I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Don’t let your mindset keep you in a small place.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Thessalonians chapter 4:
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these Truths.
Over the years, I have heard many interpretations, especially allegorical or symbolic in nature. The problem is such interpretations seem to limit Jesus in the actual act of descending, even though there is no problem with Him literally ascending on the third day. Is it any more difficult for Him to cause both the dead and the living to ascend to Heaven at that time? I say “No”.
The true church will be spared the seven years of tribulation on earth. The following verses clarify this:
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who died while believing in Him.
15 This is the Word of the Lord: we who are alive in Him and remain until the Lord appears will by no means have an advantage over those who have already died, for both will rise together.
The catching away (harpazo) is based on FATHER’S unconditional Love, not man’s viewpoint or opinion. This catching away denotes removal by force or action. See Matthew 11:12, Matthew 13:19, John 6:13, John 10:12, 28, 29, Philip in Acts 8:39 where the eunuch saw him no more, Paul caught up to the third heaven.in 2nd Corinthians 12:2, 4, Revelation 12:5. Clearly, the usage denotes removal from a particular place or state.
This takes care of any thought of a “partial Rapture.” We are all going to be caught up together in the air and we are all going to be with Him forever! This is the time we will receive our glorified bodies and, finally, be freed from the presence of sin.
It is written by THE SPIRIT in Daniel chapter 12:
1 “At that time, the great angel-prince, Michael, protector of your people, will take his stand. It will be a time of great distress, the worst trouble your nation has ever known. When that time comes, your own people will be spared—all those whose names are found written in the Book of Life.
2 “Multitudes of those who are sleeping in the Land of Dust will awaken, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
3 Those who are wise will shine radiantly as the sky at midday. And those who turn many to the way of righteousness will shine brightly as stars for all eternity.
4 “And you, Daniel, must guard these Words and keep the scroll sealed until the time of the end. Many will go here and there, and knowledge will continue to increase.”
Knowledge is increasing at a very rapid pace. There are many end-times signs mentioned by Jesus. The five wise virgins were prepared for the Bridegroom’s arrival to take His bride away… He was not staying.