Is There Dust on the "Rapture?"

Since this blog is about dusting things off and taking a look at them, I afraid we're not going to find a lot of dust on this one. It's not very old as far as Christian doctrine goes.

The rapture doctrine's origin is usually credited to John Nelson Darby, he had written down this theology by 1827. (1800-1882). There has been a story around that the rapture doctrine came from the "utterances" of Margaret McDonald in a Scottish church about 1830. More than likely she was just repeating what she had heard from John Darby. This is a complete assumption on my part since Darby had written these things down 3 years earlier and they were in proximity of each other.

There are six key parts to the premillennial doctrine of the rapture.

(1) The "second coming" of Christ is different from and after "the rapture," we believe the Bible distinguishes between the rapture and the second coming of Christ and they do not occur simultaneously. (Hal Lindsey's book 131)

(2) The rapture will be secret, "in the rapture, only the Christians see Him - its a mystery, a secret. When the living believers are taken out, the world is going to be mystified." (Ibid 131)

(3) Only the righteous will be raised at the time of the rapture. The wicked will be raised at the end of "the millennium."(Ibid 130-31)

(4) The church will be in Heaven for a period of seven years (during the Great Tribulation). "your presence during this last seven-year period in history is entirely up to you."(Ibid 127)

(5)Events on earth will continue. "These believers will be removed from the earth before the Great Tribulation - before that period of the most ghastly pestilence, bloodshed, and starvation the world has ever known."(Ibid)

(6) Many will be led to Christ after this. "We need to understand that during the seven-year Tribulation there will be people who will become believers at that time."(Ibid 132)

What the Bible says.

Referencing the first key part:

For the second coming of Christ the Bible uses the words "caught up" (harpazo or rapture by premillenialist), "coming" (parousia) and "appearance"(epiphaneia) interchangeably. The Lord will destroy the lawless one "with the brightness (epiphaneia) of his coming (parousia). (2 Thessalonians 2:8)....This "coming" (parousia) is at the same time he catches up (raptures) the saints. (1 Thessalonians 4:15,17) Jesus won't return a third and a fourth times; there's just the second coming. These events Christians being "caught up" and the second coming of Christ, are not separated by 1007 years (1000 year reign and 7 year tribulation), as premillennialists contend, but they will happen at the same time.

Referencing the second key part:

When he comes for the saints there won't be anything secretive. "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God." (1 Thessalonians 4:16). "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth and works therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

Nothing quiet here, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God, also the heavens are going to pass away with a great noise. All this when the Lord returns. The secretive part of the premillienialists comes from the phrase, "come as a thief in the night", which just simply means they you don't know when he's coming. Another example of this comes from Matt. 24:43. Another good example is 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.

Referencing the third key part:

"Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which ALL who are in the graves will HEAR his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29)

Referencing the fourth, fifth and sixth key parts:

There will be no fourth, fifth and sixth parts. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) Scripture plainly says we won't be with the Lord seven years. We will always be with the Lord after his second coming. There aren't any other "comings". At his coming (parousia) the earth will be destroyed, 2 Peter 3:1-12. There will be no second chance to be saved then, for at His coming all shall be judged and receive either eternity in heaven or in hell, Matt. 25:31-46. Call his coming what you will, "second coming" or "rapture", either way he's only coming back one more time. We need to know that and be ready.

Dusting off Church Music

Dusty idea today is that we don't need any additions in our singing to praise God. We use our voices and play the strings of our heart.

There are two types of music used within what is recognized by the denominational world today as Christianity. First type is A Cappella, the 2nd type is instrumental. We need to understand what these terms mean.

A - A is a preposition. It is the same in Latin, Italian and Spanish, as the latter two derive from the first. In Spanish the translation comes to English as "of." In Italian, the translation in English is "from." It makes no difference to the point here, because if something is "of" a place, it is what can come forth "from" a place.

Cappella - In Italian "Cappella Sistina" translates Sistine Chapel. Therefore Cappella translates Chapel.

Instrumental - Singing accompanied with mechanical musical instruments.

So from antiquity we find the music in the church as A Cappella, which is known to be sung without mechanical instrument accompaniment. That's right, only vocal music was found in or coming out of church buildings.

