(Acts 2: 5) Who was the target group to whom Jesus led Peter to preach? Did Peter preach to “Ye Gentiles, out of every nation under heaven?” No. He was speaking to Jews only. How 46
many Gentiles were in the crowd? None. How many Gentiles does it take to start a Messianic Church? None! How could the Body of Christ Church have started at Pentecost without Gentiles?
It certainly does appear that the “Body of Christ” Church did not begin with Peter. I fully realize this is a very controversial, highly significant area in the Christian faith, but this is the position that makes most sense to me.
The Bible does not state that Gentiles were in attendance at Peter’s gathering. The Jews were not to associate with Gentiles, so it is inconceivable that Peter was speaking to a “mixed” crowd of Jew and Gentile.
As a point of interest, some of the early Church fathers believed that Paul founded the Church.
“Paul was, after Jesus, the founder of the Churches that are in Christ.”
Origen, (c. 248, E), 4.425
“For who of us could have dreamed that Paul, the persecutor and enemy of the Church, would prove to be its defender and guardian? Yes, and not only that, but that he would become also its ruler - the founder and architect of the Churches?”
Disputation of Archelaus and Manes (c. 320, E), 6.208
If the highly-charged topic of the founding of the Church is an area of interest for the reader, he or she should conduct their own study and ask the Holy Spirit to provide clarification, if need be. Remember - study to find yourselves approved.
The Lost Sheep of Israel
The Biblical reality that tells us that Jesus and His disciples came only for the “lost 47
sheep of Israel,” is a revelation for most Christians. It is a matter of Biblical fact that in the three years of His ministry, Jesus only spoke with two Gentiles.
Earlier I mentioned that Peter and his disciples never stepped foot out of Israel. The Bible does not record them ever leaving Israel. Is this an oversight in God’s planning? Did the Holy Spirit purposely neglect to tell the writers of the New Testament to include Church history in the books of the Bible?
Let us study what Acts 1: 8 tells us about the disciples’ actual ministry zones. Jesus was about to ascend to heaven when He issued the following instruction:
“But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you (at Pentecost), and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
However, despite Jesus’ instructions, He knew that the disciples would never leave the nation of Israel because Israel had rejected Him as Messiah. Ideally, they were to serve as “priests” and travel throughout other countries to seek converts “if” all of Israel had accepted Jesus as Savior.
Nevertheless, how could the disciples travel the known world proclaiming that the earthly Kingdom of Heaven had been initiated if there was no King to rule over His Kingdom?
King Jesus was still in heaven at the right hand of His Father’s throne.
The potential for the disciples to venture to other lands was a possibility if the nation of Israel, as a whole, accepted Him as Messiah. Romans 15: 8 gives us the Father’s mandate to His Son Jesus:
“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision (Israel) for the 48
truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.”
As you know, Jesus completely fulfilled the promises made unto the fathers. He broke through history to arrive in Israel as their Messiah. He thus fulfilled God’s promises to the Nation of Israel. However, because of Israel’s disbelief, Peter and the disciples had no legal right, or divine orders, to leave Israel if there was no King reigning over His Kingdom.
The reader is probably aware that Church history states that the disciples journeyed outside Israel, but which do you believe - the Bible or Church history? Many seek extra-Biblical sources to justify their need to rationalize that the disciples did indeed travel outside Israel.
Consider this point very wisely!
Two Gospels Functioning Simultaneously
In my effort to help the reader to inculcate God’s truths, I feel burdened to repeat salient doctrines, which you must understand if you desire to build a satan proof foundation from which your faith will grow.
A major component inherent in constructing your foundation is to understand that there were two Gospels operating at the same time, Peter’s “Gospel of the Kingdom” and Paul’s
“Gospel of Grace.“ There remains a tremendous amount of controversy about this reality.
Many feel that there has always been only one Gospel. However, as you will see, both Gospels were approved and commissioned by God.
Although there were indeed two Gospels operating concurrently, there was absolutely no conflict between both. They were both instituted by God to bring Jew and Gentile to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
I will develop this crucially important topic of discussion as we go on in our reading.
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However, remember it was only the Gospel of Grace that spoke about the Rapture.
Prominent Pre-Tribulation Rapture Scriptures
There are several scriptures that discuss the Rapture, but I would like you to focus on two of the best-known verses. These Rapture scriptures are found only in Paul’s Gospel of Grace.
