Part 35
8. Simile: The simile is used to compare two similar items. Psalm 1:3, "He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water" would indicate that the "He" is going to thrive as the well watered tree. (Psalm 1:4; 5:12; 17:8; 131:2)
9. Personification: Giving a characteristic of a human to some inanimate object. Psalm 35:10, "All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee" This implies the inner depths of the psalmist. (Psalm 77:16; 96:11; 104:19)
C. Advantages Of The Literal Method:
Pentecost lists several advantages of the literal method from Ramm and then adds some of his own. I will paraphrase and combine these.
1. This method attempts to base its findings on facts and not the whims of man's mind. Facts gained from "grammar, logic, etymology, history, geography, archaeology, theology...." (Ramm)
2. The method requires similar controls upon interpretation to those controls that are imposed upon science. The information must be based upon fact.
3. The method has literally opened the scriptures since the reformation when Luther and others realized that the Word had a message for all of mankind. Many have followed through in history by using this method.
4. The method becomes its own standard of authority. The Word becomes the authority and not the theological system or whims of a man. The interpretation is compared with other Scripture instead of a theological system for correctness.
5. We are free to offer the Word to the common person that can read and understand it, instead of limiting its interpretation to only those that are trained in the mystic method of finding that illusive true meaning behind the words.
In short the allegorical method can only be limited by the number of people interpreting. They can each go his or her own way and none can disprove the other.
GUIDES TO THE LITERAL METHOD
1. Interpret using all tools available. Meaning, grammar, logic, culture, geography and all others.
2. Interpret contextually.
3. Interpret figuratively only when necessary.
4. Interpret in light of how the scripture interprets. Look to see if the context has the Lord's interpretation included, before you go into long dissertations of error.
I trust that this has been adequate to convince all to interpret literally. When we read the newspaper we interpret literally, when we read road signs, we interpret literally and in all of life we interpret literally unless there is something in the context which indicates we should do differently. So as we approach the most important Book in all of life, we must be consistent and interpret literally.
It would seem that the application of this section if obvious. The method of interpretation is critical to a proper understanding of scripture, thus be sure that your method is correct.
By the same token, you might be sure that your teachers and church leaders use the same method, rather than a method that could lead your church off into false doctrine.
There is the thought of your own family as well. As you take time to teach your children, be sure that you tell them how to interpret the Bible. This is a major doctrine they will grasp quite easily. They understand you because they already interpret literally and would see any other method of interpretation as foolish.
Teach the method in your Sunday School as well. All believers need to know this doctrine.
Finally, know that any method other than the literal method will lead you into false doctrine. You may also know that if you run into someone that is not interpreting literally that you are talking to someone that holds to false doctrine. BEWARE.
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Before you begin this section there is an assignment that would add to your overall study in this area. In appendix five you will find a listing of all of the references to the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. Take time to look these references over for yourself. Find out what the two kingdoms are in your own mind before going on with the study.
There are several thoughts on the relationship between the two terms, Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God. A few charts will depict these thoughts:
Kingdom Of Heaven = Profession
Kingdom Of God = Possession
This view would see the two kingdoms as existing at the same time (The Millennium) with the distinction that one contains only believers, while the other would have both saved and lost for occupants.
Kingdom Of God = Eternal, All Creation
Kingdom Of Heaven = Earth And Man Only
This position would view the Kingdom of God as the rule of God over His entire creation of all eternity, while the Kingdom of Heaven would be His rule over man and the earth during the time beginning with creation and ending with the start of eternity.
Others would picture the two kingdoms as two overlapping circles. While there are differences there are similarities where the two kingdoms overlap. Others would see no distinction between the two terms and would use them interchangeably.
J. Lewis Smith reportedly held that the two kingdoms were the same and that the kingdom was equal to the church. He felt that John The Baptist began proclaiming the kingdom, and that it came into being at Pentecost. He felt that it would run through the return of the Lord.
The "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia" suggests that the terms are completely interchangeable. The author of the article equates the term heaven and God. The two are the same in his thinking.
Larkin suggests that the kingdom of heaven is earthly — the Millennial rule of Christ on earth. The kingdom of God will be merged into God's
eternal, heavenly, and universal kingdom, the kingdom of God. Ironside, as I read him, viewed the kingdom of God as the eternal kingdom, while viewing the kingdom of heaven as the period from the ascension to the second coming. Barnes sidesteps the issue as far as I can find in a brief search. Matthew Henry seems to hold the idea that the kingdom of heaven was present from the day of Pentecost and ran on into eternity.
This study will discuss the thought that the two kingdoms are referring to the Messianic — 1000 year kingdom in the end times, while understanding there is a slight difference in the two.
SOME TERMS TO CONSIDER
Millennial Kingdom: This is the kingdom of the end times which comes to us under different terms: The Millennium, the Davidic kingdom restored, the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth and at times the mediatorial kingdom. The term mediatorial seems best reserved for the idea which follows.
Mediatorial Kingdom: The mediatorial kingdom would be the thought of God's rule over man, either via spokesmen or directly. This would include the rule of God through the priestly, kingly and prophetic systems, while also the rule of the church (kingdom in mystery form), and ultimately the rule of Christ in the Millennium.
Universal Kingdom: This is not a Biblical term but will help us understand the kingdoms, or the different ways in which God rules over man. This kingdom is the overall rule of God over all that is in His domain. This would be the pre-creation rule over the angelic host, as well as the post creation time of eternity.
Kingdom Of Heaven: Specifically this term is introduced in the Gospels and seems to refer to the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth in the end times. There may be three aspects to this kingdom.
1. The Kingdom was offered to the Jews by Christ, and was rejected by the Jews. This would have been the Messianic kingdom.
2. Some view the kingdom in existence at this time in mystery form. The kingdom in mystery form is the time between the cross and the second coming, or as we know this time — the church age.
3. The kingdom is future and is the Millennium. The emphasis in the gospels seems to be on the millennial kingdom.
Kingdom Of God: This is the kingdom of only believers that God is ruling over. Again there may be several aspects to this kingdom, though the gospel emphasis seems to be on the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth.
Thus, the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God are a unique aspect of the mediatorial kingdom, while all of these are within the universal kingdom. A chart should help. [For technical reasons the author's chart could not be reproduced here.]
