Rapture Thoughts

Dr. Kluane Spake

Ezekiel describes the appearance and the likeness of the Glory of the Lord (1:28).. He speaks of wind, clouds, and fire. The day of the Lord is likened unto a storm. The whirlwind (Ruaugh the Spirit), the wheel within the wheel infolding inward into itself is the church moving together as one. The color of amber or electrons shining in the greatest splender shooting outward.

Chapter one verse 12 says, "And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. This object was joined as in covenant (#2266 Strongs) and it went straight forward. Those joined together did not look at the circumstances around them. The word Straight comes from the root word "to cross over" it can be rendered with unchanging purpose!

RAPTURE

There is so much contention in the body of Christ about the subject of Raptre. It is my opinion that the foundation of this principal is shakey. As we consider the endtimes, we must approach the Scriptures as covenantal. This booklet endeavors to answer only a few questions, nobody has all of the answers. But, the Bible does have the answers, and the Word of God is Alive today to teach us. God says he won’t do anything without telling his prophets.

The Pharaoh wanted to kill all the baby boys of Israel. Moses mother lined an ark made of sticks with pitch. (That word pitch is the same word as atonement.) Moses was rescued by the Pharao’s daughter and given back to his mother to nursemaid. Moses was rescued to reign in _____________. (Egypt).

When JEsus was a small child, Herod decreed that all the baby boys would be killed. In order to escape Joseph took his wife and child and escaped into _____________. (Egypt).

Similarly, today a spirit of abortion is attempting to kill all the promised seed of God. But there will be the “man child” that survives out of _____________.(Egypt, a type of this world.) This man child shall be the church, positioned to rule and reign on this earth as Obediah declares, they shall be saviors out of Mt. Zion.

The meek shall inherit the earth. In Arabia, the wild horses are meeked. The meek are those that are trained and obedient to their master’s voice. For the Lord is not coming to get us, but He is coming to meet us.

Rapture, A great Deception in the Church?

For many years the Church has been "just barely hangin' on." Bless God, we'll make it to that sweet land by and by. Christians have been brow beaten and defeated by the enemy. Few have come into positions of dominion and authority. The enemy has successfully diverted our attention, and subverted through deception. We can be saved and speak in tongues and never grow in stability (Is. 33:6) because of an unrenewed mind.

No one knows when Jesus will return. We know it is not His will that any should perish. Many have the attitude of us four and no more. Just take me away from this terrible world Lord, and I'll pluck that harp with you for eternity. Even though I've straddled the fence for a few years, been lukewarm in terrible condition, miserable, poor, blind and naked...I'm ready for God to sweep me away.

If we are to return to God’s original plan, then we must take back the things in the earth that are ours. We have no power to resist the devil until we are no longer controlled by the carnal man and have come into the things of the Spirit. Satan has been stripped of power and authority, Jesus said (Mt. 18) that He had ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH.

Firstly let us agree that Jesus is coming again, both literally and spiritually. The issue addressed in this document is when and how. This position is that it will not be a sneaky rapture catching us unaware. Churches have been expecting Jesus any minute for hundreds of years. Perhaps the only theory that we can all agree on is the infamous stand of the PAN millenialist, surely, it will all pan out in the end.

Basically, we want to cause you to question what you have always thought. We think we know what the Bible says, so our mind is often closed to new thought about an old Scripture. According to the Jewish Calendar this century doesn’t end until the year 2300. I wonder if the bible was written according to our understanding of dates and generations or according to the Jew?

One thing we do know, the Bible is centralized about the appearing of the Lord, and doesn't teach about the disappearance of the Saints. This awesome appearing of the Lord is even veiled to most of us. We have been fed a lot of error, the old wine is rancid. We must become new, changed from glory to glory, and at last also become grown up.

As most people know, the word "Rapture" is not in the Bible. If one studies the history of the church, he finds that the pretribulation rapture theory has only been around about 150 years. The Church fathers all clearly saw the Church enduring until the end. Without exception, they taught believers to be witnesses, and martyrs dying for the cause of Faith.

WERE DID RAPTURE COME FROM?

Edward Irving was excommunicated by the London presbytery and condemned by the Church of Scotland for teaching a doctrine concerning the sinfulness of Christ's humanity. He formed a group known as the Catholic Apostolic Church, also known as the Irvingite movement. During the spring of 1830, in this church in Glasgow, Scotland, a young girl named Margaret McDonald went into a trance and had a vision. She told about the Church being caught away before the time of the tribulation.