These verses confirm a pre-tribulation (before the tribulation begins) Rapture which, tragically, many people have chosen to disbelieve or ignore. But God does not lie:
“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” (Titus 1: 1-2)
Those who choose to ignore or disbelieve God’s word are calling God a liar. Similarly, those who tragically call God a liar are themselves liars by believing false doctrines. Following is the horrendous consequence of not accepting God’s promises:
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…”
(Revelation 21: 8)
However, as children of God, having been already forgiven and set free from the judgments of God, our expectation is the glorious appearance of our Lord Jesus at the Rapture. Following are two crucially important scriptures, which must be understood:
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (having died), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we 50
believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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 (go ahead of) them which are asleep. 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: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (Raptured) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
(1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53)
Let us examine 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18. Here is a clear explanation of Paul’s Gospel:
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again…” These majestic words provide God’s guarantee that we will be Raptured. Conversely, if you do not believe Paul’s Gospel, you will be
“left behind” after all true Christians are taken to heaven. You will have to face the unimaginable events of the tribulation if you ignore God’s word.
Next, notice the first sentence in 1 Corinthians 15: 51. The key word in that sentence is mystery. Paul used the word mystery in several different verses, all of which you will discover and explore in a later chapter.
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The Greek word for mystery is musterion (Strong’s Concordance # 3446). It is defined as
“made known by divine revelation.” Paul received these mysteries, or secrets, by the risen Christ from heaven. Paul was not the author of these mysteries; he was only the vessel Jesus used to unfold these mysteries to the Gentiles and believing Jews.
Take comfort in the fact that God “has your back,” and be assured that,
“…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and trials, and how to keep the ungodly under chastisement until the day of judgment and doom.”
(2 Peter 2:9) Notice the two words “out of.” It’s Greek translation is the same word used in Revelation 3:10, ek. This small, seemingly insignificant word is hardly noteworthy, except to Christians.
Sadly, as we earlier stated, the majority of Christians have no understanding about the truth of the Rapture.
Dear saint, there are many such comforting verses in God’s word. It would behoove you
to study the Bible for yourself, secure a good Concordance like Strong’s, learn the true meaning of the key words found in your Bible (I use only the King James Version) by understanding what the words meant in original Greek or Hebrew. It will truly open your eyes.
Following are several scriptures that God has prepared for your eyes of understanding.
These verses are designed to again reassure and explicitly remind you that you will not go
through (Greek word dia) the tribulation if you are a true Christian.
Believe God’s words and promises. Take His promises literally! Do not try to spiritualize them as many do when they say that “God will save you in His heart,” or other such weak lies.
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Comfort Yourselves With These Words
“Who hath delivered (rhuomai- drag) us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
Colossians 1: 13
How could we enter the tribulation if God’s own word tells us we will be delivered from the power of darkness? Would you agree that the tribulation qualifies as a time when the
“power of darkness” is manifest? God says it - just believe it!
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 9
The word “appointed” is translated tithémi in Greek. (Strong’s Concordance # 5087) It’s counterpart in English means “assign” or “committed.” If we believe what God clearly states in His word, then we are not assigned to go through the tribulation, nor has God committed Himself to throw us into the fires of satan’s furnace.
“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Romans 5: 9
The Greek word for saved is issózó. (Strong’s Concordance # 4982) The English translation means “bring safely.” Romans 5:9 specifies that God will bring us safely from the wrath. Can you find any other literal meaning of this verse? We cannot argue with the original meaning of key words as they were written in Greek.
"That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked that be far from thee.
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Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?”
Genesis 18: 25
The Bible continually gives us illustrations about how God always removes the righteous before He issues His fury. God never has, nor will He ever, slay the righteous with the wicked.
Yet false gospels abound that put us square in the middle of the tribulation. Do not be fooled by their deceptions! Trust God, not what you hear or read outside of the Bible. Closely evaluate the frenzied zeal of some television preachers who inspire fear.
God Always Saves the Righteous
Did God let Noah and his family die in the great flood with the rest of the wicked? Did He let Lot and His family remain in Sodom to face the blast of fire and brimstone that destroyed the four cities? Did God allow Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the “servants of the most high,” to be burned alive in the furnace? Did He allow Daniel to be devoured by the lions?
Did God allow the Jews to suffer the ten plagues of Egypt delivered by Moses? Did He allow the massive wall of water to fall upon the Children of Israel as they escaped from Pharaoh’s troops as they passed through the Red Sea?