The Kingdom Of God Is God's Rule Over Saved People In The Millennium. John 3:3
The Kingdom Of Heaven Is The Rule Of Christ Over All People, Saved And Lost During The 1000 Year Kingdom.
The Kingdom Of God Is Delivered To God By Christ At The End Of The 1000 Years. 1 Corinthians 15:24
God Will Reign Forever. Revelation 11:15
Now we need to concentrate on the topic of the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. There are basically four differences between the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God.
1. In the Kingdom of God there is no mixture of good and bad. On the other hand the kingdom of heaven has a mixture.
2. The kingdom of heaven is all inclusive — all that are in under God's control. (this includes the angels.) The kingdom of God seems to contain believers only.
3. The means of entrance into the kingdom of God is via the new birth, while all are automatically in the kingdom of heaven.
4. The Kingdom of God is inward and spiritual while the Kingdom of Heaven is outward and physical.
Biblical Evidence: The concept of the kingdom is an Old Testament concept.
The Kingdom of heavens is mentioned in Psalm 103:19,
"The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens;
and his kingdom ruleth over all."
This suggests that the rule is over lost as well as saved and is clearly in the heavenly realm.
The God of heaven will set up a kingdom yet future according to Daniel 2:44,
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."
This will be an ongoing kingdom that transcends time.
There are many references to God's kingdom in the Old Testament. Zechariah 14:9,
"And the Lord shall be king over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one."
This seems to be an earthly kingdom. Zechariah 14:16,
"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations
which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles."
Again, we see an earthly kingdom. Thus, we should not be surprised that the term kingdom is not defined in the New Testament. The New Testament Jew knew what was being spoken of, when people spoke of the kingdom. The thought of a coming kingdom was uppermost in the Jewish mindset.
Christ and John the Baptist both used the terms in the Gospels without giving definitions to them. Indeed, the disciples, nor the people questioned
them as to what they meant. From this we must assume that the kingdom mentioned in the Old Testament is the kingdom offered by Christ and John The Baptist.
The question is this. Are The Two Kingdoms The Same? (Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven) We need to consider this for a time.
PARALLEL PASSAGES IN RELATION TO TIME
The Gospels seem to use the two terms interchangeably.
1. The Preaching Of The Kingdom. Matthew 4:17, "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Mark 1:14-15
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
It seems that these are the same event and both terms are used.
2. Mystery Of The Kingdom. Matthew 13:11 (vs 11-17) This passage tells us that the parables were given to keep some from understanding the Mysteries of the kingdom. Mark 4:11 Is the same. Again this seems to be the same sequence of events and both terms are used. (Luke 8:10 may also be the same event.) (The order of events in Matthew depict Christ by the seashore, Christ then entered the ship, the parable of the sower, the call to hear, the purpose of teaching in parables, the beginning of the teaching on the mystery.)
The idea of keeping them from understanding is not a refusal on God's part to allow them to be saved, but rather a refusal on God's part to allow them entrance into the kingdom they had rejected. An illustration might help. The Jews were in the wilderness 40 years wandering around. This was not entirely for the purpose of punishing the Jews. It was also an opportunity for God to allow the Amorites dwelling in the promised land time to turn to God. The Israelites at the end of the forty years then entered the land destroying the Amorites, the people who God had judged due to their rejection of Him. God kept the Israelites from the Land because they were not worthy of receiving from Him that which they had
rejected. Matthew 13: was a condemnation of the Jews because of their rejection.
3. The Preaching Of The 12 Disciples. Matthew 10:7, "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Luke 9:2, "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." The events are very similar and both terms are used.
4. John The Baptist In Prison. Matthew 11:11,
"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there
hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he
that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Luke 7:28,
"For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is
not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in
the kingdom of God is greater than he."
As before, we see the same context with the different terms used almost interchangeably.
PARALLEL PASSAGES IN RELATION TO TEACHING
1. Entrance into the kingdom: Matthew 7:21-23 mentions that entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is by doing the will of God. Only a believer can do the will of God and understand God's will.
Entrance is also linked to conversion in Matthew 18:2-3,
"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
It is linked to acceptance in Luke 18:17,
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom
of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."
Both terms used in the same context.
2. The problem of the rich: Matthew 19:23-24,
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:23-25,
"And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Verse 23 of both texts are identical passages and both terms are used. Indeed in Matthew the statement is made in two ways using both terms.
3. The time of the Kingdom of God: Luke 16:16 seems to indicate that John the Baptist's appearance on the scene introduced a new emphasis, that of the preaching of the Kingdom of God. (Luke 11:20; Matthew 12:28) In Christ's time it was presented.
4. The poor — an integrated part of the kingdom: This may be linked to the fact that the poor and the down trodden are often more receptive to the message of the Savior. He offered peace and good in the next life, even if there were neither in this life. (Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20; Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:28-29)
5. The expectation of the kingdom: The Jews were looking and waiting for the Davidic kingdom. Mark 15:43 mentions that Joseph of Arimethia was waiting for the Kingdom of God. He was an Old Testament believer. (Luke 23:51 also)
6. The kingdom and the Lord's table: Matthew 26:28-29 Christ won't partake of it again until in "my" Father's kingdom. (Mark 14:25 and Luke 22:18 both mention this in ref to Kingdom of God.) This Kingdom Is Yet Future.
7. The relationship of the living disciples to the kingdom: The transfiguration was a glimpse of this kingdom, which tells us that it was yet future as well as that it will be quite glorious. (Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27)
THE USE OF THE TERM "KINGDOM OF GOD"
OUTSIDE THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
1. In John 3:3 it states that rebirth is the requirement for entrance into the kingdom. In verse 10 Nicodedemus asked Christ a question concerning the kingdom, and Christ confronted him with the fact that he taught Israel and did not understand the kingdom. This shows that the Old Testament saint should know of the kingdom.
2. Acts 1:3-6 shows that the kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of God are the same and yet future to the ascension.
3. Acts 8:12 shows there are two parts to the message.
"But when they believed Philippians preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
It seems that the apostles saw no clear distinction between the kingdom message and the claims of Christ. They were involved in preparing the world for the kingdom that was yet to come. Even in the last chapter of Acts, Paul is preaching the coming kingdom. (Acts 28:30-31)
Paul saw the kingdom as coming, yet future, and directly linked to the claims of Christ. ( Acts 14:22 also shows it future.)
