David Blackman (20 Aug 2023)
"Resurrection and the Rapture, two separate events"


Hello Chance,
Your letter https://www.fivedoves.com/letters/aug2023/chance813-2.htm about this being two separate events is exactly what I believe is going to happen.  I will explain why: Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection, and this is recorded In Matt 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  There was a great earthquake when Jesus rose from the dead.  This earthquake had to take some period of time, to be a great one!  So for the next resurrection, which is the resurrection of the dead in Christ, I believe there will be a great earthquake similar to the one during Jesus's resurrection.  This will be when the land and seas give up their dead, just as it happened with our Lord.  How long will this earthquake be?  For this answer I would like to refer to Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.  This is going to be an hour long temptation/tribulation.  This is NOT the seven year great tribulation.  The Bride of Christ (those whose wedding garments have not been defiled) will be kept from this temptation, not removed from it! In Rev 3:,4  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  This passage indicates that all have received wedding garments, but only those whose garments are not defiled will be kept from this testing.  This verse also mentions one hour (know what hour).  After this testing the church (those in Christ) and those whose garments have not been defiled (Bride of Christ) will be raptured together to meet the Lord in the air!  The Bride of Christ is without spot or wrinkle, not the whole church.  The Bride is a subset of the church and worthy to walk with him in white!  To be a part of the Bride of Christ you need to have your wedding garments clean!!!  So clean up and get ready to meet Him soon!  In conclusion I expect the dead in Christ to take at least an hour and then we will be transformed in the twinkling of the eye and join them to meet the Lord in the air.

David Blackman,