Hi John and all the Doves....About a month ago, or maybe less, some wonderful "Dove" recommended a book to me, "Beyond The Rapture" by Gary T. Whipple.  This was due to my lack of knowledge about the progression of salvation...justification, sanctification, and glorification.  I knew what they were, but I was not aware of what they really actually meant.  So, I took this Dove's advice, and I bought the book(a used one) on Amazon.  And now, I can't even BEGIN to thank this wonderful person for pointing this book out to me.  It clarifies almost everything I had questions about.  For instance, Rev. 17:14 says..."These shall make war with the lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings:  and they that are with him (are) called, and chosen, and faithful."

Who, specifically, are the "called," "chosen," and "faithful?"  I had an idea, but I did not know for sure.  This book clarifies who is whom.  It's quite simple, but, on the other hand, if you don't understand progressive salvation, you can't possibly understand what God was telling us.  Simply, the "called" is every one of the saved.  The "chosen" are those who are called OUT OF the "called."  Then, the "faithful" are those who are selected out of the "chosen."  This group called the "faithful" represent the "bride of Christ."  This separation happens at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (I Cor. chapter 3).

I'll have to quote a piece of this book from Chapter Eight on page 100 to explain the rest:

"It is clear to this writer that both higher selections out of the called, are memb! ers of the "bridal party" and as such will be at the "marriage supper."  Furthermore, it is our view that the "faithful" are those who will be further selected from within the bridal party, and as such, will become members of the bride.  This will occur according to God's sovereign election, in which the gentile bride of Christ has always been elected.  Specifically, the "chosen" will make up the WEDDING GUESTS, while the "faithful" will make up the BRIDE (compare the parable of the wedding feast in Matt.22:1-14 with the marriage supper in Rev. 19:7-9.  [then he indicates a diagram in the book]

"There is even a higher selection of the bride that we will be privileged to see in the next chapter.  This will be the highest selection of the "faithful," or the bride of Christ, and is referred to as the "wise."

"The remaining body of Christ or "the called" will not be a! llowed into the wedding feast and instead will suffer LOSS of reward."


This is only Chapter 8.  This book contains 14 chapters....each is more revealing than the last.  I can't wait to get on to Chapter 9......

So, for those Christians who believe they don't have to study the Bible or just live their life (after salvation) as they please (just going to church won't do it)....there is a HUGE surprise coming at the Judgment Seat of Christ after the rapture.  That's why we are told that there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth."  Those who will be doing the weeping are not the "lost"....they are the saved who are mourning over what they lost because they did not heed II Timothy..."Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of tru! th."

Before the rapture, there is time to earn rewards (this is work done AFTER salvation)...but after the rapture, it's judgment time!

Again, many thousand thanks to the person who recommended this book...

YsiC,

Arlene