Pastor Riley,

What happens to our physical bodies when in the'' twinkling of an eye'' we are taken up... Does the physical body die... Is it returned instantaniously to the dust from which we came ??! Do you think the evil of this old world will claim UFO's are to blame for the removal of true Christians at the rapture....just thinking your sister in CHRIST..Judy

Dear Judy,

Your Question: What happens to our physical bodies when in the "twinkling of an eye" we are taken up...

My Answer: The Word of God, speaking in the context of the bodies [and souls] of true believers, says, "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed," 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

Your Question: Does the physical body die...

My Answer: When the rapture occurs the physical bodies of true believers will not die. Who says so? God's Word says so! In 1 Corinthians 15:51 the inspired Apostle expressly states, "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep..."

The word "sleep" in this verse is referring to physical death. This is made clear by 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, "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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." The same truth is also confirmed in 1 Corinthians 11:30. In this context and passage Paul warned the Corinthian church about observing the Lord's Supper in an improper and disrespectful manner, and told them plainly that because some among them were not showing the proper respect and reverence in their observance, "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" [have died...are dead].

The word "sleep" in these passages is then referring to the physical death of the body. But it is clearly stated of true believers in 1 Corinthians 15:51 in the context of the resurrection and rapture, "...We shall not all sleep..." In other words, all true believers living at the time the resurrection and rapture occurs will not die.

I am well aware that some of God's people do not believe this because of their own misapplication of Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." This verse in no way states that men must die. All the verse actually says is that an appointment with death has been made for men. It is a Biblical truth that God Himself made the appointment with death for men [Genesis 2:16-17], and that God Himself kept that appointment in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. See Romans 6:10, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 9:26, 9:28, 10:10, and 1 Peter 3:18. Here are seven passages in God's inspired Word that specifically state that Christ died "once" to pay the sin debt of all. Christ has already died in the place of every true believer. Therefore all true believers are free from that appointment. There is no longer any obligation for them to keep it, subject only to the will of the Lord.

The final say so on this subject comes from the Lord Himself. In the context of the resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself clearly stated that at the time of the resurrection true believers physically alive would never die. Proof? Gladly!

In John 11:25-26, "Jesus said unto her [Martha], I am the resurrection [for the dead in Christ], and the life [for the living in Christ]: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead [physically dead], yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth [physically alive] and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" Here it is! The Lord in these two Scriptures is Himself dealing with the subject of the resurrection of believers. He plainly stated that those believers that are alive at the time of the resurrection "shall never die." Glory! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! The Lord said it and that settles it whether some want to believe it or not.

Your Question: Is it [the believers body] returned instantaneously to the dust from which we came?

My Answer: Absolutely not! Study carefully Job 33:14-30, noticing especially verse 25. This verse, in the context of one hearing God's Word [verse 23], repenting [verse 27], confessing and calling on the Lord [verse 26], clearly states of the repentant believer, "His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth." Glory! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

This is what is awaiting every true believer at the time of the resurrection and rapture of God's people. Glory! Lift up your voice and praise the Lord! Hallelujah to Jesus! Praise our wonderful Savior! He is our "ransom, verse 24. See Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, and 1 Timothy 2:6.

Your Question: Do you think the evil of this old world will claim UFO's are to blame for the removal of true Christians at the rapture...

My Answer: I don't know! But I do think it is a distinct possibility due to what I have read in some "New Age" literature. The New Agers specifically talk about a time when several million people will suddenly be removed from the earth and [this is their words] "taken to another planet to be reeducated." From such statements it appears to me that the New Agers, Satan worshippers, physics, etc. are well aware that there is going to be a rapture, and are indeed making preparations to "explain it away" after it happens. I think the wicked will probably come up with a number of explanations for the sudden disappearance of God's people, and certainly UFO's could be one of them.

Thank you for writing, dear sister. I hope my answers from God's Word will be a blessing to you. Just keep looking up and listening for the shout. Our Lord is coming very soon. I'll look for you in glory. God bless you. Pray for me.

Pastor F. M. Riley