The Scriptures plainly teach that faithful members of the Lord's churches are caught up ("raptured") before the tribulation.
Now we will look at Scriptures that teach that saved people who are found not faithful will be left on earth to go into the tribulation. Because of the many Scriptures
I must refer to, I ask each of you to read the Scripture references in addition
to the printed Scriptures.
In Rev. 3:14-22, the church at Laodicea is said to be neither cold nor hot. "So
then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue [vomit] thee out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:16). The majority of the
church was spued out -- not caught up. The overcomers were invited to sup with
the Lord.
Jesus taught that "the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (John 2:17). I fear
that this prophecy is true in many churches today: big, fancy buildings full of
idols; selling things; bingo; rummage (garbage) sales; crosses (all man-made crosses
are idols); tour buses; skates; balls and bats; boxing equipment; camps that draw
in so many (some with naked shoulders, shorts, etc.). Then they decide to build
gymnasiums and bigger buildings to accommodate the playing crowd. It doesn't matter
that none of these things are true worship of God, so the majority of the church
members will miss the "rapture". They are still saved but unfaithful.
In the first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, the Scriptures teach the
church how to walk in order to be caught up in the "rapture" (I Thess. 4:1-12).
In the second epistle to the church at Thessalonica, they are not told about a
"catching up". The second epistle undoubtedly was written to show what would happen
to those in the church at Thessalonica that miss the rapture. "And to you who
are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with
his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of
our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thess. 1:7-8).
If the whole church had been caught up, they could not still be there seven years
later to see the Lord come in flaming fire. What a difference!
In Matt. 25:1-13, ten virgins are used as examples of those who are ready and those who are not ready. Those who are ready are called wise. Those whose lamps have gone out are called foolish. Were the foolish virgins saved people? You decide. At some time their lamps
had burned. Lost people are never referred to as lights for Jesus. They heard the call
to go out to meet the Bridegroom. Only believers hear the shout (I Thess. 4:14). Unsaved people cannot hear the call of the Bridegroom
when He comes for His Bride.
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection" (Rev. 20:5).
The Lord calls His own servant and leaves him with one talent. Results: The servant
did not use the Lord's talent (Matt. 25:15). Instead of being invited into the
joy of the Lord (Matt. 25:21), he was cast into outer darkness--the earth will be full of darkness (Rev. 16:10) -- so he is cast out into the
tribulation. The Lord was still his Lord and he was still the Lord's servant --
but he was just a slothful servant (Matt. 25:26).
The great apostle Paul knew that he was saved, and that the thing that he had
committed unto Christ would be kept against that day (II Tim. 1:12). But only
near the end of his life was he sure of the crown of righteousness (II Tim. 4:8).
So many preachers preach that all believers are going to be caught up in the "rapture",
but "the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Men who have been placed over
the Lord's household and then begin to live ungodly lives will be given their
portion with unbelievers (Luke 12:42-46). Even though these preachers are still the Lord's servants and
the Lord is still their Lord (Luke 12:45), they get their portion with unbelievers which is to go into the tribulation. Most living saved people will miss the
"rapture".
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape
all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man"
(Luke 21:36).
Our Lord never tells lost people to pray. He tells lost people to believe. The
"altars" of prayer that preachers invite sinners to are of man--not of God. God's
message: Hear, Repent, Believe (Trust).
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