4. Acts 19:8 Shows that the message of the Kingdom of God was to the Jews.
5. Acts 28:23,31 Indicates that the kingdom in question is the kingdom of the Old Testament. He spoke to them of Christ, and the kingdom from the law.
6. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists many that won't be in the Kingdom. (Galatians 5:21 also)
MATTHEWS USE OF THE PHRASE
"KINGDOM OF GOD"
1. Christ Used The Term When Speaking To All Jewish People. It is used in 6:33 where he is speaking to multitudes and the disciples. There is no indication that Jewish leaders were present thus indicating that the message was for the masses as well as the national leadership.
2. Christ Used The Term When His Power Was In Question. It is used in 12:28 when Christ is accused of casting out demons in the power of Satan.
3. Christ Used The Term When His Authority Was In Question. It is used in 21:23-32 when the elders and priests questioned his authority.
4. Christ Used The Term When His Person Was In Question. It is used in 21:43 when He is rejected by the nation of Israel.
5. Christ Used The Term With The Kingdom Of Heaven. It is used in 19:23-24 when He equates the term Kingdom of God with the term Kingdom of Heaven. (There may be significance in the passage following this in that the disciples in contrast have forsaken all to follow Christ.)
We must conclude from these items that this kingdom is of great importance to and of close connection with the Lord.
1. The Biblical evidence seems to indicate that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are referring to the same time, or kingdom, and that is the physical kingdom of Christ on earth which follows the tribulation (the Millennium).
2. These terms were not defined in the New Testament — just used. Both John The Baptist and Christ began their ministries with the terms as though everyone knew what they were talking about, and indeed they did. They were accustomed to the terminology from their spiritual upbringing.
Some might wonder — if the two are so similar why were two terms used? Matthew used the term kingdom of heaven to Jews for they were looking for an earthly kingdom, thus he stressed the "heaven" aspect to show that
the kingdom was coming from heaven. Matthew may also have used it as a substitute for the term "God" which was sacred to the Jewish leaders. The other writers were not writing to the Jews so they used God. The term heaven has a different meaning to the Gentile mind of Christ's day. The gentiles had many god's and they could send a kingdom from heaven, however when the Gospel writers mentioned a kingdom from God they would know they were speaking of the God of Jesus.
3. The Kingdom of Heaven will contain both lost and saved. (The lost come from those born into the millennium.)
4. The Kingdom of God seems to consist of only believers.
5. Matthew 19:23 and Mark 10:23 show an interchange of terms within two writers view of the same statement.
6. Difficulty: On the one hand the scriptures show that the Kingdom of Heaven has lost and saved, while the Kingdom of God has saved only in it, yet on the other hand, scripture seems to use the terms interchangeably. Matthew 19 23; Mark 10 23. There are two possible answers:
a. The terms were very general in Matthew and Mark, but took on more specific meaning later in time. (Matthew preceded Luke and it is probable that Mark was the first gospel written, so it would have preceded both Matthew and Luke.) We know John was later so this leaves Matthew and Mark being written early, using the terms in a general sense, while later we have Luke and John using the terms more specifically.
b. The Matthew 19 and Mark 10 passages seem to show that the two terms are used interchangeably and there is no difference between the kingdoms. It is possible that the Matthew 19:23 and Mark 10:23 texts mention entry into the kingdom only, and the terms were used generally. There may well have been a distinction and they were not interested in conveying the thought of that distinction.
Let us end with a dispensational fundamentalist quoting a dispensational fundamentalists. Dr. Pentecost in Things To Come (P 144) quotes Lewis Sperry Chafer's Systematic Theology Vol. VII, pp 223-224.
"In regard to the terms kingdom of God and the kingdom of the heavens it is to be observed that, while not synonymous, they are used interchangeably. What distinctions there are are not inherent in the words themselves, but in their usage in the context. Both of these terms are used to designate the millennial kingdom, the spiritual kingdom, and the mystery form of the kingdom. While we recognize the distinctions between the earthly and the eternal aspects of the kingdom program, we must guard against making the terms absolute. Only the context can determine the meaning intended to be conveyed by the terms."
The need is to look at the context to see if there is a specific, while normally using the terms interchangeably.
THE SECOND COMING
Before we begin, I would like to raise a question for your consideration. If I could zap you into a full day without need of working for a living, without family responsibilities, without studies — No I Cannot Bring Heaven To Pass — but if I could do that for you, what would you do with your day? Go fishing, camping, shopping, buy a car, sleep, visit friends — just what would you do?
Okay, let us go on to our subject, and then at the end of the section we will look at this thought of "a day off."
THE SECOND ADVENT
Cambron gives statement to the importance of the doctrine of the second coming of the Lord in Scripture.
"It is said that one out of every twenty-five verses of the New Testament speaks of the Second Coming, while in the Old Testament there are eight verses concerning the second Coming to every verse concerning the First Coming." (Cambron, Mark G. D.D.; "Bible Doctrines"; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1954, p 264)
The term ADVENT means simply, "arrival." Webster's first definition is the Catholic idea of four Sundays before Christmas. We view the Christmas arrival, or advent of Christ as the first advent, and we look forward to His second advent, when He comes to take care of the program of God, and bring it to a final culmination.
The fact of the event is seen in the following passages.
a. Christ Himself spoke of the coming in relation to His preparing a place for the disciples in Heaven. This is a very joyful contemplation for the believer. His Lord and Savior is now at this time preparing an eternal abode for each of us personally.
What a thought. John 14:3
b. The angels spoke of it when they spoke of the Lord's ascension. It should be noted that He will return in like manner — that is physically and visibly. This will be the second coming and not the rapture. Acts 1:11
c. Peter spoke of it in one of his sermons. Acts 3:20, "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:"
He also spoke of the coming in his two epistles. 1 Peter 5:4, 2 Peter 1:16.
d. Paul spoke of the Lord's return several times. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7; Romans 11:26; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 5; II Thess 1:7,10; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:8; Tit 2:11-14.
