The Truths of God's Word
Must be Upheld by Those Claiming
to be God's People.....
Otherwise Apostasy
                                                                                               By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                               December 1, 2018
     "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."
                                                                                    2 Timothy 2:15
     "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnest contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the saints,"  Jude 3.  

Introduction
     I just sent out a Bible Study entitled, "Whether Some Like it or Not!"  In that study I emphasized the need for true believers to uphold the great doctrinal truths of God's inspired Word, which serve as the very foundation of our Christian faith.  Our readers may consider this study as a continuation of the previous study.  So let's get right to it.......
The Falling Away
     The prophetic Word predicted a great "falling away" from the faith just before the end of this present dispensation, 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
      I am well aware that some believers have chosen to transpose these words in this Scripture as "departure," and apply this statement to the rapture, which will precede the beginning of the Tribulation and the revealing of "that man of sin" [the anti-christ].  I am not one of those who has chosen to do this.  The Greek word translated as "falling away" in this Scripture, is the word "apostasia." This Greek word literally means "defection; apostasy; from the true faith."   See Thayer's Greek Lexicon, page 67,  Strong's No. 646.
     Dear readers, this Greek word in no way refers to the rapture, or as some say, the "departure" of God's people.  There are two  totally different words in the  Greek text, which refer to the rapture and to the "falling away" [apostasy].  The Greek word translated as "caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, referring to the rapture,  is the word, "harpazo."  But the Greek word used in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is the word, "apostasia."  
      The Word of God clearly states that "All Scripture is given by inspirition of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
     That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  See also 2 Peter 1:19-21.   
     Then the Lord God capped off His whole inspired  Word with a stern warning,  
     "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.
     And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book," Revelation 22:18-19.  
     In view of the inspired Word being a perfect treasure of holy instruction for God's people, given by the very Holy Spirit of God Himself, there is no way that I am going to change the inspired Greek word in 2 Thessalonians 2:3  from "apostasia" to "harpazo." I do not believe that Almighty God made a mistake when He gave mankind His inspired Word.   Do any of our  readers believe God made a mistake, and used the wrong word?
     The proof of this truth is all around us, staring God's people in the face today.  Is there a "falling away" from the Biblical and historical Christian "faith" of God's people, taking place in the churches and the ranks of Christianity today?  Right now as I write?  Or is there not?  Be very careful how you answer this question for the Lord God is listening, Matthew 12:36-37.
     Every honest reader knows that such a "falling away" from the faith, and the great truths of God's Word IS taking place right before our eyes. Any reader who claims otherwise, is either not looking, or is not being true to God's Word, or is, spiritually and Biblically, dumber than a rock, 1 Corinthians 2:14.    Is this stated clearly enough?
     I am also aware that some today are teaching that the Lord will not come before a great revival occurs among mankind on the earth.  They cite Joel 2:28 as a "proof text" for their claim.  Hogwash!  Their claim  isn't so!  Those who are making such a claim don't even bother to study the context in which Joel 2:28  occurs, or even the verse itself.  
     Now tell me!  Why would the Lord God send a great spiritual revival upon the earth, then immediately follow it with the terrible judgments of the Tribulation period?   Such a dumb theory doesn't even make  good sense.   Hello!  
     The truth is that a great "falling away" [apostasy] is taking place among the churches and "professing" Christian people, right now, before our very eyes, whether some like it or not!       
The Scriptural Timing of the Rapture
     This very year, I have been told that the time the rapture will occur  is prophesied in Rev. 10, in Rev. 12, in Rev. 13, and recently in Rev. 6.  Absolute confusion!  Readers need to believe that this confusion is not coming from the Lord God of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 14:33.  I suggest that it is coming due to a lack of obedience to 2 Timothy 2:15.  
     If none of these "hare-brained" guesses are correct, then when will the rapture occur, as set forth in the prophecies of the Scriptures?  
     Our readers might do well to remember that the Book of Revelation is the only book in the entire Bible given to the inspired writer directly from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Revelation 1:1-2.    So where did the Lord Jesus place the time of the rapture as occurring,  in His book of prophecy?   I'm so glad you asked!  
     According to the inspired Word, we believers today are presently living in the "Dispensation of Grace," or another way of expressing the truth of this present dispensation is that it is "The Church Age."   The Lord God transferred the authority to serve as His representative on the earth, from the nation and people of Israel, to His New Testament  Church, on the Day of Pentecost, some 2,000 years ago.  Of course He did!  This authority to serve as the Lord's "ambassadors" [2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20] to mankind on the earth, was indicated by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Lord's church on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2.  Read it for yourself.  
