When Jesus returns for the church

(This podcast was previously recorded and published on December 25, 2020)

 

Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...

 

The word, "Rapture", is used in many churches to describe the church being removed from this present earth and taken into heaven.

 

The first time I ever heard this word, "Rapture" used at church, I was very shocked.

 

I checked New Testament Bible and found this word, "Rapture", is not in the Bible.  It is a word that was made up by man.

 

I never use this word to describe the church being taken into heaven.

 

The following scriptures wonderfully tell us what will happen:

 

I Thessalonians 4:13-17 ... The dead in Christ rise first.

 

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), 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 (precede) them which are asleep (dead).

 

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.

 

("In the air" is very important for it shows us Jesus' kingdom will not be on the present earth.  After we are removed from this earth, God will destroy this heaven and earth by fire.  We will be in our new spiritual bodies and will be taken to the New Heaven and the New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.)

 

I Corinthians 15:48-52  ... We are changed into new spiritual bodies.

 

48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

 

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

(On this earth we have the physical form resembling our parents.  In heaven we will have the form of God and Jesus which is a spiritual form.)

 

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

 

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,

 

52 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.

 

*****

An artist depicted the rising of the church but this artist showed individuals rising out of their autos in their present physical bodies.  This will not happen.  First those on the earth at the time Jesus returns will be changed into the spiritual bodies.  This physical body does not rise for it is corruptible, subject to physical disease and pain and emotions which are hurtful.  In heaven, there will be no pain, nor sorrow, nor death ... thus in heaven there will be no physical type body as we know the body today.

 

***

 

Revelation 21:1-5  ...  We are taken to the new heaven and the new earth.

 

1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

 

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

 

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

 

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II Peter 3:10-14  ... This earth is destroyed by God.

 

10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

 

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

 

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

 

13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

 

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

 

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