The Rapture Part 2 of 4

 Things I used to believe about God that now I believe were incorrect.

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.for women only*

Groundwork.

I believe God's word is infallible.   2 Tim 3:16. "All scripture is God breathed."  My church may teach something different.  I may disagree with God.  But in the end, His Word stands.

It is impossible for God to tell a lie.  Hebrews 6:18.  If I believe scripture is saying two opposite things, then I have misunderstood scripture or it was poorly translated/transcribed.

Now to today's "past misunderstanding of scripture". 

All Christians Will Be Raptured Before the Great Tribulation Part 2.

If you have not read Part 1 of this series it would be helpful to do that now.

Part 2 .  Who are the First Fruits?

Just as the Man-Child described in Part 1 were fully mature believers who are resting in Paradise; First Fruits are similar,  only they will be fully mature believers still living on the earth when Christ begins the "end times".

The book of Matthew describes what this will look like in Chapter 24.

Matthew 24:37 For just as the days of Noah were, so will the bcoming of the Son of Man be.

24:38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day in which Noah entered into the ark,

24:39 And they did not know that judgment was coming until the flood came and took all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

24:40 At that time two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.

24:41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left.

24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes.

Notice that the men were working in the field and the women were grinding grain.  They were humble people doing humble work to care for their families.  They were not Professional Christians with fancy degrees or fancy titles or fancy robes.  This tells us that anyone can be an Overcomer.  And it is likely the humble person may be more holy than the preacher who might be very worldly.

These believers have recognized that there is a Holy God Creator.  They also recognize their own lack of holiness and that they are powerless by themselves to overcome their plight.  They accept the gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus the Christ and turn from their sins and accept the help of the Holy Spirit to transform them.

I believe the ones in the field and the ones grinding grain are all Christians.  We can get a sense of this by reading in the next chapter in Matthew.

Matthew

25:1 At that time the kingdom of the heavens will be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

25:2 And five of them were foolish and five were prudent.

25:3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, did not take oil with them; :4 But the prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

25:5 And while the bridegroom delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

25:6 But at midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Go forth to meet him!

25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their own lamps.

25:8 And the foolish said to the prudent, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.

25:9 But the prudent answered, saying, Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.

25:10 And as they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast. And the door was shut.

25:11 And later the rest of the virgins came also, saying, Lord, lord, open to us!

25:12 But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.

25:13 Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

The word oil in the Bible often represents the Holy Spirit. 

Only those who Overcome are invited to the wedding feast.   The rest will be excluded from this great honor.  But don't despair, God still has a plan for them. 

So it is not the saved who are raptured prior to the Great Tribulation; it is the fully mature saved Overcomers who are raptured prior to the Great Tribulation.  They will not have to endure the calamities and persecution during that time.  Although it is certain that they have already endured persecution  - some even unto death.  

Scripture tells us:  

John 15: 20

Remember the word which I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will persecute you also; 

Matthew 5: 11;12. when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

2 Timothy 3:12  And indeed all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Next up:  Who are the 144,000?

*  this post is for women only because God's word clearly says as a woman I am not to teach or have authority over any man.

I am thankful to Bible teachers, especially my husband Dale, who have helped me understand God's Word better. Karla