Posted 9-3-00
After I read your website, I usually go back to my KJV Bible and confirm that you have written the scriptures correctly. My review always confirms that you are right on target. I also love the fact that you point us to scripture and tells us to read it for one self instead of forcing your own doctrines on us. I just don't understand how any intelligent person can do that type of review (scriptures) and still walk away doubting some of the things you/we believe in. Matthew, Luke, Revelation, Thesoloneans and I am sure many more scriptures...all confirm that the things your write about.
I do have one silly question for you and I hope you take the time to respond to. Are there any scriptures which tell us what it is that we will be doing "in the clouds" if we are lucky enough to escape in the first Rapture? What are your thoughts on this. Do you think that we will be preparing for the final battle with Satan, as the Lords soldiers? Also, can individuals who do escape in the first Rapture, can they still be tempted to sin, or worse yet, get kicked out of heaven?
Would love to get your thoughts and response on these queries. Your friend in Christ
In the clouds, we meet up with Christ, then are whisked off to Heaven, probably arriving there instantly, as the ship of Jn. 6:21 was "immediately...at the land whither they went" when Jesus walked on the water, then got in the ship. I Thess. 4:16,17 is explicit. It says, " the Lord himself SHALL descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the TRUMP OF GOD (the first trump): and 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: and so SHALL we ever be with the Lord."
God's SHALLS are definite. We will meet Christ in the air. We will ALWAYS be with him. In Jn. 14:2 he said, "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. And WHITHER I GO YE KNOW, and the way ye know."
Earth is the planet we are taking off from. I think "WHITHER I GO YE KNOW" shows that we can KNOW where we are headed. I think it is the planet that has "brightness round about," that is "amber" in color, and has as its symbol "a sapphire stone" (Eze. 1:26-28). Sapphire means dear to the planet Saturn, from the Sanskrit "priya," dear, and "Sani," Saturn (Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary).
It is the 7th and eastern light on the temple candlestick, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (Josephus, Ant. III. VII. 7). The central light is where the Son of God became incarnate in human flesh and became our Saviour. The eastern light is his THRONE and our destination. Earth is his footstool. Isa. 66:1 says, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my THRONE, and the earth is my footstool."
We have an earthly body and a heavenly body. Our heavenly body is "ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS." II Cor. 5:1-10 shows that we are going to be in Heaven BEFORE the Judgment Seat of Christ convenes and that our heavenly bodies are ETERNAL. It says, " For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the BODY, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the BODY, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; that every one may receive the things done in his BODY, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
Once in our bodies that are "ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS," I see no way that we could be kicked out--or sin. II Cor. 5:21 says, "he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM." I Jn. 3:5 says, "he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM." The exact words are used for emphasis on this point.
I Jn. 3:9 says, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." If the new wine skin's contents, created in us at the new birth, cannot sin, I don't think we have to worry about sin in Heaven, do you? On Earth, we can live according to the old man (as a carnal Christian), or we can live according to the new man. However, in Heaven, it will be different. I Jn. 3:1-3 says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
Our earthly body is the body of sin. Once we are out of it, I don't think sin will be possible. Rom. 6:1-6 says, " What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that OUR OLD MAN is crucified with him, that THE BODY OF SIN might be DESTROYED, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin."
Surely, we will be given instructions as to what we will need to do when we return with Christ. However, I don't think that will occupy the 7 years. Job 5:24 says, thou shalt VISIT thy habitation, and SHALT NOT SIN." This sounds like the ultimate vacation. On the 2300th day, the 1st day of the Millenium, Mt. 24:31 says, "he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of HEAVEN to the other." This gathering is at the "last trumpet" (I Cor. 15:52), when ALL the saints are gathered (Bride from Heaven, Tribulation saints from Earth, Mk. 13:27) "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT" (Heb. 12:23).
The agenda of that day is the Coronation of Christ, the Marriage of the Lamb, the Judgment Seat of Christ, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The majority of the Bride of Christ is called to Heaven at the first trump, before the Tribulation. Then, on the first day of the millennial Day of the Lord, the Tribulation saints are gathered. "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev. 19:9). These are not said to be called to the Marriage, but they must be assembled just before the Marriage of the Lamb, because the 144,000 Israelites out of the Tribulation are said to be "virgins...without fault before the throne of God" (Rev. 14:4,5). Understanding that the "trumpet" of Mt. 24:31 is the "last trump" of I Cor. 15:52 puts the calling to the general assembly at the same time for both groups. The Bride group is gathered from Heaven while the Tribulation saints are gathered from Earth.
It looks like Daniel will actually be there in the general assembly that he saw in his vision. If he is there, I think we will be there too. That means that we will be gathered just before Mary places his golden crown on Jesus' head. Song of Sol. 3:11 says, "Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals (chathunnah, wedding), and in the day of the gladness of his heart."