Some might question some of the references that are listed. Some of them are normally listed as rapture texts. If you consider Paul and his every looking for the Lord's return and relate that to the preaching that he did, it is not hard to think that he was speaking of the second coming rather than the rapture. The texts are prophetic of the rapture, however from Paul's viewpoint, I believe that he was talking of the coming. We will look at this in more detail later.
e. The author of Hebrews spoke of it. Hebrews 9:28
f. James spoke of it. Acts 15:13-16; James 5:7
g. John spoke of it. 1 John 2:28; I John 3:2; Revelation 19:11-18.
h. Jude spoke of it. Jude 14
i. The prophets spoke of it. Jude 14; Isaiah 45:23;Ezekiel 21:25-27.
Years ago I ran into a Roman Catholic while doing some door to door visitation that really thrilled me for a time. As I shared the gospel with her she agreed with everything that I said. When I asked her if she had received Christ, she said that she had. I left thinking that she was probably a believer. Some time later I discovered that the Roman Catholic receives Christ every time they go to mass. The eucharist is Christ's very body. The woman was talking about mass and I was talking about salvation.
As you talk with people be aware that their meaning for words may not be the same as your meaning. This is true in relation to the term "second
advent." It has different meanings to different people, so you need to find out what a person means. Some of the possibilities are as follows:
a. Some view the rapture as the second advent. Christ coming to earth to receive His own unto Himself. This may or may not be differentiated from the coming to set up the kingdom.
b. Others view the rapture as the introduction to the entire second advent time. The second advent includes the rapture, the tribulation, the second coming to introduce the kingdom and the kingdom age.
The first advent was 33 plus years long so the second one needn't be an event, but can be a number of years in length.
This would be seen in two phases, as Cambron mentions (p 266). The first phase is viewed as being the rapture of the church, and the second phase the second coming in glory to set up the kingdom.
c. Another possibility is that the coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation is the second advent. At that time He will set up His Millennial kingdom.
The rapture is not the second advent in that the first advent was a coming to the earth and the second will have the same idea (a physical visible appearance). The rapture is not a coming to the earth, but only a secret coming in the clouds for the saints.
d. There are some that view the second advent as a spiritual coming and that it will not be a physical return of Christ. This may take a number of forms. One man that I knew held that the second coming was when the Lord comes to take a believer home (at the point of physical death). The problem with this view is that the world system as we know it can never come to an end. Christ will never come to finish up unfulfilled prophecy and earth would have to continue for eternity.
Chafer mentions that Dr. William Clarke held the spiritual coming view. He sees the coming of Christ in a spiritual sense — that Christ is here in His church. The new Jerusalem mentioned in the revelation is the "ideal church" and not a coming literal city. Chafer deals with the belief on page 283 and following of Vol. V.
and from rapture to the consummation we have The Day Of The Lord, and following the consummation we have The Day Of God.
The Day Of Man: Some have suggested that from the fall to the rapture we have the day of man.
The Day Of The Lord, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."
This shows that the day of the Lord is introduced by the rapture, yet we see within the context some items that might indicate that it covers more territory. In 5:23 there may be an element of judgment for the believers, which would indicate the judgment seat of Christ.
Verse three could indicate the trouble of the tribulation that was to come as well, thus the term may indicate much more than just the rapture.
The Day Of God, 2 Peter 3:12,
"Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"
[The author's chart entitled The Day of God's Program could not be inserted here for technical reasons.]
Day Of Christ: Philippians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 2Corinthians 1:14
Day Of God: 2 Peter 3:12 (consummation)
Some Miscellaneous Texts And Topics For Further Study:
The Day Of Jesus Christ: 1 Corinthians 5:5; Philip. 1:6
The Day Of Christ: Philippians 1:10; 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:2
The Day Of God Almighty: Revelation 16:14
The Day Of The Lord God: Jeremiah 46:10
The Day Of The Lord: Acts 2:20; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10
We want to list some of the differences between the rapture and the second coming.
RAPTURE 2ND COMING
1. The devil is still free The devil will be bound soon
2. The Lord comes in the air
The Lord returns to the
earth
3. Saints go up Saints come with Him
4. Living saints translated No translation
5. Dead church age saints raised
Old Testament saints raised
6. World unchanged World changed physically
7. Imminent Preceded by many prophetic
events
8. New Testament truth Old and New Testament
truth
9. Saved only involved Saved and lost involved (lost
will be destroyed)
10. Christ coming for the church
Christ coming for Israel
11. To remove church To establish the kingdom
The fact that Christ stated that He would return is plain from John 14:1-3.
We might make note of the fact that one of the purposes of the Lord's return is to gather His people unto Himself. There are other events that come along with this, but in Christ's mind at this point in time (early in His ministry) was the gathering of His people.
THE FACTS OF THE RETURN
Acts 1:11 In like manner would indicate a number of items to consider.
a. The leaving was visible and witnessed.
b. The leaving was from the earth's surface
c. The leaving was in a physical form.
d. The leaving was from the Matthew of Olives (Acts 1:12) To be in like manner, then we should look for all of the above to be true at the second coming of Christ. A literal, visible, physical return to the surface of the earth.
There are other references to the second coming in the Old Testament that you might want to read. Ezekiel 43:1-7; Zechariah 14:4.
Matthew 24:27 also mentions that it will be very visible.
Bancroft in his Elemental Theology (p 356 ff) lists the signs of the second coming. I will list those for you with the references that he uses. This is for your future consideration.
War Matthew 24:7
Famine Matthew 24:7
Earthquakes Matthew 24:7
Industrial unrest and lawlessness 2 Thessalonians 2:7
Multiplied transportation Daniel 12:4; Nahum 2:4
Apostasy and demonic interest 1 Timothy 4 1
Commercial signs Revelation 13:16-17
Political signs Daniel 2 & 7
Jewish sign Matthew 24:32-34
1. Turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:1 for a few moments and we will make a few observations.
a. Paul mentions, in verses 1-2, that they need not discuss the time of the return of the Lord. It will be as a thief in the night. They would not know when it will occur. The Lord told the disciples in the book of Acts that no man knew the schedule of the end times Acts 1:6-7. They were seeking information, but Christ gave them none, other than that the Father will take care of the schedule. (Some other refs that picture the swiftness that is in mind are: Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15; 2 Peter 3:10; Matthew 24:43; Luke 21:34.)
b. In verse 3 Paul tells them that when people cry peace and safety that they should look out for destruction is coming.
c. In verses 4-10 Paul lets them know that they needn't worry of the coming, nor should they go to sleep to wait for it. They are to prepare and watch for the coming of the Lord, but they are to be busy with living until it comes.
