Jim,
Your message about the possibility of the dead in Christ being around before the ascension of both the living and the dead was interesting and something that I consider a possibility also. However, as I read your verses about what might happen, I see it says concerning that the recently awakened un-dead in Christ that "they went into the holy city". In stead of the holy city you are suggesting the mall as a possible location.
The mall does not seem to fit the analogy very well, since the holy city I assume to be Jerusalem in Israel. Perhaps that will be action that takes place again. It is certainly possible that persons with glorified bodies will be able to travel great distances instantaneously, through locked doors, etc.As I considered your suggestion, I came to the conclusion that people at the mall would not know what to do with such an occurrence. Of course, many would be unbelievers and unfamiliar with the rapture verses from the Bible.
So at the mall, the un-dead would just be another mob of people showing up at once, perhaps from a fleet of buses some might think from a nearby school and/or institution for retired people, making it harder to walk around without bumping into someone--especially since all of the newly arrived visitors woud certainly be physically fit and active. Curious too some might think, these visitors are all around thirty years old and look to be in the best of health!
Of course, the believers would be able to sort things out correctly if given the the time and orientation that would lead them to think along such prophetic possibilities. However, a busy, merchandise-focused mall with all of the hectic activity associated with the decisions being made during a shopping trip might not be effective in providing such an atmosphere for recognition to happen, expect in the cases, which might be improbable in a short period of time, for those who knew each other to run into each other again. Even if they did, I wonder if they might experience some type of mental filter that might affect their thinking in some way, since such an occurrence would often be linked with mourning, grieving, mental confusion or even an hallucination.
However, if the holy city were the location of the appearance of the un-dead, then perhaps the chances for the living to accept what had happened might be greater than at the malls of the world. Certainly, someone enjoying the peacefulness in the Garden of Gethsemane or along the Via Dolorosa would be in the right frame of mind for such a miracle since the surroundings are so very closely tied to the life and miracles performed by Jesus when He lived in Galilee and visited Jerusalem on the mandatory feast days of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles.
It is an interesting notion that we will perhaps soon know if true or just an idle thought. But if your dead mother, and many other dead relatives of believers, should knock at their earthly doors no one should be surprised, but greatly joyful and thankful knowing that at last our redemption draweth nigh!
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2012/jim427.htm
Jim Bramlett (27 Apr 2012)
"Dead people at the mall?"
Dear friends:
Two world-shaking events of historic proportions are in the future, probably very near future.
I used to think the resurrection and the rapture would happen simultaneously. That is, until I looked more closely at the apostle Paul's exact wording. He said:Carefully note that he said "the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up." There are two events described here.
- "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 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" (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
We do not know how much time is in between the two events. It could only be a microsecond, or seconds, or minutes, or hours, or days, or whatever. I cannot prove it, but I personally believe it may be a few days' interval.
For example, many believe the rapture will be on Pentecost this year, or May 27. If the rapture is preceded by the resurrection, it would seem to me that Ascension Day, May 17, would be a good candidate. That is ten days. Could that be the same ten days as Revelation 2:10? I don't know, but it is an interesting thought.
If so, what might the resurrected ones be doing during that ten days or other interval? We don't know, but what happened after Jesus' death might be a clue:The resurrected ones "went into the city and appeared to many"! Mind-boggling, but true!
- "Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many" (Matthew 27:50-53).
I suggest the same thing might happen this time. The now un-dead will go into our communities and "appear to many." At that time, my own deceased mother may knock on my front door! What a shock, and joy! "Come on in, Mom!" Or they might show up at the mall! At the food court?
Such an encounter will tell us that the rapture is very, very near, within days. It will trigger maximum witnessing, as a final harvest is quickly gathered. Such a thing would reflect God's heart of mercy.
Do not be surprised if you encounter a formerly dead loved one or friend on May 17 or some other good watch date.
If you do, get on your computer and tell us immediately! Please put "URGENT" in the subject line!
Jim