THE CALLING OUT OF THE BRIDE, to go to The Wedding of the Lamb
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EXAMPLES OF CHURCHES AND BIBLE TEACHERS WHO BELIEVE AND TEACH THAT THERE WILL BE A PREMILLENNIAL RAPTURE, OR CALLING OUT OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, the total Assembly of True Believers of all times.
Understanding the End Times: The Rapture
The Rapture and the Day of the Lord
The Rapture Of The Church (Part 1) sermon, The Rapture Of The Church (Part 1) sermon by Dana Visneskie, 1 Thessalonians - SermonCentral.com
Sermons and Outlines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyUReziJB0Y Dr. George Ragsdale, Theologian and Pastor of West Marion Baptist Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2N9tdHFvLI Pastor Mike Hoggard, Bethel Church, Festus, MO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GanOD28se4 Pastor David Guzik of Calvary Chapel of Santa Barbara, CA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSOWEaQGlmE 7 Theory Ministries, a Messianic Christian Congregation.
etc., etc., etc.
[video=youtube;EYEeb2ysy6U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYEeb2ysy6U[/video]
Understanding the End Times: The Rapture
The Rapture and the Day of the Lord
The Rapture Of The Church (Part 1) sermon, The Rapture Of The Church (Part 1) sermon by Dana Visneskie, 1 Thessalonians - SermonCentral.com
Sermons and Outlines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyUReziJB0Y Dr. George Ragsdale, Theologian and Pastor of West Marion Baptist Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2N9tdHFvLI Pastor Mike Hoggard, Bethel Church, Festus, MO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GanOD28se4 Pastor David Guzik of Calvary Chapel of Santa Barbara, CA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSOWEaQGlmE 7 Theory Ministries, a Messianic Christian Congregation.
etc., etc., etc.
[video=youtube;EYEeb2ysy6U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYEeb2ysy6U[/video]
J
JesusIsAll
Guest
Cults attack the pre-tribulation rapture, and it's difficult to ascertain how many people places like CC are of these cults, because people in cults generally hide their affiliation. (Which, of itself, screams something.) But many, many of the most learned, Spirit filled, best and brightest of Protestant theological seminaries clearly see the pre-tribulation rapture in scripture. Why? Because it's there. It's no flavor-of-the-month theory. And I always get a kick out of anybody, who got their theology from a cult website or down at such as the Kingdom Hall, demean a doctorate in Systematic Theology. I'd like to see them put their money where their mouths are, and trust a butcher to do brain surgery on them.
Not at all. In fact the main element in considering which letters of scriptures were inspired was the ones we have in the Bible all agree on mutual declarations, none disagreeing in any way. it can't be shown there is disagreement between old and new testament, either. All 66 books are mutually validated for that reason alone. Each author led by the Spirit had a different purpose as assigned by God, so there is duplication especially in the synoptic gospels, as well as omissions of some events giving space for emphasis of interest to the writers. They each validate the other by way of that inspiration from the same Holy Spirit.
AND all of the N.T. Writers were VALIDATED BY GOD HIMSELF through the Miracles HE Worked through them.
Mark 16:20 (ASV)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
AND they were prophesied to zealously attack Belief in an eminent Calling Out of the Bride by Jesus Christ's Wedding Party:
2 Peter 3:3-9 (HCSB)
[SUP]3 [/SUP] First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, living according to their own desires,
[SUP]4 [/SUP] saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? Ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.”
[SUP]5 [/SUP] They willfully ignore this: Long ago the heavens and the earth were brought about from water and through water by the word of God.
[SUP]6 [/SUP] Through these waters the world of that time perished when it was flooded.
{They will also SCOFF at those who believe in Noah's Flood too.}
[SUP]7 [/SUP] But by the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
[SUP]8 [/SUP] Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
[SUP]9 [/SUP] The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
Easy Believism that is RAMPANT in these Last Days, does not want to teach REPENTANCE is necessary to become a Christian, especially among a lot of the TV Preachers. Sure there are still a few biblically sound Bible teachers on TV, but they are the minority; such as:
Dr. Charles Stanley
Dr. Ed Young
Dr. Ben Haden
Dr. Adrian Rodgers
Dr. Gil Rugh
And a few others, but there are a lot more Easy Believism Phonies on TV.
