these holy predictions.

The Apocalypse of Christ is the coming or revelation of Christ in the scenes and achievements which are here described [referring to the Book of Revelation - from the first verse to the last]. But it is not made known to us as a thing of cold and barren speculation. It is the living outcome of all our faith and hope as Christians. It is a thing to which every proper Christian impulse necessarily goes out. There can be no genuine Christianity, no true and living sympathy with what we profess to believe, if there be no going forth of the soul to what is thus set before us. This is here expressed with a depth and intensity which should not fail to impress every serious heart.

First of all, the Holy Ghost himself calls for the Apocalypse of Christ. "The Spirit says, Come;" that is, Come thou; as an answer made to the announcement of the preceding verse [Rev. 22:16 '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'].

When the promise of the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, was given, Christ said: "He will guide you into all truth: and he will show you things to come." (John 16: 13.) Descending upon the Church always to abide with it, that Spirit has ever been active and operative in and through the Church. And in all these gracious operations there is a direct and constant reference to these things to come, to make them known, to awaken and nurture faith in them, and to prepare men to become partakers in their blessedness.

In all these operations there is therefore a constant looking and yearning for the fulfilment of what is thus to come, and hence an unceasing calling of the Holy Ghost to the bright and morning star to come, as promised and foreshown,—to consummate the great work by that Apocalypse to which all prophecy, all faith, all hope, and all the operative graces of the Spirit have reference. In other words, it is the very spirit, soul, and aim of divine grace to bring the great consummation, which comes alone through the coming of Christ. In the inspiration of prophets and apostles, in the regeneration and sanctification of men, and in all the appointments, endowments, and labors of the Church, in so far as the Holy Ghost is potent and active in them, there is one unceasing call and pleading for that return of the Godman (1Tim. 2:5), by whose coming again all things are to be completed and the whole work finished up. Two things, therefore, are thus certified to us; first, that there is no true and saving religion —no piety originating from and resting in the Spirit of God—which does not anxiously move toward and centre on Christ and his promised Apocalypse; and second, that the fulfilment of these predictions is absolutely certain, in that the operations of the Holy Ghost in the Church are all conditioned to and ever calling for the bright and morning star to come.

And what the Spirit looks to and calls for is repeated in the spiritual consciousness of the Bride. The Bride is not the Church outwardly taken; for not all who have connection with the Church as a visible body shall be everlastingly joined with the Lamb. None are the Bride but those who in living inward fact are joined to Christ as the branches are joined to the vine. Only those who are spiritually in Christ, "members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Eph. 5:30), are his Bride. And it is here given as a characteristic of the Bride, that she re-echoes and embodies the call of the Spirit, even the call for the bright and morning star to come. When men forget to think of the coming again of the Lord Jesus in his great Apocalypse,—when they cease to look and long for that as the crown and goal of their faith and hope,— when they make light of it, and treat it as a fable, and regard all concern about it as fanaticism,— they show and prove that they do not belong to that elect body of God's saints which constitutes the Bride of the Lamb; for the deepest heart-voice of the Bride, with that of the Spirit itself, is," Come, Lord Jesus; come as thou hast promised and foreshown; come quickly." Taking all the precepts and inculcations of the sacred Scriptures with regard to Christ's return, it becomes a plain and evident impossibility for people to be true and obedient followers of the Gospel, and not to look, and watch, and long, and pray, and make it a great point in all their religious activity and devotion to be ready for the glorious coming of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The Apostles and early Christians were all alive to this subject beyond everything else in Christianity. It was their life, their inspiration, the pole-star of their faith and hope. It was the thing which most marked them, set them apart from the world, and was their great distinguishing spirit, as compared with other people. And if it is not so with Christians now, it is because they have sunk away from the original life of their religion, and lost their proper fellowship with the true and only Bride of the Lamb; for the voice of the Bride to her Lord continually is, "Come." Nor can she be in the spirit and life of a true Bride without having this feeling ever living in her soul, and permeating her whole being. Destined for Christ, and having her chief joy and salvation in him and what he is ordained to accomplish for his people, she cannot but go out with all zeal and fervency for his revelation, or she ceases in soul from her character as his Bride.

