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(2 Th 2:1-3 KJV) "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, {2} That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. {3} Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" Changed, Caught Up and Gathered Either dead or alive, all Saints will be changed, caught up and gathered (Mat 3:12) with Christ in the clouds when He comes. When the Word says He raises us (1 Cor 15:51-52), gathers us (2 Th 2:1-3), and when He appears, we appear (Col 3:4) with Him (Zec 14:5; Jude 1:14), the various details describe the same resurrection. You could look at it this way, when Christ appears (Heb 9:28) and we are resurrected, all will be changed, "...In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye..." (1 Cor 15:51-54 KJV), "...caught up together with them..." (1 Th 4:16-17 KJV) in the clouds (Mat 24:30 1), and gathered (Mat 13:30); and while He is doing His miraculous work of altering the earth, He pours His wrath on all deserving parties, judges and makes war (Rev 19:11-14), and wins the battle (Rev 19:15-21) at a place called Armageddon (Rev 16:14, 16 7). He does so much in a short period of time at His second coming (Heb 9:28), which is the Day of the Lord. 13 The Resurrection Happens Quickly (Col 3:4 KJV) "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." When Christ appears, we appear with Him (Col 3:4). The resurrection happens quickly. "In a moment, 2 in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor 15:52 KJV). Gather Together in One the Children of God (John 11:51-52) The gathering of the Saints previously mentioned is the resurrection at the end of the age. There is a gathering together (Mat 24:31), which could be twofold with both natural and spiritual (1 Cor 2:9-14) connotations, that will be completely fulfilled one day. Caiaphas "...prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad" (John 11:51-52 KJV). The first and second gatherings of the children of Israel were foretold, and they are recorded in the O.T. 3 The second gathering (Isa 11:10-11) at the time was not yet fulfilled, but the first one was (Jer 43:5) after the first temple was destroyed (2 Chr 36:16-21) and they were scattered (Est 3:8). (Isa 11:12 KJV) "And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Ezek 37:19 KJV) "Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand." During Jesus' ministry, He sought to gather together the children of Israel, but they were not willing (Mat 23:37-39). Today, the LORD is gathering them again to live in the Promised Land with many of them believing the Messiah is yet to come for the first time. (Mat 23:37 KJV) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Save That Which Was Lost (Luke 19:10) When Jesus spoke of seeking and saving that which was lost (Luke 19:10), which was much different than some shepherds of old (Ezek 34:1-10), He was referring to the lost sheep (Jer 50:6) of Israel (Mat 10:5-8). When He first came, He did not begin seeking (Ezek 34:16) and saving (Mat 18:11), and gathering Gentiles but rather Israel (Luke 13:34); for He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mat 15:24). He chose Israelites to be His disciples (Luke 6:13-16), and preached, taught and healed in old Israeli neighborhoods. Gentiles Were Aliens From the Commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:10-22) Some may ask "How can I be saved if the house of Israel is the lost and I'm not an Israelite?" Well the truth is Gentiles (Eph 2:10-22), being a wild olive tree (branch) which was grafted into a good olive tree (Rom 11:16-25), were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, but now are in Christ (Eph 2:12-13) -- who has made of (twain) two (Gal 3:28-29) one new man (Eph 2:14-15) -- and fellow citizens with the Saints and of the household of God (Eph 2:19). Note: This one (Rom 12:5) body (Eph 2:15-16 6), the Church (Col 1:18), Christ being the Head (Eph 5:23), has many (1 Cor 12:12-13) members (Eph 5:29-30 5). If you do not like being one with Israel and are prejudice toward the Jews, then your eternal destiny could be in question. One Time Event The second part of Hebrews 9:28 says, "...unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." That is the Second Advent, and we tribbers are the ones who are looking for Him then. Christ will come one more time, not two or more times -- one first resurrection (Rev 20:4-6), one harvest (Rev 14:14-116 9), one rapture (1 Th 4:16-17), one gathering (Mat 13:47-50 10) unto Him (2 Th 2:1-3). For the various details throughout the prophetic Word describe a one time event after the falling away, the man of sin revealed and the Tribulation. Gather Together His Elect from Earth and Heaven (Mark 13:24-27) Some believed He would return in their lifetime (James 5:8-9 14). While Jesus was on earth, even He did not know the day and hour (Mark 13:32 11) it would be. Jesus' own words (Mat 24:29-31) helps one to understand how it begins to happen. (Mat 24:29-31 KJV) "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: {30} And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. {31} And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Mark 13:24-27 KJV) "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, {25} And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. {26} And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. {27} And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." The heavens will alter, people will see Him coming, the trumpet will sound, and He will send His angels to "...gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Mat 24:29-31 KJV). All Saints' bodies, who sleep and still alive, will be changed, each fashioned like unto His glorious body (Phil 3:20-21). Various Terms, Similes and Details With some Bible passages having both natural and spiritual connotations, not knowing the time of His return, and then the enigma of merging together again the spirit, soul and body in the resurrection could help account for some of the various terms, similes and details that are exibited throughout the prophetic Word that describe the Second Advent. Spirit, Soul and Body (1 Th 5:23 KJV) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." When man dies (Psa 104:29), the flesh (body) perishes (dies) and turns again to dust (Job 34:14-15) from where it was formed (Gen 2:7), the spirit (ruwach: H7307) returns unto God who gave it (Eccl 12:7), and the soul (psuche: G5590) either goes to heaven or hell (Luke 16:19-31). Man has a body that can be destroyed (1 Cor 5:1-6), and a soul (Mat 22:37 8) that can also be destroyed in hell (Mat 10:28). As for the Saint, man can destroy his body but not his soul (nephesh: H5315), for God preserves it (Psa 97:10). (Gen 2:7 KJV) "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Mat 10:28 KJV) "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Psa 97:10 KJV) "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked." (Heb 10:39 KJV) "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Two Important Factors We cannot live (Acts 7:59-60) in this body without the (pneuma: G4151) spirit (James 2:26), and we would not be alive in the first place without the breath (naphach: H5301) of the LORD God (Gen 2:7) Almighty (Job 33:4). More Resurrection Disclosure To better understand the mystery of our change (Job 14:12-15) and gathering, one needs to go deeper into the Word to discover more what is said about the spirit (pneuma: G4151), soul (psuche: G5590) and body (soma:G4983). Being made-up of three basic parts (1 Th 5:23) also could help us to understand in one way being made in the image of God (Gen 1:27), which will not be discussed further here. (Heb 4:12 KJV) "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Job who said man turns again to dust (Job 34:14-15), also said after his skin is destroyed, in his flesh he will see God (Job 19:25-27). He was talking about his death and the resurrection. (1 Th 4:13-18 KJV) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. {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. {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: {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. {18} Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Paul explains the merger of Saints and their bodies very well in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. When Jesus appears the second time (Heb 9:28) for the first resurrection, God is bringing with Him Saints (1 Th 3:13; Jude 1:14) who sleep in Jesus (1 Th 4:13-15) -- souls (Rev 20:4-6) in heaven (Rev 6:9). "...And with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds..." (1 Th 4:16-17 KJV). That is when we live and reign with Christ (Rev 20:4). (Rev 6:9 KJV) "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:" (Rev 20:4-5 KJV) "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. {5} But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection." Discovering More We need to be spiritual (1 Cor 2:9-14) and spiritually minded (Rom 8:4-7) to understand the facts. (1 Cor 2:14 KJV) "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (Rom 8:4-7 KJV) "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {5} For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. {6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. {7} Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Adam, who became a living soul by the breath of the LORD God (Gen 2:7), was the first man (and Eve is the mother of all living, Gen 3:20). "...By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men..." (Rom 5:12 KJV). We have an earthly body and weak flesh (Mark 14:38; Rom 6:19) that desires to lust (Eph 2:3). In Adam, because of sin, all die (Num 15:28-31; Ezek 18:4), but those who are born of God sins not (1 John 3:9; 5:18), and in Christ will all be made alive (1 Cor 15:22). Those who believe in Jesus Christ will never die (John 11:26), for we just go straight into eternity to be with our Lord when leaving this body (2 Cor 5:8). (Eph 2:3 KJV) "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." (1 Cor 15:22 KJV) "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 John 5:18 KJV) "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." I sometimes feel like Paul -- would much rather be absent from this body and present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8). (2 Cor 5:8 KJV) "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Jesus is the second man and last Adam who was made a life-giving spirit. We now bear the image of the earthly, but one day we will bear the image 12 of the heavenly (1 Cor 15:45-49). (1 Cor 15:42-49 KJV) "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: {43} It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: {44} It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. {46} Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. {47} The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. {48} As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. {49} And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." When born again, we are given a new heart, and have a new spirit (Ezek 11:19; 36:26) and His Spirit (Ezek 36:27) put within us. Being in Christ we are new creatures. Old things will pass away... (2 Cor 5:17). We now wait for the redemption of our body (Rom 8:22-23), when it is changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body (Phil 3:20-21) to be with the Lord forever (1 Th 4:16-17). There you have it, the spirit, soul and body in the Resurrection. If you do not see it yet, seek the face of the Lord (2 Chr 7:14; 1 Pet 3:12). Become spiritually minded, and experience life and peace (Rom 8:6). (2 Chr 7:14 KJV) "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (1 Pet 3:12 KJV) "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." No Bible to Back It Up If you are a child of God and do have the right mind, you should have learned some interesting facts. Again, when the Word says He raises us (John 6:44), gathers us, and when He appears, we appear with Him, the various details describe the same resurrection. 4 At the Second Coming, there will be only one first resurrection. Many have made the mistake of believing so-called Biblical doctrines that teach two or more comings again of our Lord -- like a secret pre-tribulation rapture, which is no such thing. There was only one resurrection for Christ (Acts 2:30-31), and there will be only one resurrection for the body of Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17; 12:27). So Many Details When Jesus comes, every eye will see Him (Rev 1:7). He will come back in like manner as He left (Acts 1:9-12) to gather together His Elect. Just because Jesus did not say in Matthew 24:31 that our bodies are changed, each fashioned like unto His glorious body, it does not mean that it will not happen. One Bible passage does not explain all what will occur at the Second Advent. There are so many details to be found through out the prophetic Word about it that have to be searched out. References:
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