J
JesusIsAll
Guest
Easy believism isn't new. I can remember, as a very young Christian, the ear ticklers and money grubbers always there.
In any case, some of the finest of Spirit filled Christians, with advanced degrees in theological study, who've given over their entire lives to the learning and preaching of the word of God, agree on these truths. Lay people on the web argue from a state of relative ignorance of the whole word of God, which requires intense study, over a long period of time. Neither is it any wonder that truths that bring faith and hope are viciously attacked, until the day the tares are burned.
Just a small thing, and I don't in the least mean to be critical, but the word is "imminent" for the return of our Lord as a thief. I want to get a marking pen out, every time I see an article using "eminent." Now, He will be eminent at His return, don't get me wrong...
So much for trusting the Computer Spell Checker, lol.
I know Easy Believism is not new. Like Dr. John MacArthur pointed out in his verse by verse sermons on the book of Revelation, the Seven Churches of Revelation are typical of the Seven Types of Churches that exist during the entire Church Age. They are in the exact same order as each particular Type dominated throughout the History of the Church. Therefore we are WELL into the Laodicean Age when the Lukewarm Church is the dominant Type of Church that exists, nearing the END of the Church History. The Types do not necessarily fall along Denominational Lines, as you can find all Seven Types within one Denomination. What Type of Church it is, USUALLY depends on what the Characteristics of the Pastor are, and thus whatever Type the Pastor is, almost always is the dominant Characteristics of his Church.
Revelation 3:14-22 (HCSB)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation says:
[SUP]15 [/SUP] I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.
{THAT is what we call Easy Believism today.}
[SUP]17 [/SUP] Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and {Are therefore unteachable.} you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,
[SUP]18 [/SUP] I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.
{The opposite of Easy Believism.}
[SUP]20 [/SUP] Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.
[SUP]21 [/SUP] The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.
[SUP]22 [/SUP] “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
I used to be a mailman and this woman that I knew was the local Episcopal Priest on two occasions said to me, "I get almost all of my mail where I work." Doesn't that sound extremely lukewarm towards CHRIST, and totally strange for a supposed Minister of the Gospel to be saying where I work instead of WHERE I MINISTER or AT MY CHURCH? It would not surprise me if there was NO ONE ON FIRE FOR THE LORD in that Church. AND yes she was a practicing Homosexual.
Matthew 16:2-4 (HCSB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] He answered them: “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be good weather because the sky is red.’
[SUP]3 [/SUP] And in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy because the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to read the appearance of the sky, but you can’t read the signs of the times.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
The 1800s through the mid 1900s, was when thePhiladelphia Type of Church was Dominant. Way more Missionaries were sent out during that approximate 150 year period, than any other 150 year period in Church History. {Not that each Church age Period was the same length.} And yes it is still possible to find Philadelphia Type Churches today, but we are now the Minority, and it is getting harder to find one as we advance toward the Day He calls His Church out of this World, so that Antichrist can come to full power. Like John said, "EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS."
I believe the true Church has already been called out from the world system by Jesus at His ascension. All along a relative few have answered that call, evangelizing the planet. Once all earth has heard the gospel, then comes the calling out of the Church, but not until the Church is found without spot or wrinkle. God just can't accept the imperfect in His Heaven. Not one Christian will be allowed to bring in tow his or her abiding sins. It would be likened to presenting a gift to God of a nice sacrifice smeared with sin-vomit. It might take the beheading of most Christian Americans on American soil to realize the importance of that to holy God among surviving believers.
Interesting read, and nice point of the 7 church types, which really show us what the Church that Yahushua built upon Himself should strive to be like, and correct the mistakes by the repentant nature the body of ha'Mashia is called to act upon.
We are called out from this world to be like Yahushua ha'Mashia, and to follow after His teachings and commandments. One can find out who belong to Him by their words and actions. These are those that preach the gospel of the Kingdom of Elohim and testimony of Yahushua, and keep His commandments.
We are called out from this world to be like Yahushua ha'Mashia, and to follow after His teachings and commandments. One can find out who belong to Him by their words and actions. These are those that preach the gospel of the Kingdom of Elohim and testimony of Yahushua, and keep His commandments.
