Print Page - Rapture, Saved or reward based?

I'm starting a new thread for a topic that come up elsewhere....didn't want to take that thread off topic.

Jesusavedme asks...

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Do you think that the Rapture is a saved-based event or a reward-based event? Certain parables of Jesus and His words to some of the churches in the Book of Revelation make me think that perhaps the Rapture is works-based. Nothing to do with salvation though. What do you think?

I would encourage you to study this a bit, as I don't want you to follow my lead, but rather Gods.....but my interpritation of scripture leads me to believe the Rapture is saved-based! Here's why I see it that way.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Is it any coincidence that the early church of Corinth was very carnal, yet God chose them to receive this truth from Paul? Paul rebukes them for everything from fornication to getting drunk at communion, yet he tells them we will ALL be changed! If it depended on our own righteousness to be raptured, I have a feeling non of us would be going ;)

This sort of goes into the faith/works topic a bit. Listen to what Paul said earlier in the same letter about this.

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Heres another...

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Salvation is not a works based concept, but merely evidence we are truly a part of His workmanship and created in Him. I think this ties into the warning passages concerning the Rapture. If a person is not producing good works ordained by God and walking in them, is it possible that - that person has true faith in Christ? Or are they merely counterfit believers, having knowledge of the truth, but denying the power thereof?

This is a good question, but for these reasons, I believe all true believers do produce works on some level, thus the warnings you read about not having good works. These appear to question the true faith of such believers. Its more than just saying we believe...

Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Those who have TRUE faith, will in fact produce good works because God is in fact producing them through the believers real walk of faith.

Try reading the same parables and verses in Revelations you were thinking of [with this in mind] and see if they make better sense now. :)

Grace and Peace!

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Theology => Prophecy - Current Events => Topic started by: 2nd Timothy on May 07, 2005, 11:44:44 PM