Pro and Con 711

Posted 3-15-01

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Prayer needed. 3-15-01
The local Daily Afrikaans Newspaper in the Free State -Die Volksblad - carried on Wednesday 14 March 2001 as its lead story and Headline news: Rasserusie na Skietdood which translated means: Racial breach of the peace (feud, fracas, fight, fray) after Shooting death.
  Normally events like these happened "far away" and to other people. But Saturday evening in the Road immediately behind our house an ongoing feud - many months long - between two neighbours concerning a barking dog led to a shooting death. Recently, we had another shooting death - the house almost directly opposite my home - a man shot his "girlfriend" after a heated argument. The event however past without further incident and the man is currently serving a long prison sentence.
  But Saturday evening the "Shooter" as the Newspapers call him was a "white man" and the person shot dead a "black policeman". Racial tension in our area has reached breaking point. To make matters worst the "shooter" covered in blood after killing the policeman knocked at the door of members of our Church, the Labuschagne Family - two doors from the "Shooters" home - to use their telephone to report the matter to the police. They have now become unintentionally involved in the "feud" and are wrongly regarded as friends of the "shooter".
  Within a short space of time - the street was crowded with "black folk" hurling threats at the "white" residents in the street and threatening to burn the house of the "shooter" down. We live in a racially mixed area and up to now peace has reigned in our suburb. In our "street block" 60% are "black" and 40% "white" residents.
  On the Sunday morning, the crowd increased to almost a thousand - toyi-toying - and shouting threats to the family of the "shooter" and other "white" residents in the street. Toyi-toyi is a protest dance meant to instil fear in those who are toyi-toyied against.
  On Sunday, the son of the "shooter" was also arrested and taken into custody.
  More then a thousand people converged on the Court House on Monday and Tuesday demanding that the "shooter" be given to them. The Attorney representing the "shooter" was also threaten with death.
  The Street behind us where the shooting took place has had a large police presence since Sunday, yet in spite of this last night (Wednesday) the "shooters" house was stoned and extremely badly damaged. Threats continue against all "whites" in the area. It is feared that the police despite their large presence are turning a blind eye because it was a colleague that was shot and that nothing will be done to protect the other "white" residents or their property in the immediate area should further violence break out.
  The police have warned all "whites" in the area to stay in doors and to lock all gates to their properties at the weekend as the funeral is to held over the weekend. Traditional funerals are held at the home of the deceased and are long and drawn out. An all night vigil (wake) is held - singing and speeches the whole night - early the next morning a cow is sacrificed - with blood letting - to appease the ancestral spirits.
  Violence is feared as the grief and emotions normally rise during the ceremonies. More then a thousand people are expected to converge on the modest home of the deceased. The roads in the residential area of our suburb are narrow and the crowds pose on their own a real problem even at the moment. Should violence breakout it is sure to spill over to the adjoining streets and as we live in the road immediately behind the "shooters" house, we would also be in danger. Anger at the moment is been directed at all "whites" in the area.
  Your urgent prayers are requested to ensure the safety of those living in the immediate area - especially the Labuschagne family - and for their properties. We are praying and hoping that calm and peace will prevail over the weekend.
Thanking You. Cornelius
Pastor CSJ Claassen, PO Box 99. Welkom, South Africa, 9460
http://home.intekom.com/claassen/home.htm

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Re: Andrew (my great grandson who has repeated ear infections and seizures from high temperature)
Thank you for all the responses. I have to print them out and read them. My screen is blurry. Please tell all the people who responded thank you. I really appreciate it and will take all their advise into consideration. I need all the advise I can get and I appreciate the time they spent responding to my problem. Thank you gramms for doing this for me...Love you, Teri

My reply

You are welcome. Hope something helps. Aren't people wonderful? I had problems with my kids too, especially David. We finally had his tonsils removed. Wouldn't it be something if it was something so simple as laying them flat to take their bottle? I never thought about that, but the milk can reach the eustachian tube easier that way. We used a bottle holder in the crib after they got a bit heavy to hold. Sometimes, I even put some baby food in their milk. It was easier on trips, etc. I wonder if that laying flat to take the bottle contributed to their repeated tonsil infections. Also, since you were allergic to milk when a baby, Andrew might be too. I am. Love, Grams

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Re: barley in Aviv in Israel
Hmmm? Clarify what you said, Marilyn. So good to hear your voice....I am still on chemo, but surviving...hope to make the rapture of the church!!! Hope you and Ed are well.

My reply

Last year, some thought that the feasts should all be a month later, because the barley was not ripe enough (Abib/Aviv) at Firstfruits. This year, with barley Aviv in Israel already, there will be no reason to think the feasts should be a month later.

