I would like to ask this question of the ones who believe that only certain believers will be good enough to be raptured:

If God only sees Jesus' righteousness when He looks at us, how can any believer be left behind in the rapture?  God says our righteousness is as filthy rags so the assumption that some people will be good enough to be Christ's bride while others are not seem to "Fly" in the face of what the Bible teaches about righteousness and Jesus' Blood atoning for our sins.
 
  Excellent question Donna. I hope the following will shed some light on why some hold the view that not all will be taken out initially, and rapt up to Christ in the clouds.
 
  If God only sees Jesus righteousness in us, then why did Jesus speak of an "unprofitable servant" (Matt. 25:30)? or why would He mention taking away from the one who buried his talents and giving it to one who made good use of his? Only the saved have the ability to be a servant, though it may be a profitable one, or an unprofitable one. And only the saved have talents given to them from the Lord. And why did our Lord speak of the possibility of losing a crown (Rev. 3:11).
 
  Paul spoke of there being vessels unto honor, and vessel unto dishonor (2 Tim. 2:20). Does God only see Christ in vessels, whether of honor, or of dishonor. If that were true, then there would be no vessels of dishonor. They would all be vessels unto honor, because only Christ would be seen in us.
 
  You see the dilemma. Now if I may, I would like to resolve it.
 
  The problem you mention arises when a clear distinction is lacking between those verses which refer to what God has done through the salvation afforded to us, and those concerned with the practical outworking we must go through to achieve that position in our daily walk here in this life (also referred to as our sanctification). In the former, positionally, we are clothed with the righteousness of our Lord. In the latter, from a practical standpoint, we have a choice to make. WE can walk after the desires of our old man - the flesh - or, we can walk after the new man that has been placed in us. Should we choose the latter, we shall be clothed with the purity of His holy life, which is also spoken of, not as the righteousness of Christ, but as the white linen - "the righteousness of the saints" (Rev.  19:8). Should we choose the former, we shall stand before Him, not as a bride adorned to her bridegroom, but naked and ashamed.
 
 Please explain how anything we can do can affect our status as Jesus' bride, except not believing that He is the Son of God, and shed His Blood for us.
 
 

I have mentioned a number of verses that speak of Jesus' disappointment, and the ability of the saints to live out a life not pleasing to the Lord. Many of these verses mention varying consequences that are the result of living in such a manner. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for being carnal (1 Cor. 3:1) and not spiritual. He mentioned they had spots in their feasts. Certainly not terminology for the righteousness of Christ. Moreover, he declared that some of these Christians were sick, and yet other had died under the disciplining hand of the Lord. Annanias and Saphirra were believers who lied to the Holy Ghost. Is this Christlike behavior of one called a bride?

What I do find so surprising is this: With all the warnings God provides to believers in the New Testament (though most are conveniently applied to the unsaved), and all the verses declaring we can live out an unsanctified life, contrary to the will of God, is this: how can my brothers and sisters so easily overlook the warnings and admonitions, and somehow consider that saints who do things like this actually look anything like a bride? worthy to be taken out and spared the hour of trouble that will come upon the world (Rev. 3:10)?

There are two important phrases that apply to the subject at hand. One is "In Christ." This term is used in the New Testament to speak of how we are placed into Christ - we have His righteousness, positionally. The other is "Christ in you." This is a reference of having submitted to the transforming work of the Spirit to the degree that Christ is lived out in the like of the believer, testifying to the sanctifying work that has been accomplished. And without the latter, the believer does not in any look like a bride, or, in any sense of the word are they yet worthy to be part of the bride. Hence, a sanctifying work must yet be performed on these individuals.  But alas, these are distinctions between salvation - or position - and sanctication - the practical outworking of the former position in one's daily walk that are soo often either glossed over, not taught properly, or simply avoided altogether.

The epistles to the Churches in Revelation mention the rewards that will be provided to the overcomers - not all saints. And one of the rewards specifically mentioned is for those who have kept the word of His patience: These will be taken out early, and spared the horrors that will come upon the earth (Rev. 3:10). That is the plain and simple meaning of the verse. Yet!. This is not what the majority of Christians believe. Why? Because! If one interprets the verse this way, they might have to re-evaluate whether they are keeping the word of His patience. As it stands, they can just continue to believe that nothing special is required of them. So they can go along thinking that they - as the bride - will be taken out. Nothing special required, and no questions asked.

Sadly, many will be quite surprised at the BEMA. Why? Because, we are bought with a price, we are not our own. Christendom says its the bride, while it lives like a harlot. Hmmmmm! Is she worthy to be taken out and spared the disciplining hand of the Lord?

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. Thus because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and am grown rich, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that *thou* art the wretched and the miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:15-17). May the Lord guide us, and prepare us for His coming,

Sentinel (Randy)

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