A Study of The Rapture Part 2 by Shalene

I received some great comments yesterday, and wanted to touch on them for a moment. First, though I have a lot of questions about the Rapture, I don't expect that every one of them will be answerable while I am still alive. My questions are only those which, in a perfect world, would be answered. Does this make sense? I have a VERY inquisitive mind, so if I can learn the answers to something, I'll do my best to do so. I do understand that for some of my questions, my faith that it is so, will have to suffice. May God grant me the wisdom to know when to "let go of the bone." Second, I do believe in the Rapture. I do not believe it has happened yet. I believe the Bible is literal not interpretive. I have hope that those that have questions about the Rapture will travel this study with me, and if they don't agree, they're free to do so. I'm not here trying to change anyone's mind about the Rapture; though if it happens, I won't complain. :) Now on to the post.

What about the dead?

But someone may ask, "How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?" What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn't grow into a plant unless it dies first. And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. ....The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies....It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised in glory.....they will be raised as spiritual bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,40,42-44 NLT (please read this passage in it's full context for further clarification.)

What does that mean?

What that means is that for whatever reason, we will have new bodies- heavenly bodies- whether we are dead or alive at the time of the Rapture. I don't have an answer for why we need those bodies, except to say "Because God said so." I'm sorry but that's the only answer I have. Faith will have to suffice on this one, I'm afraid. :)

Now what about where the dead are until then?

Well, a good friend pointed out Luke 16:22 to me in reference to this. While it is true that it's a parable, it also gives us a good idea as to where we go when we die.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. ...And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. Luke 16:22-24, 26 KJV

So, from that I get that the dead are indeed waiting in one of two places for the day that we will all come before the judgement seat of God.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead *at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

---Lord, I thank you again for Your Holy Word, that we might find the answers we seek, if we will but seek with a pure and open heart. I thank you for those that you have placed in my path, that my faith walk would be strengthened, and the words that I write would be true to Your Word. I ask that you continue to show me the Way, and that You guide me in the ways that will Glorify Your Name always. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.