And what the Spirit and the Bride say, every one that heareth is to say, and must learn to say, if ever he is to become partaker in these glorious things. The hearer is he who is made acquainted with these great purposes of God, and is informed of what is in reserve for God's true people. But his hearing will profit him nothing if it does not awaken his soul, kindle his desires, and draw him to devout longing and endeavor to possess and realize these things for himself. Nor is he rightly awake and appreciative to what he hears, so long as he does not care whether Christ is to come again or not, or does not centre his soul upon what can only come with Christ's glorious Apocalypse.

Therefore the word here is, "Let him who heareth say, Come." Redemption lies in that coming; and if men do not learn to desire it, they do not yet desire the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, and are not yet true and believing hearers. For all effectual hearing of the Gospel must come to fervent and loving desire and prayer for Christ to fulfil all his plan and purposes of grace...
***
Compare: 'But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming' - Matt. 24:45-51; ACG
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So, can you say with John the apostle, writer of the Book of Revelation, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20)

The Apostle Paul On The Damascus Road A Perfect 'Type' Of The Jewish Remnant In The Tribulation - A.C. Gaebelein

A.C. Gaebelein (1861-1945) was a staunch defender of the dispensational interpretation of scripture, as is well known by bible prophecy students familiar with his work, holding specifically to the 'pre-tribulation rapture' [Rev. 5:9], the tribulation-judgment of the Christ-rejecting Jews and world to follow (during which a remnant of Israel will be 'brought through' and saved - similar to the 'type' of Noah), and the physical return of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the end of that tribulation to begin the "millennial kingdom". Likewise, most students of their bibles are familiar with the account in the 9th chapter of the Book of Acts of the apostle Paul's Damascus road conversion experience. In regard to these things, Gaebelein here draws a compelling parallel between that experience of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus and the yet still future day, described in the Word of God as "the time of Jacob's trouble" [Jer. 30:7], when the Lord will call an elect remnant of Israel [Isa. 65:9] and open their blinded eyes [Rom. 11:25], just as He did the apostle Paul's so long ago saying "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" [Acts 9:4]:
***
Zechariah 12:10 'And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced...'

The Holy Ghost makes the conversion of Saul of Tarsus not alone very prominent, but also speaks of that event as a pattern. He has given us three lengthy accounts of it in the Book of Acts (chapters 9, 22, and 26). In First Timothy we read: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." (1Tim. 1:16). And again it is written: "And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time" (1 Cor. 15:8) [comparing himself to the other apostles; i.e. coming along after-the-fact compared to the others, not knowing Christ Jesus on earth; see: 1Cor. 15:9 - ed.]. These are inspired statements which tell us we have to seek for a deeper significance of the conversion of him who calls himself "a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Phil. 3:5).

The Three NT Manifestations Of Christ From Heaven Typify The Three Aspects of His Second Coming - A. C. Gaebelein

Stephen is considered to be the first martyr of the Christian Church. Most bible students are familiar with the biblical account in the book of Acts chapters 6-7 describing his being dragged before the Jewish council [Acts 6:11-12], resulting in his being stoned to death for his testimony against the rulers of his own nation of Israel with regard to the Lord Jesus Christ [Acts 7:59-60]. Before that terrible act was carried out though, heaven was opened to Stephen's view and he saw the Lord Jesus Christ in glory. This was the first of three manifestations of the glorified Christ recorded in the New Testament, as pointed out by A. C. Gaebelein in these few paragraphs excerpted from his commentary on the book of Acts (linked directly below), each one of the three foreshadowing a different aspect of his promised return: first, the rapture, second, the later revelation of Himself to the "remnant" of Israel during the tribulation, and third, the actual physical bodily return to the earth at the end of the tribulation:
***
Excerpted from: THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES - An Exposition, by A.C. Gaebelein; 1912 (ch. 7) link

Acts 7:55-56 'But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God'

Stephen had been accused of speaking against Moses and against God, also against the temple and the law [Acts 6:12-14]. These accusations he is asked to answer. What he declared before the council shows plainly that the accusations are utterly false.

Indeed his whole testimony as he rapidly speaks of past history in his great and divinely arranged retrospect, is a most powerful testimony to the nation as well as against the nation. Every word was true. The entire testimony was unimpeachable. Stiffnecked and uncircumcised, resisting the Holy Ghost, persecuting the prophets who prophesied of Christ and the murderers of the Just One [Acts 7:51-53]! This was their condition. With this the testimony of Stephen is ended; more than that the testimony to the nation is now to be closed. No longer is the offer to be made to Jerusalem.

