firstsayyes.com

What About the Rapture?

A questioner wrote asking, “Is there a ‘rapture’? Is that the same as the ’second coming’?”

The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin word referring to a passage of scripture found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The word means “caught up” or “taken away”. Here is the passage in its context:

1Thes 4:13-18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

While there is little dispute over whether or not a rapture will happen, there is much dispute over when it will happen.

In my opinion, the rapture of the church happens at the same time as the second coming, after the great tribulation. This is a hotly debated issue, and I realize the popular opinion promoted by “pop” theologians is that we will be raptured before the great tribulation. However I would point you to a few sources to decide for yourselves.

Wikipedia article on the “Rapture” (Has several links to different points of view)
International House of Prayer’s View of the End Times (The view that resonates most with me)
Mike Bickle’s teaching on the second coming of Jesus

What Happens After We Die?

Good question, there is some difference of opinion on this subject in the broader Christian context, but by and large most Christians believe “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.

Ultimately, after we die, we will be waiting for a new heavenly body like the one Jesus had after he was resurrected from the dead. Here is an example of a verse that talks about longing for our heavenly, permanent dwelling place. Notice it isn’t clear about what happens between states.

2 Corinthians 5:1-9
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
(NIV)

However another verse may clarify that the scriptures do indeed insinuate we will be with the Lord immediately after we die.

Luke 23:40-43
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(NIV)

Here Jesus seems to be saying to the criminal hanging with him on the cross, that because of his repentance, after he dies he will be “with” Jesus in paradise. Here is another verse that would support the idea of being present with the Lord immediately after death:

Philippians 1:21-24
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
(NIV)

Ultimately what we will be waiting for, even in this state of paradise is to be clothed with our heavenly (that is, resurrected) bodies.

More on Military Actions

I received a follow up question via our webform about the use of military force:

“Military are fighting to help our country, some of them have had to kill other human beings. The commandment is ‘Thou shalt not kill”. this remains a unanswerable question to me.”

My response would be that the Penteteuch (the first five books of the OT laying out the groundwork for the legal system comprising the people of Israel) definitely teaches that to take the life of another person is against God’s law. It also teaches that when this law has been violated by someone, the nation is to excercise retributive justice and to take that persons life.

We must recognize the difference between murder committed by a person acting on his own and justice carried out by God ordained civil authority. Furthermore in the book of Deuteronomy, God commands his people to wage war on nations that he deems guilty of gross sin and utterly destroy them (Deut 7:22-24). So we must understand the prohibition against taking another persons life is a prohibition against acts of murder committed against innocent people, whether by individuals or governments. And God raises up and authorizes authorities to execute justice on behalf of weak and innocent victims.

Another instance in which taking another persons life is authorized by God is in defense of oneself or one’s family.

Exod 22:2
2 “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed (NIV)

There are plenty of places to study what exactly constitutes a just war (just war theory). I am not going to begin to comment on whether or not certain wars are just or not, it is too lofty a subject for me (although most anyone who studies the subject will admit in most if not all wars, neither party is 100% right). I am not going to begin to comment on whether or not capital punishment in our current legal system is just or humane. But I would say that I am thankful we live in a society where civil disobedience is a legitimate option for us when we feel our government and authorities are acting unjustly. We have a history of using our voices for change whenever political or social conditions call for it.

Rebellion In the Name of God?

The point was made after one of the services that “Paul didn’t always follow his own advice”, because he rebelled against authority and was arrested and jailed. And what about the civil rights movement and civil disobedience? Were they being disobedient to scripture when they protested and broke the law?

This is a good point, and a very simple principle can be used to determine when it is appropriate to “disobey” the established authority. God’s law supersedes all human made laws. So when God’s law and human’s law are in conflict, you obey God and disobey humans.

Example, God commanded us to go preach the gospel to all nations. But it is against the law in some nations to take the bible into their country. What should we do? God tells us to preach the gospel to all nations, therefore it is appropriate to smuggle the scripture into those countries against the laws of those governing authorities.

I once had a student try and make the case that smoking pot was perfectly legit because the bible doesn’t forbid it (never mind the fact the bible has plenty to say about drunkenness). When pointed out to him that smoking pot was against the law, he retorted with this argument, “yeah but people broke the law all the time in the bible”. Sorry, lame answer. God’s law does not rub up against this law. And this law is in effect for good reasons, so no excuse, you must obey the law of the land. To not do so is tantamount to breaking God’s law.

Obviously there are gray areas here, but you get the gist of the principle.