I found something interesting in the alignment of the Gregorian and Jewish Talmudic calendars this year. The Jewish date matches the same Gregorian date it matched in 30 AD. Only the day of the week is different.

Nisan 13 = April 6 - Crucifixion/Preparation of the Passover
Nisan 14 = April 7 - Feast of Passover,high day, holy convocation
Nisan 15 = April 8 - Feast of Unleavened Bread, holy convocation
Nisan 16 = April 9 - Feast of Firstfruits, Resurrection Day, 1st day of the 50, holy convocation
Nisan 21 = April 14 - Ending convocation for the 7 days of Unleavened Bread
Iyar 25 = May 18 - Ascension Day, 40th day of counting the Omer
Sivan 6 = May 28 - Pentecost/Feast of Harvest/Feast of Weeks, 50th day, holy convocation

The seven days of Unleavened Bread keep us from placing the Feast of Firstfruits on Sunday, Nisan 22, April 15, 2001, as some have thought. That would be on a day of leavened bread, not acceptable for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord. As Josephus said, it is "on the second day of unleavened bread, which is the sixteenth day of the month" (Ant. III. X. 5). Firstfruits is also locked in place by the Resurrection being three days "since" the Crucifixion (Luke 24:21). Those days were Friday, Saturday and Sunday in 30 AD.

So glad to hear from you too. I keep you in my prayers. I am taking a cold, stayed down in the Lobby at Cardiac Rehab while Ed exercised. I didn't want to give it to anyone up there. The minute I say anything, people know I am sick, because I am so hoarse. I'm fighting it, so hope it won't last long. So far, Ed hasn't taken it. My ribs are still sore on the R side from my fall, but that is less each day, so it is going away gradually. All these are so minor when compared to what you are fighting. One thing about the Rapture, it will be instant cure. Love

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Re: Rapture, The Argument FOR Preparation
First: In the passage that gives people hope for a Rapture (Matt. 24:29-31), Jesus clearly says "immediately AFTER those days" (of Wrath) will God send forth His angels to gather His elect. Not before. AFTER!

***The Pre-Trib Rapture is not in Mt. 24:29-31 at all. From v. 27-31, all those events happen on one day, the 2300th day of the Tribulation (Dan. 8:13,14). It is the day of the Pre-Wrath Rapture, but even that is not in this passage. The Bride saints that were caught up in the Pre-Trib Rapture are gathered from one end of Heaven to the other in v. 31. They are gathered to the assembly in Heaven that day. It is the Feast of Trumpets that begins the Millennium. It is the day of the coronation of Christ, the Marriage of the Lamb, and the Judgment Seat of Christ. Mark 13:27 shows us that the Pre-Wrath Rapture also takes place while the Bride saints are being gathered in Heaven. It says, "then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the EARTH (the Tribulation saints) to the uttermost part of HEAVEN" (the Bride saints who taken up before the Tribulation).

Second: Many people who point to Luke 17:34 as proof the righteous will be spared, need to read further to verse 37 where Christ says THOSE people will be taken to the place of the DEAD - not to heaven.

***Luke 17:36,37 says, "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken (to Heaven in the Pre-Wrath Rapture), and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body (the Body of Christ, i.e., the Bride group) is (in Heaven), thither will the eagles (high flying Tribulation saints) be gathered together." Isa. 40:31 says, "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Third: Christ told His followers to "flee" when they see the abomination of desolation in the Holy Place (Matt. 24:15-20). Why would they need to flee if the angels were coming to transport them to safety ?

***They need to flee to the wilderness, because it is Mid-Trib. Rev. 12:6 says, "the woman (Israel's believers, v. 17) fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place (Petra) prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." That is the last half of the Tribulation.

Fourth: In the parable of the 10 virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), the Lord tells of 5 who were wise and took extra lamp oil to get them through the darkness. This is an exhortation to store up provisions for the coming Day of Wrath. Why should the 5 store up provisions, if they were going to be delivered by the angels into the Lord's presence?

***The wise virgins are those that have enough of the Holy Spirit (oil) in their vessels (bodies) with their lamps" (the seal of the Holy Spirit given when they are baptized with the Holy Spirit when they accept Christ). There are no instructions given anywhere to "store up provisions for the coming Day of Wrath." I Thess. 5:9 says, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."

Fifth: Jesus states that "for the sake of the elect (His chosen), those days will be shortened" (Matt. 24:22). If His elect were Raptured beforehand, why would the Tribulation period need to be shortened ?

