Part 18

Several Misapplied Scriptures

The abandonment of the Pauline doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is mostly due to a failure to recognize Paul’s unique ministry and message as being uniquely “for ye Gentiles” (Eph 3:1-5, Rom 11:13). Rather, men today favor the erroneous religious “traditions, commandments… doctrines of men” ( Col 2:8, 22). If we listen to Paul’s admonition to be “rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2Tim 2:15) we will avoid error.

Most Christians miss-apply the prophecies of the OT and Jesus’ words (e.g., Matt 24, Luke 21), which actually concern Israel in the “last days,” the Tribulation, and Christ’s 2nd coming. They misapply them to the “the church, which is His body.” According to Paul, the Church will be Raptured to heaven before those events of the Tribulation and Christ’s 2nd coming. It’s worth noting some obvious comparisons to be made between Christ coming at the Rapture versus that of Christ’s 2nd Coming to earth; see the table below.

Chart Comparing Aspects of “Christ Coming at the Rapture of the Body of Christ” with

“Christ’s 2nd Coming to Earth”

Christ Coming at the Rapture of “His Body

(As An Aspect of Paul’s “Mystery” Gospel)

1. Jesus returns to Rapture His “church, which is the body of Christ,” bringing it with Him to dwell “eternal in heavens” (2Cor 5:1).

2. Christ comes personally WITHOUT ANGELS at the Rapture, except Michael “The Archangel ,” the highest angel, (1Thes 4:13-18).

3. Jesus’ come in the air; His feet DON’T TOUCH the earth at the Rapture (1Thes 4:17).

4. The Rapture is an UNPROPHESIED “mystery” event kept secret from the foundation of the world until Paul received it (1 Cor. 15:51).

5. Christ will return as the LORD OF GLORY (Col. 3:4) and “Head of the body” ( Col 1:18).

6. The Rapture is imminent, sudden, and can come at any moment — WITHOUT SIGNS; we simply wait for the Son (I Thes. 1:10).

7. The Shout, Voice of the Archangel and Trump of God occur suddenly and together. (1Thes 4:13-18).

8. Christ will be Invisible to the world, hid by the “cloud” when He catches away the “His Body” to heaven with Him (1Thes. 4:16).

9. The Rapture precedes The Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven (2 Cor. 5:8, 10), for believers to receive crowns & heavenly assignments (1Cor 9:25, 2Tim 2:12).

10. The Raptured dead and living believers both receive “changed,” resurrected, incorruptible, eternal, glorious, spirit-bodies at His coming. (1Cor 15:51-55)

Second Coming of Christ to Earth

(The Subject of “Prophesy”)

1. Jesus returns from heaven WITH His Old Testament saints (Rev 19:14) to dwell in the Kingdom, eternally on earth as an everlasting possession (Gen 17:8).

2. Christ returns WITH ANGELS and Old Testament believing saints of the 1st Resurrection in glorious, incorruptible, bodies (2Thes 1:7-9; Rev 20:6).

3. Jesus’ FEET WILL TOUCH the “ Mount of Olives ” (Act 1:11-12).

4. Christ’s 2nd coming in judgment is a Widely PROPHESIED event (Jude 14, 15).

5. Christ will return is as JUDGE and KING OF kings (Rev. 19:11-16).

6. 2nd Coming is associated With Signs, Times, And Seasons, occurring over several years.

 

7. The 2nd coming events occur over the several years of Tribulation (several chapters of Revelations).

8. Christ’s will be Visible to believing remnant when He returns to earth to save and redeem repentant Israel , nationally (Zech. 14:4, Rev 1:7).

9. Judgment of World , Israel , and the nations (sheep & goats) is on earth (Matt. 25:31-46) with a life and death as the consequence.

10. Living believers are NOT CHANGED at Christ’s 2nd coming to earth. All the lost dead are in Hades awaiting the 2nd death (Rev 20:6) at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Some Commonly Mistaken Scriptures:

“Two in the Field,” “Two at the Mill” Does not Apply to the Rapture:

“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be TAKEN, and the other LEFT. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be TAKEN, and the other LEFT. Watch therefore: for ye ( Israel ) know not what hour you Lord doth come” (Matt.24:40-42).

Often the above passage is wrongly been interpreted to apply to our Lord’s coming for the members of “the church, which is His body” at the Rapture. It’s wrongly said that, the one taken is Raptured to heaven and the other left will go through God’s Tribulation wrath. Similarly, they misinterpret the two women grinding side by side at the mill as one will be caught up to be with the Lord and the other left behind in the Tribulation.

This passage has nothing to do with the Rapture of “the church, which is His body.” In its context, Jesus is here talking to Israel about Israel as the “fig tree (v32)” in “that day (v36).” So, the correct interpretation is the other way around. The fact as seen in context is that the “One Taken” is taken in judgment and death, while the “One Left” is the kingdom believer who is blessed to live on into the promised Millennial Kingdom .