This vision by Margaret McDonald was repeated by J.D. Cardale at a home meeting on April 30, 1931. Irving taught this revelation in prophetic meetings in Ireland at the Powers Courthouse. These sessions were attended by the Plymouth Brethren, a guy named John Darby. Much influence came from these people. The person most responsible for spreading this "church disappearing any-second" teaching was C. I. Scofield. Scofield included these notations in his popular study Bible. Clarence Larking also wrote a book in 1919 about dispensation truth from this rapture teaching. Bill Britten reports that this book also claims that speaking in tongues in our day is demon inspired.

In 1948, the revelation of the significance of the Tabernacle and the Feasts came forward out of the Latter Rain movement. Great portions of Scripture became unlocked as we discovered the parallel unfolding of the last days in these studies. The return of Praise and Worship began. These new understandings began many questions on the now traditional approach of Scofield and Larkin. Those who questioned this tradition were said to be demonicly inspired. Many are still afraid to suggest a doubt about this sneaky rapture theory, some denominations declare you a cult for questioning this age long concept. Prior to this "vision" the ancient church clear back to the Apostles had always taught that the Church would victoriously go through the Tribulation.

The Dictionary defines word Rapture to mean a strong feeling that absorbs the mind with very great joy. A lot of churches picture Raptured saints soaring through space in white robes. These projectile bodies soar past the clouds into the presence of heaven. These precious (though weak and scrawny from sitting in a rocking chair) believers spend the seven joyful years of singing and joy during the earth's Great Tribulation. Oh well, the lost millions just didn't believe like we did. We have heard it preached so many times as fact that we don't question it any longer. Our spirit has become dull to new revelation.

This booklet is not meant to berate another doctrine that so many cherish and hold dear. But it is meant to get us to think. Hopefully there will now at least be some questions as to what will really happen. No one knows but God the Father. We cannot begin to cover all the typology of these studies in this overview. There are a few special Scriptures to note.

The basic problem with the traditional Rapture point of view is that there is great fear of the end times. The only way out is to escape and fly away, oh glory! Therefore, many people sit around and wait to fly away. The pie in the sky mentality generally produces an inability to take dominion and overcome. There is often a sense of resign. One young man recently told me there was no reason to live, no reason to be married or build a house if he was just going up tomorrow. Minority groups are especially affected by the soon coming finality of existence, why bother?

In fact, in this neighboring church, they have jumping practice. "Are you ready?" the preacher yells. Then the congregation gets really excited and starts jumping as high as they can. That is so that when Jesus actually comes back they'll be ready to jump up. Yes, and all the friends and loved ones that weren’t ready for the end will just fry in the hard times, while we float aimlessly above in great bliss and tranquillity.

Bumper stickers read "In case of Rapture, this driver will disappear." The fear of this possibility has gotten many people genuinely saved, but they live in fear. Scripture teaches us of the glorious "appearing of Jesus," not the "disappearing of the Church." Does the Lord intend for the church to be here on earth for the Tribulation. Of course not. We will not be here FOR the Tribulation, only DURING it. That same day that is evil to one shall be glorious power to another.

ESCHATOLOGY

[es cuh TOL ih gih]-- a theological term that designates the study of what will happen at the end of history, particularly the event known as the SECOND COMING of Christ. The word comes from two Greek words, eschatos (last) and logos (study)-- thus its definition as "the study of last things."

First let’s establish some basic truths necessary for this understanding.

GOD’S INTENTION FROM THE BEGINNING WAS A PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO BUILD KINGDOM

Man failed and the curse came. which shows God's response to human SIN (See my book Enmity.)

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (KJV) Because of sin and unrighteousness, God cursed the world which He had just made. At the other end of the Bible, announces there will no longer be a curse. The Day of the Lord is the final reverse of the curse. Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (KJV)

All that happens between Genesis and Revelation 22 is related to God's efforts to reverse His curse and redeem His creation. This illustrates that the Day of the Lord or the final Day is related to salvation. Eschatology reveals the end of history and how:

1. God reverses His curse upon the world by separating the good from the bad.

2. The curse of God plunged the world into a long conflict.

3. Just as God alone had cursed the creation, so only God can revoke the curse.

4. He has chosen to revoke one aspect of the curse and its conflict through an event known as the Day of the Lord. This was a day when all the world would be brought back under His rule

Seed Conflict.

Victory over evil was promised only through the conflict between the seed of the woman and the seed of the snake <Gen. 3:15>. This conflict forms the guidelines for eschatological events throughout the Bible, especially for the end-time itself. This curse set the pattern for all future conflicts INCLUDING THAT OF FLESH AND SP. The battles of the end times are the climax of a long battle between the forces of good and evil that has been going on since the beginning of time.

