101 Reasons we are in the End Times!

[The Watchtower]

These verses are talking about events at the end of the Tribulation period at the Second Coming, whereas Christians will be Raptured out before the Tribulation period starts. For instance, in context, the parable of the ten virgins (Matt 25:1-13) is NOT talking about the Church at all, but people during the Trib after the Rapture.

In Matthew 25, verses 1-13 are parallel to vss 14-28 and again parallel to vss 31-46. They are not three separate situations, but are all the same one told in three different forms. The being left behind in vss 1-13 is not talking about being left behind in the Rapture, but being put out of God's millennial kingdom when Christ returns in the Second Coming. The Church is Christ's Bride, not a group of virgins waiting. The Bridegroom's rejection of the five virgins is not leaving some of them behind after the Rapture, but is rather a sentence of damnation:

Matt 25:12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

It is paralleled here:

Matt 25:30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

And also paralleled here:

Matt 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Are you implying that the people that were left behind and know about the Rapture and the Bible, wouldn't know that 7 years after the Rapture, Jesus Christ will come back in the Second Coming?

If you know that Jesus will return 7 years after the Rapture then He would not compare that event as a "thief in the night" and to be prepared for it.(Mat.24:43 "But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.")

Secondly, we, the bride of the Lord are compared to a virgin:

2 Corinthians 11:2 says "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ."


We're not? :scratch Seems the earth is pretty well filled with violence and corruption if you ask me. :idunno

The earth has to be full of violence. Genesis 6:11-13 says "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth."

Plus every thought of mankind has to be of continue evilness:
Gen.6:5 "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually".

Plus if you look good, Genesis 6:2 says that the sons of God were marrying the daughters of the sons of men (unconverted / wordly people). This had the consequence that the teachings and doctrines of God were mingled with the philosophy of this world. Consequence: Love for God and each other was lost and the children of these marriages became hunters (of men's souls like Nimrod) and giants.

[sirgak]

Are you implying that the people that were left behind and know about the Rapture and the Bible, wouldn't know that 7 years after the Rapture, Jesus Christ will come back in the Second Coming?

If you know that Jesus will return 7 years after the Rapture then He would not compare that event as a "thief in the night" and to be prepared for it.(Mat.24:43 "But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.")

Secondly, we, the bride of the Lord are compared to a virgin:

2 Corinthians 11:2 says "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ."

In the picture symbol of the Jewish Wedding, the bridegroom would set out to go take his bride. It was considered great fun to try to come at a time when the bridal party might be taken by surprise. The picture of the bridal party has the Church as the Bride, so while you are correct that we are pictured as a virgin, that has everything to do with the Bride being chaste (ie has not known a man sexually) and has nothing to do with the bridal party (ie the 10 virgins). The 10 Virgins parable are for Israel, not the Church. The Tribulation period is the "time of Jacob's trouble", not the Church's.

Keep in mind that when you have two seemingly conflicting points of view in Scripture on a topic, it is always better to prefer the plain over the symbolic. The 10 virgins are a parable and are therefore symbolic. What is plain, is this:

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

This Scripture is specifically describing the Rapture. Notice, it says "ALL", not half. What you are describing is essentially the partial Rapture theory.

People who hold to this view of the Rapture usually justify the idea of some being left behind on the basis that some Christians are "spiritual" and some as "carnal". But, notice also to whom 1 Corinthians is written--the Corinthians! It was to these very same people that Paul wrote the idea of some being "carnal":

1 Cor 3:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

If anyone qualified as carnal and hence (according to the partial Rapture theory) not worthy to go in the Rapture, it was the Corinthians. Yet, it was to these very same souls that Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

The real problem with the partial Rapture theory is that it puts our acceptance and standing with God, not on a grace through faith basis, but on a works basis. No one can ever be "good enough" to go in the Rapture. It is all by grace through faith. Paul warns against this kind of thinking in Galatians:

Galatians 3:1-3
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Look at verse 3: "having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" That is EXACTLY what the partial Rapture theory is doing, telling us that though we began in the Spirit, now it all depends on our efforts.

Make no mistake.

If you are left behind in the Rapture, you were never saved to begin with!!!

And

If you are saved, you WILL go in the Rapture!

I hope that clarifies things.

[Anddra]

:thumb Well explained, Sirgak

[Buzzardhut]

The point being missed here is the point Jesus wants everyone to understand; in the last days people will carry on with life as if nothing important is happening, they will continue to eat, drink, party, marry etc.. living life as if the end is not really happening. We saw Hitler do that when America was upon his heels, we see CEOs living like that while bankruptcy is at their door, and people will be living like that after the rapture during the tribulation.

