Sometime ago I was discussing the end times with some friends. The subject of the secret pre tribulation rapture came up. I stated that I no longer believed in such an occurrence and gave my reasons. One of those in attendance told me later that if I did not believe in this event then I would be left behind. That is quite troubling that a person who professes salvation by grace through faith not on the account of works would make such a statement. Be that as it may one of the sections of scripture referred to for this doctrine:
Matthew 24: 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. ESV
In the first place we see that two persons are working together one disappears and the other is left behind. How is that a secret rapture? The explanation goes I remember is that those left behind will be given strong delusions as what happened to their family, friends, neighbours and co workers. That is really stretching the imagination but we will let that go for the moment too.
The real mistake is to not realize is that it will be a blessing to be left behind when the Lord returns. What?! How can that be? Well let’s back up a bit in the section to see what I mean.
Matthew 24: 36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ESV
Context in this case as well as in all scripture is king. We see the reference to the days of Noah the ones taken were those not saved by God and those left behind were Noah and his family. When Jesus returns to judge the living and dead those who reject the promises associated with His perfect life, death, burial and resurrection will be taken. Those of us blessed by God with trust in those promises will be left behind with Jesus for eternity. That is why I want to be Left Behind.
Even so come Lord Jesus. †
Matthew 24: 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. ESV
In the first place we see that two persons are working together one disappears and the other is left behind. How is that a secret rapture? The explanation goes I remember is that those left behind will be given strong delusions as what happened to their family, friends, neighbours and co workers. That is really stretching the imagination but we will let that go for the moment too.
The real mistake is to not realize is that it will be a blessing to be left behind when the Lord returns. What?! How can that be? Well let’s back up a bit in the section to see what I mean.
Matthew 24: 36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ESV
Context in this case as well as in all scripture is king. We see the reference to the days of Noah the ones taken were those not saved by God and those left behind were Noah and his family. When Jesus returns to judge the living and dead those who reject the promises associated with His perfect life, death, burial and resurrection will be taken. Those of us blessed by God with trust in those promises will be left behind with Jesus for eternity. That is why I want to be Left Behind.
Even so come Lord Jesus. †
7 comments:
WOW and more to the point AMEN! That's all I can say. Theology of Cross!!!
Yours,
Larry KY
Nice post!
I say the same thing I always say to those that wring their hands and furrow their brows ove the end times.
'Are you a believer?'
'Do you trust that God will take care of His children?'
Then don't worry about it for you and don't worry about it for me.
Whatever the Lord has in store for tyhe end times I'm sure He is quite capable of handling it without our help.
And I am with you, David, "come Lord Jesus, come!"
- Steve Martin
Does a 5 pint Lutheran have to drink 5 pints a day?
Ieuan
I was showing this to my wife yesterday and said, "Isn't that great". I pondered on it a bunch because I just taught a SS class through Joshua. And the KEY thing I was trying to get across was the type and shadow that Joshua and Israel was pointing to. Joshua to the Greater Joshua and ultimately all this in Joshua points to the second advent when the city of man falls (Jericho)a the last, 7th, trumphet blast paralleled in Revelation. All this FOR our hope. Pondering this post in light of that I told my wife, "This comports with OT shadows that never showed leaving this world for some wispy spirit zone (Greek) but that even the types and shadows show the great King Yaweh sending in Joshua (Jesus) to throughout and destroy the usurpers of HIS land. I.e. THEY leave, God's people stay and they inherent lands and vineyards they themselves did not plant.
It also comports with the original question, "Lord will you NOW restore the Kingdom to Israel." He didn't say, "No, you got that wrong I'm going to one day rapture you out of here". He says that of that hour no man knows...!
Yours,
Larry KY
Larry KY,
My name is Catechismatic95, I hope this is the same Larry KY who visits Extreme Theology....anyway, I read your testimony a while back on Extreme Theology concerning Dr. Rosenbladt, Baptism, and the issue of Rebaptism and also about your Anfechtung (Agony of Conscience). Let me just say that I share much of the same testimony with you.
In the end, understanding that we are to build our faith upon baptism, and not baptism upon our faith was medicine for my soul. Whereas you properly taught through White Horse inn, I was properly taught through Henric Schartau's "Jesus Only" and Bo Giertz's "The Hammer of God". It was an absolute pleasure to read your comment.
P.S. David would you mind if I linked this post?
Certainly
Catechismatic95,
Hey brother, that's me, the same one. I hear you! I've read "The Hammer of God", great book. I'll check out Henric Schartaus' "only Jesus", never heard of that one. Since we've walked the same path it's got to be good.
Thanks,
Larry KY
PS: Thanks for the kind words.
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