J
JesusIsAll
Guest
Really! I hate that, when I use the wrong word, spelled right. You'd think that, at some point, this artificial intelligence they carp about would reach a place to make a more sophisticated spell checker. It would be nice, actually, if one could just tell their Christian program to set that person straight, but, then again, this would likely lead to only scripture being posted, which wouldn't be understood, because it can't possibly say what it says.
I've always believed the historical interpretation of the seven churches, I recall first studied this in a book by a Mennonite scholar. Like you, we're clearly a combination of Philadelphia and Laodicea, as we speak, there no way to make sense of Revelation 3:10 but some real sparing from tribulation (as opposed to being spared by death of that generation, as some claim, but therefore no substance or uniqueness to such a promise to one church). Neither would there be anybody to rapture, if the Loadicean church were all that's left at the end of the Church Age, as others claim, usually trying to support some weirdly timed or anti-rapture scenario.
The first thing that ever struck me about the Philadelphia church is how there's the statement, "for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." This is a very modern, comfortable situation we find ourselves in, doing alright to just hear our Lord's name not as a curse word, anymore. This is opposed to the earlier churches that had to have much strength to overcome fierce persecutions as a course of things, don't believe having little strength a virtue nor anything that could be said of the early church that was fed to the lions or made lamps of. Many of us are sort of the tail end Christians of the creature comfortable, self sufficient, hedonistic, apostate world, where you're supposed to sit around the campfire, popping beer cans, announcing, "This is as good as it gets." Sometimes one seems all dressed up with the gospel, but nowhere to go! Let's face it. We have a church on every other corner, but really aren't doing very strongly these days.
Whatever, doesn't it all fit like a glove, this Bible that doesn't say what it says? Hmmm. Maybe God even knows how to write a book?
NO, all Seven Types can be found at every point in Church History, is the way Dr. John MacArthur teaches it. It is just that at any point, one TYPE makes up the majority of that age's Churches. For Example the Philidelphia and Macadonian Churches were OBVIOUSLY of the Philadelphia Type, while the Corinthian Church was of the Laodicean Type because their focus was on SELF edification, and therefore they had to be retaught about LOVE for the LORD. Paul even had to threaten to SPANK THEM, because of their condoning sin in the Church, bickering about who is greater, focusing on edifying SELF instead of others, etc.
An Example of a Philadelphia Type of Church:
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NIV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
[SUP]4 [/SUP] they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
NOTICE the Focus is NOT on Self, but rather on edifying and meeting the needs of others.
An Example of a Laodicean Type of Church:
1 Corinthians 4:21 (ISV)
[SUP]21 [/SUP] Which do you prefer? Should I come to you with a stick, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (ASV)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor's good.
NOTICE, the word good is NOT in the original language, and I think they did us a disservice by adding it. I would say that IF you had to put a word in italics to clarify the understanding, it should have been: edification.
1 Corinthians 1:11-15 (ISV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] My brothers, some members of Chloe's family have made it clear to me that there are quarrels among you.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] This is what I mean: Each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ."
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Has Christ been divided? Paul wasn't crucified for you, was he? You weren't baptized in Paul's name, were you?
[SUP]14 [/SUP] I thank God that I didn't baptize any of you except Chrispus and Gaius,
[SUP]15 [/SUP] so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife.
[SUP]2 [/SUP] You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
NOTICE the Focus is on Self, instead of on edifying and meeting the needs of others.