Mechanical instruments were not introduced until after 600 A.D. This is too late to be part of the faith which was delivered one time for all: Christianity (Jude 3).

However when the reformation occurred, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Spurgeon, and Zwingli are all on record in opposition.

"I have no objection to a piano being in the church building, provided it is neither seen nor heard" (by Wesley from Clarke's Commentary, Vol. 4, page 684)

" Musical instruments in celebrating the praise of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews."
John Calvin's Commentary, Ps. 33.

Charles H. Spurgeon, recognized as one of the greatest Baptist preachers that ever lived, who preached for 20 years to thousands of people weekly in the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, London, England, did not have musical instruments in the worship. (M.C. Kurfeest, Instrumental Music in the worship, page 196).

Instruments were not widely accepted in the denominational world until about the 18th century. The acceptance is about 1700 years too late to be the one church and one faith of Christianity.

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Lets take a look at scriptural references to see if what the Father has to say contradicts the wisdom of man in this area.

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians doesn't leave any room for anything but singing.

Ephesians 5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians is a different matter. We have the command to "psallo" to the Lord. Psallo is a Greek word. It was translated as "making melody". Its definition is to "pluck" or "play". There is definitely room for an instrument here, or so it appears.
This is where the majority of denominations stop. The person that has ears to hear will read on and see the writer also names the instrument to be played, its the heart. Actual Greek translation of that last part of the verse: "singing and stroking to the heart of you to the Master."


For the sake of debate, lets assume for a moment that this does allow a mechanical instrument (even though it doesn't). Because the word here "psallo" is plural, and this is a command (imperative mood), if there is an instrument allowed, then everyone must be playing that same instrument, or those not so doing are disobeying the command. In other words, if the organ is authorized, and only one person plays the organ, that one person is the only person who is not sinning.

David played a harp..... The same authority used to add instruments to worship (the Old Testament) also demands the use of animal sacrifice. If we were to use the animal sacrifices today, we would be denying the need of the blood of Jesus. Yet we are told that if we try to keep that law, and fail in one point, we are guilty of all. To keep old testament musical instruments we would probably need to keep having animal sacrifices as well. Not only does this trod under foot the Son of God, its makes it impossible to receive forgiveness and get to heaven.

In a final thought here, the Apostles gave the things contained in the worship service. That was during the 1st century A.D. For the sake of argument the book of Revelation was written, depending on who you ask, between 68 A.D. and 95 A.D. In either suggested timeline the effect is the same. When Jesus sent his messages to the seven churches of Asia, at that time they were using A Cappella music in their services, we see from the information above that music wasn't introduced historically until after 600 A.D. Christ said in Rev. 2:26 to hold fast to that which they had already, echoing what Jude 3 says about contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

To Be a Roman Soldier........

This isn't a dusty idea today its just something I was thinking of.

Oh to be a Roman soldier told to go out and watch a dead mans tomb. I can imagine what kind of sigh probably came out of the guards mouth when he got the exciting news that he was going to get to go watch a sealed tomb. History tells us that usually there were four in a guard unit. I can just see these four guys getting joked at for having to leave their normal bed to go out and guard a dead man. To the right we can put an image with the Roman soldier of the day. This is what the guards wore in the first century A.D. Probably rather formidable looking in the day. Some of these guys nailed our Lord to the cross. Who knows could possible be some of the same guards guarding the tomb that did the Sanhedrin's bidding that day.

Matthew 28:2-4

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

Hard to invision this guy with the throwing spear and the short sword as fainting or being so afraid that they freeze up. But I have to still say I envy those guards somewhat. They were the closest people to the Lord as he resurrected. Saw and heard the initial rumblings. Is it possible that they even saw our Lord come forth from the tomb.....

Oh to be a Roman guard on a boring mission to watch a dead man.....

The Only Important Knowledge and Wisdom

Dusty Idea today is being a God fearing Christian and having the knowledge and wisdom it takes to be that, is the most important kind of wisdom or knowledge we can attain. Also that it should be attained ahead of knowledge for any earthly gains, whether it be money, power or prestige.

If you ask almost any minister or leader in the church if power, money and prestige are things to seek after I dare say any of them would say those are the qualities that a Christian should be seeking after.

