WHO WILL GO UP IN THE RAPTURE? - Condition for Rapture Worthiness

Is the Rapture unconditional, regardless of one’s Spiritual State or lack thereof? Does striving for Holiness, not ‘Perfection’ mean nothing and will account for nothing as to not factor into being possibly disqualified from who gets to go in the Rapture? Are there no ‘Left Behind’ to have to endure and suffer through the Tribulation of Jacob’ Trouble and what Israel still owes YHVH and not the Church?

One will approach this study, which will be long, with respect and in the spirit of fellowship and to say, from the top, that one does not know. But it has been presented, very scripturally, that the Rapture is unconditional. Like with any other Biblical Doctrine, there is debate and division about it as such interpretations are only based on what one decides to accept, believe and subscribe to, scripturally.

In such similar inference, one will provide Scripture, likewise that would appear to refute this notion of an unconditional ‘Rapture Ride’. These are just one’s understandings at this point of one’s Journey of Faith and learning. This topic is also has been discussed for Millennia. So, allow one to start with some Truth Statements and general agreement, theologically, about the Rapture.

1) One agrees that all who are of Christ Jesus, redeemed, will go-up in the Rapture.

2) The Rapture is the occasion of the rendezvous of the Bride meeting the Groom.

3) The Body of Christ is to encourage others as the Day can be seen approaching.

4) One does not need to believe or be ‘watching’ for the Rapture itself to be worthy of it.

For context, I consider one’s walks on campus as if walking in the ‘Cool of the Evening’ as in Eden. One takes it as if one was walking with Jesus. And this thought came to mind about envisioning myself preaching the Gospel and explaining how in Eternity Past, the Work of Redemption has been already accomplished. However, it is working its way through our Dimension as we are bound in Space, Time and Matter. But also, who gets to go on the Rapture?

The notion is about how Jesus, as the Passover Lamb ‘had been slain’ already since before the Foundations of the Earth were laid. How can you explain that? Or in one’s case having received the Gift of Salvation by Grace, not of Works, but to do Good Works, how is that explained in that we still have the capacity to sin presently in one’s body? Well, it is because we are still connected to one’s body of sin.

Fruit Inspection
In a sense, the Redeemed in Jesus are a ‘Walking Contradiction’. This is what the Apostle Paul taught about, the Carnal vs. the Spiritual Man, and how the ‘Deeds of the Flesh’ need to be put to Death, daily if not moment by moment, etc. Although we were Justified in the Spirit, and we await the Glorification of the Body, the present Sanctification of the Soul is at stake and what is the Battleground. This is where the Spiritual Warfare occurs where the Bride of Christ has to contend with: Sin, Self, Satan and Society.

But thanks that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit that indwells us, mysteriously and with that as a Permanent Seal, is just the ‘Down Payment’ of the whole to come. And by walking and yielding to its leading, we can and do overcome as Jesus did, in the Body. This is how one explains to others this 3-Fold Salvation ‘Package’ that one calls it. This is all in context to how one will then address the Rapture Conditions. That ‘Salvation Package’ is that of one’s Spirit, Soul and Body having already been atoned for or bought, as in redeemed.

But presently as it pertains to the ‘Salvation’ of one’s Soul, that we have a part in, amazingly and daunting. Why? This is what will affect our Rewards at the Bema Seat of Christ. So, one’s question is then, is the Rapture a Reward? For further context, at the Bema, one’s Evaluation will not be a Judgment but a Review of what one did with one’s Talents. See the Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25:14. That Bema Evaluation was presented by Paul as a Military Parade with the Top Commander sitting at the Grand-Stand evaluating the Troops.

And according to one’s Battles, and Trials, Tribulations, War or ‘Campaigns’ endured or experienced in one’s life Journey of Faith, the Commander dispenses Medals of Valor, Honor and Glory for such Campaigns. This event is even sung in that Old-Time Gospel Song of, ‘When the Saints go Marching in’, etc. But one’s point is that even, say that all, unconditionally, regardless of Brethren ‘abandoning’ the Faith are present at that Bema Review having made the Rapture? There will be those that will suffer loss.

Jesus, the ultimate ‘Fruit Inspector’ will examine every Soul, individually as one’s Works will be put through the ‘Fire’ of His Eyes, as Jesus sees all and knows all. And as it is understood, the Fire will purge one’s Works as Fire does of the dross from Gold and Silver, for example. This is why it is so crucial that the Bride ‘keep’ herself, pure and continually tends presently to ‘iron-out the wrinkles’ caused by Sin, Worldliness and Apathy that can soil her ‘Dress’.