Follow Up On Prayer

After the 8:30 service, I was posed the question by someone about prayer and healing. He shared with me how he had 10,000 people (whether literal or figurative I have no idea) praying for the healing of a loved one, and still had not gotten an answer to his satisfaction. He was a little exasperated because he felt surely there was enough prayer that had gone out to elicit a response.

Another person in on the conversation made a great point. He shared that God’s timing and our timing are often times two different things. With him, a thousand years is as a day and a day is as a thousand years. So what may seem like a long time to us is really just a moment to him.

But given some of the recent messages I have preached, and given this question, I wanted to take some space to add some further perspective on this subject. Here are some good principles to keep in mind in regards to the healing ministry:

1. Sickness and disease are a product of the fall, and will only be completely removed from this world when Jesus returns - Romans 8:18-23. Do you realize the people Jesus healed all got sick again and died? Do you realize that the people he raised from the dead all got sick again and died? I do not believe that sickness and disease were designed by God, I don’t believe that sickness and disease are put on people by God’s will (otherwise, what business do they have to go to the doctor and try to get healed, are they resisting the will of God?). But they are an abnormal aspect to creation as a result of our disobedience and abuse of creation. God will heal us for good when he gives us all new, perfect bodies at the resurrection. Nevertheless, God can use anything for his Glory and he does allow certain things to happen to us for his own purposes.
2. For his own reasons, God often chooses not to heal people. 2 Cor 12:7-9.While the healing ministry of the apostle Paul is well documented, we know of several occasions where either he didn’t choose to pray for healing or wasn’t able to bring about the healing of some of his close associates (2 Tim 4:20, Phil 2:25-27). God cares much more about our character than he does about our comfort.
3. The bible affirms the use of natural human made remedies to help with our physical problems (1 Tim 5:23). Paul even chose Luke “a beloved physician” to be his traveling companion on occasion (Col. 4:14).

Don’t get me wrong, I always pray for healing, but I always trust the results to God. I also always encourage people to be patient in prayer. God rewards diligence, remember the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-7). But in the middle of these circumstances, while you are watching and waiting expectantly for an answer to your prayers, be asking and reflecting on what God may be teaching you, or trying to get through to you in the midst of whatever you are going through.

I am indebted to xenos christian fellowship for much of this material, for further reading on this subject go here.

Questions

Ok, so here is the series lineup. The last week will be another hodgepodge topic day to cover any other questions that come in over the course of the series. Any questions we don’t cover in the weekend message we will try and respond to on the blog.

1. Various Questions
2. Predestination vs. Free-Will
3. What About the Problem of Evil?
4. Is the New Testament Reliable?
5. What About All of the Violence Done in God’s Name?
6. Various Questions

I have gotten a lot of feedback already from the topics we talked about this weekend, stay posted and I will respond to your follow up questions (both written and verbal) as the week continues. Some of the follow up questions I plan on addressing are:

• I have had thousands of people praying for a healing and we still haven’t seen an answer, what about that?
• There are many examples in the bible and in Christian history of people rebelling against divinely established authority, what do you have to say about that?
• More on issues relating to war and having to take the life of another person in the line of duty. Doesn’t the bible teach that to take the life of another person is to go against God’s law?

WOW // Spring 2008

For the WOW Spring 2008 sessions we will be experimenting with a new format. All classes will meet together in the Celebration Center for the first 45 minutes. We will then break up into groups, and meet in the classroom of your choice for smaller group interaction. The focus of the small groups will be discussion, further study, prayer, and relationship building. Classes will consist of a variety of different topics and a variety of different speakers.

Separate classes for adults, youth, and children.

Classes will start at 6:15 and end at 7:45.

Sign-Up Online [ here ]

Living Testimony

The New Testament is replete with admonition regarding our very lives being a ‘testimony’.  Sometimes due to our own making and others as opportunity is dealt us by  occurrences in our lives.

Getting a release from the surgeon who, with the help of God and several associates, preserved my physical life, he told me what a miracle he had seen in my experience and recovery.  And, how he had not seen it possible at the time.  I thought, “Why would God sustain my life and allow  younger, more seemingly viable persons pass”, it merely  points to a sovereign plan of God.

 I’m reminded of Luke 21:13 (from another context)  “And it, (experience and opportunity), shall turn to you for a testimony.”  So, then, our life, and what more He grants, should be used as an ongoing ‘testimony’ of His grace, mercy, and mighty hand, to be shared wherever and whenever we have occasion.  KNOW WHAT?!  The same goes for your life….  In fact, 1Peter 3:15 (RSV) states quite clearly… “In your hearts, reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence ”

May God grant you and yours the happiest, healthiest, holiest,  and assuredly most spiritually and fiscally prosperous year you’ve ever known!!  3John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Your Friend & HIS, Dan

A WIN-WIN SITUATION?