My comments:
The Lord's message to the "church" in Revelation 1; 2; 3; is still the same today by using examples of the first assemblies and His related evaluations .... the things that "are"
His calling for His Ecclesia is described in [Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 3:10; 18:4]
.... same as His "harpazo" action noted in [1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4; 5; 2 Thessalonians 2:1]
Notice His separation of those with and without oil [the holy spirit] [Matthew 25:1-13, and those who keep the truth [Revelation 3:10], and those who are "lukewarm" [Revelation 3:15-20]
The first will be kept from His hour [time] of trial and judgment ..... the others will enter and must repent
The Lord's message to the "church" in Revelation 1; 2; 3; is still the same today by using examples of the first assemblies and His related evaluations .... the things that "are"
His calling for His Ecclesia is described in [Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 3:10; 18:4]
.... same as His "harpazo" action noted in [1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4; 5; 2 Thessalonians 2:1]
Notice His separation of those with and without oil [the holy spirit] [Matthew 25:1-13, and those who keep the truth [Revelation 3:10], and those who are "lukewarm" [Revelation 3:15-20]
The first will be kept from His hour [time] of trial and judgment ..... the others will enter and must repent
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J
JesusIsAll
Guest
I've never seen MacArthur's teaching on this, and it doesn't, then, sound the same, as I saw a breakdown of the actual timeframes since Christ, with a treatise on the characteristics of the historical church in each time, which all fit remarkably well our Lord Jesus prophesying the progression of the entire Church Age. I've actually never thought of our day and time in terms of each church fitting our times, beyond the teachings to each church befitting admonitions to all Christians. So, I can't really comment on the version you're referring to. In any case, aspects of Philadelphia and Loadicea can only fit the latter times, with the tribulation pending.
He clearly speaks of those coming out the Tribulation as a separate group, hence we coined the expression: Tribulation Saints.
But if you look at Scripture, NOT EVERYONE CLAIMING TO BE CHRISTIAN WILL BE TAKEN TO HEAVEN:
Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB)
[SUP]21 [/SUP]"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
[SUP]22 [/SUP] "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
[SUP]23 [/SUP] "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Luke 17:34-36 (NKJV)
[SUP]34 [/SUP] I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
[SUP]35 [/SUP] Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
[SUP]36 [/SUP] Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."
Matthew 25:1-13 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] "Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
[SUP]2 [/SUP] "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
[SUP]4 [/SUP] but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.
[SUP]6 [/SUP] "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
[SUP]7 [/SUP] "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
[SUP]8 [/SUP] "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
[SUP]9 [/SUP] "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'
[SUP]10 [/SUP] "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.
[SUP]11 [/SUP] "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.'
[SUP]12 [/SUP] "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'
[SUP]13 [/SUP] "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
Clearly at least 50% of those who think they are Christians, are left behind; because they never received Him as LORD, which means MASTER.
The key to understanding this is ALL SEVEN TYPES EXISTED WHEN JOHN PENNED THE LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES, they were REAL CHURCHES in Asia Minor (Turkey), and the Lord does not Change, Mal. 3:6. THUS, the Ephesus Type Church-age means the majority of the Churches fit the Characteristics defined in the letter to the Ephesus Church; while the other 6 types made up the minority of the Churches in that time frame. The EXACT same thing is true with all the other letters, each fitting a time frame when that particular Church's characteristics fit the majority of churches during that age.
J
JesusIsAll
Guest
I suppose I'd differ with the concept the letters to the churches have only application to the churches of those times and any time, but nothing more, to the exclusion of divining real historical events in church history and the state of the church, prior to Christ's coming for His church, at the end of the age. I do believe there are prophetic glimpses into the future that match periods of exact circumstances prevalent in times and eschatological aspects of the final churches, the latter pretty clear, a group spared the tribulation, another having to buy spiritual gold, by trial of fire.
Here is a brief history behind understanding the Seven Letters to the Churches as also being representative of Seven Church ages.
The Seven Churches - Part I
The Seven Churches of the Revelation
and of course, Dr. John MacArthur's teaching on the subject:
The Church in Prophetic Perspective
The Seven Churches - Part I
The Seven Churches of the Revelation
and of course, Dr. John MacArthur's teaching on the subject:
The Church in Prophetic Perspective
All you have to do is say I DO and receive Him into your bridechamber and bring forth Christ in you
I married Him quite some time back. He is the Lord God almighty, Jesus my Groom.
Everyone is SUPPOSED to marry Him, my my, what might anyone be waiting for?!
(Eph 5:31)
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
(Eph 5:32)
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
(Eph 2:15)
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
(Rom 7:4)...
be married ... to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Only then Can we Bring Forth the New Man child from within us as His Bride. That is His Coming.
(Joh 16:19)
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
(Joh 16:20)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
(Joh 16:21)
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
(Joh 16:22)
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
(Rev 22:17)
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
(Gal 4:26)
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.