Hi Bruce,
Thanks for taking the time to reflect on scripture with me. I would have submitted this Friday but had a terrible time getting on the internet and then staying on long enough to get an e-mail sent. Wondered what was up with the server...... So now I have had a few more days to ponder and that is ALWAYS good! Here's your e-mail:
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.
Your right, I let the number 10 get in the way of seeing things, but I am still viewing a picture of Rebekah coming to Isaac with the other maidens and her first view of him is with the other girls who are not able to participate as part of the Bride. They all watch as she meets Isaac for the first time and then watch as she progresses into a relationship with Issac inwhich they cannot participate. You thought that maybe I should consider the N T pictures to help put the O T into perspective. There is a system that I follow when comparing types that I learned from a friend when I first learned that there were types to be studied that would help get a fuller picture of what was in view when studying scripture. That principle that I use is called the first mention principle. It means that the first time something is mentioned in scripture, the information becomes the skeletal frame work inwhich subsequent information grows. Further information "fleshes" out what was previously stated and so the picture grows. My son was confused by reading the first few chapters of Genesis just this past week. Rather than being taught a lesson he read several chapters for himself and then came to me asking if in chapter 1 God formed man and woman, and then in chapter 3 he formed Adam and Eve as in a second set of people. I had the chance to show him how God states a truth and then brings it up again and adds additional information and that fleshes out the former truth creating a greater picture. He wasn't pleased with the idea that it wasn't all spoken of in chapter one, but if he is going to be reading scripture, he needs to know the principles in understanding it. I say all this because what is taught in Gen 24 must become truths inwhich the N T adds additional information. The picture cannot be altered because the fleshing out doesn't fit the structure. Do you see what I mean? The damsels appearing with Rebekah and yet not being a part of the Bride of Christ will happen in type in Heaven, it is just understanding how or when this all happens. It is also Rebekah's first view of Isaac and she actually see's him in the field rather than in the encampment...all of that is important and form the skeletal framework inwhich all other subsequent scripture must adhere. So my quandary. The facts are there, how can this all happen and yet there must be a place for the split rapture to fit into the picture without destroying the framework. Any more ideas for me?
By the way, your Luke reference could be in regards to Christians gathered to Christ during the 7 year tribulation, it could even be the Israelites' that turn to Christ as a nation and how they need to prepare before Christ appears in judgment preceeding the 1000 year reign. Just a thought.
Thank you for all your work. Laurie