The arrows of the truth of God carried by the power of God’s Spirit had cut to the heart and they gnashed on him with their teeth [Acts 7:54]. In their madness they were dumb. They did not find words to give vent to their burning hatred which Satan had kindled in their stubborn, unbelieving hearts. All they could do in their frenzy was to gnash with their teeth.

In the midst of this wicked crowd, no longer the council but a murderous mob, stood Stephen. Three things are said of him. He was full of the Holy Ghost; He looked steadfastly into heaven seeing there the Glory of God, He saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God [Acts 7:55].

While we read in the Epistles that the Lord sat down, on the right hand of God, the attitude which tells of His finished work, we read here that He was seen standing. This is not a contradiction. We do not think it was because He was still waiting for Israel’s repentance, ready to come back. He was seen standing because He had arisen from His seat to welcome into His own presence the faithful martyr.

This is the first manifestation of the glorified Christ, which we have on record. There are three of them only. He appeared here to Stephen. Then (oh! marvelous Grace!) He appeared unto Saul, who consented unto Stephen’s death. Saul beheld Him in that Glory, brighter than the noon-day sun and heard His voice [Acts 9:3-5]. The last time the glorified Christ manifested Himself was to John in the island of Patmos.

These three appearings of the glorified Christ present to our view the three aspects of His Second Coming.

- First He comes to welcome His own into His presence. He will arise and come into the air to meet his beloved co-heirs there. This is represented by the first appearing to Stephen, standing to receive him. [1Thes. 4:16,17]

- Then Israel will behold Him, they who pierced Him will see Him [Zech. 12:10], like Saul of Tarsus beheld the Lord. [Acts 26:13-15].

- Then He will appear as John saw Him, the One who judges the earth in righteousness. [e.g. Rev. 19:11-16].

***
see also: The Apostle Paul's Damascus Road Conversion A Perfect 'Type' Of The Jewish Remnant In The Tribulation - A.C. Gaebelein
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Heb. 9:28 'So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation'

'Rapture Palooza' Attacks Book Of Revelation First - 'This is The End', 'Final', Nicolas Cage 'Left Behind' Movies Next

Bumped back to the top as the second movie in less than a week to openly mock the absolutely serious subject of "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" [Rev. 1:1] - "This Is The End" - is released today 6/12/12 [see below]. Scripture tells us that 'the end' will be a time of "men's hearts failing them for fear" (Luke 21:26), but Talmudic Hollywood, which of late has declared open season on Christianity, has purposed instead to make it a matter of ridicule for millions of moviegoers. Scripture also tells us that "...there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?" (2Peter 3:3-4). Looks like these must be the last days then. Maranatha
***
This first section reposted from 5-17-13: New Movie "Rapture-Palooza" Mocks Book of Revelation, Second Coming Of Jesus Christ; Opens Today 6-7-13

Apparently Hollywood has decided to rewrite the fundamentally flawed (scripturally inaccurate) 'Left Behind' movie series with this soon to be released low-budget production called "Rapture-Palooza". While the production was low-budget by Hollywood standards (2 million), the effort to mock and blaspheme Christianity, the Word of God - in particular the Book of Revelation, and the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Himself...was not constrained in any way. The result is a highly concerted effort of absolute ridicule of all these, including 'lasering' the Lord Jesus Christ at the 'second coming' [1:25]...with another actor 'mocking' God the Father, portraying the movie-version of him then appearing to say "you BBQ-ed my son".

The video below is one of two official trailers. It is actually the 'clean' version. Incredibly blasphemous content aside, with regard to "language and crude sexual references", vile and filthy are two adjectives that come to mind to describe the second "official" trailer. At any rate, a film like this being released is a clear indication that the same Talmudic Hollywood Antichrist-animosity displayed a year ago with the release of the show "Good Christian B*****s" [link] is now being taken to an even more open and hateful display than has ever been seen in this country (note also the opening date 6-7-13 - a double '13'). Oh well, praise the Lord all the more believer (Ps. 34:1). Anathema maranatha*

Gal.6:7 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap'

Rapture-Palooza  "In Movie Theaters: Friday, June 7, 2013: Two battle their way through a religious apocalypse on a mission to defeat the Anti-Christ...When the Apocalypse actually happens and a billion people are raptured up to heaven, Lindsey (Kendrick) and her boyfriend Ben (Daley) are left behind in suburban Seattle. The young couple try their best to lead a normal life surrounded by talking locusts, blood rain showers, and pot-smoking wraiths. But when The Beast (Robinson) makes his home base in their neighborhood, Lindsey finds herself the object of his affection. With the help of her family, friends, and a lawn-mowing zombie neighbor, the young couple set off to stop the Anti-Christ from taking her as his bride... and just maybe, saving the world in the process - Official version from lionsgate.com on April 19, 2013. Rated R for language including crude sexual references throughout, and for drug use."


