What Rapture?
It is my sincere belief, that many people have been deceived
By a circulating doctrine I contend shouldn’t be believed.
For though it may well seem appealing, it in fact is far from true,
For it’s contrary to God’s Word, not to mention perilous too.
This doctrine is called the RAPTURE, it’s about folk who
disappear,
A SECRET snatching of the SAVED, who in Heaven will next
appear.
It says Christ’s coming like a THIEF, to SILENTLY Christians remove,
And yet, as hard as one may try, such one cannot from Scripture prove.
The Scriptures contain warnings, some very creatively conveyed,
Needing careful scrutiny, lest faulty claims like this one be made.
For although the Scriptures tell us that Christ is coming like a thief,
Such is just an illustration, one that's designed to save us GRIEF.
For what it really means is, that Christ’s Second Coming will SURPRISE,
Catching many people unprepared, who, far too late this realize.
Yes, just like those outside the Ark, most will find that it
is too late,
And that their sudden change of heart will not remove them from their
fate.
And hence the five foolish virgins that we are told of in Scripture,
Whose foolish lack of preparation bears out that same sad picture.
Yes, this parallel illustration is WARNING us to take care,
Lest we, in a similar manner, are caught out should Christ appear.
Where Scripture says that one’s left behind, and that the other’s taken,
We see another warning that is designed to all AWAKEN.
For it shows Christ’s Second Coming will CUT ACROSS family ties
When the unsaved loved one dies, and the saved one, joyously heavenward
flies.
Sheep and goats are mentioned as well, in another illustration,
Further bearing out this fact of a soon coming SEPERATION.
For we’re told Christ’s Second Coming separates the goats and sheep,
The sheep being the righteous, the goats being the unsaved,
who death will reap.
Christ says that up in Heaven there are homes He has been preparing
For the righteous sheep that He’ll claim at His GLORIOUS APPEARING.
And that the righteous dead or living only THEN receive their
crowns,
As no one is rewarded until the day that His TRUMPET sounds.
No, Christ will not come in secret, for Scripture makes that VERY
clear,
But rather, in SPECTACULAR fashion, will very soon appear.
Yes, surrounded by hosts of angels, He in glory will be seen,
Descending from the heavens as His trumpet blast disturbs earth’s scene.
Thus, any time of tribulation, or troubles that lie ahead,
Not every Christian will be spared, like this Rapture doctrine
has said.
For Scripture clearly tells us that Christians who're faithful to their
Lord,
TRIBULATION will have to endure, BEFORE they get their reward.
And that is why the Rapture doctrine is so perilous and cruel,
For it has been designed by Satan to all Christians LULL and FOOL.
God has NEVER told His children that He’ll remove them from earth’s
pain,
Except, for when in glory, Jesus Christ returns to this earth claim.
Thus, the world-wide power reigning just prior to our Saviour's
return,
Will PERSECUTE all of God’s faithful — this, we via the Scriptures learn.
But even though they will suffer such, they’re promised STRENGTH to
endure,
And that their place in God's heavenly kingdom is very SECURE.
By Lance Landall
Further
comment:
The
idea of a ‘secret rapture’ does not occur in Scripture. It is a
theological concept superimposed upon certain passages in the New
Testament. Christ and the New Testament writers explicitly affirm the
‘taking up of the saints’ occurs at the time of the visible, audible,
earth-shaking, and glorious second coming of Jesus Christ when He
returns in person with
His angels (Matt 24:26,27,30,31; Rev 1:7; 1 Thess 4:16; John 5:28,29;
Luke 17:24) and with
His reward of
eternal life (Matt 16:27; Rev 22:12; 2 Tim 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; Heb
11:39,40).
Best you read the poem through first, then the texts within it.
2. Is Elvis In Heaven?
(Elvis Presley — popular American
singer, 1935-1977)
Well, according to the Bible,
the answer to that question is a categorical “No!” — and, by the way,
Nor is Mary (Christ’s earthly
mother), for no one goes to Heaven before Christ’s return, despite what
some say.
Hence why we’re told in
Hebrews that those who’re saved but deceased will have to WAIT, for such is
fairer, obviously,
And why Christ brought Lazarus
back from death, and not down from Heaven, which would've been an utter
absurdity.
“And
all these [faithful Bible heroes of all the ages], though commended
through their faith, did not receive what was promised [eternal life,
immortality], since God had provided something better [much fairer] for
us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect [immortal. They
will have to wait]” (Heb 11:39,40, ESV).