Actually, the truth of our Lord’s coming for the members of “the body of Christ” in the Rapture was an un-prophesied secret that was first revealed by the glorified Lord through Paul (1Cor.15:51-58; 1Thes. 4:15-18).

As we will see from Matthew 24, it’s evident that the “Two in the Field,” “Two at the Mill” passages cannot refer to the Rapture. True, the passage says: “The one shall be taken, and the other left,” but we should ask, taken where and how will the one be taken, and what will be the lot of the one who is left behind? The answer lies in the context of Matt 24.

The verses immediately preceding Matt 24:40-42 concern Christ’s 2nd coming to earth to judge and reign. Jesus said His coming is to be likened to what happened in the “days of Noah” (v37 below) when the people ate and drank, and married, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, “and knew not until the flood came and Took Them All Away.” The mass of people in Noah’s day were not taken away to glory, they were “taken away” in judgment…to die in the flood.

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But AS THE DAYS OF NOE (NOAH) were, so shall also THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark (carrying him and his family to safety), 39And knew not until the flood came, and TOOK THEM ALL AWAY; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:36-39)

Our text, verses 40-41 (above), is a continuation of the Noahic illustration. The Noahic flood “Took THEM ALL Away” (v39 above) … but TO WHERE? In Noah’s time the ones “taken” were not the ones safe in the Ark , rather those taken were the ones who remained on earth to suffer judgment by flood, they were “taken” in death – they were NOT saved from the flood! In contrast to the ones “taken away” in judgment at our Lord’s return to earth, the Ones “Left” are the blessed believers “Left Alive” to enter Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. This is consistent with the whole context of Matt 24 in which we find this passage.

Never confuse the Lord’s 2nd coming to earth with…the Rapture of “His body.” How much confusion would be avoided if the truth of the Rapture to be with the Lord were recognized to be a divine secret that was first revealed to Paul concerning the predominantly Gentile Church, which is called “the Body of Christ.”

We should NOT take these Jewish Scriptures referring to the time of the Tribulation for Israel as being for “the Church, Which is His Body.” Rather, we must “rightly divide the word of truth,” as Paul admonished here. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.” (2 Timothy 2:15) We must divide that in the Bible where it refers to Israel and her destiny “on earth” … from that which applies to the heavenly people of the “the body of Christ” and their eternal destiny “in heaven” (Philipp 3:20, 21). If we get this straight we can properly interpret “the Word of Truth.”

Now concerning Israel at the close of the Tribulation, Jesus’ mentions “the eagles.” “Wheresoever the Carcase Is, There Will THE EAGLES be gathered together (Matt 24:28, cf. Luke 17:37). Similarly, after Noah’s flood the “ravens” came to “eat the flesh” of those “taken” in the flood (cf. Eze 39:17-18)

Noah’s flood, according to Jesus, is the pattern for the time of Israel in the Tribulation and their transition into the Millennial Kingdom on earth. Those “left behind” on earth in the time of Noah’s flood were “taken away” when their bodies were eaten by “ravens.”  We must always study in the context, both near and far.

  • The real Messianic believers who survive the Tribulation (those not martyred) will enjoy the BLESSING of BEING “LEFT” BEHIND on earth to go on into the Millennium Kingdom and then the Eternal Kingdom on the New Earth.
  • The Non-believers, Jews and Gentile, will be “taken” in death.

Those who are “left,” that is ALL non-believing rebellious of mankind, will endure the terrible judgment sufferings of the Tribulation, and many will die before it ends if they do not come to believe. Let’s now see how Jesus further clarifies this for us in parable. “Two in field…bed,” etc., and the “One Shall Be Taken” (Matthew 24:40-44). These verses are about the non-believing of Israel who will be “taken” in judgment to be destroyed… thus they miss out the Messianic Kingdom that was long promised to the Abraham’s earthly “seed.” The one “left” will go on to enjoy the promised Millennial Kingdom on earth.

“Then shall two be in the field; the ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, and THE OTHER LEFT. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, and THE OTHER LEFT. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, 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. Therefore be ye ( Israel ) also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not THE SON OF MAN COMETH.” (Matthew 24:40-44)

The parallel passage to Matt 24:40-44 is Luke 17:33-37. Jesus of Nazareth is addressing Israel concerning Israel ONLY (cf. Matt 15:24). Again, Jesus said “as it was in the days of Noah,” so the non-believing of Israel be “taken” to judgment, and …then have their carcasses eaten by “the eagles” (v37 below).

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 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. Two women shall be grinding together; the ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, and the other LEFT. Two men shall be in the field; the ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, and the other LEFT. And they answered and said unto him, (Taken) WHERE, LORD? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body (the flesh body, the carcass) is, thither will the EAGLES be gathered together.” (Luke 17:33-37)

Revelation 19 confirms that “The Son of Man” will come in Judgment at the close of the Tribulation. All those “taken” are the “slain,” to then be eaten by the “fowls,” (v17, 21 below, cf. Eze 39:4).