***
2Thes. 1:7-9 'And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power'

*'If Any Man Love Not The Lord Jesus Christ, Let Him Be Anathema Maranatha' 1Cor. 16:22
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6-7-13 follow up:  Rapture movies are apparently all-the-rage these days. Besides this proud and open attack on the Word of God titled 'Rapture Palooza' (above) which opens today 6-7-13, there are at least three more rapture/left-behind movies 'coming soon', including an actual big budget Hollywood remake of the Kirk Cameron 2001 'Left Behind' movie, due out sometime next year starring big name Nicolas Cage:

This is The End - June 12; Partiers party on during the 'apocalypse'; (absolute mockery, intentionally crude, rude, and perverted as could possibly be)

Final - Premier June 27; In theaters October: The "scariest Christian movie of the decade" pastors, politicians, leaders, and Hollywood stars will join hundreds of invitees from more than six countries to watch the premiere on June 27. This film is supposed to be a "realistic" portrayal of the days immediately following the Rapture based on the novel. (link)

Left Behind starring Nicolas Cage - TBA 2014 "Tim LaHaye, one of the Left Behind authors, read the movie script and said: “It’s probably the worst script I’ve ever read.”

Note: The 'Final' movie, and no doubt the Nicolas Cage movie as well, will be holding to the general theme of most 'serious' rapture movies, similar to the original "Left Behind" series, in that the plot will depict a scenario whereby millions of people worldwide disappear with the result being that the world is immediately plunged into total chaos. Aside from any other consideration for the moment, such as a correct eschatology concerning the 'rapture' of the true bride of Christ being non-existent in the movies overall, the idea of "millions" of people being raptured is itself not found in scripture. The 'rapture' yes, 'millions' no. It is not the multitudes who merely 'profess' (Matt. 7:22-23), but the 'few' who truly possess (Matt. 7:14), whom the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has promised: 'I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev. 3:10)

Only "a few", we are told, actually possess new life in Christ. Strong's Greek definition for the English word 'few' used in Matthew 7:14 gives this: 3641 oligos ol-ee'-gos - puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value)

Puny. A "puny" number actually enter through the "strait gate" and then travel the "narrow way...which leadeth unto life". It is the "many", professing the name of Jesus all the while, that will nevertheless hear Him 'profess' to them: "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:23). In this our day, these are the apostate Laodiceans with their aberrant Christianity mentioned in the book of Revelation that, far from being 'raptured' to be forever with the Lord (1Thes. 4:17), will instead be spued out (Rev. 3:16). There will not be a few, but many in this company. Harsh reality. It is the clear teaching of scripture though.

The Word of God teaches the rapture of the true Church, which is the very 'body of Christ'. Many do not see it, but as stated numerous times, only one interpretation of "endtimes" can possibly be true. The teaching of the rapture is not found in any one verse per se, but is interwoven throughout scripture, which is one reason many do not see it. That is for another time. All of this though to make the point that when this event does occur, and the 'puny few' are supernaturally taken to "the Father's house" (John 14:2-3) prior to the judgment of God being deservedly turned upon the Christ-rejecting Jews and this Christ-rejecting world at large, it most probably will pass relatively unnoticed. In other words, nothing like what is presented in these movies. Let us not be misunderstood though. The unparalleled time of trouble will without question come upon the earth (Matt. 24:21), but as to timing, there is no direct connection or correlation to the 'rapture'.

