Genesis 7:16 "And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in." 

AS IN THE TIME OF LOT AND SODOM & GOMORRAH AS TYPOLOGY OF JUDGMENT!
Genesis 19:13 

"For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it." 
Genesis 19:14 "And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law." (Many are so deceived in this present time)
Genesis 19:16 "And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city." 
Genesis 19:22 "Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar." 
Notice in the above text: The angels are the agents of deliverance. It is they who physically removed the righteous family out of Sodom. God could not proceed with the destruction until the family of Lot were taken to sanctuary.

THE ATTACHMENT TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD:  SAVING ONE'S OWN LIFE
Eligibility: the place of sanctuary subject to the spiritual status (affections of the heart) of individual believers

Genesis 19:26 "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." 
The nature of cares, lusts, attachments are shown by Jesus who reminds us again of the results of not letting go of this present life:

WILL THE RAPTURE BE BEFORE, DURING or AFTER THE TRIBULATION PERIOD?

Luke 17:27 "They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all." 
Luke 17:26 "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."
Luke 17:28 "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;" 
Luke 17:29 "But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all." 
Luke 17:30 "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." 

THE ABOVE VERSES FROM GENESIS (THAT JESUS' REFERS TO IN HIS OLIVET DISCOURSE, IN LUKE 21 AND MATTHEW 24) CLEARLY DESCRIBE A SEPARATION OF HE PEOPLE OF GOD FROM THE JUDGMENT WHICH IS TO BE VISITED UPON THE LAND. These same scriptures also describe how life was in a sense of normality and routine ness until the separation of the righteous remnant who were spared from the wrath.

Luke 17:31 "In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back." 
Luke 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife." 
Luke 17:33 "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." 

The preceding and following passages describe how people who are apparently in close fellowship (i.e. church members of professing believers) may experience different judgments. See Matt 25.
Luke 17:34 "I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left." 
Luke 17:35 "Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left." 
Luke 17:37 "And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Where ever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together." 

WHERE WILL THE BELIEVER BE TAKEN? Out of this world to Join the Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Luke 21:20 "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." The near fulfillment of prophecy came in 70 AD and but there will be a future fulfillment during the final conflict of Armeggedon. Israel is THE target.
Luke 21:21 "Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter there into." 
Luke 21:22 "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." 
The Second Coming will be visibly witnessed by all as an awesome natural phenomena: This same Jesus who you saw leave will in like manner return and set his feet upon Mount Olivet.
Luke 21:27 "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." 

THE WARNINGS AND THE ADMONITIONS
Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." 
Luke 21:35 "For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." 
Luke 21:36 "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." 

THE COMING OF THE LORD AS A THIEF IS A SECRET AND SURPRISE RETURN
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." 
1 Thessalonians 4:18 "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 
1 Thessalonians 5:1 "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you." 
1 Thessalonians 5:2 "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." 
1 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." 
1 Thessalonians 5:4 "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 
1 Thessalonians 5:5 "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." 

EXHORTATIONS
1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." 
1 Thessalonians 5:7 "For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night." 
1 Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." 
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." 
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." 

A MIRACULOUS RE-CREATION: AT THE TRUMPET OF GOD
1 Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." 
1 Corinthians 15:51 "Behold, I show 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." 
1 Corinthians 15:53 "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 
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 15:55 "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 

WHO WILL OUR HEARTS CHOOSE? WHERE IS OUR TREASURE?
Matthew 8:12 "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 
Matthew 13:30 "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."  - - -
Matthew 13:40 "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world." 
Matthew 24:42 "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Watch and Pray lest you enter into temptation" 
Matthew 24:43 "But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up." 
Matthew 24:44 "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." 
Matthew 24:48 "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;" 
Matthew 24:49 "And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;" 
Matthew 24:50 "The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of," 

THE TYPOLOGY OF THE BRIDE GROOM AND THE BRIDE
John 14:2-3 "- - -I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am you may be also, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am you may be also.

