Thank you Nathan, I am having a pretty good day so far. Ive found that 99% or so of the Rapturist don't really care what the scriptures say, they are gonna hold onto it no matter what. Ive asked many Rapturist groups to show me any scripture that says we are being beamed up to heaven at the 1Cor.15 event. They couldn't cause there are none. Oh well
MARK 13 [20] And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. [21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: [22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. [23] But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. [24] BUT IN THOSE DAYS, AFTER THAT TRIBULATION, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, [25] And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. [26] And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. [27] And then shall he send his angels, AND SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
The above scripture, 1Cor.15 and 1Thes.4 are all talking about the same “day”. The Day of the Lord. If that were true there would have to be scriptual proof of the “dead rising” and a “gathering” of his people (in the twinkling of an eye). Then theres those “four winds”.
EZEKIEL 37 [8] And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. [9] Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; COME FROM THE FOUR WINDS, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, THAT THEY MAY LIVE. [10] So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. [11] Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. [12] Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I WILL OPEN YOUR GRAVES, and cause you to come up out of your graves, AND BRING YOU INTO THE LAND OF ISRAEL. [13] And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, [14] And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.
We can plainly see the in Ezek. 37 the dead rising ( they rise 1st according to 1 Cor.15 and 1Thes.4). Then we are all gathered together, to meet the Lord in the air and its off to the 1000yr period of rest in Israel. We dont all flit off heaven as the rapturist claim. Also these 4 winds blow after the tribulation as plainly seen in Mark 13 {24-27}.