***Those are the Tribulation saints. The Great Tribulation is to be shortened--from 1260 days to 1040 days (Dan. 8:13,14's 2300 - 1260 = 1040). The 7th trumpet sounds the day after the 6th trumpet sounds. Just before the 7th trumpet sounds, the Tribulation saints are caught up from the Earth (Rev. 7:9,14) to join the assembly in Heaven before the Judgment Seat of Christ convenes. All the saints, small and great, receive their rewards in Heaven while the unbelievers on Earth get their just rewards for their unbelief. Rev. 11:18 says, "the nations were angry (Gog's army is attacking Israel), and thy wrath is come (Day of God's Wrath), and the time of the dead, that they should be judged (at the Judgment Seat of Christ), and that thou shouldest give REWARD unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, SMALL AND GREAT; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."

Sixth: In Revelation, John prophecies that the beast will be given power over God's Holy people and "wage war" against them. How, could he do that, if they were in heaven ? (see Rev. 13:5-7)

***The Beast of Rev. 13:2-10 reigns over the One World Government and the United Religions during the 1st 1260 days of the Tribulation. He wages war against the Tribulation saints, not the Bride saints that are in Heaven.

You can even find support in the Old Testament. Isaiah commands the righteous to "enter your chambers" (Isa. 26:20) until the Lord's wrath is over-passed. And Daniel clearly states the elect will suffer because "it will be a test...to refine, to purify and to make those among God's people white." (Dan. 11:35

***This is the 2300th day of the Tribulation, the day of the Pre-Wrath Rapture. The Tribulation saints are caught up to Heaven until the Lord's wrath is over-passed. They will have been tested through the shortened Tribulation. The Tribulation is the trial that is to come upon the whole world to test those that are upon the Earth at that time (Rev. 3:10). It is for them that the days are shortened or no flesh would be saved (Mt. 24:22). Agape

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Re: End Times
Very interesting site. I completely respect your opinions and statements. They make a lot of sense and you definately have put loads of research into this, but didn't the Bible say that it's impossible to predict when Jesus will come again, and that you shouldn't try to? Check out Mark 13:32...no one, not even the angels know when He's coming again... just thought i would drop a line and say i'm interested.

My reply

Mark 13:31-33 says, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." Knoweth is present tense. It does not say man will never know when the heaven and earth shall pass away."

II Peter 3:6,7,10-13 says, "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men....But the day of the Lord (first day of the millennial Day of the Lord is Tishri 1) will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 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? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new (kainos, made new in freshness, refreshed) heavens and a new (refreshed) earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." After the Second Advent, Christ will refresh the heavens and the earth to make it a fit habitat for man during the Millennium. We do not know exactly when that will be.

I think we can now know when a portion of the heavens (atmospheric) will be blasted away and a portion of the elements on earth will melt. I think the asteroids of Rev. 8:8,10 will impact Earth on the Feast of Trumpets, Tishri 1, 5768 (Sept. 13, 2007), 40 years + another 120 days from when Israel took back the temple area on Iyar 28, 5727 (June 7, 1967).

I Cor. 10:11 says, "Now all these things happened unto them (Israel) for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world (lit., ends of the ages) are come." In Mt. 23:36, Jesus told the Pharisees, "All these things shall come upon this generation." That was in 30 AD. These things did come upon them 40 years later, in 70 AD. Counting Palm Sunday (Nisan 9), when they rejected him as king, as day #1, there were 40 years plus another 120 days to Av 10 in 70 AD, when the temple proper was burned.

When Israel grew leaves (Sinai, West Bank, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip) in the Six-Day War of 1967, it was to be one generation until all the things from Mt. 24:27 to 31 would be fulfilled. I take it to be the 40 years plus another 120 days from Iyar 28, 5727 (June 7, 1967) to Tishri 1, 5768 (Sept. 13, 2007).

Continuing in Mark 13:34-37: "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

Does it say we won't know the year? the month? the day? Does it say "it's impossible to predict when Jesus will come again, and that you shouldn't try to? " No.

