Grace To The Very End
The other consequence of the argument against the rapture doctrine is the comfort that grace will not fail the believer.
1Th 4:15 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.
1Th 4:16 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:
1Th 4:17 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.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(KJV)
Verse 15 states there will be a remnant of believers at the second coming. Christianity will not "die out" before that second coming. Verse 16 states this occurs with the resurrection of the saints and with the command of the armies of heaven as under the archangel. The armies march at the very last trump of God (the seven trumps blown simultaneously rather than shifted by the seven thunders). This army of heaven (verse 17) includes those that are raised in Christ. For then, the living remnant are "caught up" or "quickened" (read "justified", that God and His elect are clearly manifested as the "sons of God" in truth). The "clouds" reference the mysteries of the gospel, the same "marriage of the lamb" where believers are married one and all into this same army of heaven (angels all equal) to become properly the bride of Christ.
Thus we meet with the Lord "in the air" as His bride one and all. The word "aer" (G109) references an "inanimate breeze" which is referenced in revelation as the domain for the army led by the "Word of God" which defeats the unjust at armageddon - the three frogs of the dragon, beast and false prophet are shown unable to operate.
Then as believers justified before all, we will forever be found His bride (Christ's, verse 18) married by the crown of virtue that is the same marriage of the lamb into one body.
There is much comfort therefore to be found in knowing that grace shall not fail us and that there is much in sequence to occur before the end.
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