Lets ask ourselves what knowledge is going to take us through this world and the next. The only knowledge that is important is the word that God left us. I'm open to anyone that knows another kind of knowledge that is important to eternal life, and why anything else is important especially in the light of God's promises to his children as far as taking care of them. (Matt. 6:25-34) First argument to this position that I have heard lately is that we have an obligation to God to be all we can be and max out our brains potential in universities and colleges. I don't know what bible verses this idea is based on. I would be open for anyone to send me information on this particular point. I think this idea is based in the theory that being smarter or educated in the secular world is a benefit that God appreciates. Eph. 4:13 says that the knowledge of the Son of God brings about a perfect man.

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Psalms 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Knowing what we know about the creation and the surety of the judgement, the fear and knowledge of a living God should be the highest thing on our list of things to be concerned with. If we haven't obeyed God or if we have spent more time studying earthly knowledge, considering it more important than spiritual knowledge, the proper fear of God probably isn't in place. Getting wisdom is more important than getting knowledge. If you spend all your time acquiring knowledge, you may never attain any wisdom.

Only knowledge we're required to gain is recorded in 2 Pet 3:18, to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

WWsD

Dusty Idea for this blog is people use to think about WWJD, of course What Would Jesus Do? Now I think its very much the opposite. Whether people are aware or not, the world has always asked itself, WWsD or What Would satan Do? It is often a sobering thought to think of the lengths that satan will go to see that your soul winds up with him in Hell.

What would I do if I wanted to turn the people that God's only Son died for away from Him. First thing we have to realize is that worldly people don't have to be targeted. People that have never obeyed Christ or God aren't on satan's list of humans to manipulate. He doesn't need to and there's no point, they're already lost and thats the whole goal. If you are in this group of people that never darken the door where a Church meets, satan isn't after you he already has you. He has already defeated you without having to fire a shot, because you wouldn't enter the battle with the Lord. Lucifer no doubt spends his time working on Christians, individually and in groups.

So the question remains, "What Would satan Do?", or from this point on WWsD.

Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of life. All sins fall in these categories. If I were him I would start in on the young right away and as soon as possible on not just one but all three of these tempations. I would make pleasurable ways for children to see the kinds of things I would want them to be learning. I would help tv programs get into homes and attack the children first. I would make sure that programs which promote witchcraft, astrology, New Age Philosophies and Gaia worship (mother earth) were seen in the home as comedies and cartoons.

I think satan would be constantly trying to change the truth of the gospel into a lie. He would constantly be wanting us to debate amongst ourselves. This lends itself to constantly overthinking a subject. The Bible isn't real complicated. You won't need letters in front of or behind your name to understand the scriptures. Check out our institutions of "Higher" learning these days. For the most part satan reigns through humanism in these places.

WWsD? He'd try to turn the family of God on this earth against each other, cause strife and split up the Church whenever possible. We know that satan has a foothold in Jesus' Church because we see it happening from time to time.

If we can ever get the dusty idea back that we're insignificant, created beings with a life that started from the breathe of life that God breathed into Adam. There's nothing that exists without God's will, his life force or his creative powers. If that sounds like I'm giving him all the glory and praise for doing everything for us, I am. You should be too.

WWsD? He would urge people to loose that wimpy humbleness that God asks for. Be a man or woman, stand up for what you want to do, its your life anyway. Ever heard that before? Satan's doing a pretty bangup job right now.

WWsD? In general he would try to get Christians to be more worldly and tell us we need to conform to worldly views to be able to convert people to Jesus. We don't need to compromise on Jesus. Christians are becoming too worldly.

WWsD? If I were satan I would constantly remind all Christians of their past failures and faults and let them know that they're flawed and why bother.

Why bother? Because eternity is too long to just quit when you're already on the winning side.

Unexpected Statements

Luke 4:21 - And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (ESV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ was in his home town at the local religious gathering. An occurrance is about to happen that so very few will ever be able to know. Jesus is announcing that he is here and that with their ears they are hearing the fulfillment of a prophecy that Isaiah wrote down around ca. 740 b.c. Since Jesus was reading about 30 a.d. it had to be around 770 years the Jewish people had been reading over this and wondering about its fulfillment. An analogy would be if someone we had known in our small town came up and said I have just fulfilled a prophecy made by a famous man in 1279 a.d. Surely this was an unexpected statement from Jesus.