Dan. 7:9-14 describes the scene. It says, " I beheld till the thrones were cast down (placed), and the Ancient of days (the pre-incarnate Christ) did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool (in Rev. 1:14, Christ, as the "Almighty [v. 8], 'His head and his hairs were white like wool): his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him (all saints included): the JUDGMENT WAS SET (Judgment Seat of Christ), and the books were opened...and, behold, one like the Son of man (Jesus Christ, the incarnate Christ, as the Lamb of God, Rev. 5:6) came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days (the omnipresent pre-incarnate Christ, as the Almighty, Rev. 1:8, 4:), and they brought him near before him. And there was given him (Jesus Christ) dominion, and glory, and a KINGDOM, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
II Cor. 5:29 says, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself" to help us understand the scene right after the Pre-Trib Rapture in Rev. 4,5 and the one in Dan. 7:9-14. Jesus Christ was both God and man. He could act as God, and he could act as man. He was/is/will be both. In the Preview of the Rapture in Rev. 1:8, Jesus said, "I am Alpha AND Omega, the beginning AND the ending, saith the Lord, which is (particularly, at the Rapture), and which was (at the First Advent), and which is to come (at the Second Advent), the Almighty." In Rev. 22:13,16, Jesus said, " I am Alpha AND Omega, the beginning AND the end, the first AND the last....I am the root AND the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."
His throne is a morning star. To me, this places the Rapture when Saturn is a morning star, which seems to be roughly from mid-May to mid-November, when it becomes an evening star. Maybe someone can give us exact dates.
Rev. 2:28 says to the overcomers of the churches, "I will give him the morning star." Song of Sol. 2 says that the rain is over and gone. That means that Nisan, month of the latter rain, is over. Since I think there is a gap between the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation on Pentecost, Sivan 6, 5761, May 28, 2001, maybe the Rapture will take place on Ascension Day, Iyar 25, 5761, May 18, 2001. That time would agree with Song of Sol. 2:10-14.
There is a chance that the Transfiguration gives us some clues to the timing of the Rapture. Mt. 17:1 says, "And AFTER SIX DAYS Jesus taketh Peter, JAMES, and John his brother, and BRINGETH THEM UP INTO AN HIGH MOUNTAIN APART, and was transfigured before them: and his face did SHINE AS THE SUN, AND HIS RAIMENT WAS WHITE AS THE LIGHT." V. 7 says, "And JESUS CAME and touched them, and SAID, ARISE, AND BE NOT AFRAID."
Lu. 9:27-35 says, " I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which SHALL NOT TASTE OF DEATH, TILL THEY SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. And it came to pass ABOUT AN EIGHT DAYS after these sayings, HE TOOK PETER AND JOHN AND JAMES (as he will at the Rapture), AND WENT UP INTO A MOUNTAIN (symbolizing Heaven) to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and HIS RAIMENT WAS WHITE AND GLISTERING. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias (their time of prophesying during the 1st 1260 days of the Tribulation will be near)... While he thus spake, there came a CLOUD, and overshadowed them: and they feared as THEY ENTERED INTO THE CLOUD (as we will enter a cloud at the Rapture). And there came a VOICE OUT OF THE CLOUD, saying, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON: hear him."
The vision sounds much like the Rapture. Matthew said "AFTER six days." Luke said, "about an EIGHT DAYS." If these days could possibly stand for years, it sounds like the Rapture would be between the 6th and 8th year. I think the 7 good years began when the Oslo Accords were signed on Sept. 13, 1993. Six years later would be Sept. 13, 1999. Eight years later would be Sept. 13, 2001.
Since we are to be kept "FROM" the Tribulation trial that will come upon all the world (Rev. 3:10), it seems to me that the Rapture would take place before next Pentecost, Sivan 6, 5761, May 28, 2001, when I expect the Tribulation to begin.
Ascension Day will be 25 Iyar, May 18, 2001. I wonder if this could be the day of the Rapture. Christ, the head of the Body of Christ, ascended on the 40th day in 30 AD. That would be a good picture of our ascension. I wonder if we will ascend on the 40th day after the anniversary of Resurrection Day in 2001 AD? If the Rapture does not take place at the Harvest Moon of Sept. 13, 2000, or near the junction of Elul 29 and Tishri 1, the Feast of Trumpets, Sept. 29/30, 2000, the following Ascension Day will be looking pretty good. Agape
The truth isd that the apostasy is here and you have bought into it as you try to deceive the elect daily. May God''s judgements be upon you for your evil action and may he tear your bogus Satanic ministry down lest ye repent of your wicked ways, Jezebel.
