The Harvest ?

The "rapture believers" take the following scripture out of context: (1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.)

They think that by being caught up in the air, that this is some sort of "secret rapture". But there is nothing secret about it. It is at the very end of the world, the "harvest". The "SHOUT" of the archangle is heard by all. There is no second chance after this. In fact, all have either been sealed by God or Satan long before Christ's return. This happens when Michael stands up: Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Those that have received the mark of the beast will die at Christ's return, and not be raised again for 1,000 years. But those that are written in the "book" will either be raised from the grave, or translated without seeing death. This all happens after the time of trouble (seven last plagues).

So...

1). The beast forces his mark on the whole world, minus the true saints.

2). God seals His people, hence the true saints.

3). Michael stands up and throws off His Priestly robes, therefore bringing an end to man's probation.

4) The seven last plagues hit earth hurting all but the true saints.

5). Jesus returns which causes the dead in Christ to rise, the living saints to be transformed, and the wicked to die, all at the same time.

There is no "secret rapture". There is no second chance. Today is the day of salvation...

2 Cor 6:2 For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Sorry for the lengthy answer. I could go on a long time over this one. It's a very important detail, that if neglected may cost you your soul!

There is only one rapture and it is for all Christians, Gentile and Jewish believers. Eph 4:4 states there is "one" body which is also clearly stated at 1Cor 12:13 and Col 3:11-12 (shows that both Gentile and Jewish believers are the elect of God). The Gospel is preached to all the world just before the end of this world (Rev 14:6-9) which is during the great Tribulation in accordance with Mat 24:14-15. To believe that there is a church now and then some sort of tribulation church later is to make up a view not supported by scripture. The clear written Word of God is the best understanding on the subject. We have to remember that the Apostles and other Christians in the first churches were Jewish believers and later the Gentiles were brought into the church as Jesus taught, "to the Jew first then the Gentiles", not the other way around.

The harvest is about judgment. And God does that at the end. There is not two gospels. The gentiles ( who are saved) will be raptured, and then the Jews converted....Jesus is with us until the end- yes. He is always with us. When Paul said what he did about preaching another gospel, he is speaking of false doctrine.

If it were two separate things (judgment for Gentiles and Jews) then they would not be in the same Bible. They would be two wholly separate books unto themselves each explaining their particular point of view. However, since they are contained in the one whole theological/historical text of the Bible, then they are speaking of one thing. There are distinct expressions and literary symbolisms made about the apocryphal events of the end times, but distinction does not mean separate. It is still one judgment, event, and one Gospel that is being preached. Do you truly think man has the capacity and language to accurately speak of such events so concisely? If you do, then you give man too much credit.

May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.

God's and your beast of burden

Fr. john

Dispensation, my friend. The church is gone after Revelation chapter 4. Then, God's attention is on Israel to fulfill the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. Today we are in the church age AKA the age of the Gentiles. It is only temporary.

When Jesus gave the fig tree prophecy in Matthew 24, he meant the time that Israel would become a nation again. That happened in 1948. We are in the end of the age.

You are correct. The myth of a pre-tribulation rapture of Christians continues to give believers false hopes of escapism, i.e., escaping from what they call the tribulation period. The Lord's Church always faces tribulation and persecution. Jesus' coming will bring the world to an end, His Church into His glory, and all people before His great judgment of the last day.

"So shall it be at the time of the end; he shall sed his angels to sever the wicked from the just, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth". - Jesus Matt.14:49-50

The 'rpature' occurs at the same time as the ressurrection when Jesus returns in the heavens in power and glory.

Jesus came to His own people as there King and was rejected by them, He offers those who are gentile the promise of eternal life and the Jews are blind to this message. after Jesus comes for His bride, the church the eyes of the Jews will be opened to message and 144,000 Jews will commit their lives to Jesus after His church is gone but before His second coming which then He and us will fight the battle of armagedon.

You can't take the Bible completely literally. Keep in mind that it is thousands of years old and hear-say, including letters, and everyone experiences the same events slightly different, hence the differences between the first 3 books of the New Testament. Just trust in God (higher power, whatever), and do the best you can, and you'll be fine. That's all anyone can expect.