As the apostle Paul wrote, Philippians 1: 21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Painfully languishing, oblivious to my surroundings, there seemed to be a very real conversation with the Lord in the recesses of my otherwise comatose mind.  It seemed He asked, “Are you ready to come ‘home’?”  To which it seemed I offered, “Lord, I know my eternal destiny is set, so I think I will stay with Donna a while longer…”  Now, if this conversation took place, I was merely confessing my situation to be “win-win” either today or some date certain.  And, if I were only hallucinating and it did not take place, I retain that “win-win” standing and you may also.

I realize as you’re engrossed in your football team’s outcome, that’s not possible as it is either ‘win’ or ‘lose’, but with life, you can have it both ways. BUT……not without a relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ. 

Long ago, He said, “Call on me and I will answer you…”  So, do that today lest you suddenly and without warning, find yourself flat of your back, awaiting outside help, unable to do anything more for yourself and without even a vote as to what would be done. Let Him be the controlling Force when you are incapable of any decision process…..

Your Friend & HIS - Dan Swearengin

plugging in

Well, I was thinking just this morning how valuable it is to start the day well. Each night before I go to bed I plug my cell phone into a charger to restore the battery. That way I am able to receive and make phone calls the next day. Then I began to think how similar this is to my morning devotional time. I grew up in an environment where we were encouraged to have devotionals, but it was more like something to be checked off of a list than a time of connecting with God. Too many times it was an end to itself…”had my morning devos” rather than, “WOW! I made connection with God today.” So I just want to share with you a little of my morning exercise not as a “how to” but “how I” try to start most days. And let me say when I don’t take the time I really feel it…kind of like my cell phone battery…low on power to make God-shaped decisions and responses to the things I face each day.

When I wake up, I try to train myself to say, “Thanks for letting me be alive today, God.” Often I just start thinking of all the things about God that excite me and name those, “God thank you for your …..” This just reminds me how big and awesome God really is. From there I begin to think of people God has placed in my life and I pray for each of them by name. I say their names out loud and if I know something that is happening in their life I pray specifically for God to bless them, heal them, guide them or whatever is appropriate. I ask God to help me be where I need to be, to say and do what God wants me to do throughout the day. Then I spend some time in silence asking God to speak to me. Sometimes situations come to mind and I try to think through what God may want me to do. Other times there are dreams of what can be with God’s help. For me praying is connecting with God. It isn’t about “the words” or even our “posture.” It is about getting in a place where I can hear God and I can share with God an awareness of the things, people and situations in my life. That connection can remain open throughout the day with no dropped signal, if I keep my heart open.

I also try to read from the Bible. I regularly turn to Psalms and Proverbs. Because there are 31 Proverb chapters I read one each day (corresponding with the date) and ask “how might this apply in my life?” I also take time to read out loud a Psalm or two. Recently, I have been converting the language to second person rather than third person and so often the text just comes alive! So today is the 25th of the month and from Proverbs 25 I read “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor” which just reminds me that I shouldn’t brag too much about myself and be careful not to seek flattery (honey) or words of praise. There is a whole lot more in this chapter, but that is just one thing that jumped out at me today.

I used to get annoyed when people would say to have your devos in the morning because I was a night person and barely alive, let alone awake in the morning. Now I am a morning person and a night person, it’s the middle of the day that gets me! And I have found for myself that starting the day with God just helps in every other aspect of the day. I have often looked back on a tough day and thought how much harder it would have been if I hadn’t gotten centered and connected with God. I can be thankful that sometimes God has helped me to remain silent when I needed to and to speak up when I needed to and act appropriately when I might have gone a different direction and I can only attribute that to getting that best start at the beginning of the day. But my point is this: Devotionals are just one way to connect ourselves to God. There is no one right way to “do it.” Just make some time and start somewhere and see the value it will add to your life. It is like exercise. In time, it will shape you, form you and increase your health. The more we connect with God, the more we will see God at work all around us. And just like my cell phone needs charging every day, so my soul needs charging up. So here’s to plugging in!

oh~ now for the “wall of weird.” (Smallville fans will get this reference) I have an internal alarm of about 4:30 a.m. that usually works (that’s not the weird part). Here it is: I set my back up alarm for 6:33 (nothing ending in “0″ or “5″). Why 6:33? Glad you asked. Because it reminds me of Matthew 6:33. “Seek first the kingdom of God…” And it is a good reminder of how to start my day. Oh, yeah. That alarm is on my….cell phone. Too corny? Weird? Just consider the source.