An article by Kemper
On September 23, 2017, there is an event in the heavens that represents the wonder John spoke of in Revelation chapter 12. There is much information posted on the internet regarding it. Most of these postings are assigning the rapture to this event. My intent in writing, however, is to bring a perspective to this topic (the rapture) that may not have been considered. First let me say that I believe in “being caught up” or the “harpazo“ to meet the Lord in the air as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 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 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. However I also must acknowledge the scriptures that plainly states we are not leaving
as a result of this “catching away.” Such as John 17:15 where Jesus prayed for His disciples; I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. And just in case we would think He was only referring to His disciples of that day, He continues in verse 20, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. That includes all His saints. Furthermore, Proverbs 2:21 states, For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. Also Proverbs 10:30 agrees, The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. How is it possible for us to be caught up in the air together with Christ and yet still comply with these scriptures?
First we must acknowledge that the current perspective on this matter cannot answered this question and we must open our hearts and minds to further enlightenment for an explanation. For a wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels (Proverbs 1:5). The natural man interprets scripture with a literal and physical expectation of its manifestation. Nicodemus was guilty of this upon hearing that a man must be born again. He responded in John 3:4,”How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” This carnal mindset is also evident in people’s expectation relating to the rapture, where its thought that the believers are to physically disappear or fly up to heaven leaving this earth behind. However, in John 6:63 Jesus states, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” If the words of Christ and His anointed are spirit, then they must be received with a spiritual mind and not with the natural carnal mind. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6).
The Apostle Paul affirms this also in 1 Corinthians 2:14, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Jesus refers to this in John 4:23-24, The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Therefore let us be sober and of a spiritual mind, for we have been given the mind of Christ. Again the question remains, how is it possible to be caught up with our brethren that are raised from the dead and meet the Lord in the air, yet without leaving this earth? I believe Isaiah 55:9 is a clue in answering this question which states; For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
In Proverbs 18:4 it states, The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Also in 20:5 it says, Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. Even as man is made after the likeness of God, it can be concluded that God’s well of wisdom which issues His ways and thoughts also is represented by water as it brings forth His council and instruction. Remember, the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made (Romans 1:20). So then, God’s higher ways and thoughts can be illustrated by the division of the waters on the
second day of creation recorded in Geneses 1:6-7; And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. Jesus is recorded as offering this living water unto the woman at the well In John 4:14. He also spoke of it in John 7:38; “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Therefore the circulation of this water that we share between each other is our conversation.
There is a distinction between the living waters above from the stagnant waters below. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. This heavenly conversation forms a cloud in which the son of man is ushered into the earth (Luke 21:27). These are the waters that are above, whereas Ephesians 2:3 refers to the waters that are below; Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
James also makes a distinction between the wells of wisdom from which our conversation issues in James 3:14-17; But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. With all this being said, we can understand that the “catching up” or the “rapture” most likely is a spiritual elevation to a higher conversation and mindset rather than a physical escaping from this earth. Not to say that we are in harms way by not leaving during the tribulation. For; The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished (2 Peter 2:9).
In truth, there is a necessity that we stay. Understanding that through us the Glory of God is revealed bringing destruction upon this wicked world. This is referred to in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe… So then, we will not go through the tribulation, we are the tribulation! Even as it was with Noah and his world, recorded in 2 Peter 2:5, And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.
Noah brought the flood into the world through his obedience. Therefore leaving this lower flesh minded existence and gathering to the heavenly conversation of God’s higher ways and thoughts will bring in the tribulation upon this world of the ungodly. Paul was mindful of this when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:6, …And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Disobedience is judged by obedience. There must be a standard present to judge by and this standard is truth. When this standard is conformed to by the obedience of the saints it is introduced through them into the earth.
To be continued …