To sum it up, it is not only the open mockery of movies like 'This is the End' and 'Palooza' that are Devilish attacks on the Book of Revelation and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, but these sensationalized, claimed to be 'serious' rapture-movies like 'Final' and 'Nicolas Cage - Left Behind' (and the three original 'Left Behind' movies as well), scripturally distorted as they are, are also utter corruptions of crucial eschatological truth. The effect of these movies, all of them, is very likely intended to marginalize those who will hold to these prophetic truths of scripture as the days of fulfillment draw ever closer. Oh well. Maranatha  Rev. 18:4

see: Few Saved - by J.C. Ryle
also: Not Wrath But Rapture For The Regenerate
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Rev. 3:11 ' Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown'

New Movie "Rapture-Palooza" Mocks Book of Revelation, Second Coming Of Jesus Christ; Opened 6-7-13

Apparently Hollywood has decided to rewrite the fundamentally flawed (scripturally inaccurate) 'Left Behind' movie series with this soon to be released low-budget production called "Rapture-Palooza". While the production was low-budget by Hollywood standards (2 million), the effort to mock and blaspheme Christianity, the Word of God - in particular the Book of Revelation, and the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Himself...was not constrained in any way. The result is a highly concerted effort of absolute ridicule of all these, including 'lasering' the Lord Jesus Christ at the 'second coming' [1:25]...with another actor 'mocking' God the Father, portraying the movie-version of him then appearing to say "you BBQ-ed my son".

The video below is one of two official trailers. It is actually the 'clean' version. Incredibly blasphemous content aside, with regard to "language and crude sexual references", vile and filthy are two adjectives that come to mind to describe the second "official" trailer. At any rate, a film like this being released is a clear indication that the same Talmudic Hollywood Antichrist-animosity displayed a year ago with the release of the show "Good Christian B*****s" [link] is now being taken to an even more open and hateful display than has ever been seen in this country (note also the opening date 6-7-13 - a double '13'). Oh well, praise the Lord all the more believer (Ps. 34:1). Anathema maranatha*

Gal.6:7 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap'

Rapture-Palooza  "In Movie Theaters: Friday, June 7, 2013: Two battle their way through a religious apocalypse on a mission to defeat the Anti-Christ...When the Apocalypse actually happens and a billion people are raptured up to heaven, Lindsey (Kendrick) and her boyfriend Ben (Daley) are left behind in suburban Seattle. The young couple try their best to lead a normal life surrounded by talking locusts, blood rain showers, and pot-smoking wraiths. But when The Beast (Robinson) makes his home base in their neighborhood, Lindsey finds herself the object of his affection. With the help of her family, friends, and a lawn-mowing zombie neighbor, the young couple set off to stop the Anti-Christ from taking her as his bride... and just maybe, saving the world in the process - Official version from lionsgate.com on April 19, 2013. Rated R for language including crude sexual references throughout, and for drug use."


***
2Thes. 1:7-9 'And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power'

*'If Any Man Love Not The Lord Jesus Christ, Let Him Be Anathema Maranatha' 1Cor. 16:22

6-7-13 update

The "Days Of Noe" Are Here, The "Coming Of The Son Of Man" Will Certainly Follow - CHM

But as the days of Noe were...so it is today

Perilous times had come. Evil men and seducers had waxed worse and worse. The LORD had said "My spirit shall not always strive with man...yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years" [Gen. 6:3]. By the grace of God, Noah preached and warned to the end, but God had a set time, and would bring things to a close. He would intervene in the affairs of mankind, for they had irretrievably corrupted themselves. And that he did, sending the flood in upon the wicked [Gen. 6:5,17].

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the son of man be" [Matt. 24:37]. The LORD has another scheduled time for another intervention into the affairs of mankind, for they have thoroughly corrupted themselves once again. This time it will be personal. The rejected Son of God, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, will break in upon this lost world, and that also, as at the first, at a set time [2Thes. 1:8-9]. No man knows the day or hour, no, but the "coming of the Son of man" is as certain as was the arrival of the day of the flood in Noah's time [Luke 17:26-27]. Surely, as we watch the course of events in the world today, none would argue against the truth that perilous times have once again overtaken the earth, and that evil men have once again waxed worse and worse [2Tim. 3:1,13], rejecting God Himself, and setting themselves in his place. Truly it is today as it was...in the days of Noe.

The "day of the Lord" draweth nigh. It will be at the appointed time. In Noah's day, "they knew not until the flood came and took them all away" [Matt. 24:39]. Before that day breaks suddenly upon this hopeless antichrist loving world and sweeps away the reprobate among men, the Lord Jesus Christ has promised to first come for his own [John 14:2-3]. If the one is close, how much closer the other? The book of Hebrews tells us that Noah "moved with fear, [and] prepared an ark to the saving of his house" [Heb. 11:7]. Are you prepared..? for ye know not when that day cometh.