But what about that thief on
the cross, you holler? Didn’t he go to Heaven with Christ? Well,
firstly let me say
That Christ didn’t go to
Heaven that day, resting on the Sabbath, and speaking to Mary Magdalene
on Sunday,
And Christ clearly died well
before the two thieves — thus, the translators should have put their
faulty coma after “today.”
“And He said to him, “Truly, I
say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise’ ” — such being the
right way!
"Jesus
said, 'Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet returned to the
Father...' " (John 20:17, NIV).
"
'And you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be
repaid at the resurrection of the righteous [Christ's second coming)' "
(Luke 14:14, NIV).
Yes, even translators err — or
was it bias, maybe, given we’re fallen humanity?
But when we think things
through logically, such makes far more sense, for Christ is bringing
our reward with Him, you see,
Such being, eternal life for
the saved. And as far as the unsaved go — well, the tragic loss of
eternity.
And the latter will be
destroyed, hence why we’re told they’ll be ashes under our feet, not
burning eternally,
For God’s no sadistic monster,
but rather, loving and fair, hence why all must await His
return, thankfully.
"
'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to
everyone according to what he has done' " (Rev 22:12, NIV). Note also
Matt 16:27.
"For
behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant
and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set
them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither
root nor branch. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be
ashes under the soles of your feet..." (Mal 4:1,3, ESV).
David included, whom we’re
told hasn’t left his grave, for what joy would be found in Heaven if
looking down here
We saw, or knew of our loved
ones going through struggles-cum-trials-cum-misery; such being cruel
as well as unfair.
And hence why we’re also told that the
saved do not get their crowns until Christ’s soon
return-cum-resurrection day,
When the saved who are still
in their graves will ascend with the saved who are still living at that
time — oh happy day!
"...that
he [David] both died and was buried and his tomb is with us today. For
David did not ascend into the heavens.." (Acts 2:29,34, ESV).
"Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the
righteous judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me,
but also to all who have longed for His appearing" (2 Tim 4:8, NIV).
And will we see Elvis there? Well, such no one can say, but only Christ who knows the secrets of
each heart-cum-mind,
And hence why we — if amongst
the saved — will no doubt be very surprised regarding who we might or
mightn’t find.
But as for who is or isn’t there, we’ll
not find out until Christ’s return, we being the reason for His
return,
Over which the saints of all
the ages have yearned, a fact we can discover when the sacred pages we
turn.
"
'In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have
told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come again [the second coming] and will take
you to Myself, that where I am you may be also' " (John 14:2,3, ESV).
And furthermore, we also don’t
have a soul
that flits to Heaven on death, such being pure pagan nonsense, sadly,
Yes, another thing that crept
into the Christian Church — via Greek influence, that is — that’s now
accepted broadly.
The truth is, each of us is a soul, we don’t
have a
soul, and hence why Scripture says that the soul who sins will die,
And why we shouldn’t believe
otherwise, for the idea of an immortal soul is just a devilish lie.
"The
soul that sinneth, it shall die..." (Ezek 18:20, KJV). Note also Matt
10:28; James 5:20.
"It is He
[God] alone who has immortality..." (1 Tim 6:16).
Yes, there’s nothing about us
that is immortal, hence why when the breath of life has gone, we no
longer exist,
And that means, in any form, until
Christ returns to Earth to gather all the saved ones who are on His spared list.
And hence why there’s no
Rapture, for none are secretly spirited away, which is another myth, by
the way,
For we are told that Christ’s
coming for the saved will be a very noisy, earth shaking, and lightning
flashing day.
"
'For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to
the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day [at His second coming]'
" (Luke 17:24, ESV). Note Matt 24:30,31; 1 Thess 4:16.
And hence why those who
supposedly communicate with the dead are simply charlatans who behave
cruelly,
For the things they supposedly
convey from loved ones are false, and certain facts are guessed, or
gained devilishly.
That is, via evil angels who
somehow convey such facts, only to happy to help those charlatans
deceive,
And why only in the Word of
God (correctly interpreted), and not in the word of man, we should
believe.
“Let
no one be found among you...who practices divination or sorcery,
interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a
medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these
things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable
practices the LORD your God will
drive out those nations before you” (Deut 18:10-12, NIV).
