The Word “Resurrection” Is Found In The KJV, But Not The Word “Rapture”
The word “rapture” is not found in the King James Version bible according to a Libronix word search. However, the word search for “resurrection” was found in forty verses, all in the New Testament. Both words generally connote a “rising up”, but sadly many commentators do not agree as to future events and chronology with the Scripture.
What does the Old Testament say about the matter?
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
In verse 2 above, it talks about those that “sleep”, referring to those who have past away in this life but are awaiting an eternal awakening. Those that are destined to everlasting life are also mentioned in the New Testament:
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. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
So, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16, the “dead in Christ” shall be made to rise first. And according to verse 17, afterward, those that are alive will also join them in the clouds. God will make a union of his people when he takes them, but the ones that are asleep, those who have died, will be taken up first.
Following the Apostle Paul's first book to the Thessalonians, he writes another book to them. Then, he talks about this “gathering together” in verse 1, as you can see below:
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Note in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that the apostasy and the son of perdition must be revealed before the coming of the Lord (v.2). So, therefore, according to Paul's prophecy, Christians will see and know who the anti-Christ is because he will be revealed. They will not be caught up before this time, neither those that are asleep or those that are alive. Notice also in verse 5 that Paul reminds them that he told them about these thing previously. It was known even before the second book to the Thessalonians was written.
The Lord Will Return To The Earth
There will be a period of time in the future that the Lord will return to the earth. Note in verse 14:5, it says, “and all the saints with thee.”
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
“And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” (Zechariah 14:9 KJV).
Notes:
My exhortation to Tzipi Livni:
Eventually, part of Jerusalem will be ravished. (Zechariah 14) (Feb. 12, 2016)
כדי לחיות בין זה לזה, סכום של התאמות אינסופיות עלולות להתבצע. עם זאת, יש רק פתרון אחד: להיות קדוש לפני יוצר. (זכריה 14: 20-21 (Feb 13, 2016), "Israel's true face"
Beware of cults and heretical book-sellers. The Southern Baptist denomination has promoted a false, non-endurance eschatological doctrine concerning the end times. They also condone and promote remarriage and legalized adultery, which the Lord Jesus Christ reproved. Hal Lindsey, although not a S. Baptist, has remarried many times and made a fortune off of his books.
Jerusalem Will Eventually Become A Safe Place To Live
And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. (Zechariah 14:11 KJV).
Many Old Testament references are found as to confirming the safety of Zion.
Zion Is A Place Of God's Interest And Concern
Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
Zion Is Implied As A Place Known Of God's Righteousness And Pleasure, A Righteousness That Only He Can Bring
Isaiah 52: 8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
Zion Is A Holy Hill:
Psalm 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Zion Is The Prophetic Place Where The Law Shall Go Forth And People Will Learn Farming And Peace Concepts, Replacing War And Destruction Design:
Isaiah 2:1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
This does not seem to be speaking of current, modern Israel, which has been at war with its neighbors since WW II. Israel has very sophisticated weapons, and they are still working on their offense and defense systems. Recently, Israel retaliated against Gaza, killing and harming many people. It is hated by Islamic people near and afar. Muslims and their advocates unrighteously even claim part of Jerusalem. World political leaders are discussing the determination of the borders of Israel in disregard to Biblical precepts.
Zion Is The Place Where People Learn Judgment Of The Lord, Strong Nations Afar Off Will Be Rebuked, Men Will Be Able To Enjoy Their Agriculture Without Fear Of A Nation Attacking Them
Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Summing Up:
If a Christian is still alive, he should expect to see the son of perdition before he sees Jesus. Christians will suffer the times of future destruction and wickedness because they cannot enjoy safety and righteous world rule until the Lord Jesus returns. (See Zechariah 14:5.)
Links:
The Son of Perdition Will Be Revealed To Christians