This ‘Wedding Dress’ has been given, bought by the Blood of Jesus. It is priceless and what gives us our Worth and Value, as that is what GOD the Father saw in Adam’s fallen race, not worth saving nor loving. The Covering of Jesus’ ‘Mantle’ is as that Covering put on Adam and Eve, presumed to have been the skins of a Lamb. It is what represents the Covering or the Atonement for Sin, metaphorically as the Wedding Dress of the Bride of Christ, etc.

But more than that, theologically we know that Jesus’ work on the Cross of Calvary went beyond mere Atonement that the Law demanded. Jesus also provided Propitiation. What is that? This is a notion that Jesus not only resorted what was forfeited by Adam in Eden. He bestowed upon the Redeemed an Adoption of Sonship to be Co-Heirs as the ‘Bride’ with Christ to rule all that has been given to Jesus now, and that is everything. This is incredible.

So, one’s point is that this Rulership is conditional that is also reflected in the worthiness of the Bride being ‘Rapture Ready’. Now one is not teaching ‘Sinless Perfection’ to the point that she is to be ‘Holier than Thou’. That state, while one is still in the Body of Flesh that is yet to be Glorified. So, how is one Rapture Ready? Easy. How is a Bride, ‘Wedding Ready?’. Is she pledging to be faithful? Is she still committed to 1 Man?

Is she not a Runaway Bride? Is she not cheating on the side? Is she confessing Sin when the inclination is to do so and the pull of Sin, Satan and Society is so strong? This is what and why Grace is fundamental and essential to maintain one’s part of the ‘Deal’ or Marriage Covenant. One’s point is, ‘Are we walking with Jesus?’

Thus, one’s Rapture Ready premise and condition is that so long as one is in Relationship with Jesus, one is secured of the Rapture ‘Readiness’. This is despite our failures and Sin. But in contrast, there are examples of Brethren that turned back to the World and willfully broke that Relationship to the point of abandonment. Are they Rapture Worthy?
______________________

1) DEMAS LEAVING FOR THE WORLD FROM 2 TIMOTHY 4:9-11
‘Make every effort to come to me quickly, 10because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry’.

Is Jesus going to force this man to be at the Wedding Banquet, refusing to put on the Wedding Covering? This Abandonment of is interpreted as not only deserting Paul but his Faith yet, not completely renunciation Christianity. So, one’s point is that he was ‘Saved’. So, is he going up with the Faithful Bride at the Rapture?

2) TRAMPLING THE BLOOD OF JESUS UNDERFOOT FROM HEBREWS 10:28-29
‘28Anyone who rejected the Law of Moses died without Mercy on the Testimony of 2 or 3 Witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of GOD, profaned the Blood of the Covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?’

So, are these types in the Body of Christ going on the Rapture, just as much as the faithful ones that are getting a specific Reward just for ‘Watching’ the Groom’s Return? Are those Brethren in even more serious spiritual states of Apostasy, to the point of profaning the Blood of Jesus, His Marriage Covenant initiated at the LORD’s Supper and even to the point of ‘Insulting the Holy Spirit and Grace’, are no less worthy of Brethren being slaughtered in Nigeria or Syria at the hand of Islam?

3) EXCOMMUNICATION FROM THE BODY FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 5:10-12

‘10I was not including the Sexually Immoral of this World, or the Greedy and Swindlers, or Idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this World. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Brother but is Sexually Immoral or Greedy, an Idolater or a Verbal Abuser, a Drunkard or a Swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12What business of mine is it to judge those outside the Church? Are you not to judge those inside?’

Based on this direct instruction from the Apostle Paul, it instructs the Body of Christ to remove a Believer from the Community for known Unrepentant Sin. It is an Act of Separation, which is meant to be redemptive rather than purely punitive. It is to protect the purity of the Bride and Body of Christ so as to have the Sinful Backslider repent and be restored.

This Church Discipline is authorized to remove the individual from Fellowship, and even hand them over to Satan for the destruction of the Flesh or the Body so that their Spirit and Soul may be saved. So, you tell me, if Jesus has given His Authority and Power to the Body of Christ excommunicate and even hand over to Satan an Unrepentant Sinning Brother in Christ, is Jesus obligated to have this Believer be raptured and to sit on His Throne?

‘18Timothy, my Child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous Prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the Good Fight, 19holding on to Faith and a Good Conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their Faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme’.