By Lance
Landall
You may also wish to read my poems No One Burns Forever and Where Are They? which are in the orange boxes so titled, and where there may be diagrams too.
3. POOF!
Picture the following:
Lazarus is up in Heaven-cum-Paradise, and there, he enjoying
immortality;
In other words, a life beyond one’s wildest dreams — such staggering —
and this, for an eternity.
And then — POOF! — he suddenly and instantly back on Earth, and this,
four days after he had died,
And he, quickly surrounded by many, they hoping that some things about
Heaven he’d provide.
Poor old Lazarus, he no doubt horrified in more ways than one, and
wouldn’t you and I be?
We one minute enjoying heavenly bliss, and then — POOF! — hello chaos
and insanity.
And some years on — dying again — meantime having spoken and written
all about Paradise,
And such recorded in Scripture — one would think — in order to more
doubters and scoffers entice.
But such causing some consternation given that David didn’t ascent
to Heaven when he died,
Well, going by the book of Acts, that is — and we’ve certainly no
reason to think that Luke lied.
And nor Paul,
who talks about the dead being asleep and awaiting the coming
resurrection,
Which, if Lazarus had gone straight to Heaven at death, would surely be
cause for some objection.
Well, I don’t recall the Word of God saying that Lazarus did go to Heaven
when he died,
And nor does it gel that — POOF! — he suddenly appear back on Earth
taking it all in his stride.
So what in fact did
happen during those four days — consistency, please — or was he in his
grave?
For despite his return from where the dead be — Heaven or hell, some
say — not a single clue he gave.
And hey, didn’t Christ
say that Lazarus was asleep? Figuratively, that is. He KO’d,
And thus not roaming about Paradise, nor in some hell, but in a far
more silent
abode.
And I guess that’s why the Bible says that the dead know nothing, and
won’t awake from their slumber
Until the resurrection of the saved at Christ’s coming, and I pray
you’ll be in that number.
Yes, imagine having gone to Heaven upon death, your body having only
just gone cold,
And your family pleading, “Please bring our loved one back to life,”
and right before their eyes, behold!
And you, having just got through those pearly gates, and — POOF! — yes,
back to chaos and insanity,
And you thanking your loved ones profusely (I don’t think), and
they questioning you, undoubtedly.
“What was it like?” “Was so and so there?” “Has the
wedding feast started yet?” and “When is Christ coming?”
And here you are lost for words, the glory, peace and joy of Heaven
mind-blowing and mind-numbing.
Yes, such doesn’t bear thinking about, for who’d want to end up back
here, and wouldn’t that be cruel?
And why we’re told that we’ll all be made perfect together, God always
fair, clear, and He no fool.
By Lance Landall
Refer
to the texts in the poem above and elsewhere on site.
4. Oopsy Daisy
And Jesus supposedly said:
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
Oopsy daisy. Try this instead:
“Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in paradise.”
Now that makes far more sense, and I’ll tell you why (combing the Scriptures thoroughly):
Our Saviour, upon His death, did not ascend to Heaven immediately,
But rather, after resting in His tomb on the Sabbath (in line with His Law),
Remained on Earth for a number of days, His reappearance hard to ignore.
Yes, Christ even telling Mary that He hadn’t ascended to His Father,
And therefore, had hardly taken the thief back to Heaven with Him, but rather,
Will collect him come the resurrection of the righteous dead at Christ’s return,
For no one ascends to Heaven at death, which, via searching God’s Word, one can learn.
This being why Paul said that those who’ve been promised eternity will have to wait —
He referring to past Bible heroes — and thus nobody jumping the gate.
Yes, Christ having provided something fairer, we all ascending together,
And there, and forever on, enjoying Christ’s presence; peace and divine weather.
That comma?
It simply the result of the bias of the translators, who, wrongly so,
Believe, or believed, that one goes to Heaven at death, which Scripture says isn’t so,
No, the original Greek text having no punctuation, and why we see,
Those translators going by what they think and not by what’s right biblically.
Yes, sincerely mistaken,
For we’re told that David (for one, who slew Goliath), is still with us today,
He lying in his tomb, and thus no imaginary soul winging its way.
In other words, Christ not just returning for bodies that have returned to clay,
But the complete person (who’s called a soul), and who He’ll restore in every way.
That we’ve souls is as foolish as Lazarus being summoned back from Heaven, and,
Why he hadn’t gone anywhere and thus is still at rest in some Bible land.
And I’m so glad of that, for who would be happy in Heaven if they could see
Their loved ones suffering below, or just as absurd, burning eternally.
By Lance Landall
5. God's No Strange God
Yes, God’s no strange God, as so many Christians would have us believe, tragically,
Souls flitting to Heaven at death, bodies later resurrected, supposedly.
Now why on Earth would Christians believe such, 'cause such is not what God’s Word says is so,
But merely those flawed interpretations of which each Christian should far better know.
Yes, if it’s not immortal souls contrary to the fact that we’re told we’re mortal, or,
Christ returning for bodies that He could make anew, it’s eternal fire in store,
As if Christ would act so sadistically; and where’s that power of His they ignore
Which created us all in the first place? He no doubt having our blueprints, what’s more.
Hence why He would hardly return for decaying bodies, some blown to smithereens,
All being why when God’s Word is studied correctly a different story one gleans.
Not one where false teachers have borrowed from pagan sources-cum-Egyptian and Greek,
And which entered the Christian Church post the apostles — oh, how the devil’s a sneak.
Surely logic must convict us that something is wrong with what’s commonly believed;
The devil — who loves mixing error with truth — thus ensuring that folk are deceived.
For no soul or complete person arises at death, but at Christ’s return, who then,
Rewards with eternal life or death, and not before as propagated by men.
No wonder Christians are confused, and the world scratching its head, for who’d believe such?
It peppered with pagan thinking, and hence how the devil wrestles folk from truth’s clutch.
And how he ensures that that strange God comes about — well, as some would have us believe,
They holding to heresy that crept into the Christian Church, hence how they deceive.
The reason for Christ’s return is to take the saved ones to Heaven, and not before,
Which not only makes more sense, but is fairer, and thus our reward being kept in store.
All why He says that He’s bringing His reward with Him, and why we’ll all have to wait,
His judgment currently in session, and why no one will be vaulting Heaven’s gate.
Yes, so much for souls supposedly flitting to Heaven detached from the body,
A body that soon returns to clay, but one that Christ can recreate instantly.
In other words, He having no need to return just for bodies, and nor will He,
But rather, the complete person who is a soul, should they have died previously.
And they, along with the saved still living at Christ’s return, will meet Christ in the air,
He being no strange God but an orderly God who such matters has made very clear.
For separate bodies and souls make no sense, nor some eternally burning Hell,
Which hardly draws the non-believer to Christ, for such with a just God doesn’t gel.
Listen, the only thing that departs from the body at death is the breath of life,
And it’s not old bodies that get raised, but new ones full of the returned breath of life.
And thus why Christ is returning for the complete man, woman, boy and girl, who then
(And with the saved of all the ages), ascend to Heaven, to which lets say “Amen!”
And come the end of a millennium (Scripture states), both Christ and those who are saved,
And the New Jerusalem, will descend to this Earth made new, Christ’s hands still engraved.
And there, together with Christ, we’ll remain forever, sin and the wicked no more,
The latter not still burning but burnt up — gone — which John the Revelator foresaw.
Yes, God’s no strange God, He hardly having burning people spoiling eternity,
And nor would He have us anxious over such now thanks to folk teaching heresy.
And, let me add, nor thinking of our loved ones enjoying Heaven while we’re not, or,
Anxious a loved one might be already screaming in some Hell, which at one’s mind would gnaw.
And as for souls flitting to Heaven, such simply plays into the old devil’s hand,
Who thereby has deluded folk seeking messages from the dead as he no doubt planned.
And why he wants folk thinking that Christ is returning for bodies, which isn’t true,
For why would Christ bother with those old ones when He can create bodies that are new?
By Lance Landall
I highly recommend that you read my article Getting The Millennium Right which is on my page Where Love And Wrath Meet.
6. "My Kingdom Is Not Of This World"
Yes. Christ said, “My kingdom is not of this world,” hence why His kingdom we won’t see
Until that time when the New Jerusalem descends in all its finery.
And that won’t be until after Christ’s second coming and this Earth is made new,
For at His coming everything will be destroyed amidst His saving rescue.
The truth is:
That God wouldn’t set up His kingdom on a fallen, tainted, corrupt planet,
And nor midst a mixed multitude, those sheep and goats, which surely one must admit,
For Christ’s kingdom is a heavenly one, hence all must be well before it descends,
And why anyone who thinks such will happen before hand, a falsehood defends.
