Ken, thanks again for the clarification.
Notice how I joked about the Rev 16:15 verse concerning clothes, even though I knew it was to do with the covering provided by Yahshua it still amazes me how Jews, and Christians alike, even me, can take some verses completely out of context and come to an incorrect interpretation. A bit like the "do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk" scenario! Even I got caught by that no dairy and meat together for a day or two until I received a response to my question on this forum. I always remind myself to read in context as so many verses are misinterpreted because of failing to read in context.
I like your explanation of the Rev. 16:15!
I seemed to forget about the Sabbath timing. When Jerusalem starts the Sabbath day at evening, it's still Friday early afternoon where I'm at. When you said that, I realised that I had actually come across that before somewhere, probably your book. So I guess I can be "out in the field" doing the daily grind when the Rapture occurs.
To answer your question "Have you ever met a 100% perfectly obedient believer?", my answer is "No, I haven't", but I have met some with horribly wrong doctrinal beliefs, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, etc. So to add more to my original question, even though their doctrine is horribly wrong, won't their belief in Yahshua's salvation earn them a Rapture passport? If Catholics get "taken" then the Catholic Church won't have much effect in the last days as they would have lost most of their support. Then to add more: What about Matthew 25, concerning the foolish virgins, the talent keepers and the separation of the sheep and the goats, is this chapter referring to those who believe after the Rapture or more do with those who died before it, or both? Because from my understanding this passage refers to believers who accepted the Messiah but then never followed through with obedience. And we know that the Raptured are saved but won't be judged, in the negative sense.
But then from reading Matthew 25 and other passages we find that there is a limit to Yahweh's salvation, which includes turning ones back, continuing in disobedience, leading others astray, etc. I gather this is where it comes down to a man's heart and his level of understanding, and only Yahweh knows the heart of a man.
Edit (just adding some extra bits):
I have just come across something that got me questioning. Matthew 25:31 says
"And when the Son of Adam comes in His esteem, and all the set-apart messengers with Him, then He shall sit on His throne of esteem. And all the nations shall be gathered before Him, and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from he goats." And Matthew 25:46 says
"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life." Does this refer to 5 days of judgment between Atonement and Tabernacles immediately after the Tribulation, or is it linked to the final Great White Throne judgment in Revelation 20:11-12 which says
"And I saw a great white throne and Him who was sitting on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged from what was written in the books, according to their works."?
And concerning who will be Raptured: Technically, those who teach, unknowingly, false doctrine in church are effectively leading others astray. Will these be Raptured too? From my understanding of Matthew 5:19 shows that there is a level of grace when teaching falsely, at least unknowingly. Matthew 5:19 "Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches men to do so, shall be least in the reign of the heavens; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be great in the reign of the heavens."
Edited by user Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:37:11 AM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified