The great falling away of the church!

I don't believe in the Rapture theory so I can't answer your question.

So far with obama - as a Usurper - a pretender to the Throne - for a Christian Nation, we have him choosing sides with Islamic Fascism - War in the Holy Land, his desecration of the cross in the church in Georgetown, his hesitation for political reasons on the war in Afghanistan - while our American Troops are trying to survive his orders, Americans trying to survive the devastation of the acts of a deranged Congress, wildfires, mud slides, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes -

so I think we are just about there - for The Rapture.

12/21/2012

Richard, would falling away mean falling away from the gospel of Christ, the word of God, by being deceived? Church being the body of Christ and the true word of God.

Wonder if that falling away from the word of God the gospel of Christ the one Paul preached (the church)  could be the twisting and changed and added to and left out word of God  that they call the word of God today in the new bibles used, which contain the text of Wescott and Hort.

I mean if a bible has a perverted changed twisted word of God like they all do today except the KJV bible  (anyone can do a search and check it out) wouldn't that be a falling away from the true word of God, the spirit of God and worship a false word of God a false spirit the Antichrist, i think it is.

It would take the holy spirit of God to give that understanding.

Where do you get the word rapture, have you studied where that word came from,

God says in his word that he will not return until a fallen away takes place first, and  satan (the Antichrist) comes back first and sets up his false one world system his one world government and sets on his  throne showing himself to be God, after that  then Christ returns, NOT BEFORE.

How do you think everyone will follow the beast and think satan is God before Christ returns, and shows satan to be the false god.

How do you think all that will take place, could it be because everyone is believing those false perverted changed left out word of God in those false bibles to be the true word of God, but they are worshiping a false god a false spirit the Antichrist spirit of satan, because they are deceived and believeing the lie, because the true word of God  the holy spirit of God Gods unchanged word is not in there

Do you think that is the fallen away that is going on now as we speak, and has been ever sense Eve believed satans twisted changed word of God in the garden

I will tell you what I think about the falling away and the Rapture.

Read: 1 Th 5:2,  1 Th 5:4,  Mal. 4:5,  2 Th. 2:3-4,  Mk. 13:24-27

So after you have read all of these verses I have found that before the Rapture. Elijah must come first, A falling away, then man of sin is revealed, After the tribulation the sun will darkened; the moon shall not give light; the stars of heaven will fall. Than you will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

This is just my opinions and interpretations

If you don't believe this just think about why we are building all the new Church's in the world. Do you think they would build thousands of dollars of Churches before the rapture. To me it is because the Churches will be saved. And, the ungodly will be gone. Hope this is helpful to you.  Bless You  

The Rapture

Is there a rapture when the word is not found in the bible?  The short answer is a definite yes.  But when does it happen?  The vast majority of evangelical, bible believing Christians are convinced that there is a pre-tribulation rapture.  Anyone who tries to persuade them otherwise finds themselves strongly attacked (and usually in a very un-Christian manner).  There is only one source to go to for the truth, and that, of course, is the bible.  So, let us take a very careful look at what the bible tells us about this coming event.

First, when did Jesus tell us he would be returning?

Matthew 24:29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Matthew 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Mark 13:24  But in those days, after that tribulation , the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Mark 13:25  And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

In both Matthew and Mark, Jesus tells us he will be coming back after the tribulation.  That alone is enough for me.  I believe what Jesus said, rather than what people say.  However, there is much more to make the timing clear.

Revelation 20:1  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

According to the above, the first resurrection occurs at the end of the tribulation when satan is cast into the bottomless pit.  Now, we know that "the dead in Christ" will rise first and then the survising believers will be caught up.  How do we know this?  From Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, 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 them which are asleep.
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.
18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

So, clearly, the dead in Christ shall rise first (this is the first resurrection) and then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up ...

Furthermore, Paul wrote the following in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, 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.

What happens at the last trumpet?  Revelation 10:7  But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished , as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Revelation 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

So the seventh trumpet sounds when the mystery of God is finished and the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord.

Now, those who are convinced of the pre-tribulation rapture theory say that when Paul speaks of the last trumpet, he does not mean this trumpet.  Well, what other trumpet could he mean?  They say there is a secret coming of Christ for His church, but there is nothing, anywhere in the bible to sustantiate this claim.  As a matter of fact, Paul also set the Thessalonians straight on this very point:

2 Thessalonians 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

That day, meaning the day of Christ's return, shall not come until there come a falling away first and that man of sin (anti-christ) is revealed.

Although we may think that we are living in a time where the falling away (apostacy) is already here, I am sure that he is referring to the one world religious system which will be instituted and the ground work for which has been being laid for quite some time.  Also, the anti-christ has not yet been revealed.  What one world religion am I talking about?  We find it in Revelation:

Revelation 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.  (He looked like a Christian, but spoke like the devil.)
Revelation 19:20  And 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.

2 Thessalonians 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time .
7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

There is a great misunderstanding of verse 7 within the church and a whole false doctrine has been created based on that misinterpretation.  There is the belief that the Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth, taken out of the way, and, by default, so will all christians via the rapture, which makes no sense at all, because without the working of the Holy Spirit, there is no salvation possible and the bible clearly states that people will still be saved during the tribulation.  Carefully read verse 6, it states that you know what withholdeth (not who) that he (the son of perdition) might be revealed in his time .  This means that the son of perdition cannot be revealed until God says it is time.  Although the Holy Spirit may be the one restraining and will be taken out of Satan's way, allowing him to perform his deeds, that in no wise translates into the Holy Spirit being removed from the earth.

Other scriptures also tell us that the believers will not only be on earth during the tribulation, but will be severely persecuted:

Matthew 10:17  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues ;
Matthew 10:19  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Matthew 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Mark 13:9  But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
Mark 13:11  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Daniel 11:30  For the ships of Chittim shall come against him (speaking of the anti-christ) : therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31  And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
32  And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
33  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
35  And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

So, the the true believers will be persecuted, but the Lord will be with them. Many of them will be taken into captivity, tortured, and executed.  However, the Lord is letting this happen, in order to try them and purify them.  Their rewards will be great.  It will be a time, much like it was for the early church.  The Lord will be with His people and help them through this terrible time.  Just as Noah and his family were not taken out of the world when God destroyed the world with the flood, but was protected and saved through it, so will many Christians be protected and brought through this tribulation.

The times ahead are going to be terrible times.  The bible tells us that before Christ's return, the vast majority of people on the earth today will die from wars, famines, plagues, and persecution.  Only a small percentage will survive.  Many, many will die without salvation.  Be sure you are not one of them.  Trust Jesus Christ, who took our sins upon himself and paid the penalty, dying for your and my sins.  Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Hebrews 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Conclusion:  The bible always interprets itself.  Things are not laid out in chronological or any other order but rather it requires the serious disciple to spend time in the word and search the scriptures to arrive at the truth.  Isaiah 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

The Fallen Away
Misconceptions about the Antichrist
Although many eschatologists (bible end time teachers) have written many books and articles concerning
the Man of Sin or Antichrist, many of the writings out there are not in accordance to the word of God.  
Although many eschatologist are often puzzled by questions concerning the identity, the time when the
Antichrist is to appear, and whether Christians will be on earth to see the Man of Sin, many eschatologist
opt to publish literature answering these questions even though they can not support their claims.

Just as with any other end time prophetic topic, the only way to find the answer to these questions is for us
to go inside the bible, which is precisely what we will do in this article.  

When will the Antichrist be revealed?

Although many eschatologist claim that Christians would not be on earth, at the time when the Man of Sin
appears. The bible specifically says that Christians not only would see the manifestation of the Man of Sin,
but would also be persecuted by him.

In 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4 the Apostle Paul warned us not to be deceived by any spirit, writing or man, for
the return of the Lord and our gathering with Christ will not happen until there is a falling away and the Man
of sin is revealed. The words “falling away” refer to the Greek word “apostasia,” which essentially means
“rebellion.  The rebellion spoken here could very well refer to people rebelling against the Lord or simply
falling away from the truth.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together
unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as
from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition(KJV 2
Thessalonians 2:1-3).”

As it is clearly written above, prior to the return of Christ and prior to our gathering with the Lord, there
would first come a rebellion (falling away) and the Antichrist will be revealed. The church will be on earth to
see all of this happen.

Where would the Antichrist Appear?

In 2 Thessalonians 2:4-8, Paul continued by saying that the Antichrist will sit in the Temple of Jerusalem
where he will exalt himself above God, claiming that he is God.  

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

Concerning the manifestation of the Antichrist, in Matthew 24: 15-16 we read that Jesus spoke to His
disciple, saying, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judea flee
into the mountains.”  By this we know that the Antichrist will not only sit on the Temple of Jerusalem, but will
also enter the Most Holy Place (the Holiest of Hollies), which is the holy sanctuary at the Temple of
Jerusalem that only a High Priest could enter once a year.

What will be the identity of the Antichrist?

No one knows exactly what would be the identity of the Antichrist.
Some eschatologists claim that he would be from Rome, some that he will be Russian and some have
claimed that he well be Jewish.  

Although no one knows for sure, who the antichrist will be, it is of great important that we know that the
Prophet Zechariah prophesied to Israel concerning the man of Sin, saying that God would raise for Israel a
foolish shepherd or king who would not care for the children of Israel. Instead, this shepherd will eat the
flesh of the sheep and will tear their claws into pieces (Zechariah 11:15-17).

And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.  For, lo, I will raise up
a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal
that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws
in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his
right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened (KJV Zechariah 11:15-
17).”

