The Revelation of the Mystery (part 7)

As we approach the next aspect of the revelation of mystery, I think it is a wise thing to use Bible language and not use terminology that is not within the pages of scripture. The next aspect of the revelation of the mystery is directed to the " caught up" doctrine which is commonly referred to as the "rapture" of the church. If you have God's perfectly preserved word in the English language, the word "rapture" does not appear, therefore, it would only be a wise and correct position to take in using the correct words from a correct Bible, the authorized King James Version. If you were speaking to a Jehovah's Witness and used the word "trinity", the JW would call you out on that and put you on the defence even though you can easily prove the triune God, the word "trinity" does not appear in the pages of your Bible. The same goes with the word "rapture", so let's be the people of the book we should be and correct our language to match the words God would have us to use. Our faith is the product of God's word rightly divided, we are not a people of an oral tradition, we should shed whatever tradition we are carrying with us as we endeavor to study to shew ourselves approved unto God.

Aspect #5 We will meet the Lord in the air!

How many times have you heard someone say "the Lord is coming back soon"? Whenever I hear that statement, it makes me wonder if that person knows what they have said. Are they expecting Christ to physically return to this earth, therefore to establish the kingdom on the earth? Sadly, that is exactly what most folks are anticipating to happen being ignorant of the information given us by Jesus Christ through the apostle Paul according to the revelation of the mystery. Jesus Christ will indeed return to this earth after the tribulation period, assuming His position as Israel's king seated on David's throne ruling over the twelve tribes. The church, the body of Christ in this present dispensation of the grace of God look forward to an event that was never prophesied, but kept secret since the world began.

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Paul reveals in 1st Corinthians 15 the changing from corruptible to incorruptible, the earthly image to the heavenly image, bodies celestial, bodies terrestrial, the natural body raised a spiritual body. The entire passage from verse 40 through verse 54 is speaking in concern to being "caught up to meet the Lord in the air". Paul would not have us to be "ignorant" brethren, but that we would be informed of this mystery.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Meeting the Lord in the air is a doctrine given to Paul alone by revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ and is a great source of comfort. We will not be partakers of the wrath to come, for God has appointed us to salvation, not wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

This subject has been debated by Theologians for years and most believe the "caught up" passages are the same as the passages referring to Christ's return to the earth., thus proving it is not enough to be Biblical, or scriptural, it is essential to be dispensational in your belief system in order to have a proper understanding of who Christ has made you in this present dispensation of the grace of God! It is not essential to believe we will meet the Lord in the air to be saved, but it demonstrates ignorance to the doctrine given to the body of Christ if you believe otherwise. Actually, if you believe you will be here on the earth with Christ in His kingdom position, in some form you are usurping the position of Israel and disregarding or blending the doctrines associated with the body of Christ with that of the nation Israel.

There are numerous verses in Pauline scripture pointing to this doctrine of the "meeting the Lord in the air". I challenge you to search the scriptures and make your own list of verses on this aspect of the mystery. In 1st Thessalonians, you can find a verse in each chapter which speaks to this doctrine. In Galatians, Paul makes this statement which undeniably speaks to this aspect of the mystery in chapter 1....

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

To deliver us from this "present evil world", could that mean anything but to the being "caught up to meet the Lord in the air"?
There are many more, but you do the work, you assemble a list of your own, be the workman that needeth not to be ashamed. You will find it quite edifying and very comforting, knowing....

1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.