TreeBug
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« on: January 16, 2012, 05:26:38 PM » |
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Dear nChrist Since I am still very new to the forum, my thoughts were not to question this article in the Bible Study area. It just seemed bad manners. I don't sign in all the time, especially to just read and enjoy your posts in the Daily Devotional, Two Minutes with the Bible, etc. And not just your posts, I have found interest in many, and I've learned some things too. Bible Study and a 'second set' of eyes were my main reason for joining. Please understand, it's not of my character to be confrontational in any manner. My life before Jesus took a firm hold on me was nothing but confrontation and drama, I lost the taste for it long ago and almost can't bear the thought of it. When I first read the article I was curious, even though an alarm went up in my mind. I considered my raising, all I had learned in church; and most especially what I learned from my Grandmother. I took seriously Mr. Stam's statement that Matthew 24: 40-42 was a misinterpretation. There are many more learned in the Bible than I am! I read the article, I saved it as well. Some of these I send to my daughter, however this one I didn't as usual because it troubled me so much. I've kept it in my heart and thoughts and I've had my nose all over the Bible. I'll copy the article here before I go on:
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TWO IN THE FIELD AND TWO AT THE MILL by Cornelius R. Stam
"Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour you Lord doth come" (Matt. 24:40-42).
How often the above passage has been interpreted to apply to our Lord's coming for the members of His Body! At the rapture of the Church, it is said, two will be working in the field, when one will be taken to heaven and the other left to go through the day of God's wrath, and so also with two women who may be grinding side by side at the mill: one will be caught up to be with the Lord and the other left behind.
But actually this passage cannot have anything to do with the rapture of the Body to be with Christ.
First, the truth of our Lord's coming for the members of His Body was a secret first revealed by the glorified Lord through Paul (I Cor. 15:51-58; I Thes. 4:15-18 ).
But from Matthew 24 itself it is still more evident that the passage cannot refer to the rapture.
True, the passage says: "The one shall be taken, and the other left", but where and how will the one be taken, and what will be the lot of the one who is left behind?
From the verses immediately preceding, it is evident that the coming of Christ to earth to judge and reign is in view. This coming is likened to what happened in the days of Noah. The people ate and drank, married and gave away again in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, "and knew not until the flood came and took them all away". These people were not "taken away" to glory; they were "taken away" in judgment.
Since verses 40 and 41 are a continuation of this illustration, it is evident that the two "taken away" are taken away in judgment at our Lord's return to reign, while the two who are "left" are left to enter into His millennial reign. This interpretation alone is consistent with the whole context in which we find this passage.
How much confusion would be avoided if the truth of the rapture of the Body to be with Christ were recognized to be what it is: a divine secret first revealed to Paul concerning the Church of this present dispensation, the Body of Christ.
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Now, I've only read two versions of our Bible; one being the 1974 Living Bible which is paraphrased. I enjoyed that Bible and believe it to be a good 'starter Bible'. But even I recognized that it wasn't giving me all that I needed, so I went back to the KJV a while back. I read all of Matthew ch.24 and did not see that those left would be those that would enjoy peace on earth and those taken would be those taken to judgement. Certainly, I know that I take the Bible as it is, I read it plainly and take it as a whole Truth. I also know that there are mysteries of which we will know nothing until the end of days. But even in the context of the whole, I could not see the evidence that Mr. Stam says there is. Even in his referenced scripture of 1 Cor. 15: 51-58 and 1 Thess. 4:15-18 could I see anything that would uphold his understanding of what he read. Paul is in 1 Corinthians answering the question of how we will have bodies, be resurrected; to those who doubted. Yes, that's simply put; but that's what it is. "Death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? And the first letter to the Thessalonians 4: 15-18 absolutely contradict what Mr. Stam has presented in his article. As unlearned as I am verse 17 is absolutely clear. I would ask that you read Luke chapter 17, when Jesus teaches the disciples of the days of Noah and the days of Lot as an example of the way things will be. And too, Luke chapter 18 (as Jesus is still teaching), the parable of the unjust judge had meaning for me concerning this. As did Luke chapter 21. Verse 36 especially caught me. I suppose what I just remarked upon is enough, I know that you know the Bible. I have it in my thoughts that you may even be a pastor. So I am being pretty 'cheeky' to presume anything. I did read Daniel again from chapter 9, although my understanding of Daniel is not as good. I still understood it enough. I am sorry to bother you with this. I had thought to just leave it alone, but I felt I had to go with my heart. If there is something I'm not seeing, I trust the Holy Spirit will point it out to me in due time. He may even use you to do it! (smiling here) However, there can be no other authority for me than God's own Word. With the love of Jesus always, Teresa
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