Paul says, “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have FALLEN ASLEEP (those who being saved, have died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will BRING WITH HIM THOSE WHO SLEEP IN JESUS (their soul and spirit are with Jesus their bodies for the most part no longer exist). For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are ALIVE AND REMAIN until the coming of the Lord will BY NO MEANS PRECEDE THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST (God will prepare an eternal body for their soul and spirit to inhabit). Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP (harpazō: to suddenly snatch up, rapio in Latin where we get the word rapture) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD. Therefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
“…flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— IN A FLASH (atomos: an indivisible part of time), in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, THE DEAD (in Christ) WILL BE RAISED imperishable, and WE WILL BE CHANGED. For our EARTHLY BODIES, the ones we have now that can die, must be TRANSFORMED INTO HEAVENLY BODIES THAT CANNOT PERISH but will live forever. O death, where then your victory? Where then your sting? For SIN—THE STING that causes death—WILL ALL BE GONE; and the law, which reveals our sins, will no longer be our judge.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54) Remember the anti-christ cannot be revealed until the Church is taken out (raptured or caught up), “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only HE (the Holy Spirit in the Church) WHO NOW RESTRAINS WILL DO SO UNTIL HE IS TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY. And then the lawless (the anti-christ) one will be revealed…” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8) Now the Israel (being deceived) will make a covenant with the anti-christ for seven years…
Jesus said, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree (Israel is the fig tree). As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out (May 15, 1948), you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see ALL THOSE THINGS HAPPENING (Matthew 24 up to the abomination of desolation), you know that the end is near. It is right at the door. What I’m about to tell you is true. The GENERATION (Psalms 90:10 “seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years”) LIVING AT THAT TIME will certainly NOT PASS AWAY until ALL THOSE THINGS (Matthew 24:5-28) have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will NEVER PASS AWAY.” (Matthew 24:32-35)
NOW WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN (May 15, 1948, 75 years ago), LOOK UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR. (Luke 21:28)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham