Bible Discussion Thread

The Rapture (continued)

Looking at the parallel between the aformentioned passage regarding Laodicea and Matthew 25:9 is striking. We read

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Many seem to think this is a sarcastic statement or symbolic rather than looking at both of these passages in context and realizing buying something that can be refined like gold in the fire. Let us consider Revelation 3:18 again:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

This would clearly indicate to me that we are to acquire the strength of God from His heavenly storehouse to bring spiritual reward and treasure and that would therefore cause someone to have white garments to be ready for His presence. That will no doubt motivate a few to get their acts together now; but the bigger picture is that many from the church age will be left behind who are alive at the time of the Rapture as I see it.

If this is too controversial; I suggest just tabling the idea so we can move on. I will introduce the second issue here; that the Spirit of God is indeed here and in spades in the Tribulation just not working as it does now in the Body of Christ and the gifting as well as preservation as it does now. The gates of hell indeed will overtake saints as Daniel states; but now until He comes the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. That is the difference mainly; certainly signs and wonders will be off the charts.

To die as a martyr under what I consider the false church even before the Antichrist kills all from true AND false religion at the midpoint of the Trib will require the Spirit of God to overcome. The rest not written in the Book of Life worship the Beast and are damned.