“11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True (Christ), and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God (cf. John 1:1).

15And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:11-12, 15-16)

“17I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to All The Fowls That Fly In The Midst Of Heaven, Come And Gather Yourselves Together Unto The Supper Of The Great God; 18that Ye May Eat The Flesh of Kings, And The Flesh of Captains, And The Flesh of Mighty Men, And The Flesh of Horses, And of Them That Sit On Them, And The Flesh of All Men, Both Free And Bond, Both Small And Great.” (Rev 19:17)

“19And I saw THE BEAST, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And THE BEAST was taken, and with him the FALSE PROPHET that wrought miracles before him, with which he DECEIVED THEM THAT HAD RECEIVED THE MARK OF THE BEAST, AND THEM THAT WORSHIPPED HIS IMAGE. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And THE (unbelieving) REMNANT WERE (all) SLAIN with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the FOWLS WERE FILLED WITH THEIR FLESH. (Rev 19:19-21)

  • After THE BEAST and the FALSE Prophet are to be “cast alive into the lake of fire,” then ALL “THE (unbelieving) REMNANT WERE (ALL) SLAIN with the sword of him that sat upon the horse,” then “THE FOWLS (will be) FILLED WITH THEIR FLESH” (Rev 19:21 above).
  • At His 2nd coming, only the still living Faithful Messianic Kingdom Gospel Believers will enter Christ’s Theocratic Millennial Kingdom on earth. These believers are those “left behind” as the Blessed Survivors of the Tribulation, to go on from the Tribulation … into the Millennial Kingdom , and then pass into the eternal Kingdom on the New Earth!  These believers are of “the woman” (Rev 12:6 below) that is of Israel only.

Jesus spoke of “the last days” as in the “days of Noah” when the flood destroyed ALL those who were “left” (Matt 24:37). Yet Noah and his family were kept safe in “the Ark. ” Noah’s The “Ark” may also be a pre-figure or metaphor for the believing Jews who will being carried to a “place prepared for them” (Rev 12:6), for safety – perhaps this is Petra in Edom, in the Jordanian desert, where the Beast is said to have no influence (see Daniel 11:41). This below may explain how, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation.”

“And the woman (Israel’s believers) fled into the wilderness, where SHE HATH A PLACE PREPARED OF GOD, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days (3-1/2 years) (Rev 12:6).

“He (Antichrist) shall enter into the Glorious Land [ Palestine ] and many shall be overthrown, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: EDOM , Moab , and the main [core] of the people of Ammon.” (Daniel 11:41 AMP)

Let’s look closer at this verse. “Because Thou Hast Kept the Word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (trial), which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”(Revelation 3:10) Actually, in Revelation 3:10 Jesus is addressing His believing “lost sheep,” the scattered of Israel in the locals of the seven churches (ekklesia, “called out ones”) in southern Roman provinces of Asia who are being addressed. Many Christians wrongly assume this verse above to indicate “the church, which is His body” will be Raptured to “kept from the hour of temptation” (the Tribulation), but as you will see, this cannot be.

The key phrase “BECAUSE thou hast Kept The Word” indicates the contingent requirement to keep the “Law of works” is in force in order for one to be saved and “kept” from “the hour of temptation.” Being Law, this then cannot apply to “the body of Christ” under “the gospel of the grace of God” (Act 20:24). Paul writes that “nothing,” not even our failures “can separate us from the love of God” (Rom 8:35-39). So this verse applies only to a remnant of Israel . But, how will this remnant be “kept” from “the hour of trial”? As we’ve already studied, many of the believers of Israel are to be secreted to safety for 3-1/2 years (v14 below).

“When The Dragon Saw That He Was Cast Unto The Earth, He Persecuted The Woman (Israel) Which Brought Forth The Man Child (Jesus, King of Israel).14 And to the woman (believing Israel, the Lamb’s Bride) were Given Two Wings Of A Great Eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished For A Time, And Times, And Half A Time (3-1/2 years), from the face (expression) of THE SERPENT (Antichrist). 15 And THE SERPENT cast out of his mouth water (literal water) as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.”(Rev 12:13-16)

Throughout the Tribulation the works of “the Law” plus faithfulness to not take the “mark of the beast” will be required for salvation. By contrast, Paul writes to the members of “the body of Christ”… “But now (under grace) the righteousness of God Without The Law is manifested” (Rom. 3:21); “by grace are ye saved through faith (alone)” (Eph 2:8); “ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30).

Men today are saved solely by faith in Christ; “being Justified FREELY By (God’s) Grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). This difference in the modes of salvation is yet another indication “the body of Christ” is to be Raptured before the horrendous Tribulation trials come upon all the 0people on earth, including the new Tribulation believers, many of whom will to be “martyrs” (Rev 17:6).