We’re clearly told that the New Jerusalem descends after a thousand years,
And that during those years the Earth lies desolate, just Satan here with his fears;
The saints that were rescued having been in Heaven, but now they descending too,
For both Christ and they will inhabit the Earth made new, things no longer askew.
It’s logic, really,
For if the saints have been taken up (rescued), they clearly must come back down, for
We’re told that they will be living with Christ on the renewed Earth for evermore;
And that Satan (and the resurrected wicked), try to attack the city
(the descending New Jerusalem),
But fire devours them all and they therefore dead and gone for all eternity.
So what would the saints do during those thousand years? you ask. Check out Heaven’s books,
They thus able to see why many loved ones were rejected; hence those sad looks,
And why those tears will only be wiped away come their return to this planet
Where there will be no goats; not one single sinner, false prophet or hypocrite.
By Lance Landall
Check out Revelation chapters 20,21 remembering that the book of
Revelation tends to move back and forth a bit.
“The
Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The
heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by
fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter
3:9,10, NIV).
This crossover poem also appears in my secular section.
7. No One's Gone Anywhere
Okay, so you’re not a Christian, but let me fill you in on a few things, friend,
For despite what most Christians think, no one goes to Heaven until this Earth’s end.
Hence why the Christian Bible speaks of an airlift come Christ’s return, and also
Of a resurrection; everyone who’s saved having to wait, and then upwards go.
Yes, it’s a myth that folk go to Heaven at death, just another heresy,
One that crept into the Christian Church after the old apostles died, sadly.
And why the Bible says that God has a fairer plan in mind, it His return,
When all, and together (both the saved and unsaved), their happy or sad fate will learn.
And hence why the Christian Bible talks of a separation that will take place;
The saved termed “sheep” and the unsaved termed “goats” — the latter, eternal death to face.
And not because God wants them destroyed, but they effectively making that choice,
One group responding and the other group rejecting His loving, warning voice.
And hence why there’s no departed loved ones on the other side, Heaven or Hell,
For such is purely the thinking of those who don’t know the Bible very well.
And why mediums have a field day, they milking that erroneous belief,
Thus preying on the gullible and vulnerable, making money out of grief.
So, where are the dead? Still on Earth, they metaphorically sleeping, we’re told,
And they, unable to speak, move, or even breathe, they lifeless and deathly cold.
In other words, they no more until their Creator returns, He the life-giver,
Who from the grave, or the surrounding chaos of the times, such will deliver.
Yes, and no soul that meantime departs, such nothing but more foolish nonsense too,
Which, sad to say, also crept into the Christian Church, a doctrine that’s askew.
For each of us is a soul, not has a soul, and why we say, “That poor old soul,”
Who, just like us come their death, ceases to be anything, hence that plot-cum-hole.
But one from which they’ll very soon be delivered if having chosen wisely,
For it’s clear that Earth’s on borrowed time — and we, sad and broken humanity.
In other words, in need of a Saviour; a heavenly one-cum-Christ the Son,
Who’ll return as soon as His Judgment’s over, such having already begun.
By Lance Landall
“Now he [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,
Felix was afraid…” (Acts 24:25, NKJV).
“He [an angel] said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water’ ” (Rev 14:7, NIV).
“ ‘For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He
will reward each person according to what he has done’ ” (Matt 16:27, NIV).
“ ‘Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according
to what he has done’ ” (Rev 22:12, NIV).
“These [faithful heroes of the Bible] were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised [they didn’t go to Heaven-cum-receive eternal life]. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect [they will have to wait to receive immortality]” (Heb 11:39,40, NIV).
"...that
he [David] both died and was buried and his tomb is with us today. For
David did not ascend into the heavens.." (Acts 2:29,34, ESV).
I highly recommend that you read my article Getting The Millennium Right which is on my page Where Love And Wrath Meet.
8. But All Of Us Together
My dear Christian friend, and with the greatest of respect, your loved one’s not up there,
Because such simply wouldn’t make sense, and why the truth is, that they’re still down here.
Yes, they asleep in their grave, for God’s Word says so, speaking figuratively,
Because they’ve actually passed away, are lying where they were laid, you see.
Yes, Christendom having swallowed a devilish lie that crept into the Church,
And why another important truth has been knocked from its apostolic perch.