He apostasia is translated the departure in the Geneva Bible, Tyndale's translation, Cranmer's version, The Great Bible, Breecher's Bible, Beza's translation and the Coverdale Bible.
> > what exactly did it mean a departure from.
It is "he apostasia," THE departure, i.e., THE Rapture. Similar words are "apostacion," divorcement, separation, and "apospao," draw away.
> > it doesn't make sense because it would translate "The Rapture is not going to come until the rapture comes
The "day of Christ" in the KJV should be "day of the Lord." It is "day of the Lord" in most major MSS, including the Vatican Codex, the Alexandrine Codex and the Sinaitic Codex. This was corrected in the NIV, the literal Concordant Version, the RSV, the Phillips, the NEB, the Berkeley Version, the Lamsa Bible, the Amplified New Testament, the NASB, the NAB, the Confraternity, the Jerusalem Bible, the Complete Jewish Bible, and in others.
It is "day of the Lord" in the new Scofield, and the margin note says, "KJV Christ. VIRTUALLY EVERY ANCIENT MS. READS THE LORD." The Introduction to II Thessalonians says, "Theme: Day of the Lord...The theme of Second Thessalonians has, unfortunately, been obscured by a mistranslation in the KJV of 2:2, where 'day of Christ [1 Cor. 1:8, note] is at hand' should be 'day of the Lord [Joel 1:15; Rev. 19:19; and notes] is present...The present letter, then, was written to instruct the Thessalonian Christians that 'our gathering together unto him {Christ]' (I Th. 4:14-17; 2 Th. 2:1) will PRECEDE THE DAY OF THE LORD. First Thessalonians has more in view the translation of the Church; the second Epistle, 'the day of the Lord' which will follow it."
II Thess. 2:2,3 means that the millennial Day of the Lord will not come until there is the departure first, i.e., the Pre-Trib Rapture comes before the Millennium comes. You see, there is also a Pre-Wrath Rapture. It comes as the Millennium comes. Verses 7-9 say, " For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let (Old English for hindereth will hinder), until he (the Holy Spirit) be taken out of the way (at the Rapture, the HS will cease to hinder the revealing of the False Prophet). And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan."
In the margin of the New Scofield Bible, it says of the falling away, "Gk. he apostasia meaning the rebellion or the DEPARTURE." I didn't make this up, and it is not original with me.
> > May God's judgements be upon you for your evil action and may he tear your bogus Satanic ministry down lest ye repent of your wicked ways, Jezebel.
May God open your eyes. I Cor. 13:1 says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (agape, God's love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Col. 3:14 says, "And above all these things put on charity (agape), which is the bond of perfectness."
I Peter 1:1-11 says, " Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: THAT BY THESE YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY (agape). For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind (like the Laodiceans), and cannot see afar off (Heaven), and hath forgotten that he was purged from his OLD SINS. Wherefore the rather, brethren, GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an ENTRANCE (at the Rapture) shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
I Peter 4:8 says, "above all things have fervent charity (agape) among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." I Peter 1:22 says, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren (believers), see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently."
I Jn. 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Agape, Marilyn
...i am really grateful that your prayers have touched and changed the life of a woman and her child in a distant nation.
as for poor me i wait...still for rapture. i visit your website daily for the pros and cons.
...i really wish now the gospel would spread in india and china.
the TBN christian channel started broadcasting in china. it was a great achievement. many now in china can watch the TBN in their own chineese subtitles or languages. the cable tv viwers in china and india exceed that of the US or europe as it has a massive population compared to US or europe. TBN christian channel is already a hit in india. many have come to know Christ. it is aired in restaurants and other public places now. people watch in awe...
the TBN sponsers daily say the return is very near so they are trying to relay the tv channel as much countries as possible.
...do you believe that the palestinians will surrender the mosque to the jews inorder to built the third temple in jerusalem?...
also, what will be the role of the united states during the tribulation? since the antichrist will come out of europe or that region. what role can united states play? also much of the chip implanting technology lies either with US or with japan. and also US has a tremendous military power...how can the US military support the antichrist who will not be a US citizen?
but do you think the US will allow the OWG? it is strongly against the OWG so are many countries...of this world...in case the tribulation is starting next year..the OWG must be established..but still so many conflicts are taking place difficult to resolve.. even at the UN level. UN itself is now weak and ineffective...many say that the UN will take years to develop the OWG one world government system. so does that mean the rapture will only take place after many many years? i am still confused on this. i hope you would clear my doubts on this.
my main point i make is that OWG is still a distant dream yes i know it is very much in the news these days but..it is still a theory much is to be worked out..will this "much" take years? or months?
given the present situation of the UN it is still very much a divided body among itself...
it is very much possible for european and north american nations to develop the idea of OWG but asian countries resent...india and china and russia particularly who have young governments there want to enjoy their own freedom rather than to become part of a one world government..many disputes of this world...
for example..if india and pakistan have to work together in OWG they first must resolve the issue of kashmir.. neither of them will surrender kashmir to each other.. 50 years since indpendence from britain both the nations have not yet solved the kashmir problem. so how can this problem be solved in the next few months? it may take years.