No! God delivered them all from certain death. Just as you will be delivered from the tribulation, never to experience a minute of its horror. We worship a God of immeasurable love and supreme justice.
Our Father sent His Son to die for us so that we do not ever have to face the horrors of separation from God and the eternal flames of hell. Luke 21: 36 clearly explains:
“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.”
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The Greek word for escape is ekpheugó (Strong’s Concordance # 1628). “E kpheugó”
translates into English as flee away. Although this passage was written for a Jewish audience, it provides great comfort for us knowing that Jesus will not allow His Bride to suffer the tortures of the tribulation. Are you beginning to feel more secure about the certainty of a pre-tribulation Rapture?
“God is jealous, and the LORD (Jehovah God - God the Son) revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.”
Nahum 1: 2:
Is the Bride of Christ an adversary and enemy of our beloved Bridegroom and Savior, Jesus? Will we suffer His vengeance and wrath as many deceived and ill-prepared pastors and evangelists are telling us that we must? How absurd.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.”
(Proverbs 15:1)
The Greek word for soft is rak. Its English translation means “tender, delicate.” (Strong’s Concordance # 7390.) What soft answer does God wants to hear from us?
He wants to hear our confession that we believe in Paul’s Gospel; that we believe in the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. As described above, what is the result of God’s wrath? Tribulation, eternal separation from God, and everlasting sorrow.
“Mini” Raptures Have Occurred in Bible History
In all probability, the reader is not familiar with the fact that there has already been three Raptures, and God is planning four more!
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It is fascinating to consider that God has already given us a peek into the nature of the pre-tribulation Rapture. Listed below are the three “mini-Raptures” that have already occurred, and the four that will take place relatively soon.
The Three Previous Biblical Raptures
1. Enoch
“And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters; And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walk with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
(Genesis 5: 21-24)
Took = Hebrew word Laqach: “To take, grasp, take hold of.”
Strong’s Concordance # 3947
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death: and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
(Hebrews 11: 5)
Translated = Greek word metatithemi: “To remove a person or thing from one place to another.”
Strong’s Concordance # 3346
2. Elijah
“…there appeared a chariot of fire,…and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
(2 Kings 2: 11)
Went Up = Greek word Poreuomai: “Separation, Change of Place.”
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Strong’s Concordance # 4198
3. Our Lord Jesus
“And when he (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they (disciples) beheld,
he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.”
(Acts 1: 9) Taken Up = Greek word Epairo: “Hoisted up, Raised up, Lifted up.”
Strong’s Concordance # 1869
The Four Future Raptures
1. The Body of Christ
“After this I (John) 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 shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
(Revelation 4: 1)
2. Martyred Tribulation Saints
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.“
(Revelation 7: 9)
“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7: 14b,c) 57
3. 144,000 Jews
“And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from earth.”
(Revelation 14: 3) 4. Two Witnesses
“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” (Revelation 11: 12)
Others Who Had Rapture Experiences
The disciple Phillip also had a Rapture-type experience while he was ministering to an Ethiopian eunuch:
“And when they were come up out of the water (baptized Ethiopian), the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”
(Acts 8: 39-40) The apostle Paul’s Rapture-type experience is recorded below:
“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth.) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man.
(whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth.) 58
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
(2 Corinthians 12: 2-4) It is comforting to know that several “Raptures” have already taken place in the Bible.
These are the “models” that God will use to Rapture us in the near future. God is faithful, dear saint. As God’s children, we too must be faithful and love God with all our hearts, souls and minds. It is amazing to realize that humans have already been Raptured, is it not?
The Mirror of Honest Self-Inquiry
My dear readers, please take a moment to examine your position in Christ. Are you a true Christian or a pew warmer? Do you attend church because it is just “expected?” Do you say you are a Christian because you are a member of a church and have been baptized? Are you truly expecting a pre-tribulation Rapture?
God knows everything about us. He knows every hidden sin. He is very much aware of our thoughts even before we think them. He sees the end from the beginning. We think that our secrets are hidden. They may be, but not from God.
What is the basis of your salvation? Do you believe you are saved because you are a “good person?” Are you saved because you do a lot of good work for the Church or for people?
Do you believe you are saved because you do your best to follow the Ten Commandments?
These are certainly admirable qualities, but they do not lead to forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Before you continue your reading, it is vital that you hear, acknowledge and understand, the message of the only Gospel that can save a person today - Paul’s Gospel. This is the Gospel 59
given to Paul of Tarsus personally and in <