Watching makes the difference. We had to recognize that the Six-Day War was the Sign of the End of the Age. Rev. 3:3 says to the church, "hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Turn this statement around. What will we know if we do watch? Wouldn't it then say that he will not come on us as a thief, and we shall know what hour he will come upon us? Agape

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Re: 2 Raptures
Concerning two raptures...It seems to me that the oil in the lamps of the virgins would represent the Holy Spirit in believers. The virgins without oil would represent the "religious" but unsaved lost. Those that would say "Lord, Lord we have cast out demons... in thy name." To which God will reply "Depart from me." I believe there will be two raptures. The second rapture in my opinion will be for those saved during the ministry of the 144,000 and the two witnesses. If the Holy Spirit must be removed and the Lord said (through Paul) "We shall ALL be changed", then all true believers would have to go in the rapture. If the Holy Spirit is our earnest, we must expect a full payment to all of those possessing the earnest. Those who have wandered and squandered the Christian life do not deserve to go in the first Rapture, but then, none of us do. All our righteousness is as filthy rags says Isaiah. The work of redemption is all God. My faith in Him plus His Grace to me equals my eternal life and full right and Spirit of Adoption privileges. My good works and salvation maintenance do one thing. They show the Lord that I love Him and am thankful for Calvary. These works that I do translate into rewards for me to lay at His feet. If I do nothing for Jesus. If I produce no fruit (the salvation of other souls), then I will stand before Him empty handed, saved, "yet so as by fire." These are my thoughts on the two raptures matter.

Both raptures are for all those saved at the time of the rapture. Sincerely and Thank You for your burden for souls.

My reply

> > virgins without oil would represent the "religious" but unsaved lost.

The KJV translation of Mt. 25:8 is not clear. It says, "the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are GONE OUT." Sbennumi can mean to suppress. I think this would have been clearer if it said that the lamps were going out. I think of them as sputtering, but not being extinquished. The RSV says, "And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are GOING OUT." So do the ASV, BBE, Darby, Weymouth and Young translations, and I didn't even check the ones I have on my shelf. I just went to Bible Browser to check on several faster than I could pull down the books.

The foolish virgins are saved. Their lamps represent the sealing until the day of redemption. That can't be lost. The wise virgins had EXTRA oil in their vessels (bodies) with their lamps. How do we get extra Holy Spirit? Confess our sins (I John 1:9) to break down the sin barrier between us and our holy God. Then the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9) can well up within us like a fountain of living water. Then we can be filled until our cup runneth over.

> > If the Holy Spirit must be removed and the Lord said (through Paul) "We shall ALL be changed", then all true believers would have to go in the rapture.

The Holy Spirit is God and God cannot even be contained by the whole Universe. The Holy Spirit is not totally removed at the Rapture. However, he will remove the restraining influence and let the wicked one, the False Prophet, be revealed when he confirms the covenant. We are the salt of the Earth because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Salt retards the growth of leaven in bread making. After the Bride group is caught up, there will not be enough salt left during the Tribulation to retard the growth of leaven. That loaf will overproof, i.e., evil will mushroom.

I Cor. 15:51,52 is not talking about the 1st Rapture at the first trump of God. It speaks of the "last trump," the last Rapture, the PreWrath Rapture.

> > If the Holy Spirit is our earnest, we must expect a full payment to all of those possessing the earnest.

True, but that doesn't mean that there can't be 2 Raptures. At the 2nd Rapture, ALL believers will be caught up (I Cor. 15:51,52)--full payment.

> > Both raptures are for all those saved at the time of the rapture.

The foolish virgins are left behind (Mt. 25:10,11). The Laodiceans are spued out of Christ's mouth (Rev. 3:16). Luke 12:42 says, "The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the UNBELIEVERS." Notice that foolish servants spend time with the unbelievers. This is the 2300-day (Dan. 8:13,14) portion, the shortened Tribulation. The only time all the rest of the believers are caught up is at the Pre-Wrath Rapture. Agape

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I continue to try to absorb the scope of what you share on your website. Thank you for all your efforts.

Questions I am getting tripped up on:
1- Mt. 13:30: Why does the word "first" appear when referring to gathering the tares together BEFORE the wheat is gathered into the barn? I thought that the believers would be "gathered" at the (pre-wrath) rapture BEFORE the tares.
2- Rev. 1:10 uses the phrase "on the Lord's Day"---does this simply refer to Sunday or to the Day of the Lord?
3-Assuming your thoughts about two raptures are correct: is there any significance to 1 Cor 15:51,52 (pre-wrath rapture reference) being directed at the Corinthian believers---who Paul considered immature and carnal---and 1 Thess. 4:17 (pre-trib rapture reference) being directed at the Thessalonican believers---who Paul considered loyal and steadfast?
Both churches during that time were considered "Christian", but Paul seemed to have a very different attitude (and message) towards them. Is this a stretch?...
6-Mt. 24:33 in the NASB states "door", not "doors"; do you know why? As you know, KJV and NKJV state, "doors", but I thought that NASB was a reliable translation--am I wrong? I think that the singular vs. plural is highly significant, so this seems important.
7-could you clarify "outer darknes" mentioned in Mt. 25:30 and elsewhere. Unprofitable servant seems to be the ineffective Christian, not the unbeliever, right? If that is true, then unprofitable believers will face consequences beyond just missing rewards.
8-Mt. 22:11-14: again mentions outer darkness and weeping and gnashing of teeth from the improperly dressed wedding guest. Does this apply to a believer or unbeliever? Also, could you expand on the meaning of "many are called, but few are chosen". 9-What do your husband, church and family think about your interpretations?
What an exciting time to be alive! May you and your family be blessed!