     Now let's go to the prophecies of Revelation.......
     This present dispensation obviously ends with the end of the "church age."  And where does the Lord Jesus Himself place that event in the prophecies of Revelation?   Why, this is easy...!   The Lord Himself places the end of the "church age" at Revelation 3:22, as He concluded his final letter to the Church in Laodicea.    The word,  "church" never occurs again in any of the Revelation prophecies until Revelation 22:16, where the Lord's "angel" [messenger],  John the Revelator, is  explicitly commanded to "testify" in the churches to or about the things shown to him in the vision of the Book of Revelation.  
     Dear readers, this present "church age," the Dispensation of Grace," ends with the rapture of all New Covenant believers to glory.  So what is the next thing we see occurring in the Book of Revelation, following the end of the "church age?"   Why, the rapture of course!  
     In Revelation 4:1-2, John was shown a door opening in Heaven.  Then he heard the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself [the voice which I heard at the first; Rev. 1:10-11], like the sound of ".....a trumpet talking with me," 4:1.  And what was the message being given to John by the Voice?  The Voice said to John, "Come up hither...."
     In the next Scripture, John says that he was ".....immediately...in the spirit, and quite obviously had been "caught up"  into Heaven.  
     There are several things to be carefully noticed in these Scriptures.  
     [1]   This is the very next event prophesied as taking place following  the end of the "church age," 3:22; 4:1-11.        
    [2}   A door opens in Heaven, obviously to allow John to enter, 4:1.
    [3] John immediately received a spiritual body.  Compare 1 Corinthians 15:48-50 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.  
    [4]   John hears the Voice of the Lord Jesus, sounding like a trumpet.  Compare 1 Corinthians 15: 51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
    [5]    The Voice explicitly commands John to "Come up hither," 4:1.  
    [6]    Instantly John is in Heaven, and begins describing what he is being shown, 4:2-11.  
    [7]   We know that John was "caught up" to Heaven because he describes things there which cannot be seen from the earth.  
     Dear readers, it doesn't take an "Einstein" or a "mental giant" to understand that a rapture is being portrayed in 4:1-2, and that in making the comparisons suggested, it is glaringly obvious that John's rapture typifies the future rapture of all true New Covenant believers at the end of this present "church age."  
     So when will the rapture occur?   It will occur as this present "church age" ends, and the Tribulation begins.  Also notice that before the Tribulation judgments begin on the earth, John is safe in Heaven above.  We who truly believe God's Word as literal truth call this the "Pre-tribulation Rapture."  And just like John, before the tribulation judgments begin to be poured out upon those left behind on the earth, we who are true believers will be safe in Heaven above.  Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!   How many have read Luke 21:36 lately?  
The First Scenes in Heaven
     When John was raptured to Heaven, he immediately began to describe what he was being shown.  And what was that?
     First, John was shown the Lord God Himself, sitting on His throne, in all of His glory, Rev. 4:2-3.
     Second, John was then shown "...four and twenty seats [thrones]..." around the throne of the Lord God.  Sitting on those 24 thrones were "...four and twenty elders...," 4:4.  Each of these 24 elders were clothed in "white raiment," and "had on their heads crowns of gold."  Now who are these 24 elders?  What is their identity in relation to the timing of  "the rapture?"    
     Those 24 elders John was shown in this Scripture, represent the raptured Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, which prophetically will have taken place in 4:1-2.  The word "church," is never used in their description, nevertheless the Lord's Church is exactly whom these 24 elders represent.  What is the proof of this?  I'm so glad you asked!
     It is the Lord's church the Apostle Paul was speaking to, when he said,
     "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?  and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
     Know ye not that we shall judge angels?  how much more things that pertain to this life?  1 Corinthians 6:2-3.  
     Now is it just "coincidence" that the inspired Word, in speaking about these 24 elders  shown to John, clearly states,
     "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people , and nation;
     And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign upon the earth," Revelation 5:9-10.  
     What about it?  Is this just "coincidence?"  Or is it the Lord's raptured Church which is singing the "new song" here?   I don't think I am mistaken in saying that it is the Lord's Church which has been promised to rule and reign with Christ, 2 Timothy 2:11-12.  Glory to God!
      Now yet another proof that this is the Lord's raptured Church in    Revelation 4 and 5.  The inspired Word explicitly states that John was shown "four and twenty elders."  Not 23 nor 25, nor some other number, but exactly "24."  Why is this important?  