He encourages them to realize that they are of the light and not of the darkness. ( John 2:11; Acts 26:18 may be of interest to you along this line.)
d. Paul encourages them to bring one another along in the proper spiritual life so they will be properly prepared at the coming of the Lord in verses 11-23 (vs 23) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I'd like to just list the things Paul encourages them to bring into their lives. Be not in darkness, let us not sleep, let us watch, be sober, put on breastplate of faith and love, put on helmet of salvation, comfort yourselves together, edify one another, know those that labor among you, know those that are over you, know those that admonish you (May I suggest that this is a strong indication that you have a responsibility to chose of your leaders and get to know them?), esteem the three above highly, be at peace among yourselves, warn the unruly, comfort the
feebleminded (Who are the feebleminded? The mentally handicapped, the mentally injured, the senior citizens that are loosing their ability to operate properly mentally), support the weak, be patient with all, don't render evil for evil, follow that which is good, rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything, quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings, prove all things, hold fast to the good, and Abstain From All Appearance Of Evil.
Wow, What A List To Live By. Can you envision a church that is attempting to live according to that list? Would it not be an awesome body to behold?
I would like to relate a story that describes some people who were serious about their Lord's return, and how they were living.
The occasion was some revival services in Alliance, NE at the Evangelical Free Church. The people involved were witness to people being saved, marriages coming back together, baptisms, and backsliders returning to their Lord. This was all due to the fact that the church people and the evangelist were serious about living their life as if the Lord could come at anytime.
The evangelist lives as the Lord provides and does not have charges for his services. All that they receive goes to "get by" and the rest is put back into the ministry. They live in trailers and log cabins to conserve on expenses at their home base.
2. Let us return to our question about the day off that I would like to give you. How do those things you wanted to do relate to the fact that Christ is returning at any moment, at any time? Would you like to be doing those things when Christ returns?
In Light Of Christ's Soon Return, Might We Want To Be Serving Him To The Utmost Of Our Ability?
I Would Think That This Would Be Our Desire.
We believe in the immanent return of the Lord, but we practice the someday return of the Lord.
I have often used an illustration that might help you in your thinking. Most of us know who Mark Spock is. The Vulcon on Star Trek that is the ultimate in logic. I often suggest that congregations and classes think of a scenario which states that Mark Spock is orbiting the earth and is observing the fundamental churches of the world trying to find out what Fundamental Christianity taught. Just what would he deduce logically from the facts that he observed. Might I take the liberty to just suggest a list of possible observations?
Fighting, arguing, division, materialism, segregation, arrogance, pride, lack of interest in spiritual things, lack of acting on belief systems, etc. Now, just what would Mark Spock deduce? Would he ever think of the second coming of the Savior of this people?
I trust that as you consider the truth of the second coming that you will consider how you live. Are you living as if you could be gone tomorrow, or are you living like you are settling in for the duration of life?
THE RAPTURE
PSALM TWO FROM THE AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION
"Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
"The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, {saying},
"Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
"He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.
"Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:
"Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
"I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.
"Ask of me, and I will give {thee} the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
"Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
"Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
"Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him."
The Psalmist spoke of a time coming when the Lord would rule a kingdom on earth. There will be much said of this kingdom before the end of this study, however there is an item of prophecy which the Old Testament is
silent on. Indeed, much of the New Testament is also silent on it. The rapture or the taking out of the church is the next topic of study.
As we begin, we want to make known that the term "rapture" is not found in the New Testament. It is a Latin translation of the term "caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 which means "seize" or "snatch". The Latin term is "rapare". (1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4; Revelation 12:5)
The Greek term is "harpazo" which is translated "take," "catcheth," "pluck," "caught away," and "pulling" in the New Testament. There is a bit of irony in this snatching away in that the meeting of the raptured saints both dead and alive will be in the air, the domain of Satan himself. (Ephesians 2:2) The end result of this catching away will be "so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
John 14:1-3 mentions that the Lord went to prepare a place for us and that he would return for us. It is that return for us that we are speaking of. He will come to take us home to be with him during the tribulation period, and then we will return with Him at the Second Coming to assist in the kingdom.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 mentions that Paul shared a mystery with the believers at Corinth. "Behold, I show you a mystery:" A mystery in the New Testament is something that has not been revealed before. Romans 16:25 shows that Christ is a mystery that was "kept secret since the world began,"
Our text shows that the living believers will be changed and the dead will be resurrected. The Old Testament saint knew about the coming resurrection, but what Paul shows here in 1 Corinthians is something new. (Job 19:25, Is 26:19, and Daniel 12:2 indicate that the Old Testament person knew of the resurrection.)
We need to look at some texts that may cause some confusion in the area of the rapture:
Acts 1:11
"...This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
This is speaking of the 2nd Coming and not the Rapture, for the Lord will not return to the earth as such at the Rapture. It is mentioned that he will return in the air, but the second coming speaks of Him returning to earth.
Matthew 24:40-41 seems to be the rapture however it fits much better at the end of the tribulation when some will be taken in judgment and others are left on the earth to enter into the Millennial kingdom. The rapture relates to New Testament saints only, as is very evident in 1 Thessalonians 4:10, "in Christ".
One other text which may need clarification is 1 Thessalonians 3:13, "at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." (Also 1 Thessalonians 4:14 is a similar verse.) These verses speak of the fact that the souls and spirits of the New Testament saints that have been in the presence of the Lord will return with Christ at the rapture and will be reunited with the new bodies, while the living saints will be changed. The great meeting of the saints will be in the air.
The question that is prevalent in most theologians minds is when does this occur? Some throughout history have attempted to set dates for the coming of the Lord. Recently the Sword Of The Lord printed the following about one of our popular evangelists. "Promoting his new A.D. 2000 — The End? video, Van Impe says, `For the first time in my life and ministry, I'm willing to declare that this decade of destiny will bring us into close proximity to the return of Jesus Christ.' He went on to say. `The year 2000 holds special significance in terms of time left for mankind.'" (Sword of the Lord, Vol. LVII, No. 22; October 25, 1991)
The scripture does not give us a time table for the end times so we must deduce when the different events happen. Scripture gives us a great deal of information which can help us to have a general picture of what is going happen, but we must not fall into the trap of setting dates for the beginning of these events. Indeed we should not assume, as some have, that we can bring about the beginning of these events by works that we can accomplish.