Both Christ and his disciples having pointed us to a resurrection day,
When those who’re saved but deceased will arise from Earth’s imprisoning mud and clay.
We all to be made perfect together, God’s Word says, for such is much fairer,
And why when it comes to that blessed hope, resurrection, there’s nothing dearer,
Nor clearer, for the deceased know nothing, according to the Scriptures, nothing,
Nor praise God, and thus why they’ll have to wait until that coming shout, trumpet ring.
It’s never wrong to question what you’ve always been taught, so long as truth’s desired,
Your questioning not due to rebellion, but such the Spirit having inspired.
For it’s the Spirit that guides us to truth, and conversely, away from falsehood,
As God wants everything within His Holy Word to be clearly understood.
Yes, there’s hardly fairness in our deceased loved ones already being up there,
They as tortured as us, they missing us up there, and we missing them down here.
In other words, such adding to our earthly lot, such spoiling their time up there,
And why the Bible says that those who’re deceased but saved are still waiting down here.
So no detached soul has flittered its way to Heaven, such another porky,
And the devil grinning, so many having once again swallowed heresy.
For each of us is a soul, a whole, and that’s the way that we will all be raised,
So that all together, our Lord and Saviour will be even more loudly praised.
Thus no one getting an earlier invitation to the banquet, wedding,
And milling around for years, many centuries, though here I’m kind of kidding,
But in order to make a point, for God says He’s bringing His reward with Him,
And why we’ve been charged with conveying truth-cum-sowing seeds in the interim.
All why the dead don’t need to be in Heaven in the meantime, but ’neath Earth’s sod,
Centuries passing in a flash, and then, the awesome sight of our returning God.
And David raised from his grave too, Scripture stating that he never ascended,
'Cause it doesn’t contradict itself, and faith and trust being what God intended;
He not returning nor removing us until all is fulfilled and ended.
By Lance Landall
9. Trouble In Paradise Again
Once
upon a time (conveyed here in rhyme), there lived a very good man —
here on Earth, that is, for a certain span — yes, a faithful Christian
who in time passed away, and who was taken up to Heaven, or so they
say, and there he sat in Paradise (the destination of the saved, to be
precise), where each day midst much heartache and copious tears, he
observed his loved ones earthy affairs — the grief they battled, their
toils and woes, things that shook and rattled, their highs and lows,
until finally he broke, and turning to Christ, the following
despondently spoke:
“Why did You bring me up here — now, that is —
for one thing is very clear: I can't be content or happy up here, while
they’re so tortured and unhappy down there?”
And clutching at his
robe and star studded crown, he dragged himself back to his mansion,
gaze not up but down, face distorted with a frown, and he was seldom
seen on the streets of gold, wondering why a God of love (who we're
told watches tenderly from above), true joy and peace would thus
withhold.
And he wasn’t alone, for there were others too, who had
a similar grouch, not to mention view — in fact, many had an even worse
one, for midst a flaming fire, and state most dire, they beheld their
spouse, daughter or son, a nightmare that didn’t make sense, and that
as a consequence, not only robbed them of joy and peace (made worse by
the knowledge that such wouldn’t cease), but that also had them doubt
God’s mercy, for couldn’t He surely see, that keeping them burning
continually, was not only unjust, but even sadistic, arguably?
Thus,
despite the absence of Lucifer (no longer in Heaven, and the first to
err), happiness and contentment ceased to flow, as doubts and
murmurings began to grow, for in the minds of many, Paradise had lost
its glow, making each new day so painfully slow, which soon led to
insinuations, and condemnatory accusations — in other words, open
rebellion again, war, something that God never foresaw — or did He,
actually — and has He planned things differently, and could this
account be imaginary, a tale showing the flaws in a currently held
heresy, a doctrine belonging to men, who’ve strayed off-track once
again, a heresy that says that at death, and with their very last
breath, the saved are raised immediately, thus ascending up to the
heavenly, while the departing wicked descend to some hell, only to be
observed by those who in Heaven dwell?
Oh dear, for surely it’s
clear, that such is a sure recipe for trouble in Paradise again, but
isn’t that so typical of men, who, certain influences of their day,
namely Greek (which is found if you seek), allowed to gain the upper
hand, and thereby, wrongly sway, which soon had the majority going
astray.
And out of such, Satan has gained much, for now many think
that the deceased are communicating, and our joining them in Paradise
anticipating, when the truth is, that they’re still here on Earth, that
they're still locked in their graves, and like us, their Saviour still
awaiting.
