Marilyn Agee (5 May 2007)
"Dead in Christ"

From: Marilyn Agee

Re: Doug Blakemore (1 May 2007) "Dead in Christ"
 
Hi:
 
> > Do they rise first and spend 40 days on Earth like what happened when Christ rose from the dead?
 
I can't see the time span between the dead in Christ rising and our being caught up with them in the air being 40 days. I think Jesus took those that came out of their graves and were seen in Jerusalem to Heaven on Resurrection Day. He ascended alone 40 days later, on Iyar 26.
 
According to I Thess. 4:16, the Lord shouts and the trump of God sounds. One shout and one trumpet blast would normally happen in a short time. Each takes just one breath. The trump of God would probably not sound again at the first Rapture, the Pre-Trib Rapture, because the "last trump" will sound at the second Rapture (I Cor. 15:51,52), the Pre-Wrath Rapture. I expect two trumps of God because there are two Raptures. Also, a "last trump" makes a first trump necessary.
 
I Thess. 4:15-17 says, "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 (Old English for precede) them which are asleep. 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: 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."
 
The word translated "together" is hama. Strong's Concordance says that hama is "A primary particle; properly at the 'same' time."  I think we will be caught up together with them at the same time. As they rise up, we will join them. Philip was caught up suddenly.
 
1 Cor. 15:51-53 says of the second Rapture, "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." That doesn't sound like it will take long, either.
 
> > The idea of a much shorter time came to me over the study of the 10 virgins and those sent away to buy oil but didn't have enough time
 
I agree with you. This limits it to a short time.
 
> > I see it entirely possible that the dead in Christ will rise just hours prior to our being taken up.
 
It might happen as it did on Resurrection Day. After Jesus arose, the saints came out of their graves and were seen in Jerusalem. Then Jesus took them to Heaven that same day, not 40 days later. He ascended alone on the 40th day.
 
After his resurrection, "Jesus saith unto her (Mary Magdalene), touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" (John 20:17). Later in the day, he could be touched.
 
Eph. 4:8 says, "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." Jesus took all the saints in Paradise to Heaven on Resurrection Day. When Paul was caught up to the third heaven (probably (1) Mars, (2) Jupiter and (3) Saturn), Paradise was in the third Heaven.
 
In II Cor. 12:2-4, Paul said, "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one CAUGHT UP TO THE THIRD HEAVEN. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth. How that he was CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
 
Since Jesus went to Heaven and returned on the same day, I think the Rapture will take place on one day, but we have to take into consideration that at any one time, there are two dates on Earth. Therefore, the date should be as in Israel.
 
> > I think that the dead rising will be just the thing to wake up the unprepared virgins
 
You are so right. Mt. 24:51 says that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Psalm 40:1-3 says, "I waited patiently (as in Rev. 3:10) for the LORD; and he inclined (bent down) unto me, and heard my cry. HE BROUGHT ME UP also out of an horrible pit (grave?), out of the miry clay (body of clay?), and set my feet upon a rock (the third heaven), and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth (sung by the raptured saints in Rev. 5:9), even praise unto our God: MANY SHALL SEE IT (the Rapture), and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." 
 
Agape,
 
Marilyn Agee