Revelation 4:1 states,
"After this I looked and, behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first
voice that I heard was, as it were, of a trumpet talking with me; which said,
Come up here, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter."
Many believe this refers to the rapture of the church. The rapture will occur at this juncture in the chronology of Revelation even if you don't view this reference as speaking of the event.
INDICATORS OF A RAPTURE AS WE LOOK BACK TO THE SCRIPTURE
1. Israel's Prominence In The Tribulation Demands A Rapture: Israel is the focal point of the tribulation time and there is no reason for the church to be present. (Revelation 4-20 shows the tribulation.)
Revelation 4:1-2, mentions,
"After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with
me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a
throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne."
The first three chapters speak of the church and 4:1-2 is a transition to the tribulation period which is contained in the following chapters. Through out this section the Jews are in focus, though the gentiles are also present.
2. The Distinction Between Israel And The Church Demands A Rapture: There is always a distinction between Israel and the church throughout the New Testament. Why would the church be mixed together with Israel for seven years through the tribulation? It does not seem sensible.
Points to ponder:
a. There is no mention of the church in the tribulation.
b. Would Christians worship in a temple? No.
c. Romans 11 shows Gentiles being grafted in for a time, but also they will be set aside and the Jews grafted back in indicating the absence of the church as the Lord draws to a close His dealings with Israel.
3. The Immanent Return Of Christ Demands A Rapture: The doctrine of the immanent return of Christ requires an unexpected return, not one that is announced by seven years of trouble and destruction. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 shows the immanent return.) 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells the believers to encourage one another. If the tribulation was what they were to face, how could they encourage one another with the fact that terrible times were coming.
4. The Government Of The Tribulation Demands A Rapture: During Daniel's 70th week the earthly government comes under the control of Satan. The New Testament teaches that the believer is to be subject to the government placed over them. (Romans 13) This would place believers under the control of Satan which is inconsistent with the teaching of the New Testament.
5. The Silence Of The New Testament Demands A Rapture: The New Testament writers never mention how the believer was to react to the terrors of the tribulation. The New Testament writers knew of the terribleness of that period of time. They knew texts such as, Joel 1-3; Jeremiah 30 7, and the other writings of the prophets. If they knew these terrible times were coming, why did they not help us understand what to do, and how to react to these times.
6. A Promise Of The Lord Demands A Rapture:
"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." Revelation 3:10
God through John promises deliverance to the church of Philadelphia from a ruff time, that was yet future. If he is delivering them, then He will most likely deliver all church age believers, unless you like the partial rapture theory.
7. God's Actions Demand A Rapture: God always delivers the righteous before a judgment. Let me just list three examples of such delivery. Noah
from the flood. Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah. Joshua and Caleb from death in the wilderness.
8. The Removal Of The Holy Spirit During The Tribulation Demands A Rapture: Take a moment to read 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10. Most view the "he" in verse seven as the Holy Spirit, and He is to be taken out. In case you didn't know, where the Holy Spirit goes, I go, for my Bible tells me that the Holy Spirit is my guarantee of resurrection. It is illogical to think that the Holy Spirit will be taken out of this world, and the New Testament believers be left behind. This would contradict the promises of Scripture that tell us that the Holy Spirit will indwell us always.
9. Christ's Army Demands A Rapture: Revelation 19:11-16 tells of the second coming of the Lord with His army. Verse eight states of this army, "...arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Verse fourteen tells us, "...clothed in fine linen, white and clean." If you relate this terminology to the letters to the churches you will see a close similarity. (Revelation 3:4; 3:5; 3 18; Indeed 4:4 shows the elders in the same clothes, in heaven. That is another indication of a rapture before the tribulation.)
If the church is to come with Him at His second coming, then they must be removed at some time. The logical time would be before the tribulation when the trouble begins.
10. Our Appointment To Salvation, Not Wrath, Demands A Rapture: 1 Thessalonians 5:9,
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."
We aren't appointed to wrath, indeed why would God want to send His peculiar people through such a terrible time?
The question comes to mind, "Did Paul know of and teach the rapture, or did he understand only a second coming?" Reread the "rapture" texts of Paul's with this question in mind and see what you come up with. It may be that he saw a second coming and was teaching it, but at the same time, unknown to himself, was prophesying a rapture.
The Old Testament prophets wrote down many things they did not clearly understand, thus this would be consistent in Paul's case, and this does not detract from Paul in any way, shape, or form.
Indeed, did Paul even know of the tribulation? It would seem doubtful that he did. If he did, he certainly kept quiet about it. It would seem that had he known of such a mess coming, he would have mentioned it in some of his writings.
The rapture is seen from our vantage point, but I'm not sure it was from Paul's. Had he had revelation on the subject, I would think that he would have mentioned it.
The rapture and tribulation are really a revelation of Christ through John in the book of Revelation, though the events were prophesied previous to that revelation.
SOME TEXTS TO CONSIDER
1 Corinthians 15:51-57: In reading this text, I wonder if Paul from his good Jewish perspective was looking at the second coming when the living would be translated, and the dead would be raised to serve with the Lord in the kingdom. His entire being was filled with the gospel of the kingdom. He was still preaching it in the last chapter of Acts (28:31), which was late in his career.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: This verse mentions that we will meet Him in the air, indicating that the Lord does not come down to the earth. Zechariah 14:5 shows Christ touching down on the earth. It would seem to some that Paul was speaking of some occurrence other than the second coming. I don't think there is any reason to feel that Paul was inconsistent with Zechariah, in that he just did not mention all of the details of the return. He is interested in the fact there is a resurrection and it will happen when the Lord returns.
John 5:25-29: May we observe several things here?
a. There is no indication of a time frame. We have no idea when John is speaking of. It could be the rapture, but he did not know of the tribulation until many years later when he was given the Revelation.
b. Since vs 28-29 mention righteous and lost both, it would seem that this is a general reference of the resurrections. Indeed we have judgment in the context, which would also indicate that this is a general statement of all that will go on in the end times.
c. It is a distinct possibility that this is a reference to the resurrection just prior to the Great White Throne. Many believe there will be some righteous that die in the Millennium and that this would be a fitting passage to show these righteous ones being raised with the lost of all time. Some to life and some to damnation.
d. Actually vs. 24-25 are speaking to the living that are lost when Christ was speaking and then He shifts gears to the judgment in the end time.