     Because "5" is the number in the Bible, which is always connected with the doctrine of  "the grace of God."  
     "19" is the number in the Bible which is always connected with the doctrine of "faith."  
     In writing to the Lord's Church in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul was inspired of God to say,
      "For by grace [5] are ye saved through faith [19]; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;
     Not of works, lest any man should boast," Ephesians 2:8-9.  
     Now is it just "coincidence" that the doctrines of grace and faith, by  which all true believers are saved,  are  numerically set forth in the  Scriptures by the numbers, 5 and 19?  And what do these two numbers add up to?  24, as in the "four and twenty elders" which John was shown in Revelation 4 and 5.  
     In relation to the time when the rapture occurs in Bible prophecy, it occurs in Revelation 4:1-2, days, weeks, months or even years before the events prophesied in Rev. 6, 10, 12, or 13.  Hello!   
     There is no question that the rapture will occur exactly at the end of the "church age" and before the judgments of the Tribulation begin; a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.  Hello again!
Oops!  Pardon Your Mistakes!  
     One of the favorite "accusations" of my critics, and those who are like minded, is that we believers who are Pre-millennialists and Pre-Tribulational Rapturists, are followers and disciples of Sir Robert Anderson.  For those readers who are not familiar with his name, he is the man who, back in the 1800's, wrote a book about the end times and the coming of the Lord in "the last days."  
     The accusation made against us who are Pre-millennialists and Pre-tribulation rapturists is that, instead of studying the Bible for ourselves, we just echo or mimic Sir Robert Anderson's teachings.  Gee!  I wish I was smart enough to know where each believer came up with their particular theological position on the Second coming of Christ.  But if I  was, I wouldn't blabber about it, for Matthew 7:1-2 is still in the Bible.  
      However, in my own particular case, the accusers couldn't be more wrong.  You see, dear readers, in my entire 65 years in the Lord's ministry, I have never read Sir Robert Anderson's book about the return  of Christ.  I have heard about it numerous times, and have had it recommended to me as "required reading," for one taking my position on the Lord's return. But "required reading" or not, I have never read his book.  But I have been accused of being one of Anderson's disciples.  I don't know how that could be, since  I  never got around to buying and reading his book, and I don't have a clue what he said in it.    
     Then how did I come to the theological position of being a Pre-millennialist and a Pre-tribulational rapturists?  Why, that is an easy question to answer.  Just like Mary, the sister of Martha, I received my theological education, setting at the feet of Jesus, and hearing His  Word, Mark 10:39.  I am so very grateful to my Lord for what He has shown me in His Word, and what He has done with my life.  Praise the Lord!
     I have sometimes had people address me as Dr. Riley, and I have had people ask me where I went to Bible School.  I am sorry if I disappoint some of my readers, but I have no doctorate in theology, and I have never attended any Bible School.  Shucks!  I didn't even finish high school.  I dropped out of high school to go into public work when I was just 17 years old.  I never finished high school or even obtained a GED.  
     I am neither bragging nor complaining!  Neither am I   recommending that any young person follow my example.  I am just stating the honest truth about my formal "education," or lack of it.  The inspired Word of God, spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, clearly states, "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth,  is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come," John 16:13.  Folks, I grew up in a small farming town in the panhandle of Texas.  I  was such a dumb farmboy, that I believed what the Lord said, and prayed to the Holy Spirit of God for guidance as I seriously and regularly  studied His Word, 2 Timothy 2:15.  And what did the Holy Spirit of the Lord  do with my life?  
     He called me into the Lord's ministry, and blessed me with such blessings, that eternity won't be long enough to love and praise and thank and serve Him for all of His loving mercies and blessings upon me.  "Hallelujah, what a Savior!"  
     Conclusion
     Dear readers, if my Lord is not the Lord Jesus you are serving, and which you "profess" to love, you are missing blessings that Father God Himself wants so much for you to have.  Won't you read 2 Peter 1:10-11 right now, and "make your calling and election sure?"  And hurry!  Our Lord is coming to take His people home to glory REAL SOON.  I want so much for every reader to be "caught up" to glory with me and all the rest of the Lord's true believers.  Please don't disappoint me.  
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     May our gracious Lord add His blessings to this study, and of course, any reader desiring to reproduce it to share with others has my permission to do so.  
     My Personal Contact Information:
POSTAL........Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 Co. Rd. 8120, Rolla, MO 65401.
EMAIL..........francismriley34@gmail.com
PHONE........573-202-6493  
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