November 30
THE RAPTURE “?”
-Many Christians believe in a rapture of the church. They teach that the body of Christ will be physically
caught up into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air ( literally ). Let us examine this teaching to find out if it is truth
or tradition. Let us also examine the scripture that is used for this doctrine to see if it is being rightly divided. We will
now turn our attention to the words of J. Preston Eby …
According to J. Preston Eby:
-"It wasn't until the early or mid 1800's that there was any significant group of believers around the world
that looked for a "rapture" of the church prior to a seven-year tribulation period. It may come as a shock to some who read
these lines, but it is a fact nonetheless, that the "rapture" teaching was NOT taught by the early church, it was NOT taught
by the church of the first centuries, it was NOT taught by the Reformers, IT WAS NOT TAUGHT BY ANYONE (except a couple Roman
Catholic theologians) UNTIL ABOUT THE YEAR 1830! It began as a Roman Catholic invention! The Jesuit priest Ribera's writings
influenced the Jesuit priest Lacunza, Lacunza influenced Irving, Irving influenced Darby, Darby influenced Scofield, Scofield
and Darby influenced D. L. Moody, and Moody influenced the early PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT. How? you ask. The Assemblies of God
is today by far the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. When the Pentecostal movement began at the turn of the
century and the Assemblies of God held their first General Council in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas they were a small movement
and didn't have their own Publishing House. They needed Sunday School and study materials for their churches - so where do
you suppose they got it? They bought it from Moody Press and had their own cover stitched on it! So what do you think the
Assemblies of God people believed? They believed what Moody Bible Institute taught! This had its impact on Pentecostal theology,
because in the early years there were practically NO PREMILLENIALISTS IN THE PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT! Most of the ministers in
those early days came from Presbyterian, Methodist, or other historic denominations - men who, being baptized in the Holy
Spirit and leaving their denominations, joined themselves to the Assemblies of God or one of the other emerging Pentecostal
denominations. That is how the Pentecostal movement became influenced and saturated with the "Secret Rapture" doctrine - by
a direct chain right back to the Roman Catholic Church! And now, my friend - you know the REST OF THE STORY! "Rapture" is
not a biblical word. Let all of God's people stop speaking of the "rapture." The word "rapture" is not in the scripture and
is at best very misleading. If instead of the "rapture" we speak of being caught up in the spirit (Acts 8:39; II Cor. 12:2-4;
Rev. 4:1-2), translated into the Kingdom (Col. 1:13), raised up into the heavenlies with Christ (Eph. 2:5-6), and caught up
into the throne, the spiritual dimension of the Christ's authority, power and glory (Rev. 4:1-2; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 12:5) we
will rid ourselves of much confusion and carnal delusion, and we will have a much better understanding of present spiritual
realities and the immediate program of God." ( Looking For His Appearing, J. Preston Eby )
-Let us look at the scripture that many misinterpret and turn into a rapture doctrine. 1st
Thessalonians 4:17 states, … 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 … The word “rapture” is not to be found
in the Bible, but it is in the dictionary. It means: a strong feeling that absorbs the mind; very great joy, lifted high in
mind and spirit. It is not so much a physical catching up, but it is a spiritual catching up. The word “clouds”
in 1st Thessalonians speaks of PEOPLE, not literal clouds that are in the sky. Remember … The apostle Paul
referred to God’s people as a GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES ( Hebrews 12:1 ). The word “air” speaks of
a place or seat of authority. Satan, at this present time, is the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR. 1st
Thessalonians 4:17 speaks of the RESURRECTION, not a rapture. The sons and daughters of God ( the overcomers
) shall come forth ( at the first resurrection ) with glorified bodies. They will be elevated to the place and position of
THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, bringing down the principalities and powers that are now in position as the prince of
the power of the air. Those who have gone to be with the Lord are COMING ( not going ) with their glorified bodies. Then those
which are alive and remain shall be caught up ( put on immortality ) together with them in the clouds ( speaking of the great
cloud of witnesses … God’s people ) to meet the Lord in the air ( the place and position of authority that He
occupies ): and so shall we ever be with the Lord ( we shall ever remain in complete and total oneness with Him ) …
-As well, it is correct to say that there is a spiritual catching up of the body of Christ going on at this
present time. Remember … God has quickened us together with Christ, and has raised us up together, AND MADE US TO SIT
TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS ( Ephesians 2:5,6 ) …
-COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS!-