John 14:1-3: Christ will return for the apostles. When? Most view this dwelling place as the New Jerusalem which is in Revelation 21 1-2. The New Jerusalem comes down between the tribulation and the millennium.
Again if we see Paul speaking of a rapture we have some problems. It seems that John, when he wrote the gospel also viewed all things as centered on that second coming rather than a rapture. We see here a general statement of Christ coming for His own with no real statement of when in relation to end times events. Indeed it is quite possible that the New Jerusalem is ready at the rapture and that we will dwell in it till it descends.
OTHER REFERENCES THAT RELATE BUT DON'T HELP SHOW THE RAPTURE IN TIME
Romans 8:19-23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9; Philippians 3:11, 20-21; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter 3:4.
Did Paul know of the tribulation and of the rapture? I suspect that he did not, even though there was an element of prophecy that related to these events in what he said in scripture.
We know, teach and understand the principle of progressive revelation, yet at times we fail to understand scripture in light of it. Adam did not know Christ. Adam did not know of the second coming. Adam did not know of
the Church. They acted and lived under what they knew. Each dispensation lived as they had knowledge. Scripture was revealed over many hundreds of years.
Adam and Eve were the first drops of melting snow to form a pool in the mountains. Cain and Abel were the first trickle down the mountainside. Seth made it into a small stream running through the rocks. Noah made it into a small river running into the valley. Abraham made it into a river coursing through the land. Moses was a new river which merged into the main stream. Christ added another stream to the larger flow. Paul added another tributary. John was the final addition to the flow of Scripture. He led the flow into eternity, the ocean.
What Paul knew may be questioned, but as you attribute information to him consider carefully the thought of progressive revelation and just what had been revealed to him.
SOME CONCLUSIONS
1. Looking backward a rapture seems very evident.
2. Looking forward from Paul's time the hope was a kingdom set up by the Messiah. The Messiah accepted.
3. Paul, the apostles, and many Gentiles had accepted the Messiah. They wanted all to turn to the Messiah so that He would come to set up the Kingdom.
4. Paul knew the Old Testament. He knew that the nation of Israel would have to turn to God for the kingdom to be set up. He was looking for the kingdom to come soon. He knew Zephaniah 3:20 and its teaching of a regathering near the time of the kingdom. He was looking for a kingdom and looking for it soon.
5. Believers of Christ were looking for a kingdom next. Acts 1:6
6. The Jews that crucified Christ did so because He was claiming to be offering the Kingdom.
7. Christ spoke of the second coming. Matthew 24:27-31
8. The Corinthians and Thessalonians needed this soon coming concept for proper Christian living.
9. Paul may have been knowledgeable of the rapture, or taking out of the Church, however this is doubtful for he taught doctrine. This would have warranted more writing had he known.
10. Paul used the term "Church." Church is the Greek word ekklesia. Acts 7:38 uses the same term in reference to Israel as a group. Paul did not think of a building when he used "church." He was thinking of a group of God's people. Man has given Church the concept of building, of something special over and above Israel. We are a kingdom in mystery form (Matthew 13:11). Paul was shifting Judaistic beliefs to conform to a Messiah that had come. He did not switch from Judaism to some new concept of "Christianity." They are the same. One looks for Messiah and the other worships the Messiah come. There is a difference between the two in that the church will not have the physical blessing.
11. John was privileged to give us hint of a new prophetic occurrence in his construction of the book of Revelation through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
12. Paul may have put all of the Old Testament together and seen a need for coming trouble, then surmised that God would take the righteous out, however we do not have indication of this. Paul had in mind the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to set up His kingdom.
I stated before that Paul's writings might have centered on the second coming yet held a prophetic aspect as well. Is there Bible basis for a prophecy — that is, a man talking of something in His own day, but also referring to other things future? Yes. Let's list some examples.
When Ezekiel mentions the king of Tyre and Isaiah mentioned the king of Babylon, most realize there was information concerning the Devil as well. (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14:4ff)
John's revelation to the churches of Christ's message, was of a certainty for his day, but he knew nothing of its obvious prophetic nature known now due to church history and hindsight.
In Psalm 16:8-11 David speaks from his time, situation and experience and it is identified as prophetic in Acts 2:24ff.
In Acts 28:26-27 Paul quotes the Old Testament (Isaiah 6:9,10). Isaiah was giving prophecy to the Jews concerning their future. He did not know Paul. He did not know Paul would use this thought to apply to another generation of Jews in rebellion.
Job 19:25-26 Seems clearly to be looking to the end times yet Job was speaking to three men about the fact that he would be vindicated in the situation he was in — he would be proven righteous. Job did not have end times in mind, nor did he even know of the end times.
There is no indication that Paul taught the rapture, or indeed knew about it. Even the church fathers of the first and second centuries knew nothing of the rapture as far as I can see from history. Indeed compare Zechariah 14:5-9 with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and you see that the latter may have been drawn from the former.
If you are interested in the church fathers see Early Christian Doctrines"; J.N.D. Kelley; Harper and Row: San Francisco, 1978, p 462 ff. See also "The History Of Christian Doctrines"; by Louis Berkhof; Baker Book House; 1937; Grand Rapids.
Feel free to disagree, but if you do you must prove that Paul knew of the rapture, that he was looking for it, and then explain how we can tell what he was talking about, for there would be great difficulty in determining which coming he is speaking of in his writing if he spoke of both.
THE TRIBULATION
As we move on in our study of future events the next one on the horizon is the tribulation. There is much discussion as to the question of whether the church will go through the tribulation, yet there is little difference of opinion as to the fact of the tribulation.
The tribulation is a seven year period of time in which many dreadful things happen to the earth and the people living at that time. I am reminded of a cartoon that I saw once where two dogs outside a church have just heard of the coming tribulation. One says to the other, "That's 49 years of tribulation to you and me." Even with only seven years of it, I think most will agree that it is not a time that a person would care to go through.