Here, the context is also very serious. It insinuates that Brethren can and do abandon one’s Faith in Jesus, but not His Salvation. But it stems from a deliberate rejection of conscience and a heart that increasingly rejects one’s pledge and promise made to Jesus when one first come to Faith, as in being ‘Saved’. Yes, there is the phrase that ‘when we are faithless, Jesus is Faithful for us’. But one would argue that this is in the context of one’s Comprehensive Salvation.

One does subscribe that once one is Saved, genuinely, Jesus cannot lose or revoke this Pledge and Promise as they are unconditional. But to say that a Brother or Sister that deliberately refuse to ‘fight’ for their Faith, to maintain it, grow in it and leave it will likewise, again in the same vein of those Faithful that did ‘Fight the Good Fight’ will be raptured together with those that refuse and reject wanting to be with Jesus?
______________________

Is the Rapture a Reward?
So, yes, at this point in time, one subscribes that the Rapture is initially a default, given, provide, a ‘Door of Escape’ as to the Philadelphians’. But as the cliché goes, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink’. One’s point is that it can be forfeited. It is Unconditional, as it was with Abram in Genesis 15. But like Abraham, he had to fight-off the Birds that came to disrupt the Covenant Promise.

Due to one’s decisions and disposition in terms of one’s Relationship with Jesus, the Groom, the Bride can disqualify her from being taken. What are one’s Scripture proofs of the Rapture Condition? See the Revelation Promises given to the 7 Churches of Asia. In essence, to rule on the Throne, to be caught up as that Man-Child to set with Jesus who has made the way through the Veil is be and do the following.

And they sang a New Song before the Throne and before the 4 Living Creatures and the Elders. And no one could learn the Song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the Earth. 4These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are Virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as First Fruits to GOD and to the Lamb.
_______________________

This is how in the present, the Rapture, in one’s assessment, is contingent on the theological notion of the ‘Sanctification’ Process. The Justification is what made ones’ Spirit be re-lit in the Past by the work of Jesus, all-inclusive. And then in the Future, it is how one’s Body will then be Glorified to complete the Salvation Jesus died to procure, entirely. These ‘Facets of Salvation’ also correspond to Jesus’ Ministry as He 1st came as the Prophet to Israel initially.

His 1st words out of His mouth was to Israel, to ‘Repent’. It is because YHVH’s People need repenting. He did not go to the Gentiles and say ‘Repent’ of anything as they were not held to by YHVH’s Law, etc. Then presently, Jesus is functioning as the High Priest in the Temple of GOD, interceding for His Body in Heaven. He is also preparing the Marriage Chamber for His Bride.

A Marriage Prophetic Typology
It is the Work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit throughout this present Church Age, as that ‘Eliezer’ type that the Father, Abraham sent to ‘fetch’, build, and adorn the Body of the Bride for his Son of Promise, Isaac. It is all in an expectation of presenting the Greater Rachel to the Greater Isaac in the Field. Lastly, 1 Day, the Blessed Hope is to see one’s body be transformed, Glorified to be able to rendezvous with the Groom, Jesus in the clouds.

This is what the Bride is admonished to do, purify herself, ‘make herself ready’ for that day. The Redeemer is her Reward and thus, the Rapture. There is an act of volition or free-will that comes with this command and responsibility. This is where one would argue, sin and carelessness, neglect, abandonment and out-right rejection of the Marriage Covenant will disqualify that ‘Bride’ from being presented as a Chased Virgin that, for example, the Apostle Paul’s entire Ministry was all about.

Like the Brethren that surmise that the Body of Christ will go into Daniel’s Last Week that Jacob owes YHVH for not keeping the Sabbaths of the Land, either up to the Wrath or the entire Sabbath Week, it has been described as the Groom, Jesus allowing His purchased Bride being beat-up, persecuted, killed and beheaded. Nice.

Thus, how will the Rapture include all those Brethren, that like an unfaithful, as a Cheating Wife, who insult the Spirit, trample the Blood of Jesus will be honored at the Wedding Banquet for her ‘Unfaithfulness’ and Spiritual Adultery? Recall how the Resurrected Redeemer in Revelation, as a Physician evaluated the 7 Branch Menorah of the 7 Churches of Asia. None but Smyrna and Philadelphia were commended and did not need to repent.

And it was specifically to the Philadelphian type of Brethren, Congregation that the Door of the Rapture Escape was promised to. The other 5 Church Testimonies were judged and removed. Now, to be clear, one is not saying that if one is not ‘watching’ actively for the Rapture, one will miss it. There are countless Brethren that have not understanding, comprehension or knowledge of such a Doctrine or Teaching. Yet, the key, again is, but they have their Relationship with Jesus, sound and secure.
______________________

A.I. Audio Synopsis