[cybrjewls]

We're not? :scratch Seems the earth is pretty well filled with violence and corruption if you ask me. :idunno
When the false prophet confirms his covenant along with 10 worldwide leaders to implement the mark of the number of his name to restrict commerce to a form of worship, the violence against people of the Faith will increase because of this war with them and they will cause them to be put to death.

Hitler and Stalin came, and this Prophecy will come to pass soon, as well. The Woman Eve was given the wings of an eagle to fly last time. This birthing pang will be the event where The Dragon spews a raging torrent at The Woman to overtake her. Two out of every three judean people, for true jews are not jews only with respect to race of the outward appearances of things, will be killed. Those who remain faithful must perservere and be patient. They were Commanded by Jesus not to enter the cities for someone will turn them in. They were Commanded that family might betray each other to the death. For a persons enemies are within the household, at times. Blessed is she who never bore children is written.

Those who do not take the mark of the number of the name of the false prophet will be eligible to receive the reward of the completion Church called Laodicea, the rich and 'powerful' Church, which is to be Blessed with The Millennium Reign of Jesus for one thousand years through Martyrdom and the first Resurrection.

[cocopea9052]

Are you implying that the people that were left behind and know about the Rapture and the Bible, wouldn't know that 7 years after the Rapture, Jesus Christ will come back in the Second Coming?

If you know that Jesus will return 7 years after the Rapture then He would not compare that event as a "thief in the night" and to be prepared for it.(Mat.24:43 "But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up."

Actually, this brings up a point I have wondered about if anyone could offer an opinion? So, after the Rapture, anyone who looks to the bible for answers will essentially be reading history as opposed to prophecy with regard to the Rapture. You would think then, that new believers would have an easier time believing the word of God because they would have collectively witnessed an event in real time. Why then would they not be aware of the coming 7 year trib and the AC and everything in the bible? And trust they should follow it's instruction for not taking the mark, false prophets....and everything else? Is it because no matter what they are prepared to believe after witnessing the Rapture, the deceit will just be too great?

[amos33]

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." Amos 8:11-12

[The Watchtower]

In the picture symbol of the Jewish Wedding, the bridegroom would set out to go take his bride. It was considered great fun to try to come at a time when the bridal party might be taken by surprise. The picture of the bridal party has the Church as the Bride, so while you are correct that we are pictured as a virgin, that has everything to do with the Bride being chaste (ie has not known a man sexually) and has nothing to do with the bridal party (ie the 10 virgins). The 10 Virgins parable are for Israel, not the Church. The Tribulation period is the "time of Jacob's trouble", not the Church's.

Keep in mind that when you have two seemingly conflicting points of view in Scripture on a topic, it is always better to prefer the plain over the symbolic. The 10 virgins are a parable and are therefore symbolic. What is plain, is this:

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

This Scripture is specifically describing the Rapture. Notice, it says "ALL", not half. What you are describing is essentially the partial Rapture theory.

People who hold to this view of the Rapture usually justify the idea of some being left behind on the basis that some Christians are "spiritual" and some as "carnal". But, notice also to whom 1 Corinthians is written--the Corinthians! It was to these very same people that Paul wrote the idea of some being "carnal":

1 Cor 3:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

If anyone qualified as carnal and hence (according to the partial Rapture theory) not worthy to go in the Rapture, it was the Corinthians. Yet, it was to these very same souls that Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

The real problem with the partial Rapture theory is that it puts our acceptance and standing with God, not on a grace through faith basis, but on a works basis. No one can ever be "good enough" to go in the Rapture. It is all by grace through faith. Paul warns against this kind of thinking in Galatians:

Galatians 3:1-3
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Look at verse 3: "having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" That is EXACTLY what the partial Rapture theory is doing, telling us that though we began in the Spirit, now it all depends on our efforts.

Make no mistake.

If you are left behind in the Rapture, you were never saved to begin with!!!

And

If you are saved, you WILL go in the Rapture!

I hope that clarifies things.

So are you trying to say that if the Rapture hits and I am in the act of commiting adultery or fornication, I would be still be lifted up and go in it, because I trully believe in Jesus and we are all saved by grace through faith and Jesus will see my faith instead of my carnal act? What about Romans chapter 8 ?

[Buzzardhut]

So are you trying to say that if the Rapture hits and I am in the act of commiting adultery or fornication, I would be still be lifted up and go in it, because I trully believe in Jesus and we are all saved by grace through faith and Jesus will see my faith instead of my carnal act? What about Romans chapter 8 ?

Are you saying if you are in the act of adultery you remain here?

[The Watchtower]

Are you saying if you are in the act of adultery you remain here?

Yes ...If that ain't so then one has not to guard one's salvation with tremors and fear like the Apostle Paul exorts in Philipians 2:12 and also as the letter of Jude states.