The information we have concerning the events of the tribulation are contained primarily in the book of Revelation chapters four through twenty. Other references relate to the time, however this is the most descriptive of actual occurances.
We will look at the different ideas as to whether the church will go through this time or not. There are a number of positions that we will consider.
The pretribulational rapture position will follow immediately a brief introduction to the topic of the rapture. After this we will consider some of the other positions that have developed over the years.
The tribulation is a period of time during which God deals with national Israel to draw them back to Himself. It will be a terrible time of destruction and death upon the earth. The book of Revelation describes this time of trouble for us.
The time is called the tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble, and the seventieth week of Daniel. The time is divided into two time frames, each three and one half years long. Some describe the first period as tribulation while contrasting it to the final period which is entitled the Great Tribulation.
The tribulation as a whole is a time of God showing all of mankind that He indeed is over all and the display of destruction is quite convincing for men will call for the rocks to bury them so they can escape God. This does not seem to be a time for a person to desire to live through.
As we move on, we need to consider the teaching that the church will be taken out of the world before this terrible time on earth.
THE PRETRIBULATION RAPTURE POSITION
Those that hold this position believe that the church age saints will be taken from the earth before the tribulation period begins. The living saints will be translated as were Enoch and Elijha, the dead church age saints will be resurrected and united with those translated, in the air.
There is some discussion as to whether the translated go through death on their way up. There is a possibility there is a cessation of life as we know it today, but if there is it will be instant and not something that should be feared.
I suspect there is an instant change in the person. The fact that these people will be changed from flesh and bone to glorified bodies is evident. They are prepared for the spiritual realm and there will be a cessation of normal life. I do not feel that it will even be noticed by the believer.
This pretribulation rapture is based on the following line of thinking. Several of these will be similar to what we covered the last time, but the review will be good.
1. This belief is the position which allows for the closest to the literal interpretation method which most fundamentalists hold. The literal method of interpretation seems to be the most logical method.
2. Israel seems to be the focal point after Revelation 4:1 for there is no more mention of the church as such in the book. Daniel 9:24 also shows that the tribulation is a time for Israel. "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people...." (God is speaking to Daniel of Israel.)
3. The tribulation is the wrath of God -- God wouldn't put us through it. The death of Christ frees us from judgment and the tribulation IS judgment.
4. There are literal distinctions between Israel and the Church in Scripture so we must carry literal distinctions throughout the Bible. Other positions fog this distinction when end times are considered. You must have a mixing of Israel and the Church if you have the rapture anyplace but before the tribulation.
Israel was set aside during the Church age but as the tribulation opens God is ready to begin His dealings with them once more. Romans 11:13ff shows the Gentiles being grafted in after branches were broken off. Vs 25 shows Israel's blindness is only until the end of the Gentile age (the Church age). This also indicates the distinction between Israel and the church.
There is no need for the church to be present for this period of time. It would be strange for the Lord to ask us to place ourselves under a Jewish system of worship and life (the temple etc. will be a part of the tribulation).
5. The doctrine of imminence taught by the apostles requires that we can't know when the tribulation begins. The Revelation has gives great detail concerning events in the tribulation. If believers saw these events occurring they would know that the Tribulation had begun. If we knew the tribulation was upon us then we would know when Christ was coming. This is not an imminent return. (Titus 2:13 tells us to watch; Acts 1:6-7 mentions that the apostles were looking for Christ to come at any moment; 1 Thessalonians 5:1,2 teach imminence as well — it mentions the return will be as a thief in the night; John 14:1-3 where Christ mentioned that he would return.)
I would like to just recap some information from "The Rapture Question" by Walvoord, and suggest that you read pages 52 and those following for more detail.
Historically the church has held to the imminent return of Christ. That is, the sudden return of Christ, or the fact that His return could be at any moment. The apostle Paul was always looking for Christ's return. Moffat quotes the early Jewish belief in the fact that some would not go through the tribulation. Clement of Rome (1st century) mentions, "Of a truth soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished as the Scriptures also bear
witness, saying, 'speedily will he come, and will not tarry;' and, 'the Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One for whom ye look.'" The Didache (120 A.D.) mentions to watch for the Lord. (Taken from the book, The Rapture Question by John F. Walvoord. Copyright 1979 by the Zondervan Corporation. Used by permission. p 52ff.)
There are indications that the early Church fathers did not grasp the details of the Lord's coming, but all seem to have been looking for the return at any time. Now, in light of all that, we cannot say they believed in a pretribulation rapture. They believed in the imminent return of Christ. They mention nothing of a tribulation, but of a sudden return.
This is an indicator. They had the revelation and would have understood something of what was being spoken of so, surely would have mentioned a tribulation if they were planning to go through it. I would guess they did not really understand the Revelation enough to see the tribulation as such, but saw only some things to be interpreted allegorically.
6. In Daniel's 70th week the earthly government comes under the control of Satan. (Rev 13 hints at it.) Romans 13 commands us to be under the authority of the government. This gives the believer a bit of a conflict if he is still living in that period of time and system of government. If the believer is going through the tribulation as the other positions dictate there would be a real problem. Some might mention the mark of the beast in this regard, however those refusing the mark will die, and if the saints all die there will be no one to rapture.
7. Let us consider an argument from silence. Never in the epistles is the Great Tribulation mentioned. If the church was going to go through such a horrifying time don't you think that the Lord would have warned us of the coming trouble through the writers of the New Testament.
8. After a study of the other positions, one is left with only one position that is logical and consistent — the pretribulational position.
9. The tribulation and the Day of the Lord are prophesied in both testaments. The translation, or rapture, of the church people is a mystery that is revealed to us (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). The two must be separate.
10. Revelation 3:10 states, "Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth."
11. Joel 2:28-32 seems to indicate that someone is to be delivered from the tribulation, but the church saints are the only ones that fit. Part of this prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, however it will have it's ultimate fulfillment in the end times. (V 32 mentions that those that call on the Lord will be delivered.)
12. Zephaniah 2:1-3 indicates that God saves some out of His anger. (Day of the Lord — tribulation)
13. God usually delivers Godly people before divine Judgments. (Noah from the flood; Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah; Moses and Israel from the loss of the first born; Joshua and Caleb were permitted to enter the promised land while the others were not allowed to enter.) The tribulation is certainly judgment and the Godly people will be taken out if God follows His usual pattern.