...one world goverment of UN how far is it? years? months? days from now?
as for now i pray to Lord to bless your work always and thank you for your encouragement you give us...
also is there anything known as "purgatory" as the catholics say it? for those believers with unconfessed sins who die. what happens to believers with unconfessed sins? for example. let us suppose i got angry with a guy ...i shouted some bad names at him ..i know what i did was wrong but i am in a real angry mood..but suddenly a car hits me and i die..what will happen to me? i loved jesus and had dedicated my life to him but sometimes i fell. in sin..somtimes i did not confess my sins fully what happens? will i be sent to a "purgatory" temporary suffering? or to hell?
in the case of rapture what happens? since no man is perfect. supposing on the day of rapture i get angry at someone. or may be say the power company i curse them for cutting off the power supply..i did was wrong in cursing them..but suddenly if rapture takes place..will i be left behind or taken to Christ? i did not have time to confess my sin of cursing. will i have to go seven years of terror because of that small thing? or will i be kind of spanked in heaven?
believe me i am worried on such issues. it may seem simple and childish questions but for me they are serious.
also i sometimes feel do i have the sufficient holy spirit in me to get to heaven? i dont speak in tounges...is that a problem ? as some pentecoastal groups pointing out? could it affect the rapture of that person?
looking forward for your prayers and answers, with love and prayers
...Thank you Lord.
> > anyway i am really grateful that your prayers have touched and changed the life of a woman and her child in a distant nation..
Me too. I am really in awe of what God accomplishes when we are helpless to do much besides keep praying for her. Our only contact with her is through email and the omnipresent Holy Spirit of God.
> > as for poor me i wait...still for rapture
We all are. I am trying to get as much done as possible in the time we are given. I'm wondering about the anniversary of Jesus' ascension day, 40 days after the Feast of Firstfruits. That would fit Song of Sol. 2:10-14 and still be before the Tribulation begins.
> > TBN christian channel is already a hit in india..many have come to know Christ
That is good news. I hope there will be many many more.
> > do you believe that the palestinians will surrender the mosque to the jews inorder to built the third temple in jerusalem?
They might (compromise). Rev. 11:1,2 says, "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But THE COURT which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for IT IS GIVEN UNTO THE GENTILES: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."
> > what role can united states play ?
The USA may be the king of the west.
> > how can the US military support the antichrist who will not be a US citizen ?
If they give their military to the OWG, the support will come by way of the OWG.
> > do you think the US will allow the OWG? it is strongly against the OWG
...Time will tell. What God says will happen will happen, and it will happen right on time.
> > many say that the UN will take years to develop the OWG one world government system.. so does that mean the rapture will only take place after many many years ?
No. Once we are gone, it will all come together rapidly. The Holy Spirit is hindering the revealing of the False Prophet when he confirms the covenant. He will quit hindering as soon as the Rapture happens. We are the salt of the Earth. Salt in bread making retards the growth of leaven. There won't be enough salt to retard the growth of leaven then, so evil will puff up the loaf in a big hurry.
> > civil wars, unrest.
Jesus said that there would be wars and rumors of wars, but we were not to be troubled about it (Mt. 24:6).
> > what i mean to say all this is that..one world goverment of UN how far is it? years? months? days from now?
I think it will come together on the Feast of Weeks, May 28, 2001...
> > what happens to believers with unconfessed sins
They seem to be the foolish Laodicean virgins that will be left behind for chastisement during 2300 days of the Tribulation. I think they will all be caught up in the Pre-Wrath Rapture on the 2300th day.
> > but suddenly if rapture takes place..will i be left behind or taken to Christ..? i did not have time to confess my sin of cursing...will i have to go seven years of terror because of that small thing ? or will i be kind of spanked in heaven ..?
I am not the judge. Christ is. However, I know this. We are told to pray without ceasing. To me that means that if I slip and sin, I immediately confess that sin to God (I Jn. 1:9). If in public, pray silently. God is in us. He knows our every thought. It is the thoughts and intents of the heart that really count. We can go in the 1st Rapture or be chastised by being left behind the 1st time and be caught up the 2nd time. However, if we go that route, we will probably have no chance to be part of the Bride of Christ. There will be no spanking in Heaven, but we will either get rewards or lose rewards...
Thanks for your prayers. I am praying for you and for Kamini. Agape and God bless
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Updated 9-3-00