My reply

> > 1- Mt. 13:30: Why does the word "first" appear when referring to gathering the tares together BEFORE the wheat is gathered into the barn? I thought that the believers would be "gathered" at the (pre-wrath) rapture BEFORE the tares.

The unbelievers are tied together in bundles to be burned later. This may refer to the One World Government and its 10 regions. When the first day of the millennial Day of the Lord comes, the wheat is gathered first, then at noon, the fire falls on all that is left behind.

> > 2- Rev. 1:10 uses the phrase "on the Lord's Day"---does this simply refer to Sunday or to the Day of the Lord?

I am uncertain whether it refers to Sunday or the 1st of the 2 Days of the Son of Man, which are the 2 Raptures. I am sure that it does not refer to the millennial Day of the Lord. It is in the Preview of the Pre-Trib Rapture presented in Rev. 1.

> > is there any significance to 1 Cor 15:51,52 (pre-wrath rapture reference) being directed at the Corinthian believers---who Paul considered immature and carnal---and 1 Thess. 4:17 (pre-trib rapture reference) being directed at the Thessalonican believers---who Paul considered loyal and steadfast?

Yes. God never misses a trick. He directs what his servants say in the Bible. In I Cor. 1:8, he wanted them to "be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (the Rapture). In 3:1-3, he said he couldn't speak to them "as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ....whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not CARNAL, and walk as men?"

To the Thessalonians, he said, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. So that YE WERE ENSAMPLES TO ALL THAT BELIEVE" (I Thess. 1:3-7)....

> > I don't understand why this isn't a more common theory being debated among Christians.

Me either. It is so clear to me, I can't see why it isn't that clear to others. For one thing, if we think about it rationally, we know that the Lord would not abandon the Tribulation saints. The foolish virgins and Laodiceans would have accepted Christ in this era. All the promises are not suddenly made of none effect because they are living during the Tribulation. In John 14:3, he said, "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." He promised, and he will keep his promise, even to the foolish lukewarm Laodicean virgins....

> > 6-Mt. 24:33 in the NASB states "door", not "doors"; do you know why? As you know, KJV and NKJV state, "doors", but I thought that NASB was a reliable translation--am I wrong?

Green's Interlinear has "doors." The original Bible was perfect. Translations are not always perfect. That is why I learn something every time I go through a different version. The translators choose different words and something will pop out that I didn't see before. I enjoy reading the NASB, but keep the KJV before me as my study Bible. I switch from time to time, but right now, I am carrying the NASB with me to read at odd moments.

> > 7-could you clarify "outer darknes" mentioned in Mt. 25:30 and elsewhere. Unprofitable servant seems to be the ineffective Christian, not the unbeliever, right? If that is true, then unprofitable believers will face consequences beyond just missing rewards.

It means outside the doors darkness, just as it does in the parable of the marriage feast in Mt. 22: 13. It is the same as when the Laodiceans are spued out of Christ's mouth (Rev. 3:16). The unprofitable servent is still a servant, a believer. However, he/she can be a "castaway" (I Cor. 9:27), i.e., cast outside the Rapture door the 1st time. According to Luke 12:46, they will have to endure their portion with the unbelievers, i.e., 2300 days (Dan. 8:13,14) of the Tribulation.

> > 8-Mt. 22:11-14: again mentions outer darkness and weeping and gnashing of teeth from the improperly dressed wedding guest. Does this apply to a believer or unbeliever? Also, could you expand on the meaning of "many are called, but few are chosen".

It applies to a believer who is not wearing a spiritual white robe of righteousness. The few that are chosen are the Bride group, the good shepherd's little flock. Luke 12:32-37 says, "Fear not, LITTLE FLOCK....where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning (i.e., have plenty of oil of the Holy Spirit); And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding (ek gamos, from the place of a marriage festival, Thayer, i.e., from Heaven); that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them."

In v. 36, the ASV says, "be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return FROM THE MARRIAGE FEAST (i.e., from the place where it is ready); that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him." That ties in with the parable of the "marriage feast" (gamous) in Mt. 22:2,9. We know that someone was cast outside the doors at that feast. Therefore, both references to this marriage feast apply to the time of the first Rapture, and not to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb....Agape

Pro and Con 712 Or Return

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