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Luke 10:23-24 - And he turned unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (ESV)

Unexpected statement from Jesus to his disciples. They live in a special time and in a special place, and many people from both sides of history would love to have been in their shoes.

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John 8:58 - Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am." (ESV)

Shock and awe statement from Jesus right here to the Jews, in answer of a rather one sided debate he was having with them.

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Matt. 25:10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. (ESV)

Powerful warning here about the coming of Jesus. Those ready will get to enter in and those not ready, even if they know him as in vs. 11, will not be able to enter in. When Jesus shuts a door its closed forever.

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James 1:26 - If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (ESV)

Impact statement about one of the smallest members of our body. Unexpected statement to me because of the amount of weight placed on this smallest member.

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John 11:43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."(ESV)

I can see the scene now. Jesus standing in front of the tomb with a group of people around, looking up to heaven and thanking God for hearing him and then raising his voice, which whether meaning to or not draws emphasis to the act. He commands Lazarus to come out. The act of being loud and then the dead rising from the grave made for a scene we'll not get to see until the judgement. Definitely an "awe" moment.

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I guess the point of pointing out a few of these type of scriptures in the Bible helps us to realize just what things Jesus did, and its not just a fable or fairy tale.

Human reasoning, the reason denominations flourish pt.1

Dusty idea today is God doesn't need any help from mankind with figuring out if His wisdom will suffice for our salvation, or the mode of how that salvation comes about.

Concerning the obediance of man to God, man's reasoning has no business or place in that process. God's will is perfect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the writings of the authors in the New Testament is without question. If you think the Bible is flawed in some places why do you read any of it? Human reasoning is being applied to the author's writings by well meaning individuals, it still doesn't by any means excuse it. Anything that is deemed out of date or not relevant to our span of time can only be deduced by human reasoning, it is certainly not out of the scriptures.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (ESV)

I'd like to discuss a question I have heard on many occasions with regards to baptism and if it is essential, or is it just something we do because Jesus did it. The question is, "What if a person gets in their vehicle to go be baptized and they have a wreck and die on the way?" The answer to this question is,"God is God." God is THE God and he can do what he wills. God is omnipresent, meaning he knows the future as well as the past and everthing in between. I pose the question, "What if a person accidently fell and died 5 min. before God knew that someone was coming to talk to this person to persuade them to believe?" Would this not also fit the style of scenario posed by the first question? Also judgement is going to take place on a heavenly level. Jesus can do what he wants to do, he has all power in heaven and earth, and under this senario he can save who he likes. God doesn't need us to decide for him if he's being fair or not. God is God. This universe is his as well as everyone of us. God will be just at the judgement, we just need to do his will to the best of our ability. One may decide on baptism and die in a car wreck on the way to being baptized, but we need to make that effort because that is what the scriptures say. All conversions after the day of Pentecost in Acts include immediate baptism. We, the creation, just need to read the Bible without adding human reasoning biases that God, the creator, has had his prophets and apostles write through inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The sins remain until the act of obedience of baptism is exercised. It's not the water its the act. Just as Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5 used human reasoning when Elisha told him to wash in the river Jordan 7 times and his leprosy would be healed. His reaction was, thats not grand enough, its too simple and he was angry. But his obedience to God through his prophet Elisha healed him. There wasn't any magic in the water it was the obedience. This same type of obedience is expected of us in the New Testament. Human reasoning about salvation should never be engaged. We should just obey from the heart and not decide for God if this plan he has is gonna work for mankind. Likewise when Paul was struck blind on the road to Damascus, Jesus spoke to him and said, "It is Jesus who you are persecuting." Do you think he believed on Jesus after that? The next three days he was blind and didn't eat or drink. Do you think he believed on Jesus as the Messiah those three days? Then Ananias came to him and said this as recorded in Acts 22:16, Why do you wait? Arise and baptized and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord. If believing in Jesus and accepting him as your savior gets it done why does Ananias say to wash away his sins after all these other events? I'm not ignoring other scriptures, when you put them all together Baptism is the cleansing moment, the moment we touch Jesus' blood.

Acts 22:16 is the definition for Calling on the name of the Lord, and no one is the judge of that.