In this little sermonette, written in 1861, highly regarded Bible expositor Charles Henry Mackintosh (CHM), in dealing with these subjects, spoke of a time as of then yet future. The conditions he speaks of had not been completely fulfilled in his day, but they are the very conditions in which we find ourselves living in today, one hundred fifty-two years later, which he aptly describes as "a more hideous deformity than ever":
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Matt. 24:37 'But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be'

"And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth......Make thee an ark of gopher wood..." [Gen. 6:12-14]

And [God] spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. [2Peter 2:5]

Here was man's ruin, and God's remedy. Man had been allowed to pursue his career to the utmost limit, to bring his principles and ways to maturity. The leaven had worked and filled the mass. The evil had reached its climax. "All flesh" had become so bad that it could not be worse; wherefore nothing remained but for God to destroy it totally (Gen. 6:7). Let us glance, for a little, at the condition of those, to whom Noah had so long preached righteousness.

The long-suffering of God, and the testimony of His servant had both been slighted. Present things had engrossed them. The word of God was rejected. He told of judgement; but they did not believe. He spoke of sin and ruin; but they were not convinced. He spoke of a remedy; but they would not give heed. They went on with their own plans and speculations, and had no room for God. They acted as if the earth belonged to them, by a lease, for ever. God was shut out. "Every imagination of the thoughts of their heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5); and hence, they could do nothing right. They thought, spake, and acted for themselves. They did their own pleasure, and forgot God.

And, my reader, remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, how He said, "as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man." Some would have us to believe, that ere the Son of man appears in the clouds of heaven, this earth shall be covered, from pole to pole, with a fair mantle of righteousness. They would teach us to look for a reign of righteousness and peace, as the result of agencies now in operation; but the brief passage just quoted cuts up by the roots, in a moment, all such vain and delusive expectations.

How was it in the days of Noah? Did righteousness cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea? Was God's truth dominant? Was the earth filled with the knowledge of the Lord? Scripture replies, "the earth was filled with violence." "ALL flesh had corrupted his way on the earth." "The earth also was corrupt before God" (Gen. 6:11-12). Well, then, "so shall it be in the days of the Son of man." This is plain enough." "Righteousness" and "violence" are not very like each other. Neither is there any similarity between universal wickedness and universal peace. It only needs a heart subject to the Word, and freed from the influence of preconceived opinions, in order to understand the true character of the days immediately preceding "the coming of the Son of man."

Let not my reader be led astray. Let him reverently bow to Scripture. Let him look at the condition of the world, "in the days before the flood;" and let him bear in mind, that "as" it was then, "so" shall it be at the close of this present period. This is most simple — most conclusive. There was nothing like a state of universal righteousness and peace then, neither shall there be anything like it by and by.

No doubt, man displayed abundant energy in making the world a comfortable and an agreeable place for himself; but that was a very different thing from making it a suitable place for God. So, also, at this present time; man is as busy as he can be, in clearing the stones off the pathway of human life, and making it as smooth as possible; but this is not "making straight in the desert a highway for our God;" nor is it making "the rough places smooth," that all flesh may see the salvation of the LORD. Civilization prevails; but civilization is not righteousness. The sweeping and garnishing are going forward; but it is not in order to fit the house for Christ, but for Antichrist.

Not Wrath But Rapture For The Regenerate

The rapture. While Christians are promised to go through trials and tribulations in this life, this is not the same thing as the "great tribulation" (Matt. 24:21) - that "hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev. 3:10). This 'hour which shall come upon the earth' is referred to as both the "wrath of the Lamb" (Rev. 6:16-17), AND "the wrath of God" (Rev. 16:1; cf also Rev. 12:12). The "time of tribulation", start to finish, from the opening of the first seal (Rev. 6:1-2), to the last vial (Rev. 16:17), to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:15), is a time of wrath. Wrath is the judgment of God.