ABRAHAM

God Covenants with Abraham. The end of history is focused on the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant is specific in its explanation of how biblical conflict will end in the Day of the Lord. God promised to give Abraham a land and a lineage. Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 12:2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 12:4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. (NIV) These two items, the result of God's blessing of Abraham, are the specific blessings promised the Hebrew people (those who had crossed over). What began as a small national boundary for a small group of chosen people (the Jews) became international in scope, encompassing all races. Eschatology reveals that Abraham's land, ultimately will be the new heaven and earth and that Abraham's progenitors become the redeemed community in Christ. Acts 3:25 "You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, `And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' (NKJ) Abraham was also promised by God that those who blessed him would be blessed and those who cursed him would be cursed. Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)

In Scripture this interplay between blessing and curse depends on how people respond to God's

work through His people Israel, and ultimately through His final work in Christ. Hell is the ultimate curse; heaven (inheriting the earth) the ultimate blessing. The idea of blessing and cursing by

God is further seen through various events in the life of Abraham and his offspring, Israel. Plagues sent by God on Egypt in Abraham's time foreshadowed the plagues promised in Revelation.[1]

Gen 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. (KJV)

God's Covenant with Abraham. The end of history is focused on the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham

The Abrahamic covenant is specific in its explanation of how biblical conflict will end in the Day of the Lord. God promised to give Abraham a land and a lineage.

Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. (NKJ) At age 75, Abraham was an infidel, a moon worshiper, an idolater.

Gen 12:2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. 12:4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. (NIV) He was given the promise of:

1. Land.

2. Promise of son.

3. Seed.

4. Blessing to nations.

Acts 3:25 "You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, `And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' (NKJ)

THE KINGDOM IS ESTABLISHED BY JUDGMENT

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even or ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (KJV)

GOD OPPOSES DIVIDING UP THE LAND

Joel 3:1 `In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 3:2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Lit. the valley of trouble where Yaweh judges). There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. 3:3 They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine that they might drink. (NIV

CONFLICT

SPIRITUAL NATURAL

SPIRIT FLESH

JUST UNJUST

SHEEP GOATS

WHEAT TARES

GOOD FISH BAD FISH

TREASURE ON EARTH TREASURE ON HEAVEN

NEW MAN OLD MAN

LION OF JUDAH LIKE A LION

GOD SATAN

RICH POOR

THIEF CANNOT ENTER THIEF CAN ENTER

SINGLE EYE DOUBLE EYED (MINDED)

WHAT HE WANTS WHAT I WANT

LIGHT DARKNESS

UNSHAKABLE SHAKABLE

HOLY PLACE OUTERCOURT

WISE FOOLISH

This interplay between blessing and curse depends on how people respond to God's work through His people Israel, and ultimately through His work in Christ. We see the blessing of Isaac and the curse of Ishmaeil, the blessing on the spiritual and the curse on the child of the flesh. Hell is the ultimate curse; heaven the ultimate blessing.. The idea of blessing and cursing by God is further seen through various events in the life of Israel. Plagues sent by God on Egypt in Abraham's time foreshadowed Revelations.

Gen 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. (KJV)

[Plagues under Moses <Exodus CHAPTERS 7--12> also foreshadow the end-time plagues

of the book of Revelation The enemies from Mesopotamia who captured Lot and were destroyed by

Abraham <Gen. 14:1-17> foreshadowed God's destruction of Assyria and Babylon at the end of Israel's period of captivity <Is. 13--14; Dan. 5:13-31> and the end-time destruction of the pagan people represented by Babylon <Revelation 17--19>.]

THE CHURCH IS THE SEED OF ABRAHAM

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (KJV)

JESUS SECURED THE PROMISES OF THE FATHERS.

Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (KJV)

The FATHERS WERE ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB

Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (KJV)

JESUS DIDN’T TEACH RAPTURE

The prevailing attitude in the Church has been one of just trying to somehow “hold on” until we FINALLY escape! It’s interesting though, that Jesus prayed in John 17:15&18, “... I do NOT ask that You will take them out of the world... Just as You sent Me INTO the world, I also have sent them INTO the world...”. The key here is obtaining REVELATION of the New Creation Man. We don’t get out, we get in!!

JESUS BECAME THE HEIR OF ALL THINGS

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (KJV) AND WE (both husband and wife) ARE HEIRS

TOGETHER OF THE GRACE OF LIFE 1 Pet 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (KJV)

THE CHURCH IS ABRAHAM'S SEED

Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (KJV)

THE CHURCH IS SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (KJV)

THE CHURCH IS THE TRUE JEW

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (KJV)

THE CHURCH IS GOD'S CIRCUMCISION

Phil 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (KJV)

THE CHURCH IS THE HOLY NATION

1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (KJV)

THE CHURCH IS THE NEW JERUSALEM

Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (KJV)