I Want To Be Left Behind!When I first heard about the popular series "Left Behind" it was already too late. I would have purchased one of the left behind domain names and put a big banner across the top of the page saying just what you see above. Now to explain why. When talking with someone who mentions that they are looking forward to the rapture I have to agree, I am also looking forward to it. However I ask them who gets removed first from the field in the parable of the wheat and the tares? The usual response is that they don't think the parable applies to the rapture. There are a number of opinions about what is to happen and in what order. Most of this opinion and activity comes from only a couple verses that only partly describe these events. The rapture events as taught do not harmonize with many verses concerning the end times. Read the article on the new heaven and new earth for an example. The following verses are an example of what is found in that article. Proverbs 10:30 "The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth." Next are the scriptures that appear to not specify who it is that is taken and who is left. It has been assumed that the righteous person was being removed. Read on and see. Matthew 24:40-41 Then two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Matthew 24:40-41 does not specify, however Luke 17:34-37 very much does specify who is taken. In verse 37 the apostles ask where the one is taken. Eagles are scavengers and apparently where the body of the one is taken is found by scavengers. Now consider who was taken away in the following verse. Also note what happened to the righteous. They were kept in the area, but kept safe. They rose above and then were placed on the land to start fresh. Matthew 24:38-39 When you take the above verses from Matthew and Thessalonians together there is a harmony. As Noah was in a boat that rose up and then came back down to the ground, the same could happen with the 1 Thessalonians 4 description. Remember while Noah was in the the boat those who were evil were the ones taken away. There are many verses that would not come true if there was no return if we actually meet in the clouds and we just hung around in the clouds for eternity. This includes the need for a new earth and the description of the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to the earth. There are some who believe that the language of "caught up" and "meet the Lord in the air" could mean that we are gathered together to meet him while he is in the air and we are on the ground. I do not have any objection to this idea. It really could be the difference of fully understanding the meaning in the translation. Matthew 13:49 "So shall it be at the end of the age: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just" Printable Version Feel free to send your helpful comments. Thank You Gospel Minutes |
Gospel Minutes.orgClick on a study below.Separate articles on Marriage, Children, Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery Separate articles on the Law and the Covenants - - - - - - - - - Main Page Articles An Important Aspect of the Nature of God. Two Bibles Taking the Poison Shot is Sin Wise Men Astrologers? The Improper Use of the Moon The Rapture and "I Want to Be Left Behind!" John 3:16 Rewritten Instrumental Music or Acapella Singing? Becoming a Christian - Are you sure you are one? Is it Right to Speak in Tongues? Silence Ruth the Israelite Judah's Sin Disfellowship Contrapositive This is My Body, Literally? Pride Comes Before Destruction Why is God going to make a new Earth? Is hell an Eternal Punishment? What is the Lake of Fire? Sons or Angels of God? The Rich Man and Lazarus The Sacred Name of God Passover? Should We observe it? The Book of Jasher Which Bible Version? What about the Ten Northern Tribes? - - - - - - - - - Separate articles on Marriage, Children, Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery Separate articles on the Law and the Covenants E-mail Your Comment or Question Gospel Minutes Start Page |