The body of Christ will never see the "wrath of God"...because, and it is very simple, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ already took their judgment upon himself at Calvary (Luke 23:33), shedding his blood as propitiation for their sin (1John 4:10). The wrath of God was poured out upon him on the cross of Calvary (Isaiah 53:6; Ps. 88:7,16; 102:10). For that reason, and that reason alone, the truly regenerate Christian can never face the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9; 1Thes. 1:10). They are the 'wise virgins' of Matt. 25 (Matt. 25: 1-2), and will be raptured [Gk. - harpazo; 'caught up' (1Thes. 4:17)] before that "hour" of judgment comes upon the earth (Matt. 25:10).

The apostate Laodicean church however, as opposed to the true body of Christ, is another story altogether. These professors are not going anywhere - whether they believe in 'the rapture' or not ("Laodiceans" hold a wide variety of 'endtime' scenarios, including many not-rightly-divided "rapture" mis-interpretations 2Tim. 2:15). Despite the fact that they 'raised their hand' once, salvation is not an act of the will (John 1:12-13), and they are not truly regenerate (Matt. 7:22-23). These are the foolish virgins of Matthew 25. While they do have the outward appearance of Christians - "virgins" - they have never truly been "born again" (Matt. 25:3). Their 'lamps of profession', powered only by fleshly energy, will have burned out (Matt. 25:8), and they will find the door shut in their face (Matt. 25:10,11-12), when the bridegroom comes for his bride, at the time of the 'rapture', to take her to his Father's house (John 14:2-3). Note that it is not to take her to "set up the kingdom".

1Thes. 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ"
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Fleshly religion - J.C. Philpot

As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should Believers Be Doing? 'Looking For Christ' - F.B. Meyer

'Unto them that look for Him shall He appear' Heb. 9:28

THERE is an evident parallel intended between the first and second advent, and especially in the manner of looking for it. At the first advent there were many who were definitely looking for and hastening to that day. Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel [Luke 2:25,26]; and Anna spoke of the infant Lord to those who were expecting redemption in Israel [Luke 2:37,38]. To look for the consolation and to look for the redemption were the two articles in that early creed. And presently this quiet, patient waiting broke out into the rapturous song of the Nunc Dimittis. [Latin for “Now dismiss”; Luke 2:29-32]

But all Jews were not looking for that blessed Hope, the appearance of the Grace of God. When our Lord came, the leading teacher of Judaism was Philo, and he not only had no Messianic hopes of his own, but discouraged them in other people. He conceded that there might be a return of Jewish national life; but he had no expectation of it being under the leadership of the Christ.

It has been truly remarked that this eager looking for the Advent has always been the mark of the living Church. “Ye turned,” said the apostle, “unto God from idols . . . to wait for his Son from heaven.” [1Th. 1:9,10]. And again he said, “A crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give unto me in that day; and not to me only, but to all them that love his appearing” [2Tim. 4:8]

As it was with the first Advent it shall be with the second. The Son of God will come at a time and in a manner for which men are not prepared; and only the elect, who may have been contemned and despised by the world at large, will discern Him, and go forth to meet Him in the air [1Thes. 4:16,17].

F.B. Meyer 1847-1929 (Our Daily Homily - 1899)
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[The return of the Lord Jesus Christ for his bride and the 'second coming' are two separate events. At His return in judgment [Rev. 19:11], which is, to use the common phrase, the second coming, the Word of God is very clear that at that time "every eye shall see him", looking or not [Rev. 1:7; cf. Mt. 24:30; Luke 21:26-27]. The 28th verse of Hebrews chapter nine then can only refer to the 'imminent coming', or, as more commonly referred to, the rapture.]
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• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, Where Should Believers Be? "Without The Camp" - CHM 11-17-12
• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should Believers Do? Keep Pressing Toward The Mark - Spurgeon 6-3-12
• As Evil Reigns In The End-of-This-Age, What Should Believers Do? "Comfort One Another With These Words..." - Hamilton Smith 2- 15-12
• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? Be Not Hardened Through The Deceitfulness Of Sin - Bunyan 1-7-12
• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? Pray Without Ceasing - Thomas Watson 10-31-11
• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? "Secret Prayer" - Thomas Brooks 10-2-11
• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? Glorify The Son Jesus Christ - A. C. Gaebelein 9-10-11
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• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should An Unbeliever Do? "Believe Before It Is Too Late" - Ironside 10-4-11
• As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should 'Professing Christians' Do? - "Remember Lot's Wife" - William Bridge; 1600-1674 11-3-12