The Rapture

The Village News Article

The Rapture
In the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples saw that he
broke the bonds of the earth and was transformed into a
spiritual body. In Acts 1:9-11, he ascended into heaven
and Luke says he is to return in the same way. The apostle
Paul, who was totally changed on the road to Damascus,
now understood that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God. In Christ, true transformation occurs, mortals
put on immortality. In the rapture, all the saints are gathered, to
be raised to heaven, to life eternal. Paul's image holds the vision
of the true believers being raised, meeting Jesus in the clouds,
and lifted up to be with the Lord. Jesus' teaching is clear, when
this will happen, no one knows, not angels, not the Son, only
the Father in heaven. Many have set a date, Shakers 1792,
William Miller 1844, Edgar Whisenant, 1989, and there are others.
The lessons for all is, be alert and watch. Two men will be in the
field, one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding
with a hand mill, one will be taken, and the other will be left. (Matt. 24:41)
Jesus reminds us, "My kingdom is not of this world." (Jn. 18:36).

Dr. Dennis Ginoza
Fallbrook United Methodist Church
March 13, 2009 Publication