Leading the Children of Light into the depth of the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God. (Romans 11:33)
The Rapture & Return of Jesus Christ
This single event, Christ’s appearance, is the hope and focus for countless millions; some alive, many already dead. It is core to the gospel and a central pivot point from which the future of humanity rests. Yet for many that future, and perhaps even that gospel, is cloaked in mystery. That is not by accident. In order to see it one must align with Christ and give way to the Holy Spirit. In that light, let’s see what Paul describes as the hope of our glory and when that will occur.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)
Part of the answer lies within the question itself; to reveal to the world the Son of God whom they’ve rejected or have not seen. Yet it goes deeper than that. We’re probably certain from our expectations of judgment upon the disobedient and wicked, what the Lord intends for the world. But is that viewpoint…
The contrast throughout all of scripture, old and new, is between death for those made from the dust of the ground and the hope of immortality made available to all in the work of Yeshua, the Christ. That work comes through death, and is manifested for his faithful servants at the resurrection of the firstfruits…
This question reaches to the core of some very challenging presuppositions, and the answer is vital to every Christian desiring to be faithful to our Lord and Christ. So to begin, let’s see how scripture defines and characterizes the inheritance we seek. We can begin in 1 Peter 1. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)3 Blessed be…
The answer to the article’s title depends primarily on what presuppositions are held about the events to which the hour of trial might point. A larger context for understanding these verses comes from the vision and the vision-giver who is revealing the things that have been, the things that are, and those things yet to…
This question is based on the promise of Christ to the Philadelphia congregation recorded in Revelation 3. Christ is surely reminded of his warning to his disciples regarding their treatment in the world. How they would be handed over to death and hated for his name’s sake. In all this tribulation they are encouraged to…
In this article, let’s continue to look deeper into 2 Peter 2 and examine the other examples of God’s deliverance cited there. Peter’s objective is not just to show how God is able to rescue the Godly from trials, it’s also to show his power to restrain the wicked sufficiently so that the whole world…
The answer to this question isn’t a simple one because the question itself has layers to it that must be resolved. This article looks into a few of those layers; the presuppositions behind the question, the characteristics of previous deliverance, and the motivation behind this deliverance.
Should Christians be looking to Christ to remove them from tribulation in the world, or is there value in suffering for righteousness sake? This article looks at the context of Luke 21:36.
The assurance and comfort expressed to believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 has limitations depending on one’s expectations for the Day of the Lord. Exemption from wrath is coexistent with the reconciliation to God obtained through belief in Christ. However, the promise of exemption from wrath only applies to God’s wrath, making one’s presupposition about the…
This discussion focuses on looking at the underlying purpose for the destruction of the first two temples; it’s derived from God’s correction upon Judah for their failure to keep their covenant with him. This occurred first when Israel(1) (the Northern kingdom) was taken captive and dispersed. Judah (the Southern kingdom) experienced this dispersion twice; once…
By briefly reviewing the history and purpose for Israel’s captivity and dispersion, we can begin to understand the work that God is continuing to do in Israel. There are, however, numerous compelling reasons why a third physical temple seems unlikely.
The inclusion of the Gentiles into the promises of God was a radical idea when introduced by Jesus to Paul and the other disciples. We look at why this is and where it leads.
The Unfiltered Gospel 