THE BRIDE AWAITS THE BRIDEGROOMS UNEXPECTED RETURN: 

Matthew 25:1 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom." 
Matthew 25:2 "And five of them were wise, and five were foolish." 
Matthew 25:3 "They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:" 
Matthew 25:5 "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." 
Matthew 25:6 "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." 
Matthew 25:10 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."  (The door of the ark closed by God)
Matthew 25:11 "Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us." 
Matthew 25:12 "But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." 
Who will fellowship with the Lord? Who will seek to know Him? 
Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." 
Matthew 25:32 "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:" 
Matthew 25:34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" 
 

MATT 25:32 -- ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT PRE TRIBULATION RAPTURE

For my own edification and peace founded upon hope, I find these 3 scriptural principles as the most relavent to discerning false doctrine.

1. Old testament typology of Noah's Ark of safety and the references to Sodom and Gomorra. (Jesus Gospel teaching - Olivet discourse.)

2. Jesus teaching parable of the tares: Matt 13:27 Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matt 13:36 " --saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (age) ; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear - "
3. The apostle Paul in his first letter to Thessalonica: Clearly identifies the mystery of the transformation of the dead and living believers who are be resurrected or transformed (the righteous dead are resurrected, the righteous living are translated and caught up) to be caught up (harpazo=snatched away forcefully) (raptare- Latin vulgate) to meet Christ in the air.
4. The apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy: Chapter 3: 1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

From the above, you may clearly see that those who teach Restoration - - Kingdom-now theology completely ignore these guiding principles of Scripture and become part of a group who over estimate the role of believers in the body of Christ in completely destroying the works of the enemy in this world and bringing in the wealth government and reign of righteousness upon the earth.

Hal Lindsey an emminent Bible teacher, has focused most of his ministry on end-time prophecy and is a proponent of the immenent rapture of the church. He points out in recent teachings that the above passage is a second sorting which occurs as the remaining population upon the earth is separated into believers and unbelievers. The first sorting is the rapture itself when a distinction is made between those whose lamps are burning (Holy Spirit faith and zeal) and those without oil. In the great tribulation which follows many come to Christ and many are martyred for his namesake. The remaining are the enemies of God and have become followers of the false messiah, Anti-Christ, or gospel unbelievers.

Chuck Missler has an internet link describing matters of escatology and the second coming of Messiah for and with his church. I believe that his doctrine is solid and fully details scriptural positions. (Koinonia House Online: ) http://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/444/

MORE ON THE TRIBULATION AND THE REVEALING OF THE ANTI CHRIST

2 Thessalonians 1:5 "Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:" 
2 Thessalonians 1:6 "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;" 
2 Thessalonians 1:7 "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels," 
2 Thessalonians 1:8 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" 
2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him," 

THERE IS A SPIRITUAL FORCE PRESENT ON EARTH WHICH PREVENTS ANTI CHRIST FROM ASCENDING TO POWER: THE POWER WHICH WITHHOLDS MUST BE REMOVED.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (POSSIBLE INTERPRETATION CATCHING AWAY) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" 
2 Thessalonians 2:6 "And now ye know what with holds that he might be revealed in his time." 
2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." 

THE PERIOD OF GRACE IS A CERTAIN PERIOD (DISPENSATION) JESUS ANNOUNCED THIS AS 'THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR --ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD' (Isa 61:2) 
God is not the author of confusion: God is a God of order . The age of Grace has a finite and fixed time period. It begins with Jesus declaring father forgive them they know not what they do. The Gospel of the Kingdom can be correctly understood as good news when we are aware that we are not judged for our sins if we accept the price the Lamb paid.
This acceptable year of the Lord is followed by the day of Judgment and wrath in the Isaiah prophecy. Jesus did not read that portion when he announced the mission of grace. It remained a time to come -- a separate dispensation.

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION WARNS THE "CHURCHES" in chapter 2, THEN TAKES THE BELIEVERS OUT
Revelation 2:16 "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." 
Revelation 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." 
Revelation 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." 

It is commonly understanding of those who believe in a future view of eschatology and the pre tribulation rapture of the church, that a heavenly door is opened at the beginning of Revelation, Chapter 4. The chapters that follow view the events from a heavenly not an earthly viewpoint until Chapter 19.

Revelation 4:1 "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter."

March 25, 2018