Laurie Hane,

 

You wrote: "I am concerned about the type of Rebekkah, which is a beautiful picture of the bride of Christ being taken care of by the Holy Spirit (servant) as she travels to meet the bridegroom.  The troubling part that doesn't seem to match up with the split rapture is the fact that 10 camels are in view- those that bought the wealth of Jacob to be viewed by his potential bride- are inferred to be carrying Rebekkah and her damsels back to meet the bride groom.  While Rebekkah is the only one that arrays herself upon meeting Isaac, and gets off her camel and enters Isaac's mothers tent, the other damsels have made the travel with her and are all there, only left not only on the outside of the tent, but possibly in the field.  I had always thought that the travels of Rebekkah and her damsels were the travels each of us as Christians must make on our road to eternity- the ultimate goal being the homeland of Isaac (or Christ's homeland-heaven) with Rebekkahs more intimate call of being the Bride of Isaac (Christ).  Not all received the call, but they all traveled together to the primary goal with Rebekkah who ultimately received the higher goal or position of the Bride.  Help me.....have I missed something here."

Laurie, I have given the matter of Rebekkah and the parallel for the rapture a great deal of thought.  Here's what I think.  The story of Rebekka is valid to use as a picture for the rapture in my estimation.  I, however, don't seem to recall that all 10 camels returned bearing the bride and her bridesmaids.  (Does my memory fail...forgive me if it does...I certainly don't trust it as much as I used to).  In the story of Rebekka, ten camels were sent, but that's all we can know for certain.  To rule out the two-part rapture based on one parallel story, surely couldn't rule out all the other ones.  Perhaps, most notably would be that parallel picture of Abraham and Lot regarding their being called away from Sodom and Gomorah.  Abraham was told by God to leave earlier than Lot.  Lot was called out just moments before God's wrath fell.  Back to Rebekka.  Ten camels sent.  An unknown number came back bearing her and her bridesmaids.  I think God will send all His angels to catch away the saints.  But, those angels will only be able to take upwards those who are ready with their oil lamps filled.  The strongest case for a two-part rapture depends on the parable that Jesus taught. 

 

Jesus said:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there not be enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door (which opens in heaven at the Rapture) was shut (like the door of the Ark) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord , open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Now compare that parable to this:

Luke 12:36. The characters are not virgins waiting to be taken to a wedding. They are servants waiting for their master to return for them after he has been to the wedding!

35 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.
 

Well, those are my thoughts.  I've left a great deal out in view of other parallels.  May God give us all wisdom and discernment.

 

YBIC
 

Bruce Baber