By Lance Landall
“Yet
all these [faithful Bible heroes of all the ages] though they were
commended for their faith, DID NOT RECEIVE WHAT WAS PROMISED [eternal
life, immortality], since God had provided something better [much
fairer] so that they WOULD NOT, APART FROM US, BE MADE PERFECT [be
given immortality. They will have to wait until Christ's second
coming]” (Heb 11:39,40).
“See, the day is COMING, burning
like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be STUBBLE;
the day that comes shall BURN THEM UP, says the Lord of hosts, so that
it will leave them NEITHER ROOT NOR BRANCH [total annihilation]. And
you shall TREAD DOWN THE WICKED, for they will be ASHES” (Mal 4:1,3).
10. The Rapture Myth
Is
it any wonder that atheists (for one), are mocking Christianity (and
quite understandably), and thereby Christians and Christ the Son, given
the erroneous rapture theory — for believe me, that is exactly what it
is, nothing more than a theory (a false doctrine, a superimposed one),
and in the same league as Charles Darwin’s evolution theory — for it’s
not only unbiblical, but it’s totally illogical, and hence why it
doesn’t gel with Scripture, for how can it, given it paints a contrary
picture, one that brings both Christians and Christianity into
disrepute, and hence why the rapture theory every Christian should
refute.
The correct picture
that the Holy Word of God paints, is that there won’t
be a secret snatching of the saints, but rather, a spectacular, noisy,
and dramatic rescue, one that every single eye on Earth will view, the
saved ones rising in the air to meet their Lord — that is, the saved of
all the ages — for only then, according to the sacred pages, do any
saved ones receive their reward — and as the saints rise in the air —
such being the second coming resurrection — the lost ones who are full
of dread and fear, are slain, given their foolishly chosen rejection —
that is, their open rejection of Christ, and hence how with their
salvation they diced, only to lose — and hence why each one of us, the right path should
choose.
Yes, there is only one
event, and that is, Christ’s second coming return, where both the saved
and those who Christ’s call chose to spurn, will see Him appearing in
the sky, midst a trumpet blast and loud commanding cry, lightening
flashing from the east to the west, and legions of holy angels by His
side — yes, the Bridegroom coming for His bride, and thus the goats on
one side, the sheep on the other side, for only then,
according to more than one apostle’s pen, are saints and sinners
separated, the saints to be rewarded with eternity and immortality, the
wicked to be incinerated (that is, completely annihilated), for no one
gets punished or burnt before hand, and certainly not eternally — and
nor, let me say again, are any secretly raptured, for such is just a
faulty doctrine of men.
No,
the rapture theory is nothing but a myth, a hoax, one that the wrath of
God seriously stokes, for it simply lulls folk into a false sense of
security, just like the once saved always saved utter absurdity, for
God’s grace doesn’t give one licence to sin, but rather, empowers us
via the Spirit within, that we might truly reflect our
Saviour, emulating Him in thought, word and behaviour, for that
is what He desires, and why those who say they’ve come to know Him, yet
don’t obey His law, thus dishonouring Him (selfishness at the core),
and they being hearers, not doers, the apostle John calls liars, for
obedience is the fruit of true
believers, and hence why only they
will be eternal life receivers, and not those who via their heresy, are
as bad as non-believers, for though they supposedly are
believers, they effectively are also deceivers, and hence why we should
take great care, lest through accepting error, we too, thus askew, and
via not teaching what is true, God’s condemnation share.
All
who’re faithful to their Lord, given what we’re told lies ahead
(thanks to the “image” of the “beast” who lives by the sword), will
suffer tribulation before their reward, and thus will not
be spared such, as the rapture theory has wrongly said, and hence why
we won’t see people secretly raptured, for that’s just fiction, a
fantasy that the gullible has captured, those who’re listening to the
words of men, and not going by each Bible writer’s pen, given that such
a theory tickles the ears, allays one’s self focussed anxiety and
fears, rather than giving people the true facts, and hence why truth
seldom attracts, eventually leading to loss and tears.
Dear friend,
please
don’t be conned by the “left behind” hoax, for such is simply one of
the devil’s cruellest jokes — yes, just another deception (and some
say a Jesuit
conception), for
such are the times we are living in, a time when most want an easy way
out, rather than being true and stout, and facing reality and godly
medicine, and why rather than embracing truth, they just accept
someone’s spin — oh, what folly, and hence why once again, thanks to
deluded men, the devil is just seen to chortle and grin.