I can not said for certain that the Antichrist will be a Jewish man, but is imperative for both Jewish People
and Christians to know that the people of Israel would not allow nor accept any man who is not the High
Priest, let along any gentile to enter the Most Holy Place at the Temple of Jerusalem; therefore, there is a
great likelihood that the Man of Sin or Antichrist will not only be a Jewish man, but also the High Priest, a
Jewish Prophet or a renown Jewish Rabbi.

Paul said that Jesus became the High Priest of all of Israel in the order of Melchisedec.  He also said that
Jesus not only fulfilled the Law of Moses, but also put and end to sacrifices and offerings, and entered the
most holy sanctuary in heaven.  Today, Orthodox and Ultra-orthodox Jewish people not only would like to
rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem, but would also like to re-instate a High Priest, the Levitical Priesthood as
well as sacrifice and offerings according to the Law of Moses. The High Priest was also called
HaCohenHaMoshiak, which basically means “the Priest who is the Messiah.”

“For he (God) testifieth, Thou (Jesus) art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily
a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the
law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God
(Hebrews 7:17-19).”

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest (Jesus), who is set
on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man (Hebrews 8:1-2).”

Therefore, if Jesus is the true High Priests of Israel and the true Messiah, then any High Priest after Him
must be a type of anti-Messiah or anti-Christ.  Paul specifically said that anyone who tried to become
justified by the Law had fallen from grace, meaning that such person would be condemned.  Imagine how
would God the Father, feel seeing the very Nation that He loved so much to the point that He gave His only
begotten as a living sacrifice for their reconciliation, would now select another king, Messiah or Christ.
Imagine how would God feel the day when He see an assembly of people at the Temple of Israel sacrificing
bulls, calves, sheep and birds as offerings for sins. It would be as saying to God, “the sacrifice of your son
was not sufficient.”  I am not saying that this exactly how is going to happen, but I am telling you that there is
a great likelihood that this is how is going to happen  

One thing is for sure; the man of Sin is None other than Satan

In verse 6, of 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul said to the church in Thessalonica that they knew what “withholded”
or withheld the Antichrist until the time when he is finally revealed. In verses 7-8, Paul further clarify the
mystery by saying that the one who now “letteth,” will let until he is taken out of the way, then the Antichrist
will be revealed. Then the Lord will destroy him at the time of Christ return.

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth
already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.And then shall that Wicked be
revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of
his coming (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8).

In the oldest translation of the New Testament, which was written in Greek, the word “kateko,” is used for the
words “withholded” and  “letteth.” The word “kateko, is properly translated “restrained.”  Knowing this will
help us understand that Man of Sin, who is none other than Satan was already bound or restrained at the
time of Paul, and whoever had him restrained would continue to bind him until the time that Satan is to be
released. Or else, how is it that Christ is going to destroy Him at the time of His return as it is specifically
stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:verse 8.?

Who are those who will receive the Antichrist?

Paul stated that the Antichrist or man of Sin would do the same work as Satan; having great power to do
great signs and false miracles to deceive with unrighteousness everyone who is perishing because they did
not accepted and received the truth that could save them. For this reason, God will send them great
delusions so that they believe the Antichrist’s lies and be condemned for not receiving the truth and having
found pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Jesus also warned against believing any man who were to said that Christ was here or there, as many false
Christs and false prophets would arise and will show great false miracles and wonders; then he said that if
anyone where to say to us that Christ or the Messiah had appeared in the desert or in the Secret chambers
or inner rooms of the Temple we are not to believe him, for just as lightning that comes out of the east, and
shines even unto the west, in the same manner would be the return of Jesus the Son of man (Matthew 24:
23-27).  In these verses Jesus makes it clear, that the Man of Sin or Antichrist, would be seen in the dessert
and also at the Temple of Jerusalem.  Many would believe that he is the Messiah, but those who live in
Jesus’ words surely know that the next time that we see Jesus, it will be on the clouds of heaven and not
sitting at the Temple of Jerusalem as the Man of Sin will do when he is manifested.  

Jesus also warned us by saying that at the time when we see the abomination of desolation, that was
spoken of by Daniel (Antichrist) standing in the Holy Place, then those who were in Judea should flee into to
the mountains and those who were on their housetops should not come down to take anything out of their
house. Also those who are in the field of Judea should not return to their house to get their clothes. For
then there shall be such great tribulation, as it has not been since the beginning of the world until that time,
no would ever be (Matthew 24:15-21).

Even though Jesus and Paul already warned us concerning the Antichrist or Man of Sin stating that he will
appear at the Temple of Jerusalem and in the dessert to deceive many and to persecute both Christians
and Jews. There would be many Jewish People and Christians claiming so called “believer” who would be
deceived because of the blindness and hardness of the heart they continue to reject the truth.

One thing we know for sure, the Antichrist would come first, he will deceive many by the false miracles and
signs that he would perform, then he will bring great trial and persecution against the Church and against
the true Children of Israel; killing and imprisoning many for their faith in Jesus Christ.  Don’t be deceived.