Yes,
such a theory destroys the truth about Christ’s second coming, and the
conscience of many Christians is thereby numbing, given that they are
not only playing with grace (thanks to the once saved always saved
disgrace, or variations on a theme), but seemingly are feeling smug
that what lies ahead they won’t have to face, tragically lost in a
deceptive and rapturous dream, for such they will have to face.
Oh,
Protestantism, you’ve certainly lost your way, but isn’t that what
happens when from the Word of God Christians stray, and right into the
hands of the “image” to the “beast,” who over their capture will be
seen to delight and feast.
Yes,
Christ will surprise alright, for just like a thief in the night, He
will catch many deluded and lukewarm Christians asleep (who’ll then
find themselves amongst the goats and not the sheep), and Christ will
also surprise those mockers who’re still mocking, (and who like deluded
Christians, truth and light are also
blocking) — all of which, eternal death will reap.
By Lance Landall
“Yet
all these [faithful Bible heroes of all the ages] though they were
commended for their faith, DID NOT RECEIVE WHAT WAS PROMISED [eternal
life, immortality], since God had provided something better [much
fairer] so that they WOULD NOT, APART FROM US, BE MADE PERFECT [be
given immortality. They will have to wait until Christ's second
coming]” (Heb 11:39,40).
“This calls for patient ENDURANCE
on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain
faithful to Jesus [this is referring to the time of the worldwide
persecuting "beast" power (Rev 13:11-18)]” (Rev 14:12, NIV).
“When
the Son of Man comes in His GLORY and all the ANGELS with Him [in other
words, at His second coming], He will sit on His throne in heavenly
glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will
SEPERATE the people one from another as a shepherd seperates the sheep
from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His
left [the sheep could hardly be seperated from the goats at Christ's
second coming if they were already up in Heaven]" (Matt 25:31-33, NIV).
11. Let's Face Things With God
In
our weak and fallen state — thinking, “Oh dear, what might be my fate?”
— or so it seems to me — and sadly, only too eagerly — we embrace
illusions, draw desired conclusions, hoping that we’ll be spared from
whatever we’ve feared, rather than looking to Christ our Lord, for only
in Him is one safely moored — yes, able to face reality — and that is,
whatever might be, rather than being lulled into a false sense of
security, via the likes of some foolish and erroneous rapture theory,
for let me tell you very clearly, friend, that before Earth’s
apocalyptic end, Christians just like those who’ve gone before, won’t
be freed from troubles, pain or war, and nor from persecution, and even
execution, for Scripture shows that such will be, until that day Christ
sets us free — yes, descending through the lighted sky, midst trumpet
blast and victory cry, surrounded by angels who’ll retrieve the saints
— yes, that’s the picture that Scripture paints.
Meantime,
as we can surely see, Christians will suffer from Earth’s reality, and
oh, how they do, right within our view, for so often on the six o’clock
News (possibly midst wrongful programmes we choose), are seen
Christians suffering too, even horribly dying, and not just a few, be
that via tyrants, criminal acts, famines and earthquakes — yes, let’s
face the facts: Christians won’t be spared till Christ’s triumphant
hour, and will have to face yet another evil power, perhaps a wolf in
sheep’s clothing, its perpetrators truth loathing — oh yes, while
pretending otherwise, for that’s the nature of disguise, and the
devil’s trickery — yes, just like that false rapture theory, one that
tickles the itchy ear, for it’s just what some want to hear — oh, dear,
what a tragedy, and what a repeat of history.
So
let’s put our trust in the Lord, not some false theory or fraud, be
such one person or many, for believe me, there isn’t any, but Christ
who can save and reward, but who won’t remove from trials nor sword,
till He at His soon return, for which Christians yearn, descends
triumphantly, His timing chosen perfectly — yes, avenging the blood of
the saints — that, dear friend, is the only picture that Scripture
paints.
Yes,
let’s face things with God, down on our knees and seeking to please,
that His will be done, and also praising the Son, who bore a cross and
suffered too, knows what we’re all going through, and who’ll supply the
strength we need, if we’ll contritely seek and plead, for there’s just
no other avenue, but to trust in Him who’s faithful and true, who, what
seems impossible to us, can so easily do.
By Lance Landall